SmokeJS
86 posts
Apr 22, 2013
9:36 AM
|
This is a book/cd written by Tom Ball. Looking for any opinions on its value. Thanks.
|
Frank
2260 posts
Apr 22, 2013
10:00 AM
|
Priceless :)
|
Rgsccr
157 posts
Apr 22, 2013
10:00 AM
|
I think it's very good, and I should remember to look at it more often. (Thanks for reminding me). Lots of great tabs and explanations of technique. Also, some interesting background on the amps and mics they used.
|
SmokeJS
87 posts
Apr 22, 2013
10:40 AM
|
Thanks for the advice. Frank, I downloaded your Musical Fundamentals and will read it in its entirely in the near future. At first glance it looks like solid advice. Appreciate your efforts.
|
jodanchudan
839 posts
Apr 22, 2013
10:41 AM
|
Great CD with this book as well.
|
earlounge
405 posts
Apr 22, 2013
11:18 AM
|
It's definitely a good purchase. I think all the licks are on a Bb harp.
----------
|
tomaxe
35 posts
Apr 22, 2013
1:27 PM
|
Tom Ball makes it very clear that he is primarily a lip block player, so he uses different techniques to match some of the Walters' TB licks...but this is not that important because he notates the licks so well/accurately and is a great player. It helped me understand the licks a lot better than just copying the records and/or slowing them down. I would say it is a great book/CD to have, well worth the money.
|
John95683
69 posts
Apr 22, 2013
4:23 PM
|
I have the book and it is terrific. Tom Ball is an excellent player, with an engaging personality.
One thing, however: I still don't sound like either Walter. Or Mr. Ball, for that matter.
|
SmokeJS
92 posts
May 09, 2013
11:02 AM
|
The book arrived yesterday. Full of lots of information over and above the licks. I'm less familiar with Big Walter as he seems to be a bit more of a sideman and less of a frontman than Little Walter was. The book includes a very comprehensive discography so I was wondering where a good place to start would be in terms of acquiring Big Walter material on cd or vinyl? Also looking for comments about the discography as while thorough, it might not be perfect. For instance the first Johnny Winter major album release features Big Walter on one cut but as far as I can hear not on the remaining cuts. But the Big Walter discography lists every cut on the album.
Last Edited by SmokeJS on May 09, 2013 3:02 PM
|
SuperBee
1097 posts
May 09, 2013
2:00 PM
|
Yeah I think johnny plays harp on the other tracks with harp on that record. He was really annoyed with big Walter on that session from what I recall reading about it.
----------
|
garry
400 posts
May 10, 2013
7:15 PM
|
i buy books all the time, and i don't sound like any walter whatsoever. maybe i should read them?
----------
|
Kingley
2631 posts
May 11, 2013
1:16 AM
|
I'd say get everything you can with Big Walter playing on it. The man was a genius. If you can only afford a few albums to begin with then I'd highly recommend the following recordings.
Can't Keep Lovin' You
An Offer You Can't Refuse
Johnny Shines - Evening Shuffle The Complete JOB Recordings
Last Edited by Kingley on May 11, 2013 1:17 AM
|
Jasper Mudfoot
2 posts
Oct 11, 2013
2:23 PM
|
Hi all. I bought this book years back but I have lost the audio cd that cane with it somewhere along the way. I recently found myself single again and had hoped to master every one of those licks with my spare time. Would anyone be able to send me the mp3's? I had ripped it once but that hard drive died on me. Please help!
-JM
|
groyster1
2434 posts
Oct 11, 2013
2:46 PM
|
I have the book....great book and well notated the CD moves a little too fast....he has one for sonny terry licks that's good also
|
SuperBee
1475 posts
Oct 11, 2013
3:50 PM
|
There's a big Walter discography on line, pulled together by Joe filisko I think, that lists every recorded track he played on, and the collections they've been released on.
I've been enjoying a couple things he did with willie nix. Thinking about working one into our set. There's a lot to be said for being a sideman...if you have the right frontman.
Soz, can't help jasper. I may have to get the book though.
----------
JellyShakersFacebookPage
JellyShakersTipJar
|
Joe_L
2347 posts
Oct 12, 2013
11:04 AM
|
Some of Big Walters best work was as a side man backing other artists. Part of getting his sound requires a lot of listening and playing around with your jaw and the inside of your mouth. While he is known for his huge tone, it really become evident when he alters his sound frequently thinning it out and then going deep.
To get it, you really have to listen to it and pay attention to what he is doing and what is going on with the band members.
Edit: on many of Big Walter's recordings as a sideman and a frontman, there is a lot of building and release of tension. Intensity levels pick up and slow down. This is common among Blues.
Big Walter was one of the few players that played a lot throughout the song even while the vocalist is singing. Frequently, he is playing very busily and and very rhythmically. He does this by playing softer. Big Walter was a master of dynamics.
Check out his work with Otis Spann on Chess, if you can find it. Check out Willie Dixon's, I Am The Blues.
----------
The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by Joe_L on Oct 13, 2013 9:22 AM
|
Frank
2985 posts
Oct 12, 2013
3:12 PM
|
.jpg)
|
Joe_L
2349 posts
Oct 13, 2013
9:23 AM
|
That's a great photo.
----------
The Blues Photo Gallery
|
