Post by Michael Messer on Feb 20, 2024 20:53:52 GMT
Reading the thread 'What Are You Playing On Your Reso.... ' reminded me that some of our members might well be interested in downloading a few, or all of these tracks.
It is a project I produced, co-arranged and played on back in 2002, that was at the time a 3 CD box set. The company I did it for went out of business and it became my property. Rather than release it and push it around I decided to put it on my website for those that find it.
Play The Blues!
Ever wanted to play along with a world class blues band in the comfort of your own living room? With PLAY THE BLUES you can do just that!
This exceptional & versatile set of tracks can be used for fun, for practice or as an aid for music teachers.
Learn some words and a guitar part and entertain your friends, or just pick up your guitar and PLAY THE BLUES!
Each of the 26 tracks has been recorded to sound like an authentic blues recording from its respective period in history. Authentic vintage instruments and recording techniques were used to really get that classic blues sound which so often gets lost in modern recordings. The music has been mixed in an intimate way to give you the feeling of being in the room with the band.
Here's the link....
www.michaelmesser.co.uk/play-the-blues
Here are some reviews from 2002 when Play The Blues was originally released as a 3 CD box set.
52 tracks in total, giving over 3 hours of music. The recordings are by Michael Messer & his band. I presume it is made up of various members of his Second Mind ensemble - there is a full list of musicians credits listed on the website. The concept is simple & has been done before. It is basically a collection of blues instrumentals put together with two tracks; the first is a short demonstration track with the lead guitar, then you get the full length track to play along with.
A comprehensive set of notes gives you stylistic references and the key of each track so you can easily play along. The big difference between this collection and others that I have seen, is that all of the tracks are played with authentic instruments and recorded in a sympathetic manner, so as to be as true to the original style as possible, and I have to say that it works! If you want T Bone Walker, BB King, Muddy Waters, in fact for just about anyone that you could hope to play with, there is probably a track to suit you; Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Earl Hooker, Gary Moore and many many more. Just to make it even better, all of the tracks follow a 12 bar progression and adhere to the 1 - 4 - 5 chord patterns in each key. If nothing else, listening to the rhythm tracks alone is enough to convince you what a powerful medium a good blues is! I have many backing track albums in my collection, but this is far and away the very best one of them all. If you play blues guitar, then you must consider this as an instant rehearsal aid and could even assist you with your song writing. Superb!
Dave Stone - Blues Matters!
Although we originally had a bit of a laugh, (karaoke for guitarists!) - we have to admit this is a brilliant idea and, what's more - we encourage all blues players, not
just guitarists to invest in this box-set.
The easiest way to review this for you is to quote mostly from the website itself......"Have you ever wanted to jam with a world class blues band? No time to organize regular rehearsals? Like to sharpen up your improvisational skills? Well, now you can in the comfort of your own living room!"
(This next bit is not from the notes!) - Before all you experienced players dismiss this as an unnecessary purchase - think again and check this out. The 52 tracks cover practically every style of blues you can think of, from old-time delta blues to lounge lizard uptown sleaze and most stops in between! There is information with each track with all the technical and historical detail you will need. Each track is preceded with a demonstration/example piece which lasts for a couple of verses.....then comes the track for you to cut loose on. Each lasts from five to ten minutes, so, plenty of time to indulge yourself. Over three hours of playing time!
The musicians who will be backing you are top notch and they've actually managed, through using vintage equipment and recording techniques, to achieve the sounds you hear on all those classic blues records. Just think....no more band arguments, no more punch-ups, no rounds to pay for - what more could you ask for! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Blues In The South
They say that books are silent friends. Well, here’s a friend that has plenty to say and, if you have a burning desire or secret ambition to play the blues then it could be one of the best friends you ever had.
Michael Messer, has come up with an ideal solution for those ‘can’t play the blues… blues’. In this box you will find twenty six tracks thoughtfully put together to provide a multitude of backing tracks which, with the aid of the accompanying notes, you can ease yourself into playing along with. The tracks are long and well paced so that you can take your time and get a good feel of what is going on and, novice or old hand you won’t be able to resist wanting to hop on for the ride.
