Guitar: Ax to Grind

Guitar: Ax To Grind; Beginners Guitar Lessons, Learn Guitar Faster Guaranteed! by Thomas Reed
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure what to expect with a 25 page book that calls itself 'Beginners Guitar Lessons'. Maybe I was expecting too much in such a short publication. But this is more about mathematics than music and more about notation than actual guitar playing. Rather disappointing.

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Jazz Funk on a Higher Plane

I don't often post about music. Wait a minute. Have I ever posted about music? Anyway, today I came across Patrice Rushen whilst on a trawl through iTunes. I find it hard to believe that I had not heard her music before now. This virtuoso of the jazz keyboard and R&B vocalist was new to me. What a find! This wonderful lady is now 60 years of age and has enjoyed phenomenal success as music director, jazz pianist and vocalist.

This album I am listening to as I type is a revelation: 'Signature' by Patrice Rushen. 10 tracks of sublime jazz/funk. A stunning album recorded in 1997. Her take on the track 'Sweetest Taboo' that I have on an album recorded by Sade, who I always associate it with, is quite simply superb. Her virtuosity on keyboards is stunning.

It is a joy to come across talent like this. Talent that has been around for many years and talent that I was ignorant of, until today.

If you enjoy this genre of music I recommend that you take a listen to Patrice. Simply divine stuff...

Playlists on the iPhone

It has taken me some considerable time to realise that by creating playlists on my iPhone I listen to far more of my music. Probably a moot point but I get rather disinterested to listen to every track on a particular album, one after the other. So, for the sake of music fans, here is a playlist I have entitled: "On The Road" (yes, very original...):

1. Ain't Nobody  Rufus & Chaka Khan
2. All My Love  Gwen McCrae
3. Alphaville  Bryan Ferry
4. Always and Forever  Pat Metheny
5. Anyway  Jamie Cullum
6. Automatic  The Pointer Sisters
7. Back Stabbers  Seal
8. Been So Long  Anita Baker
9. Body and Soul  Amy Winehouse & Tony Bennett
10. Boogie Wonderland  Earth, Wind & Fire with The Emotions
11. Caught Up in the Rapture  Anita Baker
12. Dance Your Pain Away  Agnetha Fältskog
13. Deep Within the Corners of my Mind  Melody Gardot
14. Diamonds  Rihanna
15. Do You Wanna Be Mine  Gwen McCrae
16. Feel So Good  Gwen McCrae
17. Get It Over With  Rihanna
18. I Can Make You Feel Good Shalamar
19. I Can't Give You Anything But Love  Terence Blanchard
20. I Care Beyoncé
21. I Gotta Feeling  The Black Eyed Peas
22. I Want Your Love  Chic
23. Mirrors  Justin Timberlake
24. Cry Me a River  Justin Timberlake
25. Oh Well  Depeche Mode
26. If You Don't Know Me By Now  Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
27. Take Back the Night  Justin Timberlake
28. After the Love Has Gone  Earth, Wind & Fire
29. Love Won't Let Me Wait  Luther Vandross
30. Love Won't Let Me Wait  Jackie Moore (same song but different)
31. Nobody's Business  Rihanna (featuring Chris Brown)
32. No Snow Blues  Brian Protheroe
33. Rock With You  Michael Jackson
34. A Night to Remember  Shalamar

There you have it, a fairly eclectic mix of pop, funk and soul that plays for well over two hours whilst driving. I like it anyway...