Les Paul & Mary Ford: Alabamy Bound /Darktown Strutters Ball

Listerine presents: The Les Paul & Mary Ford at Home Show: Alabamy Bound & Darktown Strutters Ball. One of their many 5 minute episodes. (from 1953?)
Excellent Listerine commercial in between songs.

[@mountainstartemple6041]

Les says "wanna relax and do a song ... then goes into a frenzy of guitar acrobatiocs unheard of until decades later! haha

[@dimitreze]

"Baby, I'll just relax doing this freaking amazing and difficult guitar solo."

[@ifadeedemiyorum]

''This Machine Kills Needles''

[@JohnnysCoolStuff]

Les Paul pulling off every advanced technique in that one solo that every aspiring guitarist wishes he or she could do.

[@otisblueswelljr]

Nobody really gives Mary props for doing all those harmony overdubs. Almost as impressing as the guitar work

[@orzotubephi4288]

+otisblueswelljr And she was a pretty good guitarist too.

[@Martel4]

+otisblueswelljr First time I listened to Johnny is the Boy for Me I thought, 'Wow, that guitar!' so I had to hear more. Then I listened to How High the Moon and loved her overdubbed vocals. Both of them together were just so groundbreaking, her vocals were almost psychedelic.

[@waynejones205]

So she was like Patti Page, all three(four")voices separately?! Props HERE either way, and was she beautiful too!!

[@jukedar]

Just an incredible guitarist, I mean seriously this is back in the early 50s , the electric guitar is still in it infancy and this guy is absolutely smokin

[@melikeymakemusic]

I came here for the listerine commercial.

[@ToastmachineIdiot]

"Wanna relax and do a song?" "I'd Love to!" HOLY LES PAUL CUSTOM!!!!

[@overcamehim]

Just your average middle aged couple of the fifties relaxing at home catching up on the chores.

[@douglasthompson9482]

I wish it was the 1950's again...a better time. People were much nicer and a better way of life.

[@overcamehim]

Do you remember the 50's? I was 10 yrs. old in 1953. Pop music got a lot of my attention pretty much like the young people in every generation. The music was fun and sweet and innocent then. I miss that aspect of the culture.

[@davidhegarty9994]

one year younger than you, Kay. Used to listen to Les and Mary interminably, all day long. 'How High the Moon' was the bane of my poor unfortunate mother's life...........but she stuck it. And me!

[@greggmoldovan2670]

The guitar Sitting on the table is in the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame

[@doomiel6373]

keep it away from Tenacious D then...

[@elmud]

Les Paul stops bad breath 4 times better than any guitarist

[@ACfixer]

What this man was doing was SO far ahead of his time... Most guitar players alive today would kill to play with that kind of speed and precision.

[@robertquentincobb]

Les Killed that Guitar! And Mary has the sweetest Voice around! These are Decent folks, and This Music is PURE Americana! They won't make it like this anymore! Les Paul & Mary Ford for EVER! Thanks for posting.

[@frankgrassi6555]

One of the greatest guitarists that ever lived!

[@BIGERNMcCrack]

The toast is buttered.

[@GooglFascists]

... but her breath smells like a bear's @ss.

[@inkey2]

what is really impressive here is that the film is not "speeded up" he could actually move that fast

[@CenyddRos]

Okay - these are commercials, but it should be remembered that Les and Mary made their albums in a home studio - Les invented mult-itrack recording. What he did in his home, millions would later do in recording studios.

[@LASR71]

Damn, Mary Ford was gorgeous!

[@robertquentincobb]

Les Killed that Guitar! And Mary has the sweetest Voice around! This Music is PURE Americana! That wont make it like this again! Les Paul & Mary Ford for EVER! Thanks for posting.

[@fredandpattychandler4130]

The guitar is just as amazing, as the guy playing it. That solo, was completely radical for the 40', and the Queenesque, harmony after Les, by Mary Ford. Gotta love it. Been on a Les Paul kick lately, both the player and, the guitar. Got an early Christmas present, from my Wife. One like, the Black Beauty, Custom, that's in this video.