Imagine having your mates round to your place. A ten piece band, including yourself, which is quite happy to practice in the spare bedroom, your study or the garage without a word of complaint from them or the rest of the household. You lucky dog, each one of them is a top notch musician and your band is one of the best blues bands in the land. Even better, they never fall out, there are no Prima Donnas, none of them want to stick their fingers up and go solo, and best of all non want to steel your beer or pinch your cigs'. Nobody rushes you and if you’re not happy with it you just press the button and the band, without a “tut” or a “huff” to be heard, start again or repeat the section knowing that you are going to get it right. The mix has been produced so that the band sounds as if is in a more intimate setting rather than a large studio.
The tracks cover various forms and structures fundamental to blues songs and instrumentals from the slick style of Albert King to the nitty gritty rhythm of Bo Diddley, from the raw electric slide of Elmore James to the more sophisticated sound of Casey Bill Weldon. The information with each track gives you the key
and tunings, while each track is preceded by a short introduction sample track which includes a lead guitar suggesting how the melody could be tackled. The lead guitar then holds off for the main track leaving you to take centre stage and give it a try. The great thing about this is that you are not strapped down to some finger breaking tablature system. Just soak in what you’re your band is doing, start with some simple chords, get some confidence and then begin to throw in a few riffs. Once you’re happy with the instrumental side of things you could then start putting lyrics to the numbers and the band will love the songs too!
Whether you are rehearsing to play in a living room near you or in, in a club or at a festival or if you just want to have some fun improving your guitar technique then this is definitely worth considering. This set will also make an excellent teaching device for music teachers. Apart from all of that, the music makes for good listening in its own right.
Gary Atkinson - Document Records
"These are the most professionally sounding backing tracks I've ever heard. Every style of the blues is covered. One slight criticism though. Some of the sample tracks containing the lead guitar last only about 30 seconds. That's long enough to get an idea what's going on, however, from purely a listening point of view I would have preferred full tracks, with and without lead guitar. I was most impressed with Play The Blues - it is unique to the market having such really authentic live blues tracks - a great idea and really well produced."
Tony Skinner, Director of the Registry of Guitar Tutors,
London College of Music Principal Guitar Examiner
Shine On
Michael
It is a project I produced, co-arranged and played on back in 2002, that was at the time a 3 CD box set. The company I did it for went out of business and it became my property. Rather than release it and push it around I decided to put it on my website for those that find it.
Play The Blues!
Ever wanted to play along with a world class blues band in the comfort of your own living room? With PLAY THE BLUES you can do just that!
This exceptional & versatile set of tracks can be used for fun, for practice or as an aid for music teachers.
Learn some words and a guitar part and entertain your friends, or just pick up your guitar and PLAY THE BLUES!
Each of the 26 tracks has been recorded to sound like an authentic blues recording from its respective period in history. Authentic vintage instruments and recording techniques were used to really get that classic blues sound which so often gets lost in modern recordings. The music has been mixed in an intimate way to give you the feeling of being in the room with the band.
Here's the link....
www.michaelmesser.co.uk/play-the-blues
Here are some reviews from 2002 when Play The Blues was originally released as a 3 CD box set.
52 tracks in total, giving over 3 hours of music. The recordings are by Michael Messer & his band. I presume it is made up of various members of his Second Mind ensemble - there is a full list of musicians credits listed on the website. The concept is simple & has been done before. It is basically a collection of blues instrumentals put together with two tracks; the first is a short demonstration track with the lead guitar, then you get the full length track to play along with.
A comprehensive set of notes gives you stylistic references and the key of each track so you can easily play along. The big difference between this collection and others that I have seen, is that all of the tracks are played with authentic instruments and recorded in a sympathetic manner, so as to be as true to the original style as possible, and I have to say that it works! If you want T Bone Walker, BB King, Muddy Waters, in fact for just about anyone that you could hope to play with, there is probably a track to suit you; Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Earl Hooker, Gary Moore and many many more. Just to make it even better, all of the tracks follow a 12 bar progression and adhere to the 1 - 4 - 5 chord patterns in each key. If nothing else, listening to the rhythm tracks alone is enough to convince you what a powerful medium a good blues is! I have many backing track albums in my collection, but this is far and away the very best one of them all. If you play blues guitar, then you must consider this as an instant rehearsal aid and could even assist you with your song writing. Superb!
