Rhythm & Blues

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One Shoe Blues

by Sandra Boynton from Workman Publishing Company

It's a highly original new book and a Boynton filmmaking debut. One Shoe Blues is a thoroughly captivating story and a dazzling music video. And what an unexpected yet oddly perfect team: Sandra Boynton and—wait for it—B.B. King! Boynton writes, designs, and directs (her first film ever), B.B. stars (singing, playing, and turning in a wry and brilliant comic acting performance), and exuberant Boynton sock puppets chime in.

The song that first appeared—to widespread acclaim—in the celebrated Blue Moo: 17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never now becomes a true star turn. The DVD showcases B.B. King's legendary musical talent and sublime good-natured performance. Boynton writes the companion storybook with her unmistakable cadence and humor, and illustrates the book with lively and fanciful photographs from the video and beyond. Sock puppets lend pizzazz and gravitas throughout.

The subject is pure fun that every child (and parent) can relate to, the story of a missing shoe. Sporting a lone green sneaker, B.B. King sings the "One Shoe Blues" while his faithful guitar, Lucille, comments here and there with those famous soulful blues notes. A supporting cast of sock puppets make brief surprise appearances—and, in the case of that saxophone-playing, rhinestone-sunglasses-wearing Momsock, grills B.B. on where he might have left his shoe.

The answer, so plain to see, will tickle kids again and again.

Read it. Watch it. Sing it. It’s fun from every direction.

Bobby Brown: The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But...

by Derrick Handspike from Down South Books

THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!

Imagine being in one of the most successful boy bands of all time, New Edition; Then leave the group to become one of the biggest pop stars in the world; Date some of the most world renown celebrities, such as Janet Jackson and Madonna; Sleep with thousands of women and top it off by marrying one of the world s greatest entertainers known, Whitney Houston! Thus, you have the life of Bobby Brown. Now imagine selling millions of albums, winning Grammy s and other prestigious awards, being on the VIP list of the president, politicians, and Kings and Queens alike only to watch your fame, fortune, and finances destroyed due to a life of drugs, bad habits and bad press. Forced to live his life under the public microscope, we ve seen the rise and fall of Bobby Brown. We ve heard all of the negative stories regarding, jail sentences, domestic violence, assault, child support issues, a public divorce, his infamous relationship with Karrine "Supahead" Steffans and more told by the media. Now it s time to hear Bobby s story! Bobby Brown: The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But... sets the record straight, proving that there are two sides to every story. Responding to a media that paints a negative depiction of his life. The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But... takes you on an emotional journey as Bobby is fully exposed in this in depth story of his many triumphs, trials and tribulations. Hear true confessions of drug addictions, a life threatening overdose, the real reason he left New Edition and intimate stories of his relationship with Whitney Houston. Filled with his experiences of love, hate, joy and pain, this book is sure to teach many valuable lessons and the consequences of coping with the pressures of the whole world knowing your name. These lessons reveal that the same fame that makes you can unfortunately break you. This timeless piece shows how Bobby refused to let his future be affected by the mistakes of his past. Through self-evaluation, close reflections, and spiritual guidance, he overcomes adversity.

(Note: This book started off as an autobiography of Bobby Brown's life, but due to certain circumstances it was revised into an unauthorized biography. Read the Author's Foreword inside of the book for more details. Throughout the book Bobby will be quoted based on interviews with the author.)

(This Book also contains an EXCLUSIVE photo album of Bobby that takes you on a visual journey of his life and career.)

Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records (Omnibus Press)

by Rob Bowman from Music Sales

Walk the halls of the famous studio that produced hits for Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave, and Booker T. and the MGs. Soulsville, U.S.A. provides the first history of the groundbreaking label along with compelling biographies of the promoters, producers, and performers who made and sold the music. Over 45 photos.

