Guitar Performances

Frank Vignola's Gypsy Jazz Jam MB 20087DVD

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This footage is a backstage look at what Frank Vignola and his friends do best: Jam. Some of the world’s foremost gypsy jazz guitarists let it all hang out on this very special DVD.

Freddie King - The !!!! Beat 1966 MB 95256DVD

Freddie King, hard-driving and perhaps driven, was only 42 when he died on December 28, 1976. The intensity of the performances in this video suggest an artist who burned at full throttle every time he played. Guitarists as diverse as Eric Clapton, Michael Bloomfield, and Jerry Garcia have cited King as a formative influence. Most of the clips in this collection come from a unique time warp, a fleeting moment when Southern R&B collided with mid-60's "Mod" and rendered a show called THE!!!!BEAT. THE!!!!BEAT'S 26-show run in 1966 may have been ahead of its time. The time is one when television programming for black audiences was otherwise nonexistent and blues remained a powerful force in Southern black popular music. Freddie King was 31 at the time of THE!!!BEAT, playing and singing in prime form. This video/DVD collection presents all of Freddie King's appearances from this unique series. The presentation concludes with three tunes performed in Sweden in 1973 and shows Freddie's artistic growth. The booklet for the DVD is not included, but can be accessed and downloaded from guitarvideos.com. Running time: 60 minutes.

Freddie King in Concert MB 95237VX

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VHS Video

Few bluesmen could match the late Freddie King when it came to the expressiveness of his vocals or his knack of peppering his guitar playing with bluesy but melodic hooks--not to mention the sheer power of the man himself. This collection features the King making the most of his renewed popularity between 1970 and 1973 both stateside and Europe. A special bonus: The set kicks off with a videotaped interview with Freddie. Includes free booklet of biographical material.

Freddie King in Concert - Dallas, Texas January 20, 1973 MB 13028DVD

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On January 20, 1973, Freddie King and a tight quartet performed at a TV studio in Dallas, Texas. "It was humming in there," recalls director Jim Rowley. "Absolutely cooking." King was 38 and enjoying what he called "the Fillmore circuit" in America as well as the adulation of throngs (including adoring rock stars) in Europe, especially England. This was the second time King had the brass ring firmly in hand, the first being during the early 1960s "dance party" era and his success with Hide Away. It all ended too soon with King's 1976 death but he left us a vibrant musical legacy which includes concert performances like this, a stunning example of a blues master coming to triumphant terms with 1970s African-American grooves and "playing funky."

Freddie King Live at the Sugarbowl Sept. 22nd, 1972 MB 13072DVD

Freddie King in concert was an event to behold. His performances were powerful and filled with emotional singing coupled with burning soulful licks played on his Gibson 355. The rare footage presented on this video features a complete set by Freddie and his band recorded at the Sugarbowl in South Carolina on September 22nd, 1972. All the sheer power and joy of Freddie King is presented in this video.

Jack Wilkins: Christmas Jazz Guitar MB 20257CD

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Jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins' flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach has inspired collaborations with many legendary performers. This CD presents guitar ensemble arrangements of many traditional Christmas favorites as well as an arrangement of a folk tune that appeared in the movie A Christmas Carol and one original tune. Pleasing, light listening for a beautiful time of the year.

JIM HALL - A Life in Progress HL 00320204

A documentary film on VHS video featuring the Jim Hall Trio (1998: Jim Hall, Scott Colley & Terry Clarke, accompanied by string and brass ensembles). Guest artists: Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny and Greg Osby. Interviewees: Chico Hamilton, Nat Hentoff and John Lewis. This film by Bruce Ricker benefits from good timing: Mr. Hall is now going through a creative burst. He has suddenly discovered an affinity for writing arrangements, and he has been releasing a slew of albums, showing off his expanded visions, with brass and string sections and guest soloists. The film's contemporary segments center on the recording of Mr. Hall's most recent album, By Arrangement, and because it involves some of Mr. Hall's friends (including saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist Pat Metheny and Mr. Osby), it manages to lead some of jazz's more important figures into excited assessments of Mr. Hall's accomplishments. Outside of the recording studio, Mr. Hall narrates his own life, with film footage of him playing with Jimmy Giuffre, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Rollins and other performers, as well as glimpses of Mr. Hall's domestic life with his wife and daughter. As he talks, he's measured in his self-assessment, and wryly funny; he's a reliable guide to his own career, and the film lets him tell most of the story. - Ben Ratliff, The New York Times. 60 minutes.