Dave Stone - Blues Matters!
Although we originally had a bit of a laugh, (karaoke for guitarists!) - we have to admit this is a brilliant idea and, what's more - we encourage all blues players, not
just guitarists to invest in this box-set.
The easiest way to review this for you is to quote mostly from the website itself......"Have you ever wanted to jam with a world class blues band? No time to organize regular rehearsals? Like to sharpen up your improvisational skills? Well, now you can in the comfort of your own living room!"
(This next bit is not from the notes!) - Before all you experienced players dismiss this as an unnecessary purchase - think again and check this out. The 52 tracks cover practically every style of blues you can think of, from old-time delta blues to lounge lizard uptown sleaze and most stops in between! There is information with each track with all the technical and historical detail you will need. Each track is preceded with a demonstration/example piece which lasts for a couple of verses.....then comes the track for you to cut loose on. Each lasts from five to ten minutes, so, plenty of time to indulge yourself. Over three hours of playing time!
The musicians who will be backing you are top notch and they've actually managed, through using vintage equipment and recording techniques, to achieve the sounds you hear on all those classic blues records. Just think....no more band arguments, no more punch-ups, no rounds to pay for - what more could you ask for! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Blues In The South
They say that books are silent friends. Well, here’s a friend that has plenty to say and, if you have a burning desire or secret ambition to play the blues then it could be one of the best friends you ever had.
Michael Messer, has come up with an ideal solution for those ‘can’t play the blues… blues’. In this box you will find twenty six tracks thoughtfully put together to provide a multitude of backing tracks which, with the aid of the accompanying notes, you can ease yourself into playing along with. The tracks are long and well paced so that you can take your time and get a good feel of what is going on and, novice or old hand you won’t be able to resist wanting to hop on for the ride.
Imagine having your mates round to your place. A ten piece band, including yourself, which is quite happy to practice in the spare bedroom, your study or the garage without a word of complaint from them or the rest of the household. You lucky dog, each one of them is a top notch musician and your band is one of the best blues bands in the land. Even better, they never fall out, there are no Prima Donnas, none of them want to stick their fingers up and go solo, and best of all non want to steel your beer or pinch your cigs'. Nobody rushes you and if you’re not happy with it you just press the button and the band, without a “tut” or a “huff” to be heard, start again or repeat the section knowing that you are going to get it right. The mix has been produced so that the band sounds as if is in a more intimate setting rather than a large studio.
The tracks cover various forms and structures fundamental to blues songs and instrumentals from the slick style of Albert King to the nitty gritty rhythm of Bo Diddley, from the raw electric slide of Elmore James to the more sophisticated sound of Casey Bill Weldon. The information with each track gives you the key
and tunings, while each track is preceded by a short introduction sample track which includes a lead guitar suggesting how the melody could be tackled. The lead guitar then holds off for the main track leaving you to take centre stage and give it a try. The great thing about this is that you are not strapped down to some finger breaking tablature system. Just soak in what you’re your band is doing, start with some simple chords, get some confidence and then begin to throw in a few riffs. Once you’re happy with the instrumental side of things you could then start putting lyrics to the numbers and the band will love the songs too!
Whether you are rehearsing to play in a living room near you or in, in a club or at a festival or if you just want to have some fun improving your guitar technique then this is definitely worth considering. This set will also make an excellent teaching device for music teachers. Apart from all of that, the music makes for good listening in its own right.
Gary Atkinson - Document Records
"These are the most professionally sounding backing tracks I've ever heard. Every style of the blues is covered. One slight criticism though. Some of the sample tracks containing the lead guitar last only about 30 seconds. That's long enough to get an idea what's going on, however, from purely a listening point of view I would have preferred full tracks, with and without lead guitar. I was most impressed with Play The Blues - it is unique to the market having such really authentic live blues tracks - a great idea and really well produced."
Tony Skinner, Director of the Registry of Guitar Tutors,
London College of Music Principal Guitar Examiner
Shine On
Michael
