Improvising - My Life in Music - Book and CD Package Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Larry Coryell may be a name known only to those who love jazz and fusion music. Within those realms, he is a legend who has devoted many years to his craft and artistry. Those who are lucky enough to have been around when bands like The Eleventh House and Return to Forever and The Mahavishnu Orchestra (to name only a very few) filled seats at the concert halls around the world with their brands of what was then an innovative approach combining jazz and rock music, usually light up when the name of Larry Coryell is mentioned. One of the vanguard forging cutting edge music in the Seventies, Mr. Coryell continues to this day to find interesting and new musical situations by which to communicate.

Improvising - My Life in Music is filled with anecdotes taken from Larry's life experiences as a musician, beginning with his humble beginnings in Texas and later in Washington State extending to his struggles and successes in NYC. If you've ever wondered what life is like to a struggling jazz musician in New York City, or at least what it was like for some of our heros from those heady days in the Seventies, this book will capture your imagination. Music and maybe art in general, is one of the few if not only categories in life where an individual can achieve mastery equal to that of a skilled surgeon yet find him/her struggling financially after devoting years of practice and performance to his/her craft. In Improvising, Larry even explains his own philosophy on such practical realities as they have affected his life. His stories are told in a very disarming, down to earth fashion and often Larry's humourous side appears to delight the reader.

For those who may have been fans of that era of music or even of Mr. Coryell himself, I heartily and unhesitatingly recommend this book.
To fans of music in general and even to those whose interest lie in the larger more ethereal realms of life's philosophy, Larry's honest insights will speak volumes. Improvising is an easy read which doesn't fail to keep one's attention from beginning to end. There's a nifty discography at the end as well as Larry's columns published in a well known musical magazine (remaining nameless for the purposes of this review) over the years with very helpful information to the aspiring guitarist. A must have for the guitarist in you or your family.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Improvising - My Life in Music - Book and CD Package

Product Description:
Jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell takes an unflinching look at his life and career, recounting his musical journey from his scuffling early days in New York City and his pioneering role in the jazz fusion movement to his current status as a world ambassador of jazz. Coryell reveals his own involvement in and eventual victory over the drug scene, and he gives his take on the musical giants he has known and performed with. Along the way, he details the development of his own style and provides inspirational words for fellow musicians. A special section presents a selection of Coryell's beloved Guitar Player magazine columns. Includes CD with audio lessons and original compositions recorded specifically for this book.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Improvising - My Life in Music - Book and CD Package now ?

Collection Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First let me say that I think Scott is definitely one of the very best guitarists on the planet. I saw him perform many times when I was a student at Musicians Institute. His best work however can be found on the following recordings when he was with Tribal Tech: Dr Hee, Nomad and their fourth recording simply titled "Tribal Tech." This fourth recording is the band at their peak .As Tribal Tech went forward the band went into more and more jams with the compositions suffering .Finally Scott went off into his blues / whammy phase which is without a doubt a step down and this Collection is a compilation from this later period . Several songs on this set are outstanding and if you don't have the originals it may be worth it to the die hard fan of which I am one . In the final analysis , if I want to listen to blues rock material I stick with the masters from the 60's and 70"s or withfolks like SRV or Satriani. The recording Scott has yet to make is one of rocked out versions of jazz standards . I saw him play this way with students the whole year that I was at MI and he was always amazing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Collection

Product Description:
This amazing collection is a guitar masterpiece where theguitar does the talking as it runs the gamut from jazz fusion to slinkyTexas blues and other harmonically adventurous forays into uncharted bluesand fusion terrain.
This material is culled from some of Scott's best performances recordedthroughout his long, successful career and offers guitar fans a peaklistening experience.
Henderson is one of the most well known contemporary guitarists in the jazzfusion genre and he has mesmerized guitar fans around the globe with hismasterful phrases and unique style. Throughout a stellar careeer spanningthree decades, this is Henderson's first Collection and does not fail toimpress on every track.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Collection now ?

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Swingin' For The Fences Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was feeling like a kid at Christmas when I found that the Big Phat Band had a dvd for Swingin' For The Fences.The CD is a real favorite of mine and with all the new technology and the high-definition improvements available for video, I expected another awesome gem to add to my music library.What I felt I got was a real rip-off.

Some may think the music carries the dvd, but my interpretation of a quality dvd is action to go with the music.This collection of still photos as the music plays along is a joke.

I'd suggest Mr. Goodwin talk to the producer of Lee Ritenour's latest dvd release "Overtime" to find out how to put out a product that will give you goosebumps because of quality music and video together!

If I could have given this a lower rating, I would have in an instant!If your thinking about getting this purchase, I suggest just get the cd - the music is awesome.If you want still pictures, don't spend $25 for them.Buy a good magazine!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Swingin' For The Fences

Product Description:
Introducing a first-of-its-kindDVD audio experience! Compatible with all DVD players, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band takes the listener through ten of Gordon's big band charts with amazing performances and stunning 6-channel sound. Featuring some of the

Want to read more honest consumer review about Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Swingin' For The Fences now ?

Al Di Meola's Picking Techniques (Instructional) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book told me more about "Profit Techniques" than picking techniques. Practically all of the material is excerpted from the (mostly excellent) transcription book "Words, Music, Pictures", and not even presented in a very logical context. The few sentences that specifically deals with picking, are just general remarks that aren't very helpful in the practical sense. From a picking wizard such as Al, I'd expected some killer exercises and top-notch advice, but this book was probably hastily assembled to capitalize on his name (I doubt he had much input on it at all). Nothing wrong with the transcription excerpts, except that they aren't really right-hand etudes, and you can get the full versions in the other book (WMP).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Al Di Meola's Picking Techniques (Instructional)

Product Description:
An insightful and helpful book written by Di Meola on his own personal technique of guitar playing.Includes exercises and excerpts from his music, which act as a step-by-step guide to help the guitar student play better.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Al Di Meola's Picking Techniques (Instructional) now ?

