Jimi Hendrix : Musician

Many books about Hendrix concentrate on showmanship and rock-and-roll excess, but Keith Shadwick's Jimi Hendrix: Musician brings to Hendrix's musical legacy as a guitarist, singer, and composer a depth of analysis missingfrom other accounts of his career, placing Hendrix's work in the broadest possible musical context, encompassing rock, pop, soul, funk, jazz, blues, fusion, and a range of classical disciplines. The book was first published in2003; sadly, Shadwick died from cancer in 2008 at the age of 57. This new edition in a compact format is published as a tribute to Shadwick, who was described in his obituary in the UK newspaper The Independent as “anauthority on classical music who also wrote in-depth biographies of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. He was a jazzer who rocked and championed Górecki.”

All Music Guide to Country

The Experts' Guide to the Best Country Recordings. The only complete guide to country music, performers and first-rate recordings, this easy-to-use book leads country lovers to the cream of the crop in all styles, from the 1920s hillbilly music to today's crossover craze with rock and pop. Covers over 1,000 artists and more than 5,500 of their best albums.

Tony Bacon/Gareth Morgan: Paul McCartney - Bassmaster

Paul McCartney is one of the best pop bassists in the world, and he was at a creative peak during the time he played with The Beatles. This new book presents a fresh musical analysis of his consistently inventive and influential bass playing of that period. Drawing on a special interview with McCartney, the book tells the full story of his role as bass player in The Beatles, from the first single, Love Me Do in 1962, to the last album, Let It Be in 1970. All bass players owe a debt to Paul McCartney's groundbreaking and revolutionary work with The Beatles, and for the first time this book shows exactly why.

Titans of Bass : The Tactics, Habits and Routines from over 130 of the World's Best

The Guitar Player Book

The The Guitar Player Book is a must-have for serious guitarists,A best-of collection from the magazine's four-decade history, this book gives guitarists invaluable information for improving their playing and understanding the instrument.Includes exclusive interviews include words of wisdom from past masters such as Chet Atkins, Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix and more.

Bob Dylan FAQ : All That's Left to Know About the Song and Dance Man

In October 2016, the Swedish Academy finally conceded to a quarter-century's worth of clamorous petitions and sustained lobbying enacted by a chorus of poets, novelists, songwriters, and academics. At long last, Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, his vast corpus spread out like Highway 61 behind him. How is a Dylan debutante to make sense of the song and dance man's six decade career? How might a diehard Dylan fanatic stumble upon something they didn't know they didn't know? Why, with award-winning journalist Bruce Pollock's Bob Dylan FAQ, of course! Bob Dylan FAQ, the latest installment in Backbeat's FAQ series, condenses the life and times of America'spremier songster into an addictively vivacious 400-page brick jam-packed with critical analysis, minutiae, photographs, ephemera, and period history. Every aspect of Dylan's life and career, from his ever-expanding discography, touring history, fallow periods, literary and visual artistic efforts, peers, influences, and legacy to his devoted fanbase and their, is explored. Best of all, the book's structure invites perusing at any random point, as each chapter serves as a freestanding article on its subject. Dive into Dylanana with Bob Dylan FAQ!

Dan Aykroyd/Ben Manilla: Elwood's Blues

Elwood's Blues is an entertaining and informative collection of conversations with the legends and rising stars of blues and rock music, drawn from the popular syndicated radio series, The House of Blues Radio Hour.Host Dan Aykroyd, in character as Elwood Blues of the legendary Blues Brothers, has interviewed over 900 blues and rock greats since 1993. This book compiles the best of those, including discussions with living legends B.B. King and Buddy Guy, past masters John Lee Hooker and Stevie Ray Vaughan, rising stars Keb' Mo' and Susan Tedeschi, and blues-rooted rock stars such as Robert Plant and Bill Wyman.

The Drum Handbook

Buying, Maintaining and Getting the Best from Your Drum Kit. Drummers from beginners to pros will relish this comprehensive guide to the tools of the trade! The Drum Handbook gives you the in-depth knowledge you need to choose the whole range of gear, including drums, cymbals, hardware, heads and sticks - new, used and vintage. Includes info on setting up, tuning and maintenance, plus tips from top pros on gear, recording, playing live and surviving on the road. Fully illustrated and authoritatively written, this book includes a website directory and an exhaustive glossary of technical terms.

Digital Home Recording - Updated And Expanded 2nd Edition

Tips, Techniques and Tools for Home Studio Production.This how-to guide is ideal for musicians who are new to the complexities of digital recording, as well as for those who want to keep up with the fast-changing technology. Providing detailed guidance on using hard disk and DAT technologies, stand-alone workstations, computer-based DAWs, surround sound 5.1 and more, plus related hardware and software-based tools such as Softsynths, plug-ins and software samplers, this book also surveys two-track audio recorders/editors, host-based audio/MIDI programs and CD mastering.Its analysis of emerging technology helps readers make informed decisions for creating and operating a cost-effective, professional-level digital studio at home.

