Les Paul & Trio

I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me

Les Paul & Trio

The Windjammers
Rondo R-2002
1963

Dark Eyes

I Surrender Dear

The Sheik Of Araby

I Can't Believe That You're Falling In Love With Me

Ain't Misbehavin'

Cherokee

Love And Roses

Sweet Smell Of Sunday

Powder, Paint And Perfume

Sun Dance

Les Paul And Trio

Tops Hi-Fi L1602

1957

From the back cover: Les was born Lester Polfus in Waukesha, Wisconsin, 1916. By the time he reached 16 he was working in radio stations around Chicago, where he remained until 1937. His next stop was with the Fred Waring band for two years. In 1940 he returned to Chicago and radio work until California lured him in 1942. Greatly in demand as a studio guitarist in Hollywood, Les kept building a reputation throughout the early Forties. He sought an extra-curricular outlet for his jazz inclinations, however, and sat in at most of the jazz spots in the movie city, becoming well known to the jazz fraternity there. His brilliant style at that time has been compared to that of the late renowned French Gypsy, Djengo Reinardt.

In 1944 Les decided to form his trio, soon had more bookings for the combo than he could handle. He played several of the early Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts which, fortunately, are persevered on record. Les' last jazz recordings were made in 1946.

Mention the name "Rhubarb Red" to Les today and it's sure to evoke a shudder, for that name was the pseudonym he worked under during his early radio days when he played the character of a typical hillbilly guitarist.

The following explanation reputed to have been offered by Les may account for his having turned away from playing jazz in recent years. "When I was playing commercial radio shows in the Thirties, I was doing fine, making around $175 a week, sitting pretty. Then I began reading what certain jazz critics wrote, saying that I should stick to jazz, that I had a real talent for the idiom and was wasting myself by playing corn. So I switched. I played jazz guitar and worked the jazz spots. Pretty soon I was making $75 a week."

Stompin' At The Savoy

Dark Eyes

I Surrender Dear

Sheik Of Araby

All Of Me

I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me

Danger, Men At Work

Coquette

Ain't Misbehavin'

Cherokee

Rose Rome

At Sundown