Reference

Author Jeff Kaliss scored the first face-to-face interview with the reclusive superstar in over 20 years, making this book a must-read for any rock 'n' roll fan. From his anthemic early hits (I Want to Take You Higher, Family Affair, Dance to the Music), through the moody meditations of There's a Riot Going On and beyond, Sly & the Family Stone have left an indelible stamp on rock, funk, pop, and hip hop.

Jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell takes an unflinching look at his life and career, recounting his musical journey from his scuffling early days in New York City and his pioneering role in the jazz fusion movement to his current status as a world ambassador of jazz. Coryell reveals his own involvement in and eventual victory over the drug scene, and he gives his take on the musical giants he has known and performed with. Along the way, he details the development of his own style and provides inspirational words for fellow musicians. A special section presents a selection of Coryell's beloved Guitar Player magazine columns. Includes CD with audio lessons and original compositions recorded specifically for this book.

Incurable Blues explores the life and genius of Hubert Sumlin, a highly influential guitarist who has survived cancer, alcoholism, and personal and professional tribulations to testify to the classic days of Chicago blues. Sumlin's incendiary guitar playing is heard on most of Howlin' Wolf's classic Chess sides. Sumlin's pick-less playing has inspired countless blues-rock luminaries. Author Will Romano places Hubert's playing and performing style in context, showing how it formed the basis of blues rock and rock n roll and how it bridges the gap between African folk; the work of early masters like Robert Johnson, Charley Patton and Peetie Wheatstraw; the revisionist British invasion guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Keith Richards; and the modern-era blues styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer.

A fitting tribute to the troubled genius who revolutionized electric bass playing and bridged the gaps between jazz, R&B, rock and funk. From his early days in R&B club bands through his international stardom with fusion group Weather Report and on to his solo career and tragic death at age 35, this book portrays the life and music of Jaco Pastorius, the self-proclaimed world's greatest bass player. This special anniversary edition features new interviews with Jaco's childhood friends, prominent bass players of Jaco's era and afterward, and girlfriend Teresa Nagell, who was with Jaco in the last few years of his life. Some incidents from the first edition have been further researched and expanded to become full chapters. Exclusive to this edition, the CD features newly revealed music tracks from Jaco's early years along with spoken testimonials from Jaco's friends and colleagues. The book also contains new, never-before-seen photos acquired from the Pastorius estate.

Jamband - the word brings to mind long summer days of hanging out with friends and listening to an astounding array of talented musicians. This book takes an in-depth look at the bands and fans of this lively, diverse musical and cultural phenomenon. Offering essays, commentaries and discographies of more than 170 groups - from Phish, Allman Brothers, Donna the Buffalo and Widespread Panic to Peach Melba, Ten Ton Chicken and Moon Boot Lover - this fun-filled guide will enhance your appreciation of your favorites while introducing dozens of other notable bands in this ever-expanding universe of sound. You also get a free CD of exclusive live tracks from moe., the Disco Biscuits, Keller Williams, the Motet, Reid Genauer & the Assembly of Dust, and Jazz Mandolin Project!

Jazz on Film reviews, analyzes, and rates virtually every appearance of a jazz musician or singer on film. After presenting a detailed essay on the history of jazz on film and television, Yanow reviews and rates 1,300 movies, documentaries, shorts, videos, and DVDs. This book lets readers know how to view the jazz legends and the greats of today, and what DVDs and videos are worth acquiring. Each film is a given a 1 to 10 rating and a concise description of its contents and value. Jazz on Film covers the entire jazz field, from Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington to Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wynton Marsalis, and Diana Krall.

The Jazz Singers is an overview of the great vocalists who have sung jazz. By drawing on original interviews conducted exclusively for this book, along with Scott Yanow's extensive knowledge, The Jazz Singers offers fresh and insightful information in its 521 main entries. Other features include a historical overview, a section on jazz vocal groups, and a comprehensive survey of jazz singers in film.

In the early 1960s, a handful of brash British kids needed a new sound for a new kind of music. They marched into a music store in their blue-collar town and asked the gentleman behind the desk to build them an amplifier with leg-shaking power and jaw-dropping tone. So he did. This first-ever biography tells the story of Jim Marshall - founder of Marshall Amplification and creator of guitar amplifiers that have defined the sound of rock and are prized by rock guitarists of every age and style - from his childhood when he was diagnosed with a rare bone disease that confined him to a body cast for nine years, to his stage success as a crooner and big-band drummer, through his development of the Marshall Stack and ultimate rise to the forefront of the music instrument industry. Forty years after Jim Marshall sold his first JTM45, three generations of guitarists and fans revere the name. Highlights in Marshall history, images of amp anatomy, details about famous players' preferred models, and testimonials from guitar stars round out this engrossing success story. Full-color photos throughout. What Jim marshall did ... was provide English heavy metal and blues players of the mid '60s and early '70s with these weapons. - Pete Townshend

In the decades since Jimi Hendrix's untimely death, much has been written about his life, loves, drugs, money and hassles. In the meantime, the reputation of his music has been quietly growing. This book concentrates firmly on his work, examining what makes Hendrix's music so extraordinary. Author Keith Shadwick offers a unique slant on the man as musician, following Hendrix from his 1960s beginnings, through the years of his intense listening and learning, to the full flowering of his Experience. This insightful, coffee table-quality book concludes with a bold new anaysis of how Hendrix, like so many artists of genius before him, lost control through his determination to assert it. Includes an appendix on Hendrix's gear by music journalist and guitarist Douglas J. Noble. Full color, filled with fantastic photos throughout.

Now in paperback, Jimmy Page: Magus, Musician, Man is the first-ever biography of Led Zeppelin's legendary guitarist and producer. Never before has the story been told in such sharp detail, leaving no stone unturned, from the heady days of swinging London in the 1960s - when Page was lighting up the scene as an incendiary session man - through the bombast, beauty, and blues that is Led Zeppelin (not to mention the wanton sex and drug orgies that would come to define rock excess). Here is the story of rock's most enigmatic and influential icon. This biog is a cut above. - MOJO