Customer Reviews

The Anthology Of Blues Guitar (Guitar Books)

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Excellent transcriptions of some quite obscure blues songs. A range of styles are covered, and thus a range of techniques. Unfortunately, there's no tuition as regards the differing techniques necessary - only (partial) transcriptions.

And here is where the collection is a letdown. These are not complete transciptions of entire songs - often there is only the 'intro', first verse and (if deemed interesting enough) a solo or 'middle section'. For some of the songs transcribed, this is fine: they are repetitive with only slight changes throughout, so the material offered will allow the entire song to be played. Other songs, however, feel drastically 'under-transcribed' by this approach, and may leave some feeling slightly angry at being unable to play other important sections.

Many of the books associated with Woody Mann take this approach. His 'Complete' Robert Johnson is nothing of the kind, with the same intro/first verse approach leaving beginners at a total loss for the rest of the song. I don't know whether Mr. Mann is responsible for this, or it is an editorial decision beyond his control, but it would be extremely irritating for any beginner.

It is a pity that the kind of transcription detail found in the Robert Johnson 'New Transcriptions' release is not found here. So if you're after a range of partial transcriptions and have the ability to puzzle out the rest of the songs when given the intros/first verse, by all means purchase this book. For beginners, though, and anyone who doesn't own copies of these songs on CD, etc., think twice.