Complete Fingerstyle Guitar [Library Binding] Review

I have received a request to review this book from Amazon.
Unfortunately, Amazon never delivered this book.
After about month wait, they sent me a message that the book was unavialble.
I gave three stars, because I am sure that one of Stefan Grossman's books, of which I have several, would have deserved 4-5 star, and Amazon derserves 0.

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Product Description:
This comprehensive text covers the spectrum of fingerpicking technique and styles. Preformance and stylistic notes, fingerstyle guitar solos and a listening guide are presented for each section of the book. Sections include; Gospel Songs; Country Blues; Ragtime Blues; Rags and Dances; Appalachian Fiddle Tunes; Celtic Airs; Jigs and Reels; Classic Rags; Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar and Fingerstyle Guitar Duets. All solos are in notation and tablature and are written by noted fingerpicking guitarists Stefan Grossman, Elizabeth Cotten, Dean Sires, Ton Van Bergeyk, David Laibman, Rev. Gary Davis, Duck Baker, Seth Austen, Steve Tilston, John Morris, Sid Percy, Tom O'Farrell, Jim McLennan, Leo Wijnkamp Jr., Lasse Johansson, and Claes Palmqvist. 237 pages. The 2-CD's contain 43 of the 60 songs in this book.

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Eurock: European Rock & the Second Culture [Paperback] Review

At a time when music criticism has degenerated into little more than fawning declarations of "best ever", "profound", "unique" and any other in-the-service-of-sales bromide you can stomach, it becomes even more important to take serious note of what comes from people who truly love music.

As he tells us early on, Archie Patterson was raised on records. Music is such a big part of his life that he turns out to be the right man at the right time. Because, while the U.S. might have been drowning in disco during the 1970s, Europe was the home of some of the most compelling, innovative and advanced bands to ever perform or record. Compelling and important enough to lead to the publication of Eurock, which stands far apart in the world of fanzines as an authentic journal of the people, the bands and the ideas that continue to inform and shape the many forms of alternative music today.

The 700+ pages of "Eurock, European Rock & the Second Culture" is nothing short of the definitive word on alternative, experimental and progressive European music written from the perspective of listeners and enthusiasts committed to furthering the cause of an alternative music and the culture it represents. The book's scope is encyclopedic, providing criticism, reviews and interviews with artists and groups, articles on independent labels, technology and instrumentation. The book even offers a rare article by Lester Bangs on Amon Duul.

Organized chronologically, from 1973 - 2002, this book provides information about virtually every important and not-so-important independent and alternative artist you could hope to read about from Europe, the U.S., Japan and points beyond. But much more than music comes through. As the title implies, the writings in this book are part of a time of profound cultural change which was in many ways inseparable from the music in question. Patterson asks us to look not only at the music, but at the social and cultural context of what helped make such music possible, and do so through the voices of the musicians and their audience. It is this aspect of "Eurock, European Rock & the Second Culture" that makes it such an important and authoritative collection of thoughts and observations of music and how music operates in the world. And what you'll find is simply that what mattered in the early 1970s continues to matter today, and will always matter to those that understand music to be more than entertainment or distraction.

So while the current crop of self-styled critics can spare us only a minute or two to tell us and sell us that something is "great" while they already have their eyes and ears on whatever the industry tells them is "next",pull out your copy of Eurock and spend your time with the people and ideas that have remained true to music, for the love of music, for more than three decades.

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Product Description:
Over the span of 30 + years Eurock was the first ever magazine to focus on the burgeoning European Rock scene. It became a renowned subterranean trade publication devoted to Euro-Rock, hence the name "EUROCK". It moved well away from mainstream music and devoted itself exclusively to the realm of "serious listening". Covering experimental, progressive rock, space rock and electronic music, bands like - Can, Amon Duul 2, Tangerine Dream, Neu, Kraftwerk, Faust, Magma, Supersister, Wigwam and Savage Rose. Many of the groups covered would go on to later influence countless hundreds of other bands down the years.
EUROCK - EUROPEAN ROCK & THE SECOND CULTURE compiles all the magazines majoarticlesis into an amazing reference guide that belongs in the collection of all serious experimental rock music buffs.
A Special Bonus introduction is the previously unpublished article on Krautrock from 1971 by the late Editor of Creem Magazine and gonzo rock journalist extraordinaire Lester Bangs - "Amon Duul: A Science Fiction Rock Spectacle".
250 Pictures ~ 2,700 Artists Indexed

