Elderly Instruments Latest - Books - Instrument History http://elderly.com/list/newitems?catlist=910 en-us copyright 2009 Elderly Instruments Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:43:34 -0500 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:43:34 -0500 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 720 webmaster@elderly.com This full-color book continues the amazing journey of musical giant, milestone guitarist and recording inventor Les Paul and the instruments that bear his name. Begins with the collectible late '60s models, moves on to the '70s and '80s special-themed instruments, the Historic reissues, and the jaw-dropping Gibson Custom Shop creations. Also covers Les Paul's resurgence--the comeback Grammy winning albums, the legendary weekly gig in a New York jazz club, and the reconnection with the Gibson organization. Since Les Paul's death in August 2009, this will be the first book (along with "Early Years 1915-1963" 49-330972) that covers his entire life, including his last performances at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the memorials in New York, and the burial in his hometown in Wisconsin. Features previously unpublished material and over 400 color photos. Hardcover. 361 pp. ($40.00) ]]> Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331953.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331953.htm Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/309-19.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/309-19.htm A candid account of the making of Cash's album "The List" reveals that it was based on a list of 100 essential country songs compiled by her father, the late Johnny Cash, sharing more information about the singer's recent brain surgery and her reflections on life and music. Hardcover. ($24.00) ]]> Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-242.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-242.htm Mitchell is one of the most celebrated artists of the last half century, and her landmark 1971 album, "Blue," is one of her most beloved and revered works. This book looks at "Blue" to explore the development of an extraordinary artist, the history of songwriting, and much more. Fans will appreciate the previously unpublished photos and a coda of Mitchell's unedited commentary on the places, books, music, pastimes, and philosophies she holds dear. Hardcover. ($24.99) ]]> Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-243.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-243.htm Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-240.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-240.htm Now 82 and still touring, Ralph Stanley writes about his hardscrabble boyhood years in rural Virginia, abandonment by his father, the influence of folk and church music, the Stanley Brothers' live radio shows and early records, the perils of touring in the 1940s and '50s on America's back-roads, his brother Carter's fatal drinking problem and re-inventing himself as a solo act after Carter's death in 1966. Stanley gives the reader intimate glimpses of such fellow stars as Bill Monroe, A. P. Carter (of the fabled Carter Family), Porter Wagoner, George Jones, Dwight Yoakam, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and of King Records founder Syd Nathan and super producer T. Bone Burnett. Hardcover, 320 pp. ($27.50) ]]> Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-241.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-241.htm During the final years of Bill Monroe's life, bluegrass fiddler Lowinger took a series of photos of Bill on the road. These photos and others are interwoven into Lowinger's own story of a New Jersey boy obsessed with folk and old-time music; his college trips to see Monroe and other bluegrass masters; his stints as a fiddler for the New York Ramblers, Greenbriar Boys, and Blue Grass Boys; and his memories of playing at the Grand Ole Opry and music festivals. A photographic reflection on Bill Monroe's public and private life, it also testifies to the bluegrass master's profound mentorship and guidance. 75 photos, 160 pp. ($19.95) ]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-238.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-238.htm To coincide with the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, which Hendrix headlined in 1969, the Guide explores the key events in Jimi's metamorphosis from a misfit youngster growing up in poverty in Seattle, to his rise to international stardom and sordid death in 1970. Includes often overlooked aspects ranging from his love of Bob Dylan's music to his relationship with the Black Power movement. Half-size, 256 pp. ($18.99) ]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-234.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-234.htm Folk music legend Joan Baez's disarmingly frank, moving, and warmly funny memoir of her loves, beliefs, and music. 381 pp. ($16.00) ]]> Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-237.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-237.htm The first book to explore the deep legacy of "The Singing Brakeman" from a 21st century perspective. Mazor offers a lively look at Rodgers' career, tracing his rise from working-class obscurity to the pinnacle of of renown. Hardover. 376 pp. ($27.95) ]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-233.