Robin D. G. Kelly's Thelonious Monk: The Life & Times of an American Original---to me one of the truly stellar jazz biogs.
Anything by David Hajdu; especially Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life and his biog on Nat Cole. (I've also corresponded w/him and he seems truly nice).
Frank Buchman-Moller's You Just Fight for Your Life---the Story of Lester Young. (All the Pres biogs are worth reading).
Art Pepper's autobiog (written with Laurie Pepper); and Miles (written with Quincy Troupe) are self-gratifying and hampered by loads of BS, but I've read them both numerous times. Pepper is a spellbinding raconteur, and his insight into other musicians' work is interesting to read (if his comments about his own 'genius' are slightly delusional). Miles talking about music has been great food for thought.
The Benson book was mentioned. One thing that cracked me up: some poetic justice. I knew Eddie Diehl for years, and he had a bug up his ass about Kenny Burrell. It had to do with a record date where he was sent home and replaced by Kenny b/c the company wanted a 'name'. He neither ever forgot nor stopped bad-mouthing Kenny's playing til it came out of your ears. I guess it's SOMEWHAT understandable. Eddie WAS one of the best, and a truly good-hearted guy underneath it all. We're all sensitive, and rejection---perceived or real---can really hurt.
Anyway, in George's book when he got the call to go with McDuff he was to replace Eddie. His comments---and they were respectful---were (paraphrasing): '(Eddie) was a formidable musician----not on the level of Kenny Burrell...., but he definitely could play'. Eddie was still alive when that came out. I hope he read it---it MAY have shut his mouth. I doubt it though---shutting Eddie's mouth about ANYTHING, especially guitar players he was jealous of (their stature in the biz, not their playing), was a tall order. But I had quite a chuckle over that one...
Wah-wah Watson was all over Motown recordings using as L-5 for another example. Though I hesitate to bring him up by name, because of the gut reactions he generates, there is a very well known guy...
FWIW, Pyramid also let you compose your own sets through their website, and will do "specialty" string orders, with optional hand-polishing at no extra cost (IIRC). Neither is particularly more...
$52 for a 300£ stool seems a bargain (esp. if you don't flush it down) :cool:
That picture gives me shivers though; the thing is probably better balanced than it looks but if it does flip in that...
If the rest of the band is standing, it feels odd to be the only one seated imho. I like to sit though, preferably on a barstool or something like it. A regular low chair or standing is just about...
I've caught up with bar 9-14 after my holidays.
I think the phrase is nearly correct, but slow, maybe about 120bpm.
This is played on my 7 string with a Sax plugin, I like the fake Sax sound.
Sweetwater is letting you sell gear with no fees, for purchase credits. Interesting.
"When you sell on Gear Exchange, you’ll have the option to redeem your earnings in the form of a Sweetwater...
For the novice player who doesn't have much experience with various string gauges, this Blues Set is a great educational tool. I recommend the following procedure:
Step 1: determine whether you...
Alternative to Reverb?
Today, 06:25 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos