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...
These two look cheaper - not as sturdy, maybe plastic. But I ordered the first one from 'zon because it's easy enough to return for free if it's junk. And it looks like it's not width adjustable. ...
Funny you should mention Smith, I've been doing this thing every few months, I pick an artist and listen to 5 consecutive albums on 5 consecutive nights...tonight I'm going to finish off a run of...
They did. Consistent quality control. Gibsons are pretty hit-or-miss these days.
Anyways, the H-575 is sorta like an ES-175 and Gibson doesn't make that model any more.
Personally, I like what...
On their current website, Heritage does not describe the top or back plates of the H-575 as carved, or even solid wood. They do mention that the rims are solid wood.
Here is the relevant copy from...
I don't think good or poor conduction is the issue, but which will result in the tone desired. When I replaced the stock metal bridge of adjustable metal saddles on my arch top with a single piece...
They are all USA made. Price wise, it sounds like a lot and I don’t understand the solid rim either. On the other hand, try finding a decent, used, es-175 for under 4K. I’ll guess they saw that...
Good suggestion, but 2 different animals, both in tone, and feel. The PM200 has a much deeper body, and the single pickup gives it a different tone from the PM120 which is a two pickup guitar, so the...
I thought they were but haven't kept up. Was thinking $4.5K and $6K are a lot for a laminate and the price, in addition to the requisite marketing, is propelled by the cost of doing business in the...
My Sakura 175 copy has the post and no bracing. Actually it looks pretty shoddy and with the fake humbuckers! I don't believe the post is a repair for a sunken top, I think it's instead of bracing...
Part 2 Secrets to McCoy Tyner using 4ths,...
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