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...
Uniquely uninspired? :D
Neck material apparently affects tone so I wouldn't be surprised if headstock weight has some effect too (try fixing sufficiently heavy sufficiently solidly and have a...
They'll get set over time. No harm from just applying a little elbow (thumb) force. I have a little knurled tooth needle nose pliers that loves to do just that. Once it's unfixed, you should be able...
For those who haven't seen it yet, Live at Ronnie Scott's is phenomenal.
I love Beck, BUT- I find you have to dig for his gems... where I can listen to an entire album of Steve Vai, or Satriani,...
I have a D'Angelico Premier EXL-1 and I am unable to adjust the thumb wheels. Worried that i may cause damage if i force them. Action too high so needs to be lowered. Any suggestions please?
Digital procedures are currently recommended as a panacea for all sorts of problems that humanity is facing.
In fact, they offer fantastic opportunities in the areas of research, science and...
I had a Plek done at Gary Brawer's shop on a Godin Multiac Nylon.
It was no better after the Plek -- the tech who worked on it just prior did as good a job. It was pleked because of a buzzy...
If you follow the piano, the beats of the segments of the continuous repeating melody lines are phrased as segments that add up to 12 beats.
Starts repeating 12 note melody segments phrased...
Gibson Thin line Guitar Models
Yesterday, 11:07 PM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos