52 tracks in total, giving over 3 hours of music, together with a 40 page
booklet
(only 12 pages in English). The recordings are by Michael Messer & his
band. I
presume it is made up of various members of his Second Mind ensemble -
there is a full list
of musicians credits printed in the booklet. The concept is simple & has been
done before. It
is basically a collection of blues instrumentals put together with two tracks;
the first is a short
demonstration track with the lead guitar, then you get the full length track to
play along with.
A comprehensive set of booklet notes gives you stylistic references and the key
of each track
so you can easily play along. The big difference between this collection and
others that I
have seen, is that all of the tracks are played with authentic instruments and
recorded
in a sympathetic manner, so as to be as true to the original style as possible,
and I have
to say that it works! If you want T Bone Walker, put on CD 3 - track 2, for BB
King try
CD 2 - track 16. In fact for just about anyone that you could hope to play with,
there is
probably a track to suit you; Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan,
Buddy
Guy, Earl Hooker, Gary Moore and many many more. Just to make it even better,
all of the
tracks follow a 12 bar progression and adhere to the 1 - 4 - 5 chord patterns in
each key.
If nothing else, listening to the rhythm tracks alone is enough to convince you
what a
powerful medium a good blues is! I have many backing track CDs in my collection,
but this
is far and away the very best one of them all. If you play blues guitar, then
you must
consider this as an instant rehearsal aid and could even assist you with your
song writing.
Superb!
Dave 'Stratman' Stone - Blues Matters magazine - April '04
If you play (or want to play) blues this set is a must have. It is the best
learning tool
I have seen or heard in 20 years of playing. Each track gives plenty of time for
players of all levels to Jam along with.
Stunning value for your money.
Rating
Steve ( Music Room customer review) - December 2003
PLAY THE BLUES (GIL01)
Although we originally had a bit of a laugh, (karaoke for guitarists!) -
we have to
admit this is a brilliant idea and, what's more - we encourage all blues players, not
just guitarists to invest in this box-set.
The easiest way to review this for you is to quote mostly from the back of the
box itself..
....."Have you ever wanted to jam with a world class blues band? No time to
organize
regular rehearsals? Like to sharpen up your improvisational skills? Well,
now you can
in the comfort of your own living room!"
(This next bit is not from the liner notes!) - Before all you experienced
players dismiss
this as an unnecessary purchase - think again and check this out. The three
discs cover
practically every style of blues you can think of, from old-time delta blues to
lounge lizard
uptown sleaze and most stops in between! There is a forty page booklet with all
the technical
and historical detail you will need (in English, French, German, Japanese &
Spanish).
Each track is preceded with a demonstration/example piece which lasts for a
couple of verses..
....then comes the track for you to cut loose on. Each lasts from
five to ten minutes, so, plenty
of time to indulge yourself. (Over three hours of playing time!)
The musicians who will be backing you are top notch and they've actually
managed, through using
vintage equipment and recording techniques, to achieve the sounds you hear on
all those classic
blues records. Just think....no more band arguments, no more punch-ups, no
rounds to pay for -
what more could you ask for!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
BLUES IN THE SOUTH
December 2003
This is a wonderful set of recordings that does exactly what it says on the
box - it's really helped
to improve my blues playing and I'm getting hours of use from it. It's got all
sorts of different
blues styles on it along with some helpful tips, and I'd recommend this to
everyone who likes
playing the guitar. Brilliant!
Rating
Chada ( Music Room customer review) November 2003
Play The Blues - GIL01 - 3CD Box Set
They say that books are silent friends. Well, here’s a friend, half book / half
CD,
that has plenty to say and, if you have a burning desire or secret ambition to
play the
blues then it could be one of the best friends you ever had.
Those Catfish boys, along with top British blues guitarist Michael Messer, have
got
together and come up with an ideal solution for those ‘can’t play the blues…
blues’.
In this box you will find twenty six tracks thoughtfully put together to provide
a multitude
of backing tracks which, with the aid of the booklet notes, you can ease
yourself into playing
along with. The tracks are long and well paced so that you can take your time
and get a good
feel of what is going on and, novice or old hand you won’t be able to resist
wanting to hop on
for the ride.
Imagine having your mates round to your place. A ten piece band, including
yourself, which is
quite happy to practice in the spare bedroom, your study or the garage without a
word of
complaint from them or the rest of the household. You lucky dog, each one of
them is a top
notch musician and your band is one of the best blues bands in the land. Even
better, they
never fall out, there are no Prima Donnas, none of them want to stick their
fingers up and
go solo and best of all non want to steel your beer or pinch your cigs'. Nobody
rushes you
and if you’re not happy with it you just press the button and the band, without
a “tut” or a “huff”
to be heard, start again or repeat the section knowing that you are going to get
it right. The mix
has been produced so that the band sounds as if is in a more intimate setting
rather than a large studio.
The tracks cover various forms and structures fundamental to blues songs and
instrumentals from
the slick style of Albert King to the nitty gritty rhythm of Bo Diddley, from
the raw electric slide of
Elmore James to the more sophisticated sound of Casey Bill Weldon. The booklet
gives you the key
and tunings for each number while the CD gives a short introduction to each
track which includes a
lead guitar suggesting how the melody could be tackled. The lead guitar then
holds off for the main
track leaving you to take centre stage and give it a try. The great thing about
this is that you are not
strapped down to some finger breaking tablature system. Just soak in what you’re
your band is doing,
start with some simple chords, get some confidence and then begin to throw in a
few riffs. Once you’re
happy with the instrumental side of things you could then start putting lyrics
to the numbers and the
band will love the songs too!