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Music in the USA: A Documentary Companion [Hardcover] Review

"Music in the USA" is essential for the student, professor, or enthusiast. Never before has such an array of primary source documents been collected into a single volume. Easy to browse, "Music in the USA" makes for a fantastic research tool as well as a great read for pure enjoyment- one can easily read up on any segment of American musical culture throughout our history. As a student, I highly recommend picking up this book. I have used it many times in my studies, and will surely reference it in my continuing pursuit into the music industry.

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Product Description:
Music in the USA: A Documentary Companion charts a path through American music and musical life using as guides the words of composers, performers, writers and the rest of us ordinary folks who sing, dance, and listen. The anthology of primary sources contains about 160 selections from 1540 to 2000. Sometimes the sources are classics in the literature around American music, for example, the Preface to the Bay Psalm Book, excerpts from Slave Songs of the United States, and Charles Ives extolling Emerson. But many other selections offer uncommon sources, including a satirical story about a Yankee music teacher; various columns from 19th-century German American newspapers; the memoirs of a 19th-century diva; Lottie Joplin remembering her husband Scott; a little-known reflection of Copland about Stravinsky;an interview with Muddy Waters from the Chicago Defender; a letter from Woody Guthrie on the "spunkfire" attitude of a folk song; a press release from the Country Music Association;and the Congressional testimony around "Napster.""Sidebar" entries occasionally bring a topic or an idea into the present, acknowledging the extent to which revivals of many kinds of music play a role in American contemporary culture. This book focuses on the connections between theory and practice to enrich our understanding of the diversity of American musical experiences.Designed especially to accompany college courses which survey American music as a whole, the book is also relevant to courses in American history and American Studies.

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Joni Mitchell [Paperback] Review

It's ironic (and perhaps moronic) that Hinton should choose none other than Joni Mitchell as a subject for a biography.Not only is Mitchell one of the most gifted and literate songwriters of the 20th Century, she isalso one of the most iconoclastic, as well...shunning publicity that most'rock stars' consume with a spoon.And its these circumstances which pointout the failings in this dismal read: Hinton can't write and what he haswritten are quotes of Mitchell herself when she has deigned to submit topersonal interviews.It's appalling that the publisher went ahead withsuch a shoddy and thoroughly uninformative book about one of the great popicons of our century.

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Product Description:
Updated from the well-received edition, this new edition brings the Joni Mitchell story up to date.

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Mannerisms: The Five Phases of Manfred Mann [Paperback] Review

I bought this with excitement - but the content is less than expected. I applaud the guy who wrote it - someone finally wrote a book on Mann! But his material lacks depth, staying to a general history of the band and discography without too many details or personal histories. The text is spread painfully thin on many pages (as a graphic designer, I winced at how bad the layout is). I recommend this book for anyone yearning for info on Mann and the MMEB. But if you want to know the details - for example, where did the lyrics of 'Fat Nelly' come from or what inspired them? When and where did the band tour? Any tour anecdotes? Any personal reflections by Mann (or his present or former bandmates) on his career other than general platitudes?

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Product Description:
An exclusive and fully authorized biography of MANFREDMANN written by long-time Manfred Mann fan GREG RUSSO, the 275-page"Mannerisms: The Five Phases Of Manfred Mann" guides fans on a threedecade journey through the career of one of rock's most respected songinterpreters.As with The Yardbirds, Greg has also compiled andwritten liner notes for numerous Manfred Mann CD releases.
For the first time, "Mannerisms" contains:
Numerous revealing interviews with Manfred and his band members, past and presentA personal note from Manfred to his fansManfred's full musical historySong-by-song analysesComplete discography of UK, US and other important foreign releasesOver 300 photos, including every original UK and US release

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Secrets from the Masters [Paperback] Review

This 1992 book is a collection of interviews with famous guitarists - primarily rock and jazz guitarists from the 60s, 70s and 80s. There are some big names missing, but most are there. There are some interesting insights and anecdotes, and some music history. Sometimes I wished the interviews would get more a little more technical - rather than re-hashing the stars band-hopping history. I would like to know more specifics about how these top players view the neck, how they think and how they learnt, for example. That said, the book does contains a lot of insights and variety. I particularly enjoyed the interviews with Steve Morse and Howard Roberts -- guitarists that I was not previously familiar with. Les Paul is incredible. Actually - there are just too many good bits to itemize them here. A good read, and each chapter stands alone. I find that I re-read parts of this from time to time. Worth buying, for a classic rock/jazz (and possibly blues) oriented guitarist.