Ultimate Play-Along for Guitar (Ultimate Play-Along Series) (with 2 CDs) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is one of the best playalong packages I've come across. With Dave Weckl on drums, John Patitucci on bass and Mike Stern on guitar, all of whom are truly world class musicians. I'm not a particularly avid fan of Mike Stern, but this is one of those books that every electric guitarist should consider adding to their library. The emphasis is on melody playing and soloing, rather than comping, but there are chord box grids for all of the tunes.

The tunes are generic style examples rather than "real" compositions, but they work great as jam/playalong vehicles. And make no mistake about it, Mike Stern is really playing his *** off on these tunes! The back cover gives the impression that this aimed at the "beginner to intermediate-level guitarist", but there's plenty of stuff to feast on for advanced players as well, in my opinion. The sixteenth-note triplets runs in "Hip Hop (Jazz Funk)" is truly jaw-dropping, but almost equally impressive is the beautiful melodic phrasing of "Pop Ballad".

All the solos are transcribed (with tablature), and the transcriptions are very accurate. I think it's deeply unfair that the transcriber hardly ever gets mentioned by name in reviews, but at least this reviewer would like to give mr. Dale Turner credit for his excellent work!

My only complaint with the package is the somewhat cheap paper quality. This book deserves better! But in any case you should buy it before it gets out of print,you won't regret it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ultimate Play-Along for Guitar (Ultimate Play-Along Series) (with 2 CDs)

Product Description:
Ultimate Play-Along for Guitar has been developed so that the beginner to intermediate level guitarist can practice in different styles along with all-star musicians including Mike Stern on guitar, John Patitucci on bass and Dave Weckl on drums. This book and CDs package contains two CDs: the first disc contains seven complete rhythm tracks with the guitar melodies and solos, and the second CD contains the rhythm tracks minus the guitar. The book features complete transcriptions of all of Mike Stern's guitar parts and solos, as well as tear-out "roadmap" charts for each tune.

Get 24% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Ultimate Play-Along for Guitar (Ultimate Play-Along Series) (with 2 CDs) now ?

Ghs 3 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have listened to piles of fusion in my day, and this is one of the greats.No, it is not the most intense music out there, but is far more musical than most fusion, which ends up being a mere chops fest.All three of these excellent musicians play at their best, especially Frank Gambale, who simply wails.Every tune is strong too.Bring on more like this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ghs 3

Product Description:
GHS 3 is the third virtuosic, jazz/rock release from the all-star instrumental power trio featuring guitarist Frank Gambale, bassist Stuart Hamm and drummer Steve Smith.These three gifted musicians have written and recorded their most inspired and potent release yet. This recording features memorable compositions, high energy telepathic interplay, over-the-top-chops, and an expanded tonal palette with Gambale adding his virtuosic acoustic guitar to the group's sound.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Ghs 3 now ?

Front Page Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's hard to imgine why there are not more reviews of this CD. This recording, or, rather, jam session, is a lot of fun. "Fun" is something that seems to be missing in so many recent jazz recordings. The three extraordinary musicians on this CD are obviously at the top of their game and it really seems like they had a lot of fun making this recording. The playful pairing of guitarist Bireli Lagrene and bassist Dominique Di Piazza reminds me of the now vintage Pat Metheny recording Bright Size Life, in which Pat and bass legend Jaco Pastorius play off of each other's compositions on what has now become a classic jazz guitar recording. Front Page has the same vibe. The same playfulness, the same adventurous spirit, and, in some compositions, it even has the feel of something that could have been recorded in the late seventies--- the funky vibe is definitely there. This recording does, however, have a much harder edge to it than Bright Size Life. While Pat Metheny and Bireli Lagrene have vastly different guitar styles, the edgey feel of this CD comes from the "no holds barred" drummming of Dennis Chambers. This is not a bad thing. Where Bright Size Life is light and airy, Front Page is a bustling freeway. In short, Front Page is full of energy, full of life, and a lot of fun.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Front Page

Product Description:
Front Page is a collaboration effort between drummer Dennis Chambers, guitarist Birelli Lagrene and bassist Dominique Di Piazza. The entire CD features superlative music, with John McLaughlin featured in one track.

Get 2% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Front Page now ?

The Music of John Coltrane (Jazz Giants) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)While this book is an excellent collection of John Coltrane's compositions, I would not recommend buying it.For one thing, all of the music in the book has been transcribed from B flat (the key of tenor sax) to C.So, unless you like to instantaneously transcribe music as you playalong, or unless you just want to peck things out on a piano, this book isprobably not for you.Another disappointment is that the songs don'tinclude any of Coltrane's solos-- they merely give you the basic,introductory tune of the song, with some chord charts and repeat barsthrown in.Needless to say, I'm returning the book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Music of John Coltrane (Jazz Giants)

Product Description:
This collection includes over 100 Coltrane classics: Bessie's Blues * Blue Train (Blue Trane) * Giant Steps * Impressions * Naima (Niema) * Some Other Blues * Venus * and more.

Get 25% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about The Music of John Coltrane (Jazz Giants) now ?