Winner of the 1998 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award

Winner of the ARSC Award for Best Research in Record Labels

Little Blues Book

by Brian Robertson from Algonquin Books

Almost small enough to fit into a hip pocket, this is a kind of guidebook to the blues, featuring quotations from blues songs, mini-biographies of bluesmen and blueswomen, and illustrations by R. Crumb. The quotes (on topics ranging from "Getting the Blues" to "The Thrill is Gone") are little gems, pithy aphorisms like this one from Rabbit Brown: "I done seen better days, but I'm putting up with these." Author Brian Robertson, himself a musician, includes a bibliography and a list of Internet resources in this great little introduction to the blues and the men and women who made the music.

Illustrations by R. Crumb. A collection of lyrics and lore that captures the very heart and soul of the blues. From Blind Lemon Jefferson to Alberta Hunter, dozens of blues masters offer words of wisdom on subjects including luck (both good and bad), love, loss, and the raw material of life.

101 Razor-Sharp Blues Guitar Turnarounds book and CD (Red Dog Music Books Razor-Sharp Blues Guitar Series)

by Larry McCabe from Red Dog Music Books

A turnaround lick is one that is played in the last two bars of of chord progression; for example measures 11-12 in a twelve-bar blues. The 101 authentic blues turnarounds in this book are in the Chicago, or urban, blues style popularized by Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, and carried on by Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan; the licks can be applied to thousands of real songs. Each lick is written in notation and tablature, and recorded on the companion CD. The material is suitable for an ambitious beginner, early-intermediate player, blues band guitarist reference, or pro reference. It is an indispensible book filled with useful information. The book is supplemented with lessons/discussions on the following: Typical blues progression; Turnaround licks and progressions (defined); Typical blues turnaround chord progressions; The 12/8 blues shuffle; Creative projects for the music student; Additional blues progressions. Best of all, this innovative Red Dog Music book from veteran author Larry McCabe costs less than one private music lesson! Prospective buyers are encouraged to use the Search Inside Book feature to examine the contents and music pages prior to purchase.

101 Razor-Sharp Blues Guitar Fill-In Licks (Book and CD) (Red Dog Music Books Razor-Sharp Blues Guitar Series)

by Larry McCabe from Red Dog Music Books

Legendary guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Mike Bloomfield, Hubert Sumlin, T-Bone Walker, Johnnie Winter, Albert King, Freddie King, and Chuck Berry are known to all blues fans for their remarkable soloing abilities. But the complete blues guitarist must do more than shine in the solo spotlight. And that is why every great soloist is also a great fill-in player. Tasteful fill-in licks support and inspire the singer while adding fire and drive to the performance. For example, Blind Lemon Jeffersons string-snapping fill-ins provided the perfect complement for his rough-hewn blues songs. Both Louis Armstrong and Lester Young seemed to talk to the singer with their finely-crafted, jazzy fill-ins. And Henry Sunflower Vestines stinging, buzzsaw fill-ins never failed to drive his Canned Heat bandmates into a psychedelic frenzy. This book is accompanied by a user-friendly split-track CD allows you to sit in with a professional blues band while you learn to play blues fills behind a great singer, Charles Adkins. The Heat-Seeking Missile Blues Band is heard on the left channel; the fill-in licks are isolated on the right channel. This is not just another book of abstract how do I use these licks in real life? licks, but a collection of solid musical ideas that can be applied to thousands of real songs. Another fine contribution from Red Dog Music Books, designed for the early intermediate-or better guitarist. Some of the licks are accessible to highly motivated near-beginners, and the book is an excellent resource for teachers. Prospective buyers are encouraged to use the Search Inside Book feature to examine the contents and music pages prior to purchase.