[@rayres1074]

+Fred and Patty Chandler They're from 50's, but yes, the solo is completely radical. Les Paul was full of these things. Like the solo from the World Is Waiting for the Sunrise, he even does tapping, which is, y'now... not common in the 50's.

[@ROOKTABULA]

I only ever saw him playing in his later years. I had no idea he was such a frigging insane player. Holy crap.

[@rushrox869]

Sheesh doesn't that man know nobody's supposed to be playing that well like that for another twenty years...

[@randyc5650]

They played and sang with multi tracks, which he invented, on Les Paul guitars, which he invented, back in the day I think before apps.

[@yourliver1]

lol, i love how he says 'lets relax' and then he goes all spaz.

[@fromthesidelines]

Les produced 260 five minute episodes in 1954 and '55. The first 65, designed to be seen five nights a week, were originally syndicated to 70 stations during a 13 week period in 1954. In the fall of 1955, a new season of 39 weeks [195 episodes] were shown on 150 stations for the same sponsor, Listerine. This episode is from the first season; the second season was photographed with DuMont's "Electronicam" film cameras [the ones Jackie Gleason used for his filmed "HONEYMOONERS" episodes].

[@jacobl4597]

I heard someone say once that Les was an "OK" player. That person should of been smacked.

[@fromthesidelines]

...and that someone was------CHET ATKINS! ;)

[@Stanger182]

Honey get your stank breath out of my face, you're ruining my coffee.... hahahaha

[@MrTrackman100]

Has there ever been a better guitarist than Les Paul?

[@Ddaniel99]

Les Paul R.I.P. Weve all learned to appreciate a sound, a riff or killer tone, which spurred us on, to emulate and try to craft one of our own. So many axes bore his name, the Les Paul lives forever. The Guitar World wont be the same and so we will endeavour to keep the Gibson Holy Grail the legacy he made. 100 years, bar six prevails his name will never fade.

[@V1kko]

i think he is not dead.. because every time you see a les paul guitar it reminds you his greatest hits and his soul to les paul guitar..

[@Crackers2549]

Les was one of the greatest, all time!.. Man he could play! Loved his style!

[@jimraw1]

@merkinracing Eddie Van Halen was actually in awe of Les Paul. When the Guitar Center opened in LA in 1986 Eddie and Les were both there (Les was inducted into the Rock Walk). They became friends (I think Les was the one guy that every serious rock guitarists wanted to know). Even more than Les' playing was his design and innovation in the electric guitar (and multi-track recording) that blew Eddie away. Eddie played at the Les Paul Tribute show in 1988.

[@davidlarson2648]

Les's black Les Paul Custom, show here, just sold for around $355,000 (that's including the auction house fee). It was modified heavily after these shows were filmed to conform with Les's low impedance concepts.

[@callasexperience]

knitting, crochet and electric guitars!!! I now feel like baking an apple tart each time I plug my les paul into my valve double stack 200 watts Marshall

[@singinjohnny]

I used to watch these shows when I was a kid. Needless to say, I was mesmerized. He was pretty much the chief inspiration for my learning guitar. Thank you for uploading this!

[@SickFX1]

"The" 1st shredder is gone, I cried when i heard. :(

[@zonegirl90]

I wasn't even a tickle when these guys were doing their thing but they laid the groundwork for a lot of music adaptations that aren't given the recognition that is deserved to Les Paul and Mary Ford; I still dig it.

[@karmayangzom5497]

Dig it! Magic fingers, magic fingers, make my dreams come true! Mercy, that man could play! Thanks for the upload. 👍✌️🎶

[@waltermirren7957]

+karma yangzom This is a commercial I can watch over and over again.

[@karmayangzom5497]

+Walter Mirren I'm with you--I just don't get it when people downplay LP's ability; a glimpse of this video should change some minds. 😊

[@TubeDupe]

I just saw this video last week and thought how lucky I was to be living on a planet that was still roamed by Lester Polfus. Now he's gone too. Les, you were a genius, a titan of sound, and from what I've heard, a jolly nice feller to boot. The story of how staid guitar companies turned you out when you went searching for that crazy idea of the solidbody electricly amplified guitar must touch everyone who's ever had a thought that was ahead of its time.

