BOOKS & DVDs
The Playmusic guide to the best in music tuition books and DVDs… This month we delve into a cool book exploring ZZ T
BILLY F GIBBONS
amazing collection of vintage guitars and hot rods, plus a great live DVD featuring guitar legend Chet Atkins and friends…
ROCK+ROLL GEARHEAD Authors: Billy F Gibbons & Tom Vickers SRP: £16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7603-4030-1 Contact: Grantham Book Services on 01476 541080
CHET ATKINS: CERTIFIED GUITAR
PLAYER SRP: £18.25
Catalogue number: CA1002DVD Contact: Mel Bay 020 8214 1222
www.melbay.com
op man Billy Gibbons’
A
s the front man and lead guitarist with Texas blues rockers ZZ Top Billy F Gibbons has had the good fortune to amass an enviable stash of cool gear
over the years. This forgivable extravagance is celebrated in fi ne style as we take a peek under the garage door chez Gibbons, joining the eccentric axe man as he takes us on a tour of his impressive collection of custom cars (including the legendary 1933 ‘Eliminator’ Coupe) and his mouth- watering collection of vintage guitars. Part potted autobiography, part unashamed gear-porn Rock+Roll Gearhead drips with David Perry’s crisp photography. Talking of dripping, judging by the oceans of drool stimulated by leafi ng through these pages, we recommend reading this book whilst wearing a bib! Billy Gibbons’ iconic 1959 Gibson Les Paul sunburst – nick named ‘Pearly Gates’ –takes pride of place among a superlative collection of old instruments and beautiful vintage hot rods but the 1980s video boom that launched ZZ Top to worldwide fame is refl ected by the assortment of whacky custom made guitars, variously fur-lined or multi-necked, which are also dusted off and discussed in detail. Stuffed with enough tall tales and gorgeous gear to keep any tone hound happy for weeks on end, this book is tons of fun. PM
T
aped in Nashville for a 1987 for a TV special, this DVD sees the urbane guitarist and record producer (who died in 2001) joined onstage by a crack band comprised from the best contemporary Nashville session players, plus an assortment of buddies including Mark Knopfl er and Michael McDonald. Apart from a few dodgy 80s haircuts this DVD withstands the passing of time fairly well, proving the timelessness of the country and rock ‘n’ roll standards that form the bulk of the material. Blessed with a deceptively relaxed demeanor, Atkins’ formidable fi nger style guitar work suggests how Segovia might have sounded had he been born in rural Tennessee and the assembled band are clearly relishing the opportunity to trade licks with The Master. Keep a box of tissues handy, though; Atkin’s ode to his late father ‘I still can’t say Goodbye’ reduces the entire band and audience to helpless blubbing wrecks! This DVD and its accompanying CD both form a fi tting tribute to a fantastic musician whose Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2002 was long overdue. PM
34 pickup
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