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Product Description:
Interviews with 50 of the worldÕs greatest guitarists spanning the past 25 years and collected into one information-packed volume. Based on articles originally published in Guitar Player, Secrets From The Masters features the most influential guitarists of our time - from legends such as Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins and B.B. King to Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton, and all genres in-between. This book celebrates the guitarists who have forever altered the way we play and think about the guitar. Within these interviews you will find poetry and prophesy, the outrageous and the sublime, plus rare photos, challenging music, groovy gear, groundbreaking techniques and other glimpses into greatness. 8-1/2 inch. x 11 inch..

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Celtic Crossroads [Paperback] Review

This book is a meaty little tome, 392 pages of entertaining text with a small, b/w picture section in the middle. I got my copy two days ago andhave found it hard to put down since.Despite his PhD in poetry and myth,Hinton doesn't go for academic jargon at all. The writing is brisk anddown-to-earth. Hinton is confident not only in his literary knowledge butalso in his encyclopedic knowledge of popular music, which enables him toput Van in interesting contexts at times.
Still, I've noticed a fewfactual errors and odd omissions (he doesn't know that the Bottom Line '78MC is Peter Wolf), and the writing sometimes seems rushed, especially thelast few chapters. Also, there are lapses in tone (Hinton will often jumpout of his authorial character to address the reader with a chummyquestion) and paragraphs that jump from one topic to anotherdisconcertingly.
Hinton seems to have about five main goals.
To arguethat Van Morrison is indeed a very fine poet, albeit one who's poetryrelies on its musical context. Hinton takes issue with the Johnny Rogan andJohn Collis books on this subject.To assert that VM's artistry is at itsbest during live performances. To demonstrate this, Hinton goes into greatdetail comparing the oft-booted Fillmore West 1970 show to MOONDANCE,arguing that the live versions of the MOONDANCE songs are more vital andinteresting than the studio versions. (I can't agree in this particularinstance - and *I* personally tend to feel that while the argument might betrue with Van's '90s work, the studio was where Van tended to be mostcomfortable and vital in the '70s and early '80s.)To make a strong casefor albums that critics often denigrate, such as TUPELO HONEY and COMMONONE, although he isn't afraid to come down hard on some titles (HIS BANDAND THE STREET CHOIR, A PERIOD OF TRANSITION). And he comes right out andsays that one of his primary motivations was to champion VEEDON FLEECE, analbum that he feels deserves a stronger status than that of "cultfavorite."To write a book that functions as a clearing-house of VMinformation. In this, he succeeds fairly well. There is very little Vanknowledge, lore, and minutiae that is absent. Hinton has done an amazingamount of secondary research and incorporated it generously into the book.He has even immersed himself in back issues of THE VAN MORRISON NEWSLETTERand WAVELENGTH as well as many underground tapes and boots (from thearchives of Geoff Wall), although I wish he'd taken more time to let allthe info. digest before spewing it out in the book, sometimes rathercluelessly. Overall, Hinton's use of secondary research is one of thebook's strengths. Unfortunately, there seems to be little *primary*research; most of his interview material seems gathered from the work ofhis predecessors: Ritchie Yorke, Johnny Rogan, Steve Turner, and even JohnCollis.To avoid the "wounded-journalist" bitterness thatovertook the Rogan and Collis books. Hinton doesn't stint on reporting manyinstances of VM's rude, SOB behavior, and he doesn't try to defend it, buthe also avoids moralizing about it or allowing it to (dis)color his view ofthe music.I'm sure Hinton has several other agendas in writing this book,but these are the five that stand out for me. I do recommend the book.Although the other books do more face-to- face research, and although theTurner book is the most cogent and revelatory regarding Van's spiritualconcerns, this big clearing-house project may be the most purelyentertaining volume yet written on the subject.