[@terrytickler]

its amazing that this fotage has serviide all theese years great tracls

[@Spaguy62]

The greatest.

[@MrMagnificents]

Got to love Les Paul.An Amazing person,guitarist and inventor.Every music fan owes him thanks.

[@marcstrat]

To bad that he died,today 13.8.09 RIP Les Paul,you brought the world a very nice guitar,and nice songs Thanks

[@crorivpro]

I remember watching this show when I was a little kid. I was mesmerized then. God bless you Les.

[@poughkeepsiejohn1]

You look at this wonderful short and you realized why so many rock and roll performers loved Les Paul. Not just the way he played but the way he used multi-tracking of instruments (it's obvious that he multi-tracked Mary Ford's voice here, too---not that he didn't need to, she sings pretty good!).

[@waltermirren7957]

You want to relax and do a song? LOL! Fuck I MISS YOU LES!

[@pneumatic00]

+Walter Mirren Best thing is, over at Les' house there's a 1955 Les Paul leaning up almost any piece of furniture and you can just grab it and whip out a tune in case you're in the mood---or done with your chores.

[@waltermirren7957]

pneumatic00 I would probably evacuate my bowels and my bladder if I came within 10 feet of an actual Les Paul, err, Les Paul.

[@waltermirren7957]

I just watched this stupid commercial; again and HOLY FUCK.

[@fabianseipp7167]

It must be recorded 1948 or earlier. In this year Les Paul had an accident. Since then his hand is stiffened and largely immobile. You can see this in many videos.

[@wesleyspencer3861]

I am so saddened that I didn't know who Les Paul was until his death in 2009. I have been highly inspired by his music and work, which has motivated me to pursue great skill in the world of guitar. I thank you Les Paul, Jimmy Page, and Scotty Moore for the joy and influence you have brought this 17 year old.

[@robibm2003]

Les Paul, Danny Gatton and T-Bone Walker: three players every guitarist should know about and worship. The world is poorer when the likes of Les pass. As Todd Rundgren would have put it, a wizard, a true star.

[@bowslap]

You know...I couldn't care less than I do now if Les Paul actually designed the guitar that bears his name...the man was a gifted musician, and having a Michigan masterpiece named after him is just the icing on the cake. It's definitely different hearing the man himself playing his namesake instrument, as opposed to how the rest of us LP owners play ours...thanks for the clip!

[@cuppajoe1]

The announcer in the commercial is Mike Wallace long before 60 Minutes.

[@wsmyers55]

huge; this man really changed the world. Can you imagine having this kind of impact, as an individual, on the entire planet?

[@Gibson1197]

I listen to pantera, slipknot, Ozzy osbourne etc. but i have been amazed by some of les' work. Its incredible!!! Also. Is that "The Log" sitting on the table?!

[@XDUBKORPSX]

Les Paul shredding like a monster

[@bobboscarato1313]

Les Paul one of the great guitarists of the 20th century, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Aleman, Willie Nelson, Laurindo Almeida, Salvatore Massaro, and a few others.

[@markybgoode]

Sexism abound. I love the way Mary Ford is darning his socks while she's signing. And, then the mouth wash commercial with the husband who won't acknowledge his wife till she gargles. Excellent performances. I love watching this.

[@matthewrichards88]

Happy Birthday Les Paul!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mergaz13]

No toothpaste is antiseptic---> toothpaste=0 antiseptic Listerine is 4 times better than any toothpaste----> listerine=0x4=0 antiseptic Great Logic! Nevertheless great music!

[@EdgarBermudezValero]

Que belleza de música, ojala siguiera existiendo

[@tylerchatman67]

The Greatest of All Time, Les Or Jimi, Super hard Choice

[@llatimer2]

Thanks Les and Mary, ALABAMA14 RTR

[@charzard1404]

i wish all house holds were like that, spontaneously break out into singing and playing guitar for any reason!