Tony Bacon: The Ibanez Electric Guitar Book

Ibanez is the most important Japanese guitar brand, and this new book tells the story of its electric guitars, tracking the fortunes of this impressive brand.At first the guitars were cheap and basic, and in the 1970s, Ibanez was best known for its copies of leading Gibson instruments, including Les Pauls, SGs, and Explorers. As the Japanese music industry gained maturity and increased quality, Ibanez made more assured instruments with original features; and in the late '70s and early '80s, it hit new peaks of achievement. The big break came in the late '80s with the arrival of Steve Vai's impressive and spectacular JEM signature models. In recent years, the company has continued to provide great modern electric guitars.Ibanez guitarists featured in the book include George Benson, Charlie Burchill (Simple Minds), Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, Steve Miller, Joni Mitchell, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Lee Ritenour, Joe Satriani, John Scofield, Paul Stanley (Kiss), Mick Thompson (Slipknot), Steve Vai, and Bob Weir (Grateful Dead).The book is in the tradition of Tony Bacon's best-selling guitar series, with a carefully researched story, including exclusive interviews with Vai and Satriani, a gallery of full-color pictures of famous guitars and players, and a reference section detailing production years and specifications of all Ibanez's electric models.

Ben Fong-Torres: Becoming Almost Famous - My Back Pages In Music, Writing, And Life

This volume collects many of the best articles from veteran Rolling Stone writer Ben Fong-Torres. While many will recognize Ben as he was portrayed in Cameron Crowe's hit film Almost Famous, his thoughtful and engaging stories have been providing a backstage view for over 30 years.This book features a slew of entertaining and informative music and pop-culture pieces, as well as personal essays about growing up Asian-American and about Ben's interest in radio broadcasting. Through insightful introductions to every article, Fong-Torres offers an inside view of the writing and editing process, from getting an assignment and developing an idea to an article's completion in printed form.

Tamara Palmer: Country Fried Soul - Adventures In Dirty South Hip Hop

Hip-hop is the biggest youth movement in the world today, and leading the way is the new sound of the South, exemplified by platinum and multi-platinum artists like OutKast, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Ludacris, Ying Yang Twins and 8Ball and MJG.This fascinating book reveals where Dirty South hip-hop came from and where it's heading. It explores the hopes, struggles, and frustrations of performers and producers, and guides you to the best in Southern hip-hop on CD and DVD, in magazines, and on the web.If you want to know where the South is taking music, you need this book. Includes foreword by Mississippi rapper David Banner.

Tony Bacon: 50 Years Of Gretsch Electrics

Introduced in 1954 as one of Gretsch's Guitars of the Future, the White Falcon was an overwhelmingly impressive instrument. The influence of this spectacular new guitar spread to other models and guitar manufacturers. It was the dawn of a half-century of awe-inspiring guitars which are now favored by widely popular artists including Pete Townshend, Tom Petty, Alanis Morisette, Sheryl Crow, John Frusciante, Bo Diddley, and more. This book compiles the best of Gretsch's inventions over the past 50 years and tells the stories of their creation and the men who created them. Includes 100 photos! (8-1/2 inch. x 11 inch., 144 pages)

Unfinished Business - The Life & Times of Danny Gatton

Danny Gatton was a players' guitar player, hailed by both Rolling Stone and Guitar Player as the greatest unknown guitarist anywhere. His legend has only grown since his untimely suicide in 1994, along with appreciation for his blinding speed, effortless genre-hopping, flawless technique, and never-ending appetite for tinkering and problem-solving. Drawing from first-hand interviews with dozens of friends, family members and fellow musicians, Unfinished Business places Gatton's musical contributions into context, and documents his influence on those peers who admired him most, including Albert Lee, Vince Gill, Arlen Roth and Lou Reed. 290 pages, 6 inch. x 9 inch. Danny Gatton comes closer than anyone else to being the best guitar player that ever lived. - Steve Vai

Michael Jackson FAQ : All That's Left To Know About The King Of Pop

Michael Jackson may be the King of Pop, but his influence extends much further. From his childhood years with the Jackson 5 through his astonishing solo career, he consistently broke sales records, pioneered the modern music video, and infused danceinto rock and pop. While his life story has been well chronicled, Michael Jackson FAQ explores the stories behind his achievements.Did he play any instruments? How much of his own music did he compose? Who were his greatest influencesin both music and dance? His art is his legacy, and Michael Jackson FAQ takes an in-depth look at Jacksons work with the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons in addition to his solo catalog. Learn why current artists such as Justin Timberlake, LadyGaga, Justin Bieber, and countless boy bands still emulate his sound, look, and showmanship. Questions are tackled – such as whether Off the Wall or Thriller better stands the test of time.From his childhood in Gary,Indiana, through the posthumous albums, this book covers lesser-known but important stories such as how Jackson influenced disco and hip-hop, how his singing style transitioned from childhood to adulthood, and how he learned to moonwalk.