Jimmy Bruno & Jack Wilkins MB 99148DVD

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Live From The Theatre at Washington, Virginia

The artistry of Jimmy Bruno and Jack Wilkins is extraordinary. Here is an opportunity to enjoy their music, as performed on handmade Benedetto guitars, in a warm, intimate setting. It doesn't get any better than this... the music is so superb that it sounds rehearsed. Like Sinatra, Bennett, Davis, and others, Jack and Jimmy are among the elite in what they do... truly "Close Encounters of the Jazzy Kind!"

Jimmy Bruno Live At Chris' Jazz Cafe MB 20559DVD

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Vol. 2

Jimmy Bruno is one of the finest jazz guitarists of our time. From the first note of every performance he captures audiences with his electricity and presence. This Volume 2 DVD of the most recent performance, filmed live at Chris' Café in Philadelphia, PA, presents the unique opportunity to witness Jimmy in an intimate jazz setting, while playing to a home town crowd. Volume 2 features seven jazz standards performed live by Jimmy Bruno with a tenor sax/drums/organ quartet and includes an up-close and personal interview with the master himself.

Featuring: Jimmy Bruno, guitar; Chris Farr, tenor sax; Daniel Monaghan, drums; Lucas Brown, organ and keyboard bass.

Jimmy Bruno Live At Chris' Jazz Cafe MB 20523DVD

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Vol. 1

Jimmy Bruno is one of the finest jazz guitarists of our time. From the first note of every performance he captures audiences with his electricity and presence. This most recent performance, filmed live at Chris’ Café in Philadelphia, PA, presents the unique opportunity to witness Jimmy in an intimate jazz setting, while playing to a home town crowd. This new DVD features eight jazz standards performed live by Jimmy Bruno with a tenor sax/drums/organ quartet and includes an up-close and personal interview with the master himself.

Featuring: Jimmy Bruno, guitar; Chris Farr, tenor sax; Daniel Monaghan, drums; Lucas Brown, organ and keyboard bass.

Jimmy Bruno Solo MB 09772CD

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One would be hard pressed to find another jazz guitarist so polished, sought-after and committed to the music that he loves. From his earliest days, Jimmy Bruno has loved and been loved by jazz. With his unmistakable presence and inspiring virtuosity, great pride, Mel Bay Records releases Jimmy Bruno’s new album, SOLO, on Guitar Sessions, a label dedicated to cutting-edge jazz guitar.

SOLO is nothing but Jimmy Bruno, literally. Jimmy arranged this compilation of originals and jazz standards for solo jazz guitar, presenting the listener with the opportunity to hear and enjoy every note. Whether it’s the dynamic swing of Benny’s Tune or the romantic familiarity of Satin Doll, Jimmy Bruno digs in deep and demonstrates true mastery of his instrument.

Joe Pass - AN EVENING WITH JOE PASS

An instructional and performance video featuring a concert (with a great trio) plus a pre-concert run-through of jazz classics like Satin Doll, All the Things You Are and more. In clinic, Joe discusses and demonstrates the techniques he employs, chord-melody and 'playing what you hear.' Booklet included. (90 min.) Also available: Joe Pass: Boxed Set. Two Joe Pass videos, JAZZ LINES and AN EVENING WITH JOE PASS packaged together in an attractive slipcover.

John Fahey MB 13065DVD

John Fahey

In Concert & Interviews 1969 & 1996

John Fahey (a.k.a. Blind Joe Death) has been called the father of American Primitive Guitar. He brought a force and inventiveness to his compositions and playing that is firmly rooted in country blues and folk traditions. We open this DVD with a 1969 appearance on Laura Weber's Guitar, Guitar TV show. John talks about his sources of inspiration, guitar styles and techniques and general thoughts on playing. He performs In Christ There Is No East Or West, The Death Of The Clayton Peacock, Red Pony, Farther Along and other solos. We then jump thirty years to a concert John gave at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California. His physical appearance has changed but his approach and guitar style are still the same. John performs his "hits" but he is not afraid to explore and extend these compositions to new areas and boundaries. Together with his audience he travels the musical highways that have influenced his playing and composing. This is the magic of John Fahey. "I try to keep changing my pieces each performance. If I get to having fun changing it, especially the syncopation and dynamics, then the audience really gets off on it, and it sounds like an orchestra."