48 Razor-Sharp 12-Bar Blues Riffs for Swing Bands and Blues Bands: B Flat Instruments Edition (Red Dog Music Books Razor-Sharp Blues Series)

by Larry McCabe from Red Dog Music Books

This essential Red Dog Music Book is for band musicians who love the exciting sound of riff-driven uptown blues and swing music. In music, a riff is a repeating pattern, often played against a chord or chord progression. (Riffs are sometimes mistakenly called licks, and vice-versa.) Horn riffs played over twelve-bar blues rhythm progressions will add drive, variety, identity, and excitement to a song (examples: In the Mood by Glenn Miller, Now's the Time by Charlie Parker, Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets). This unique collection of forty-eight 12-bar riffs provides some great ideas for spicing up the blues songs your band plays. Most riffs are very easy to play, and easy to incorporate into blues progressions, but many bands neglect this important aspect of arranging. A twelve-bar riff is a versatile arranging tool, and might be used as a tune head, solo, backing for a solo, or backing behind a singer. Two to four playings of a 12-bar riff per song is considered ideal by professional arrangers. CD includes all 48 riffs, played on tenor sax, with full rhythm backing. Guitar edition includes notes and tablature. Book is available in guitar, C instruments, B flat instruments, E flat instruments, and bass instruments editions. Musicians who know how to write harmony are encouraged to develop the riffs into two-or three-part section sounds. Improvising musicians can use riffs fragments as motifs upon which to base solos. Great stuff here for all swing band and blues band musicians. Excellent practice for sight-reading rhythms.

Just Walkin' in the Rain: The True Story of the Prisonaires: the Convict Pioneers of R & B and Rock & Roll

by Jay Warner from Renaissance Books

The history of rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues is filled with inspiring characters.But no story in popular music is more poignant and more triumphant than that of Johnny Bragg and his all-convict singing group, the Prisonaires.As a teenager in the mid-1940s, Bragg was sentenced to six life terms in the Tennessee State Prison.His only pleasure, the only expressive outlet for his spirit, was singing. Then came a miracle.In 1953, a young, progressive governor of Tennessee, Frank Clement, heard Bragg's vocal quintet.He was deeply impressed with their talent, but even more, he recognized that these were good men who might be saved.And so for years he showcased Bragg and the Prisonaires at state events at the governor's mansion.There they met President Truman, Senator Lyndon Johnson, and countless celebrity entertainers. Eventually, the Prisonaires were signed by a young, white, maverick record producer.Sam Phillips of Sun Records would ultimately be responsible for the careers of such major stars as Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and others.He will remain best know, however, for his discovery of Elvis Presley.It is a significant footnote to music history that Bragg and Elvis became friends through Phillips and remained so ever after. Bragg's claim to glory, however, lies not in the twenty-two tracks he cut with his group, but in his authorship of the hit "Just Walkin' in the Rain," recorded by the '50s pop legend Johnnie Ray."Just Walkin'" was one of the bestselling singles of the decade. At the center of a remarkable cast of characters is Bragg, whose faith and persistence testify eloquently to the power of the human spirit.Bragg is alive and well today in his mid-'70s.He still possesses the sweet tenor voice that made him an extraordinary artist fifty years ago. In telling this story, music historian Jay Warner gives us a unique insight into the politics and society of the pre-Civil Rights era South, introduces us to a host of extraordinary human beings, and celebrates a great American singing group.

The Big Book of Blues: A Biographical Encyclopedia

by Robert Santelli from Penguin (Non-Classics)

This ultimate reference book for blues lovers is a comprehensive biographical encyclopedia with 600 entries profiling every known important blues artist from Bessie Smith, Charlie Patton, and Blind Willie McTell to Alberta Hunter, Robert Cray, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Discography. 40 photos.

Urban Blues (Phoenix Books)

by Charles Keil from University Of Chicago Press

Keil's classic account of blues and its artists is both a guide to the development of the music and a powerful study of the blues as an expressive form in and for African American life. This updated edition explores the place of the blues in artistic, social, political, and commercial life since the 1960s.

"An achievement of the first magnitude. . . . He opens our eyes and introduces a world of amazingly complex musical happening."--Robert Farris Thompson, Ethnomusicology