Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar

 Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar

I not only wish to present great music and performing artist, but, I also wish to provide pertinent information about musical instruments, music-related accessories, and music related instructional materials to those who are not content to just to listen to great music, but have the desire to learn about producing great music as well. To this end, we will be presenting relevant information about performers, performances and the additional topics stated above.

Our first entry for this class of posting is Mickey Baker. Those of you who grew up in the 1950s might remember the singing duo known as Mickey & Sylvia. Mickey & Sylvia had a major hit titled “Love Is Strange” that is occasionally heard on the radio. But how many of you are aware that “Mickey” was also the author of one of the best and most widely read books targeted to those interested in learning the techniques of the jazz guitar. It is rumored that he got his inspiration from Les Paul of  Les Paul and Mary Ford fame.  Both Les and Mary were accomplished guitarist in their own right. Les even has a Gibson guitar named in his honor.

Mickey's book is titled  Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar and almost every pro guitarist, and a lot of amateur ones, know about this book. I got mine when I was learning how to play jazz on the guitar. It is a great book for learning about chord progressions, scales, and especially keys. I can attest to this because one of the requirements dictated by this book was that it was up to the student to transpose all exercises to all keys. As a result, this thin book would provide nearly two years of instruction if instructions are followed. Although it's been almost fifty years since this book was written, it's still relevant today. On Amazon, you'll be able to actual see inside the book. If you have ever wanted to be able to play pretty chord phrases containing chords like an Eflat13th flated5 flated9, you need this book.  Check it out.   

• Series: Ashley Publications
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Ashley Publications Inc./Lewis Music Publishing Co.; 1St Edition edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825652804
• ISBN-13: 978-0825652806
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.2 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces

  

All The Best

Tina Turner is a singer, dancer, actress and author, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than half a century. During her illustrious career, she has won worldwide recognition and numerous awards. I was lucky enough to be in Bangkok, Thailand when she traveled there on one of her world tours. It was a heck of a great show.

Ms. Turner was born and raised in the Southeastern United States but now resides in Switzerland where she is a Swiss citizen. Her first recording was in1958 when she performed under the name “Little Ann”. She was a featured singer with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. In 1960, she was introduced to the public as Tina Turner of the Ike & Tina Revue. During that period of time, the duo had a string of hits including “Proud Mary” (1971), “A Fool In Love” and “River Deep--Mountain High” (1966), and she song that she wrote, “Nutbush City Limits” (1973). After her divorce from Ike Turner in 1978, she resumed her career through a series of live performances. She received worldwide acclaim in the early 1980s with a stream of hits like “Let's Stay Together”, Private Dancer” and “What's Love Got To Do With It”.

I'm developing a TV program that will highlight her career to be aired on a cable TV outlet later this year. But for now, here's a few words about her album titled “All The Best – The Hits”.

This two-disk CD is a real treat. It opens with the tune, Open Arms”.   – “Ask me no questions I'll tell you no lies Come to me when you're down I'll give you friendly advice I'll be your avenue, your trusting ear Release your deepest secrets I'll be sincere.” –    It's a mid-tempo song that sounds like it may have been written just for Ms. Turner. But don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. All the hits are there.

• Audio CD (February 1, 2005)

• Number of Discs: 2

• Label: Capitol

• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars
  
  

  Track Listings

  Disc: 1

    1. Nutbush City Limits
    2. What You See is What You Get
    3. Missing You
    4. Open Arms
    5. The Best
    6. River Deep Mountain High
    7. When The Heartache Is Over
    8. Lets Stay Together
    9. I Don't Wanna Fight
    10. Whatever You Need
    11. I Can't Stand The Rain
    12. Goldeneye
    13. I Don't Want To Lose You
    14. Great Spirits
    15. Proud Mary
    16. Addicted to Love
  
  
  
  

  Disc: 2

    1. In Your Wildest Dreams
    2. Private Dancer
    3. Why Must We Wait
    4. Typical Male
    5. Tonight (with David Bowie)
    6. Complicated Disaster
    7. On Silent Wings
    8. Something Special
    9. We Don't Need Another Hero
    10. Its Only Love (with Bryan Adams)
    11. Cose Della Vita (with Eros Ramazotti)
    12. Steamy Windows
    13. Paradise is Here
    14. Whats Love Got To Do With It
    15. Better Be Good To Me
    16. Two People
    17. Something Beautiful Remains
  
  
  
  

Will DISCO Make a Comeback?

They say DISCO is coming back! Well, it's about time. To tell you the truth, lately, I've been afraid that I was going to fall asleep on the dance floor. Don't get me wrong, I love Steppin' music even if it's a little too laid back. As a cure for that, I offer up this “Pure Disco” CD. It contains twenty-one of the greatest DISCO tracks in the known universe. And, if you remember the time when music made you feel good all over, I'm sure you'll appreciate this compilation. It's the music people danced to in clubs all over the country on Friday and Saturday nights and the sound quality is excellent.

Some of my favorites on this disc include "Y.M.C.A." by The Village People, "Dancing Queen" by Abba and "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. It also contains “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, the Barry White hit "You're The First, The Last, My Everything" and that dance floor groove performed by Ami Stewart, "Knock On Wood".

This CD is the first of three volumes and it along with the other two, will keep you dancing until the wee small hours of the morning. I highly recommend this collection to anyone that loves dancing.

  1. YMCA - Village People

  2. Celebration - Kool & The Gang

  3. Dancing Queen - Abba

  4. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer

  5. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

  6. You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White

  7. I Need Your Lovin' - Teena Marie

  8. Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart

  9. I Love The Nightlife - Alicia Bridges

  10. Flashback - Imagination

  11. That's The Way (I Like It) - K.C. & The Sunshine Band

  12. Best Disco In Town - Ritchie Family

  13. If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman

  14. Oops Upside Your Head (I Don't Belive You Want To Get Up And Dance) - Gap Band

  15. Love Hangover - Diana Ross

  16. Cuba - Gibson Brothers

  17. Funkytown - Lipps, Inc.

  18. Got To Give It Up (Part One) - Marvin Gaye

  19. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston

  20. I Feel Love (Rollo & Sister Monster Mix Radio Edit) - Donna Summer

  21. Bonus Track: The Grease Megamix - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

Audio CD (October 8, 1996)

• Original Release Date: October 8, 1996

• Number of Discs: 1

• Label: UTV

Don Carlos - Reggae Singer & Musician

It has been said that Don Carlos, Jamaican reggae singer, and composer, is not only a great musician but also a great prophet. The Jamaican-born artist became a member of the reggae band, Black Uhuru in 1973 where he sang alongside Garth Dennis and Derrick Simpson, the leader of the trio. The CD album reviewed here contains almost an hour of some of the best reggae music ever produced and will surely be a hit at any party. It is a good example of his distinctive style and a must have for any serious reggae collection. Don continues to perform all over the world and is very popular in Africa. Check out this album along with others at Amazon.

 

Audio CD - Deeply Concerned

• Number of Discs: 1

• Label: Ras

• Average Customer Review: 5.0

 

Track Listings

Disc: 1

  1. Deeply Concerned

  2. Cool Johnny Cool

  3. Ruff We Ruff w/Version

  4. Jah People Unite

  5. Black Station White Statjion

  6. Satan Control Them

  7. Money Lover

  8. Night Rider (In Danger)

  9. Crazy Girl

  10. Just A Passing Glance

  11. Jah Jah Hear Me Plea w/Version

  12. Harvest Time

  13. Prophecy w/Version

  14. Frontline