[@julianozain]

Thanks for post it. That man was great. God must have a special place for him

[@TubeDupe]

To whoever put that up: thanks! You're my friend now.

[@chwallers]

hilarious - now I know why grandma always kept listerine in stock.

[@majnoon4]

now he back with mary love to both of them

[@ShireGeordie]

The best Rock and Roll guitar player ever! Thank you for putting in on YT. Davy England

[@brabazon10]

he was a brilliant guitarist; I think he may have been influenced a bit by Django Reinhart?

[@singinjohnny]

I have to say, XDBBC, that you are most fortunate to have met this man. He is of my parents' generation and I'm sure his stories of those times are great to hear.

[@velvetguit1]

R.I.P les paul!

[@DakotaPlaysGuitar]

les was a genius... he will be missed

[@russellroesner6073]

Its funny. She is really relaxed and well, he is, and he's not. You can't play that good if you stressed out so I guess his is! I had no idea people played like this that long ago. It's techically really challenging!

[@michaelakey3154]

+Russell Roesner "People" didn't play that good-Les Paul did. Every guitar player that came after owes a tremendous debt to this immensely creative man.

[@TeoPostRock]

happy b day mr Les Paul

[@LorenzoMoore1000]

I love to hear him play tiger rag.

[@wildwoodboys1]

great thanx for sharing

[@maffoop]

This dude is the best. No question.

[@dismntledsoul1]

les paul... innovator. creating new techniques. a man before his time really.

[@JustSoJustSo]

I had forgotten how good they were.

[@mineyouto]

thats a real 1953 les paul must be nice and he plays so good

[@JBalphagolf]

this is great, thanks so much for posting it

[@SwampSurferPDX]

I love the Les Paul Custom he is playing there. Look close at the selector switch, it's a rotary switch instead of the long since standard 3 way toggle. Cool.

[@cosmin0115]

verrry nice tnx u les paul

[@Lasbike]

I'm glad i have a guitar model who's named after this great guitarist

[@fromthesidelines]

This is from the "first series" of five minute shows (produced in 1953-'54), filmed through "ATV Film Productions". The "second series" (1954-'55) was filmed using DuMont's "Electronicam" system, which was a live and filmed camera in one, transmitting live pictures to a control room area, while filming the image at the same time [the same process used in Jackie Gleason's 39 filmed "HONEYMOONERS" episodes of 1955-'56].

[@MsShadowrealm]

This was one of my favorite songs played on one of the old cartoons from the time period.

[@johnsmithbttf]

I'm always so impressed by his play...

[@fromthesidelines]

These were five-a-week five minute episodes, first seen in early 1954 in most areas, with national sponsorship by Lambert Pharmacal's "Listerine"...pleasant interlude, "pleasant" commercials.

[@rockincarbonara]

Thank You verry Much for posting this Video!

[@boogieste]

Still amazes me that he did all that multiple tracking straight on to wax discs - and she did her close harmonies similarly

[@durtsarockz21]

it's almost animated how he do he's shreds! pure awesomeness!! :D

[@iamelvisman68]

its the log on the table!!!

[@TooleManTV]

Better quality than the 10 episodes I found elsewhere, and not one of those either. Very nice. Thanks!

[@TheHuMoCa]

the original sweep picking!!

[@greekflatpicker]

Fantastic!

[@MontanaBonansera]

wspanialy pomysl! brawo!

[@afriamerikan]

RIP Les

[@ThomasMurphy55]

share with ALL your friends, neighbors, enemies, whatever. Les and Mary are ones and only. watch Les on today's NYTimes video "Last Words" too.

[@2Buellerballs]

Ain't she an angel? Ain't he a devil?

[@ankoslitoflower]

buy the dvd "chasing sound". it was made when he was 90, i think 90. but yea. has everythign thats going on "currently" with him.

[@JazzEthics]

Les was the greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tboltjohn]

A relaxed hurricane. Such a blend.