Frank Zappa FAQ : All That's Left to Know About the Father of Invention

In this volume, author John Corcelli reveals Zappa's roots as a musician, from his diverse influences to his personal life. We also learn more about his former band members and the enormous musical legacy inherited by his son, Dweezil. The book features a juried examination of Zappa's recordings and his videos. It also features a complete discography and a recommended reading list. Each chapter has a special focus on Zappa's life, with sections covering his family, his home studio - known as the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen - his keen interest in the Synclavier (a device he first used in 1980), his guitars, and more. Special attention is paid to the Mothers of Invention. FrankZappa FAQ is a must-have for fans new and old looking to delve into some of the best music ever made by one of the most innovative artists the world has known.

Richie Unterberger: Turn! Turn! Turn! - The '60s Folk-Rock Revolution

Setting the scene with America's traditional folk of the early '60s, this book describes the sea of change that began in 1964 when the social consciousness of folk met the energy of rock. It concentrates on 1964-66, when the best, most popular, and most controversial folk-rock was created. The book explores the dizzyingly fast cross-fertilization of such giants as The Beatles, The Byrds, and Dylan; the passionate conflicts between folk devotees and folk-rockers; the sudden frenzy of the media; and the unforgettable music that was born.Turn! Turn! Turn! also examines how folk-rock continued to influence late '60s psychedelic rock, country-rock and the British scene, as well as its gradual, partial transformation into the singer-songwriter movement. Based on first-hand interviews with such visionaries as Roger McGuinn, Judy Collins, Donovan, John Sebastian, Arlo Guthrie, Janis Ian and dozens of others.

Dave Hunter: The Guitar Amp Handbook - Understanding Tube Amplifiers And Getting Great Sounds

There's a huge amount of hype and mythology surrounding tube amplifiers in the Guitar world. For years, experts have argued over the tiny details of exactly how they do what they do, and how their various components interact. What's undeniable is that, far more than being just a 'loudness booster,' the unique combination of tubes, capacitors, resistors, and transformers in these amps can contribute enormously to the quality of sound derived from any Electric Guitar. In this thorough and authoritative book, Dave Hunter cuts through the marketing hyperbole, and the blind faith, and supplies all the information you need to choose the right amp, and get the best from it. The book also features exclusively conducted, in-depth interviews with leading figures in the tube amp-building world ? including Ken Fischer, Mark Sampson, and Michael Zaite ? and even provides full instructions on how to construct your own high-quality tube Guitar amp from scratch. 40 colour and 90 black and white illustrations and photographs.

Bruce Springsteen - Like a Killer in the Sun : Selected Lyrics 1972-2017

Bruce Springsteen - Like a Killer in the Sun, originally published in Italian, is the definitive book on the work of Bruce Springsteen, showing his unique narrative talent and offering an accurate critical examination of his poetics. It presents 117 among his best lyrics, expounded and annotated with the philological care used for the classics of literature. In his introduction, Leonardo Colombati draws the attention to the fact that Springsteen is an author grafted on the line that goes from Whitman to Steinbeck, from Flannery O'Connor to Raymond Carver. The book also contains Springsteen's biography and discography, plus an exclusive interview with Bruce Springsteen. Withforewords by Academy Award-winner Ennio Morricone and music critic Dave Marsh, a committee member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Springsteen's biographer. Like a Killer in the Sun is a book for anyone who wants to listen to a powerful and inspired voice coming from the heart of America.

Sinister Urge : The Life and Times of Rob Zombie

Sinister Urge is the first in-depth, career-spanning biography of heavy-metal musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie. Born Robert Cummings in 1965, Zombie is now as well known for his movies as he is for his music, which he has released and performed both as a solo artist and as part of his early band White Zombie. In both fields, he imbues his art with the vivid sense of macabre theater that has thrilled his millions of disciples since he and his band first emerged with Soul-Crusher in 1987. Although he has sold millions of albums and generated many more millions of dollars at the box office, Zombie has never taken the easy option or the predictable route. Indeed, while themusic industry - and many of his peers - have fallen to their knees in the last decade or so, Zombie has found a new edge, his work undiluted by success or middle age. Drawing on original research and new interviews with bandmates and associates, Sinister Urge takes a detailed look at Zombie's challenging oeuvre, offering close analysis of his albums and films alongside tales of his life and work on and offstage.