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Product Description:
Containing a host of new stories and personal accounts and interviews with those who know him, this new edition fully updates Van's tours, albums, top 40 single and musical collaborations.

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Soul Sacrifice: The Santana Story [Paperback] Review

First, I am a professional guitarist of 25 years who believes Carlos Santana has only four guitar peers:Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, George Benson, and John McLaughlin.So this is a biased review.And now the review:
It's about time a book attempts to document the history and significance of this important musician and band.Mr. Leng, a first-time author, has done a fine job. Here are six challenges that Mr. Leng met with impressive success:
(1) Explaining how a very specific aspect of Mexican music - playing melodies expressively - influenced Carlos's style.
(2) Explaining how each individual member influenced the band's sound.
(3) Explaining the difficulties of keeping everyone - from pop fans to jazz fans to record companies to managers to musicians - happy.
(4) Explaining Carlos's conscious recording of "corny" commercial music to finance the recording of his more adventuresome music.
(5) Explaining how Carlos is trapped (for better and for worse) in the "Santana Band."
(6) Explaining the true weight / quality / genius / level / importance / influence of Carlos and the band.
(7) Explaining the greatness (and that's an understatement) of the percussionists which have played in the band, particularly Armando Peraza.
(8) Documenting the long list of non-Santana band artists with whom Carlos has recorded.
Sooner or later a professional music historian will publish a more comprehensive book - say 1,000 pages.This book will be aimed at more serious students of music history.
The book will expand as follows:
(a) It will discuss Carlos's equipment.Carlos has influenced electric guitar and amplifier design more than any other modern guitarist except Jimi Hendrix. (b) It will explain in musical terms why Carlos's playing has so much "feeling."Put simply, Carlos uses a large variety of subtle nuances to make every note count.Like Pavarotti and Isaac Stern.
(c) It will contain hundreds of photos.
I wish I could be the author of this great book.I would title it "Espiritu - Carlos Santana."

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David Cullen: Jazz, Classical, and Beyond (Book & CD) (Acoustic Masterclass) [Paperback] Review

The arrangements are very nice and not too complicated for the common fingerstylist altough playing the right tempo is challenging. There is a pretty big downside - the CD does not include the music itself but general explanations which i don't find much logic in (not only for this book, for many other book+CD folios). But in general - excellent book with a lot of pieces to work on and enjoy.

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Product Description:
David Cullen is a master of many styles. His influences, which rangefrom gospel to jazz, and funk to classical music, combine to give him a unique voice and a deep sense of composition. David has performed and recorded with Will Ackerman, Mike Manring and many others.This book contains 14 of David's most popular solo guitar pieces. All of the songs are transcribed by David himself. Plus, on the includedMasterclass CD David walks you through the key aspects of eacharrangement. All songs are written in standard notation and tab. Bahama Beach, Blue Counterpoint, Coming Home, Cycles, Down Home,Ebb and Flow, Get on the Good Foot, Good to See You, Indigo Blue,Keep it that Way, Midari, Sunday Morning, Go Ahead and Play, Groove Etude

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10 for 10 Sheet Music Classic Rock: Easy Piano Solos [Sheet music] Review

This is the perfect book for a total beginner.I started piano lessons only 2 months ago with no previous piano or reading music knowledge.I'm not at a point yet where I can just open the book and start playing but I am able to clearly understand the notes and with time and patience and lots of failed attempts I'm actually able to play the songs now.

At the same time as purchasing this book I also bought a few other piano sheet music books for "beginners" but none of them are as basic as this one.

Bottom line - if you are a beginner then this is the book for you.And as a bonus, the music included in this book is great.

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Product Description:
10 for 10 Sheet Music editions are the smartest, most economical choices for building your music library. 10 for 10 Classic Rock contains the top rock hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Titles: After Midnight
* Cat's in the Cradle
* Desperado
* Go Your Own Way
* Layla
* Maggie May
* Open Arms
* Peaceful Easy Feeling
* Sister Golden Hair
* What a Fool Believes. 44 pages.

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