Ken Nelson

Playing Strong at 90

Summary: Excellent. Watch if you like music or guitars, or just like a good story

Longer:

This documentary, released in 2007, one year before Les Paul’s death shows his life in context of his chase for “sound”.  The chase started early, with him modifying his Mom’s radio and telephone and never stopped.

I love music. And I love guitars. And I love inventions. And Les Paul did all as good as anyone has done any one. But what I admired the most of his quest for sound was that he did it for his _audience_.  He constantly sought out new musical techniques and technologies not just to please himself but to make sound for others.

I have a Les Paul guitar (and a few other types too). And I have a couple multi-track recording devices. And, a complete multi-track setup on an iMac as well.    I take it for granted. He invented it and made AMAZING music with early primitive forms by combining a little bit of tech and a LOT of talent.

Watch it. Even if you have just a passing knowledge of guitars or music you’ll enjoy his story.

Available in DVD here:
http://www.lespaulfilm.com/

Or search Amazon Video, Hulu+ or Netflix.

Occasionally, I’ll watch this video of “Man of Constant Sorry” just to get some snippets of the movie “O’ Brother Where Art Thou”.

If you haven’t seen the movie, rent, borrow, or buy it. It is one of the all time greats. At my company, lines are quoted often in meetings, at lunch, or just as situations occur.  Classics like “pater familias” or “we’ze thougt you’ze was a toad”.

George Clooney picked well in choosing this movie, and he does a great job. He has such potential if he would just keep his mouth shut off screen. The entire cast did a great job, as did the costuming and set design folks. It looked like the Depressions era south.

And of course… the song. Man of Constant Sorrow.  I was a fan of Alison Krauss and the Union Station before the movie, mainly for their bluegrass. They did the song, with Dan Tyminski, their guitarist singing it with his unique bluegrass tang.

If you play guitar and want to learn to play it… this is a good lesson.