Whether you are rehearsing to play in a living room near you or in, in a club or
at a festival or if
you just want to have some fun improving your guitar technique then this is
definitely worth considering.
With the booklet notes written in English, German, Japanese and Spanish this set
will also make an
excellent teaching device for music teachers. Apart from all of that,
the CD makes for good listening in its own right.
Gary Atkinson - Document Records - December 2003
"These are the most professionally sounding backing tracks I've ever
heard.
Every style of the blues is covered. One slight criticism though. Some of the
sample
tracks containing the lead guitar last only about 30 seconds. That's long enough
to get an idea
what's going on, however, from purely a listening point of view I would have
preferred full tracks, with and without lead guitar. "
"I was most impressed with the CDs - they're unique to the
market having such
really authentic live blues tracks - a great idea and a well produced product."
Tony Skinner, Director of the Registry of Guitar Tutors,
London College of Music Principal Guitar Examiner
These next reviews are
customer reviews left on the UK Guitars website
"Play The Blues has been an absolute revelation to me. It's the finest and
most innovative release
of the last 10 years and is like nothing else I've seen or heard before. It's
quite simply the best music
purchase I've made since I bought a guitar in the first place! Get it now,
you'll be delighted you did."
"If you play (or want to play) blues this set is a must have.
It is the best learning tool I have seen or heard in 20 years of playing.
Each track gives plenty of time for players of all levels to Jam along with. ~
Stunning value for your money."
"This is a wonderful set of recordings that does exactly what it says on the box
-
it's really helped to improve my blues playing and I'm getting hours of use from
it.
It's got all sorts of different blues styles on it along with some helpful tips,
and I'd recommend this to everyone who likes playing the guitar. Brilliant!"
The following reviews are customer reviews on the
MUSICROOM website
If you are an absolute blues beginner, or are looking for a blues
tutor package
then this product is not for you. However, if you need some space to practice
and hone your blues licks, and want to have a ball and be inspired while you
play then this compilation is just what the doctor ordered. What you get with
this boxed set are the very best backing tracks that I have ever heard, which
range across the spectrum of blues genres. They are absolutely excellent for
practicing and developing your own improvisational style across – and don’t
feel they are only restricted to electric guitar. I have used them for working
on
my dobro, harp, bass guitar, bottleneck and lap steel technique. Michael Messer
has done an excellent job and put a great deal of thought and artistry into this
compilation. He has been greatly praised in the music press for the production
quality on his albums and the same care has been taken on this project. If you
are
at the stage where you could do with some “hands-on” time to develop your lead
improvisation you will be hard pressed to find a better product.
Robin - (Tywyn, United Kingdom) 5 star review!
This is an excellent collection of Blues backing tracks that you can jam
along to
whatever level of playing you have. The diversity of Blues styles featured is
massive.
If you're looking to be the next Yngwie Malmsteen then go and get yourself one
of those 1500-page chord and scale books as this is not for you. If you really
want to develop your overall playing and tap into the spirit of the Blues then
buy this!
Stevie - (Preston, United Kingdom) 5 star
review!
I have been playing for quite a few years but I find that
playing the blues doesn't
come easy. Practicing the moves, and the licks etc. against a good backing band
really helps, and on these CD's you have all these blues styles to play along
with!
It's a useful aid if you can play the blues and want to improve. If you are a
beginner
buy a tutor a DVD or book etc. I have been playing for quite a few years but I
find
that playing the blues doesn't come easy. Practicing the moves and the licks
agains
a good backing band really helps, and these CD's have all these blues styles to
play
along with! If you want to play with a top class backing band and if you play
the
blues but want to improve, then this is it!
Kenneth 5 star review!
These recordings have done what no other book or CD has been able to do,
helped me to really develop my improvisational technique -
I fancy joining a band now!
Anon. 5 star review
These are the most professionally sounding backing tracks I've ever heard.
Every style of the blues is covered. One slight criticism though. Some of the
sample tracks containing the lead guitar last only about 30 seconds. That's
long enough to get an idea what's going on, however, from purely a listening
point of view I would have preferred full tracks, with and without lead guitar.
Sharpy - (wakefield, United Kingdom) 5 star review!
Play The Blues has been an absolute revelation to me. It's the finest and
most
innovative release of the last 10 years and is like nothing else I've seen or
heard before. It's quite simply the best music purchase I've made since I
bought a guitar in the first place! Get it now, you'll be delighted you did.
Billy - (Liverpool) 5 star review!
If you play (or want to play) blues this set is a must have.
It is the best learning
tool I have seen or heard in 20 years of playing. Each track gives plenty of
time
for players of all levels to Jam along with. Stunning value for your money.
Steve 5 star review!
This is a wonderful set of recordings that does exactly what it says on the
box -
it's really helped to improve my blues playing and I'm getting hours of use from
it.
It's got all sorts of different blues styles on it along with some helpful tips,
and
I'd recommend this to everyone who likes playing the guitar. Brilliant!
Chada 5 star review!
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