I heard a great story about Les Paul's invention of multi-tracking in an old (long ago defunct) basement coffee shop in Harvard Square called Passim, featuring

I heard a great story about Les Paul's invention of multi-tracking in an old (long ago defunct) basement coffee shop in Harvard Square called Passim, featuring Guy van Duser (guitar) and Billy Novick (whistle, vocals). Guy is a local Boston guitar phenomenon, playing stride guitar with 3+ parts at times. (Rounder Records carries his stuff--highly recommended.) Anyway, Guy told the story of growing up adulating Les Paul, struggling for years to learn to play some of his recordings, until he got it right. He finally got to meet Paul, told him of his admiration, and showed Paul his licks. Paul's jaw dropped as he told Guy, "I double-tracked that recording!" Of course, that left Guy floating on air...