John Lee Hooker & Friends (1984-1992) MB 13054DVD

Series: Vestapol Video

Featuring: Albert Collins, Ry Cooder, Robert Cray, John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite, Bonnie Rait and others. John Lee Hooker is one of the few legendary bluesmen to crack the MTV barrier. He has recorded and performed with a host of contemporary pop stars. John Lee's music hasn't changed but the accompanying musicians have. This 60 minute video presents John Lee performing with many of his friends from 1984 to 1992. Ry Cooder duets on three tracks. Robert Cray burns up the fretboard on Mr. Lucky, John Hammond plays slide behind Father Was a Jockey and Bonnie Raitt cajoles and teases on I'm In The Mood.

John Lee Hooker Rare Performances 1960-1984 MB 13035DVD

Series: Vestapol Video

John Lee Hooker is one of the foremost blues performers of the postwar period. He is in actuality a Mississippi country bluesman and his music has always been firmly grounded in the traditional blues of his native state. He has remained true to its fundamental principles throughout a professional career of more than five decades. Whether playing solo in 1960 or with the Muddy Waters Band in the same year or his touring bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s, John Lee Hookers genius in writing and performing magnificent emotionally potent blues can be seen in all its glory in this video collection of rare performances. This DVD has been compiled from very rare footage and we have tried to remaster this to produce the best possible results. However, the listener should approach this DVD in it's historical perspective realizing that there are imperfection in the original source material. A 25 page comprehensive booklet featuring biographical material, rare photographs and details on the tunes performed on this DVD can be accessed and downloaded from www.guitarvideos.com/dvd/pdf.htm.

Jonathan Kreisberg - UNEARTH MB 09812CD

By Jonathan Kreisberg. Mel Bay Publications. Compact Disc.

A New York City native and University of Miami graduate, jazz guitarist and composer Jonathan Kreisberg backed a long list of top jazz professionals before breaking out on his own. Unearth, featuring eight original compositions, is Jonathan’s fourth CD as a leader. He’s accompanied by Scott Wendholt on trumpet, Aaron Goldberg on piano, Matt Penman on bass, and Anthony Pinciotti on drums. When not on tour, Jonathan and his trio perform each Wednesday at La Lanterna in Greenwich Village. This enhanced CD also includes a Mel Bay Records interview, artist biography, photo gallery and discography.

Josh White MB 13090DVD

Josh White

Free and Equal Blues Rare Performance

Josh White was a key figure in the evolution of the folk and blues music revivals, a brilliant guitarist and dashingly sexy cabaret star who for three decades was the world's most popular acoustic blues performer. After a childhood leading blind street singers through the South, Josh was a popular recording artist in the 1930s golden age of acoustic blues; then in the 1940s he became the first bluesman to capture a large mainstream audience. Though his smooth, polished style is quite unlike the harder-edged approach that many people now consider basic to blues, his unique, lyrical guitar work and soulful singing made him a formative influence on the international folk scene. This video begins with a rare filmed snippet from the 1940s, then includes a range of European performances from the 1960s, showing the breadth and variety of Josh's repertoire, from traditional blues and gospel to folk revival standards and cabaret material. It captures the intimate, sophisticated style, swing and power that made Josh the most influential guitarist on the early folk scene and one of America's defining entertainers.

Juan Martin and his Flamienco Dance Company from Seville VH0247

Over two hours of thrilling flamenco dancing, singing and guitar playing by an all-star group of outstanding young performers from Seville. Flamenco at its purest and most authentic, brilliantly performed.

LAURENCE JUBER IN CONCERT HL 00641397

Grammy-winning fingerstyle guitarist Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney's Wings), displays his usual combination of technical virtuosity and high musicianship. Recorded live at Nashville's famed Caffe Milano, LJ plays some of his most requested pieces, plus two powerful duets with Preston Reed. This session is a treat for all lovers of great guitar music! 60-MIN. VHS VIDEO · PERFORMANCE

Ledward Kaapana & Bob Brozman in Concert

This concert video includes Hawaiian slack key guitar (ki ho'alu) master Ledward Kaapana performing solo on many instruments (including: 6 string, autoharp and ukulele), Led is then joined by National Steel guitar king Bob Brozman. Together the two perform songs ranging from Hawaiian standards to slack key favorites. Led's full-bodied fingerpicking covers the melody and rhythm while Bob's amazing slide work (he plays a National, Koa wood Weissenborn acoustic steel and ukulele), provides the textural accents and coloration his instrument has traditionally provided in Hawaiian music. This ground-breaking collaboration brings together two stellar musicians from different cultures, who share their aloha for vintage Hawaiian music and have good fun doing it. Running time: 90 minutes