Lead Belly Movie

This is a fun little clip from the 1976 Lead Belly film...it depicts a young Lead Belly at some speakeasy challenging another guitarist to a little cutting contest.

For the guitar parts, the director chose Dick Rosmini for all 12-string parts...it's too bad he didn't record more - he was a great player. Artie Traum dubs for the 6-string parts which are also fantastic.

A great little film that you can stream online if you look hard enough!

Lesson on Dark Was the Night (Cold Was the Ground)

This is one that I've been meaning to make for a while...see if this helps you get started on this tune. If there's a song that just cannot be replicated, it's this one. But, it's an exciting tune to try and play...you'll feel a weird vibe inside you once you get it going and really dig into it - an amazing song.

Here's a lesson on Blind Willie Johnson's most renowned recording:

Requesting Tunes for Lessons...

Prior to recent times, I made video lessons based on email suggestions. That was great and the enthusiasm was, and is, very much appreciated! The thing is that, starting around a little over a month ago, the pace of suggestions being sent in started increasing to the point where it kinda became impossible make all the videos. I guess, having to take the time to listen to the tunes, learn the parts, film and edit the video, then upload the content - it's just a lot to do.

So now, and I hope you don't mind, I'll make the request videos for a little charge of $20...kinda like a private lesson, in a way. If you just shoot me an email of the artist and tune, I'll let you know if it's viable (most likely it will be) and we'll go from there.

Thanks for your consideration...I'll still be making videos - this is just regarding requests!

Charlie Parker and the Blues

So most of us know all about the different types of old guitar blues - Delta, Piedmont, Texas, Hill Country Blues, etc...

Here's some BeBop blues as played by the masters. It's good to vary things sometimes, I suppose. Hearing different sounds can be a great way to assimilate new techniques, tones, phrasing, and rhythms into your playing. This recording of Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, etc, showcases some of the finest blues playing. In fact, in my opinion, Charlie Parker's solo on this particular recording is the most genius and beautiful improvisation on a blues form ever. Bud Powell's solo is likewise brilliant with some great 'outside' sounds which are neatly integrated.

Is it just me or do I hear one specific lick that Bird plays which Albert King/SRV would later be famous for? Hmm...

Prison Songs: Ain't No More Cane on the Brazos

Some of the truest music you'll ever find will be the prison field recordings made by the Lomax's from the 1940's. During one of their expeditions, they came across two Texas inmates by the names of Ernest Williams and James Baker who led this gut-wrenching prison rendition of a song called Ain't No More Cane on the Brazos...