http://www.ratinghq.comRatinghq Category Comments Feed for Music & Performing ArtsRatingHQ (http://www.ratinghq.com)enMat Gurman is a session player who has numerous TV and concert touring credits to his name. He has fully mastered the art of playing blues-rock guitar solos over the years and is now concentrating on teaching some of his professional skills to others. On this video, Gurman demonstrates how the guitar can be played in a way that will produce the blues-rock sounds commonly associated with such talented performers as Keith Richards, Billy Gibbons, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Carlos Santana. There are even a few riffs played that will bring to mind the styles of both Jimi Hendrix and Robben Ford. Gurman covers all of the essentials, including the art of phrasing and some of the best ways to improvise when soloing.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-220/blues-rock-guitar-soloing.html2008-05-15 00:45:36A mix of new interviews with old footage and recordings, this documentary, narrated by Danny Glover, highlights legendary Mississippi blues guitarist-singer Robert Johnson (1911-38). Kevin Moore (who records as Keb Mo) appears as Johnson in narrated reenactment sequences, and producer Don Law is portrayed by Don Law Jr. With both color and black-and-white footage, the film traces the brief but extremely influential career of this near-mythic figure, generally regarded as the king of the Delta blues. Shown at the 1997 Boston Film Festival.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-221/can-t-you-hear-the-wind-howl-the-life-and-music-of-robert-.html2008-05-15 00:48:28Some of America's greatest acoustic blues players perform the songs that made them famous in this video, which collects performances filmed for television in the early '60s. Legends of Country Blues Guitar features rare appearances by Mississippi John Hurt, Son House, Reverend Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, and others.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-222/legends-of-country-blues-guitar-vol-1.html2008-05-15 00:49:40This documentary features rarely seen performances by eight legends of Country Blues guitar. Featured during the show are appearances by Furry Lewis, John Jackson, Josh White, Robert Pete Williams, Ethel & George McCoy, Jesse Fuller, Rev. Gary Davis, and Pink Anderson. Over a dozen songs are performed including "The Woman I Had She Left Me," "You Know Baby What I Want," "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean," and "That Will Never Happen No More.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-223/legends-of-country-blues-guitar-vol-3-blues-up-the-countr.html2008-05-15 00:51:03Blues-rock guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan made two appearances on the acclaimed PBS music showcase Austin City Limits before his tragic death in 1990, and this video collects highlights from each show. His 1983 appearance coincided with the release of his debut album, Texas Flood, and captures him in tough, rough-and-ready form. A later set from 1989, after Vaughan had kicked a life-threatening drug and alcohol habit, finds him in more studied and mature form, but sounding no less skillful or passionate.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-224/live-from-austin-tx-stevie-ray-vaughan-and-double-trouble.html2008-05-15 00:52:59The late Muddy Waters was one of the finest and most influential blues performers of all time -- just ask The Rolling Stones, who took their name from one of his songs. On this video, Muddy was captured in fine form onstage at the Chicago Blues Festival, with friend and collaborator Johnny Winter sitting in on guitar; songs include Mannish Boy and I'm A King Bee.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-225/muddy-waters-live-at-the-chicago-blues-festival.html2008-05-15 00:54:43This hour-long video is one in a series of guitar instructional videos each designed to teach the viewer four complete hit songs. The methods of instruction include onscreen close-ups and website downloads. Classic Blues Volume 1 features four blues standards taught just as they've been performed by blues greats Otis Rush, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King. Songs used for instruction on this video are "All Your Love," "Born Under a Bad Sign," "Crossroads," and "The Thrill is Gone." This video is not meant to be a comprehensive guitar lesson, rather a quick way to learn some favorite songs.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-226/songxpress-austin-blues-for-guitar-vol-1.html2008-05-15 00:56:07Musician Stefan Grossman has won a loyal following for his skills as a fingerstyle guitarist and his witty and winning approach to the blues. Stefan Grossman: A Retrospective (1971-1988) is a collection of performances filmed in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom which capture Grossman in his element on stage. Songs include "Tightrope," "Mississippi Blues," "Bermuda Triangle Exit," "God Moves on the Water," "Dallas Rag," and more; John Renbourn and Duck Baker both drop in for guest appearances.