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-233.htm A portrait of Darrell Abbott traces the life of the acclaimed guitarist for the heavy metal band Pantera from his youth as a teenage guitar prodigy, to his career with Pantera, to his brutal 2004 murder on stage by a deranged fan. 301 pp. ($15.95) ]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-185.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-185.htm Book/CD set. Winkler describes how folk singer Pete Seeger applied his musical talents to improve conditions for less fortunate people everywhere. He uses Seeger's long life and wonderful songs to reflect on the important role folk music has played in various protest movements. CD includes 10 of Seeger's greatest hits. Hardcover. 226 pp. ($23.95) ]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-232.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-232.htm Waits is one of the most revered and critically acclaimed singer-songwriters alive today. This book makes sense of the life and career of the beloved icon, from the beginning of his career on the margins of the 1970s Los Angeles rock scene to his place among such greats as Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Hardcover. ($29.95) ]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-227.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-227.htm A true American original is brought to life in this rich and lively portrait of Pete Seeger, who, with his musical grace and inexhaustible passion for social justice, transformed folk singing into a high form of peaceful protest in the second half of the twentieth century. Drawing on his extensive talks with Seeger, "New Yorker" writer Wilkinson lets us experience the man's unique blend of independence and commitment, charm, courage, energy and belief in human equality and American democracy. Hardcover 156 pp. ($22.95) ]]> Wed, 06 May 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-226.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-226.htm Tells the personal history of Barney Josephson, proprietor of the legendary interracial New York city night clubs Cafe Society Downtown and Cafe Society Uptown, and their successor, The Cookery. Famously known as "the wrong place for the right people," Cafe Society featured the cream of the jazz and blues performers - among whom were Billie Holiday, boogie-woogie pianists, Big Joe Turner, Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Big Sid Catlett, and Mary Lou Williams - as well as comedy stars Imogene Coca, Zero Mostel, and Jack Gilford, and also gospel and folk singers. Hardcover, 376 pp. ($29.95) ]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-223.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-223.htm Book/DVD set. Follows Dime from his roots growing up in the household of a working-class musician to his success as a much-loved and world-renowned rock guitar god. Join Dime in the early 1980s with his first band, Pantera, and stay with him through his final tour in 2004 with his last band, Damageplan. Always humble, always crazy, always the best at what he did. The echoes of his music live in the countless bands and the guitar slingers who remain inspired by his genius. Full of pictures and anecdotes. 188 pp. ($29.98) ]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-225.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-225.htm Book/CD set. A very personal, beautifully designed songbook, scrapbook, and photo album - it also includes the lyrics to 24 of Keen's favorite songs. Each is accompanied by a one-liner that offers tantalizing hints at the motivations behind the songs. Spans his career from his student days at Texas A&M University to a recent concert in Texas. Newspaper clippings, concert posters and programs, journal entries and letters are some of the keepsakes that make up the pages. Includes a CD of the 24 songs, with printable sheet music. Hardcover, 130 pp. ($39.95) ]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/542-219.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/542-219.htm The definitive biography of Grappelli (1908-1997,) the jazz violinist who rose to fame in the famous jazz quintet which also included guitarist Django Reinhardt. Covers that important era in detail, but is at its finest in chronicling the latter part of Grappelli's career, including his stints with Duke Ellington, George Shearing and Oscar Peterson; his encounters with Miles Davis, Gary Burton, Paul Simon, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nigel Kennedy; and more. 428 pp. ($29.95) ]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/01-910901.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/01-910901.htm Book/CD pack. Most musicians are familiar with the famous Bigsby Vibrato, but not as many know about the wonderful guitars that Paul Bigsby built in the 1940's. Bigsby, who was responsible for developing and refining the pedal steel guitar, also built the first modern solid body electric guitar for Merle Travis in 1948, predating Leo Fender and Gibson's Les Paul by a number of years. This book tells how Bigsby influenced Fender and Gibson, as well as other guitar manufacturers, in building techniques and design. This deluxe illustrated coffee table book contains over 300 color and black & white photos, many of which are published here for the first time. Over 50 are actual Bigsby instrument photos taken by fine arts photographer Greg Morgan. The CD contains recordings of Paul Bigsby from the late 1950's, telling stories of his business. Hardcover. 196 pp. ($50.00) ]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332770.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332770.htm