Customer Reviews

The James Booker Collection

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a marvellous volume of Piano Transcriptions by the late James Booker. Booker was one of the great New Orleans pianists, who was able to play classical music as well as New Orleans Piano.

These transcriptions are tough to play, mainly because Booker had a number of unique left hand patterns that he used that are very difficult to play correctly and smoothly. Some of the performances are vocal and Piano. However unlike some sheet music books the vocal line is printed separately and Bookers unqiue accompaniments are shown complete in both the right and left hand.

The transcriptions are:

Junco Partner
Come Rain or Come Shine
Medley: Blues Minuet/ It will have to do until the real thing comes along/baby won't you please come home
Gonzo's Blue Dream
Let's Make a better World
Papa was a Rascal
Pixie
Pop's Dilemma
Put out the light
Tell me how do you feel

All of the performances are available on CD - mainly on Junco Partner (Hannibal HNCD 1359), which itself is a brilliant solo recording by Booker.

If you are a boogie woogie and blues fan and/or player, you should definetly get this book. its the only sheet music of james booker out there! It is advanced but worth the time to learn some songs. must buy!

There would have been little possibility of providing a negative review for a volume mostly dedicated to transcriptions from this late New Orleans legend. But, Joshua Paxton's appreciation of not just the notes being played and his very perceptive introduction of breaking down the various grooves of Booker's makes this a step above most books comprised of transcriptions. As a lot of jazz/blues players realize, simply commiting to memory a solo or complete interpretation of a tune can be pointless and sometimes injurious to one's development. But here, you have the very important breakdown at the beginning of Booker's approaches to ballads, boogie, and rock grooves that can actually proove to be useful in understanding an enigmatic artist. Then to throw in a contradiction, I find his playing perfectly suited to transcriptions as he belonged to the school of player where technique was essential and although he may have not realized it (or possibly was very conscious of it) some of what many have heard to be rambling exercises in brilliance stand up with great impromtus of the past. A background in classical form is ideal for understanding the execution of these pieces as is a good background in New Orleans piano traditions that are sometimes only hinted at but effectively and subtly woven throughout.

Always obtain the original recordings to grasp the meaning behind the curtain. And many kudos to Joshua Paxton for his efforts.

Ordered this hoping I could learn to play the piano just a tad like James Booker but am pretty sure that won't happen. The transcriptions are not easy to play at first read but I'm not giving up. His unique and amazing keyboard skills are not to be duplicated, at least not by me. Oh well, I can dream.

James Booker probably one of the best kept secrets in music history. He always seems to surprise the listener and just when you think he cannot possibly play any faster...he does. Wonderful selction for anyone wanting to know more about this extraordinary pianist. Excellent.

a must have if you want to learn the rich and complex booker style. Joshua Paxton's job with these transcriptions is just perfect!