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-227/stefan-grossman-a-retrospective.html2008-05-15 00:57:27documentary, which intersperses discussions with Fred Frith and his band with rehearsal and concert footage. From time to time the filmmakers indulge in a bit of jazz of their own, screening seemingly random images with a meaning and order which is known only to them. The musicians, who are never identified, are expert improvisationalists, and are prone to using whatever object is at hand in order to explore the limits of sound. Occasionally, the band members indulge in a bit of philosophizing for the camera, in one instance telling a Zen-inspired story about "one hand clapping.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-228/step-across-the-border.html2008-05-15 00:58:44This video features the talented Keb Mo teaching the viewer some of the techniques that make him one of the most distinctive blues guitarists of his time. Starting with basic Blues techniques, the tape then provides tips on how to play Keb Mo's songs. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guidehttp://www.ratinghq.com/5-229/the-blues-guitar-of-keb-mo-basic-techniques-for-the-con.html2008-05-15 01:00:00This program presents excerpts from 20 years of performances by jazz guitarist Joe Pass. The guitar virtuoso performs some of his best-known compositions, before live audiences large and small, from 1962 to 1982. He shows the technical expertise that has made him popular with music critic and casual listener alike. The settings vary, from intimate clubs to concert stages, but his playing is consistent. The genius of Joe Pass shines forth, whether he is improvising or playing a jazz standard. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guidehttp://www.ratinghq.com/5-230/the-genius-of-joe-pass.html2008-05-15 01:01:36Some of the world's finest blues talent gathered to pay homage to the late, great guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan in this special 1995 concert. Performers include Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Stevie's older brother Jimmie Vaughan.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-231/a-tribute-to-stevie-ray-vaughan.html2008-05-15 01:03:53This compilation features excerpts from three of the videos in the Blues Master guitar series, though this particular DVD is not as much a how-to manual as it is a tribute to The B.B. King Band. With the focus on performance and entertaining anecdotes rather than technical instruction, B.B. King: Blues Master - Highlights is appropriate for guitar players and fans alike.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-232/b-b-king-blues-master-highlights.html2008-05-15 01:04:50Paul Lidel introduces the novice to the history of Southern-style licks with Beginning Blues Guitar. The photogenic host begins his lesson with a rundown of the most famous pickers. Viewers can learn how B.B. King varies from Stevie Ray Vaughn and what makes Eric Clapton different from Muddy Waters. Lidel includes lessons on blues chords, scales, rhythm fills, and solos. This Austin-based musician is an affable partner for beginners getting the hang of the guitar.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-233/beginning-blues-guitar.html2008-05-15 03:37:23Roy Book Binder, an accomplished blues guitarist and instructor, returns to teach students in this second video of a two-tape series. He demonstrates such complicated techniques as right-hand rhythms, chord variations, turnarounds, and different types of fingerpicking. Viewers will notice that Binder's style resembles that of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Jesse Thomas, and Pink Anderson. Traditional country and blues songs are taught, including "Texas Blues," "Every Day of the Week," "New Age Woman Blues," and "Polk City Ramble." The song "Anywhere You Go I Can Go There, Too" is used by Binder to show students how to handle an open D and other chords.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-234/blues-by-the-book-fingerpicking-blues-video-2.html2008-05-15 03:39:18Originally recorded live at the New Daisy Theater in Memphis, TN, this DVD combines some of Bobby "Blue" Blands' newer selections as well as several tried and true crowd pleases. Some of the featured songs include "St. James Infirmary," "Farther On Up the Road," {&"That's the Way Love Is," "I PIty the Fool," and "Soon As the Weather Breaks." A medley between Bland and guest stars Johnnie Taylor and Bobby Rush breathe new life into "Stormy Monday," rounding out this already worthy addition to any Bland fans collection.