Happy Traum Teaches The Blues Guitar of Brownie McGhee (2008) Review

You can't go wrong with Homespun, this DVD is no acception. Happy Traum is an amiable and knowledgable teacher who explains the blues in an easy going, 'come and sit down by the fireside' fashion. He introduces each song by explaining it's background and Brownie's way of playing.There are seven blues in E on disc one and two in the key of A on disc two plus original audio excerpts of Brownie's playing. Happy introduces each key by explaning the basic chords, rythm, baselines, leadlines and turnarounds. Then he moves on to the songs going from straightforward to the more intricate ones.
The plus in these DVD's is the typical Brownie style, turnarounds, chordshapes, baselines and some lovely intro's which make his style unique and gives him the drive in his playing. My favorite's are Sporting Life Blues, Living With The Blues in the key of E and in the key of A both Paw Shop Blues and Careless Love. This doesn't mean the others are less valuable, each song has it's place in the blues repetoire.
In conclusion I can say I have learned some new turnarounds, intro's, chordshapes and baselines that are usefull in any style of guitar playing. The booklet has the music and tab and also the lyrics of the songs. Good value for money.

Songs Disc one:

I'm Gonna Tell God How You Treat Me
I'm Gonna Move To Kansas City
Betty And Dupree
Me And My Dog Blues
Sportin' Life Blues
Blood Red River/ Key To THe Highway
Livin' With The Blues

Songs Disc two:

Pawn Shop Blues
Careless Love
audio's of Brownie's playing.

P.S. On Youtube there is a lovely rendition of Sporting Life Blues by Happy, a must see.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Happy Traum Teaches The Blues Guitar of Brownie McGhee (2008)

Product Description:
Brownie McGhee had been a legend to me when, in the spring of 1958, I decided to call him. I had never seen him play, but one 10-inch Folkways lp called Brownie McGhee Blues had been worn thin on my record player, and I knew all the songs by heart. I was astounded by the brilliance and complexity of his blues guitar style. For the next three years, on and off, I made the trip to Brownie s apartment on East 125thStreet and learned a lot more than guitar playing. From Brownie McGhee Blues Guitar by Brownie McGhee and Happy Traum (Oak Publications)Brownie McGhee s rhythmic fingerpicking style, rich accompaniments, intricate lead playing and wide-ranging repertoire influenced generations of guitarists around the world. Happy Traum learned to play directly from this master bluesman, and he knows how to make Brownie s songs and techniques accessible to all aspiring acoustic blues players.Happy starts with the basics so that even novice blues players will be able to get off to a solid start. Concentrating on the keys of E and A, his detailed lesson covers all the musical components that made Brownie s playing distinctive. Happy provides numerous playing tips and advice along with first-hand insights into Brownie s life and music.You ll learn to play classic songs from Brownie s repertoire, including I m Gonna Tell God How You Treat Me, Move to Kansas City, Betty and Dupree, Me and My Dog, Sporting Life, Living with the Blues, Key to the Highway, Blood Red River, Careless Love and Pawnshop Blues.BONUS TRACKS: Listen to Brownie McGhee as he demonstrates eleven songs and techniques that are taught on this DVD. These never-heard audio recordings were recently discovered in Happy s personal archives.

Buy cheap Happy Traum Teaches The Blues Guitar of Brownie McGhee (2008) now Get 10% OFF