Rod Fogg: The Electric Guitar Handbook

Backbeat's successful Handbook format applied to the world's most popular instrument. The Electric Guitar Handbook is the latest entry in Backbeat's best-selling handbook series, combining a two-part book and an audio CD in a practical lay-flat binding for ease of reference when playing.Part one of the book examines how different types of Electric Guitars are made, and why varying construction methods influence the way Guitars sound. It also looks at the role of various pieces of Guitar hardware, including pick-ups, tremolo set-ups, and bridges.Part two is a comprehensive, user-friendly course in playing the Electric Guitar, from the basics of posture and hand positioning to music and tab reading and advanced performance. Newly written exercises - presented in the book and also on the accompanying CD - take the learner through each step in the process, covering styles including rock, country, blues, soul/funk, indie/alternative, and metal.Author Rod Fogg also offers practical advice on everything from simple scales to complex chords, alongside short features introducing key performers and styles.

Morrissey FAQ : All That's Left to Know About This Charming Man

No one can argue that Morrissey is one of the best lyricists and charismatic front men in music history. But people love to argue about other things – his mysterious personal life, his pompous attitude, and the history andmeaning behind his biggest hits.Morrissey FAQ will put to rest any questions and doubts about the singer known around the world for his meaningful lyrics and biting wit. Readers will also learn about his passions,his weaknesses, the people who love him, the people who hate him, and the people who want to be him. Not since Elvis have fans been so obsessed with a singer; they fight with each other at concerts, they rush and tackle himonstage, they dress and act like him, and they even build shrines dedicated to him. Liking Morrissey isn't just liking his music – it's a way of life.Morrissey is known for his over-the-top lyrics, his stage antics,his philosophies, and his whining. But after reading this book and digging deeper into the brooding mystique that is Morrissey, you'll also start whining... for more Moz!

Freddie Mercury : A Kind of Magic

Freddie Mercury was one of rock's most dazzling front men. When he died in 1991, the music world lost one of its most flamboyant characters, as well as a supremely talented writer and vocalist. Best known as the lead singer of Queen, his amazing four-octave voice was a distinctive element in the band's unique sound, which resulted in more than a dozen million-selling albums through the 1970s, '80s, and early '90s. Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic charts his extraordinary career in the context of the life he led in the glare of rock stardom. With expert understanding, Mark Blake traces Freddie's astonishing achievements from his childhood in Zanzibar and India to hisworld-conquering performance at Live Aid in 1985 and beyond. Published just ahead of what would have been Freddie's 70th birthday, this special book features a retrospective commentary on his studio and live albums, a complete discography, photographs, and memorabilia throughout. Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic is an essential tribute to a truly innovative recording artist and an irreplaceable performer who rocked the world.

Relix: The Book - The Grateful Dead Experience

For the first time in one volume, here is the best of Relix magazine: the ultimate, spectacular history of the Grateful Dead and their fans.Relix magazine - much like the Grateful Dead, the band they captured relentlessly - was not just the backdrop for a generation, it was an inspiration. Begun in 1974 as a newsletter to connect Deadheads, the magazine exploded along with the tie-dyed community that embraced it.Relix: The Book is a compilation of the first 27 years of Relix magazine and includes interviews with Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, and all of the Dead's key players.A Deadhead family portrait and psychedelic time capsule, it also features iconic groups such as the Doors and Phish, along with nearly three decades' worth of brain-melting artwork, full-colour covers, and anecdotes from Relix founder Toni Brown, written exclusively for the book.For the global family of Deadheads, old-school hippies, and up and coming jam band fans, Relix: The Book is much more than an anthology, it is an event.

The Eagles FAQ

If the Beatles wrote the soundtrack of the swinging '60s, then the Eagles did the same for the cynical '70s. The story of the Eagles is also the story of most artists of their time – the drugs, the music, the excesses, andthe piles of cash. But the Eagles took it to the limit. And in Don Henley and Glenn Frey they had two songwriters who intuitively understood and accurately portrayed the changing America they lived in. They perfected theCalifornia sound, shifted power from record company to artist, and pioneered album-oriented rock. Eagles songs of the period are as memorable as any ever written, and their most popular album, Hotel California, became atimeless record of '70s decadence.In The Eagles FAQ, music critic Andrew Vaughan brings an insider's view into the various chapters of the group's fascinating history. He shows how they blended the best folk, rock,and country sounds of the '60s into a worldwide soundtrack of the '70s while challenging the industry status quo with a new business model. The story of their rise, fall, and rebirth is all here – their mega-selling smashes,their tensions and breakups, the band members' solo work, and their triumphant reunion and continued place at the top of the rock-and-roll tree.