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-235/bobby-blue-bland-live-from-beale-street.html2008-05-15 03:41:04In the 1980s, Eric Clapton went from being one of the most respected blues-based guitarists in rock to becoming a bona-fide pop star, and this home video release features videos for twelve of his biggest latter-day hits. Selections include "Tears In Heaven", "Wonderful Tonight", "Forever Man", "Change The World", "My Father's Eyes", "Running On Faith", and more.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-236/clapton-chronicles-the-best-of-eric-clapton.html2008-05-15 03:42:29One of the most welcome offshoots of the folk revival of the early 1'60s was a renewed interest in rural blues styles; suddenly, a generation of superb blues artists whose music had been all but ignored for years found a new audience, with a handful going on to successful new careers. Devil Got My Woman: Blues at Newport 1966 is comprised of footage shot by noted archivist and producer Alan Lomax during the 1966 Newport Folk Festival, including appearances by country blues masters Howlin' Wolf, Son House, Skip James, Bukka White, and Rev. Pearly Brown.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-237/devil-got-my-woman-blues-at-newport-1966.html2008-05-15 03:44:02Electric Country Blues, Vol. 1 features respected musician Jim Weider leading the viewer through a series of exercises designed to assist those who already have familiarity with playing the guitar. These lessons will help the viewer emulate such famous players as Keith Richards, Jerry Reed, and Muddy Waters. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guidehttp://www.ratinghq.com/5-238/electric-country-blues-vol-1.html2008-05-15 03:45:09Sessions at West 54th is an hour-long program taped at Sony Music Studios in New York City that features live performances from an eclectic group of musicians in various musical styles. In this edition, blues artist Keb Mo performs 15 songs before a live studio audience. The intimate concert setting with 200 fans was recorded June 10, 1997. Also included is an offstage interview with the two-time Grammy winner.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-239/keb-mo-sessions-at-west-54th-recorded-live-in-new-yor.html2008-05-15 03:46:28Blending the danceable rhythms of big band jazz and the guitar-and-fiddle based textures of country & western, Western Swing was a potent musical hybrid that was all the rage in the South and Southwest in the 1930s through the 1950s, and maintains a potent following to this day. This video features a number of rare performances from some of the great western swing acts in their heyday, focusing on the guitarists who helped make the bands great. Legends of Western Swing Guitar includes appearances by Eldon Shamblin (with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys), Muryel "Zeke" Campbell (of the Light Crust Doughboys), Jimmy Wyble (who worked with both Bob Wills and Benny Goodman), and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guidehttp://www.ratinghq.com/5-240/legends-of-western-swing-guitar.html2008-05-15 03:48:18The United States Congress named 2003 the "Year of the Blues" as part of an initiative by several musical education groups to make more Americans aware of the history and heritage of blues music, one of America's most important homegrown art forms. To kick off this celebration of the blues, a special concert was held at New York City's historic Radio City Music Hall, and Lightning in a Bottle documents a memorable evening of music from a star-studded roster of artists. Offering a glimpse at the rehearsals and preparations that went into putting the show together as well as the evening's best performances, Lightning in a Bottle includes appearances by B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Macy Gray, Buddy Guy, Chuck D., Solomon Burke, David Johansen, Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Alison Krauss, and many more.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-241/lightning-in-a-bottle.html2008-05-15 03:49:58Eric Clapton performs 15 acoustic songs in this outstanding entry from the MTV "Unplugged" series. Included is the ode to his late son "Tears In Heaven," and selections from Clapton's three decades plus of recordings. Musicians contributing are Nathan East on bass, Steve Ferrone on drums, Chuck Leavell on keyboards, Andy Fairweather Low on guitar, and Ray Cooper on percussion. Backing vocals are provided by Tessa Niles, Katie Kissoon and Nathan East. Songs written by such blues heroes as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley are included in this award winning 1992 performance.http://www.ratinghq.com/5-242/mtv-unplugged-eric-clapton.html2008-05-15 03:51:41