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...
Clearly intimidated by the cameras:)
Re: Grant's stuff being easy to play...yes and no. I find it very easy to HEAR...
I've told the story before, but what the hell. I had been listening to...
Some, maybe all of the modelers, have slots to insert downloaded IRs.
There are a zillion choices, some for free, others not.
Very little info on how to go about choosing one.
And, of...
Enforcing a law (the Lacey Act) that Gibson knew about- it's been in place for a 124 years so far, the entire time Gibson has been in business- and did not comply with. The blame here is Gibson's,...
This is also one of Grants most endearing qualities.
The chops just aren’t really all that remarkable. The ideas are incredible.
I feel like I should be able to play most of his stuff with...
Some folks are too confident in their abilities. I've found with a lot of artists/musicians I know, self doubt still exists in performers of a very high level.
The Jensen N10/100TR (Tornado) is as good as they get. I have no indication about it being discontinued. Uraltone in Helsinki has 16 in stock, I have 5, Tube Amp Doctor has them, and so does Thomann...
Jeff -
Thanks, nice recording. Well, what often happens is you ask someone to challenge your opinion, and they do, and then it's quite obvious from the response that they haven't budged an inch...
I was wondering why my Tone Master Twin is loud, but not "call the cops" loud (only "stern warning from the neighborhood HOA" loud). I just realized the specs for the stock Jensen N-12K speaker is...
PS. I evidently can't do math either. 99.9% + 1% is not... before anyone else points it out :smile-new::smile-new:
Just listening to Blue And Sentimental...
"Why Do The World's Best Guitarists Play On the...
Today, 11:50 AM in Guitar Technique