|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jun 23, 2006 16:25:21 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Gerry C on Jun 24, 2006 11:30:16 GMT
Hi Michael. I was talking to David Kidman on Wednesday evening and he could not stop going on about the series. I told him I'd already got the Martin Simpson and Michael Messer DVDs and intended eventually to get the lot and he said that if he had not got the review copies he's be doing the same! What he says in the review is exactly what he's saying to anyone who will listen. (And this is not just because he did a nice review of my CD on the same site!)
Cheerily,
Gerry C
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jun 24, 2006 12:53:12 GMT
Hi Gerry,
Thank you for your very kind message. David wrote a wonderful review of the DVDs and a great review of your album, which I have pasted into this message for our forum.
Shine On,
Michael.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Gerry Cooper - Big Road Blues (Big Thumb)
In my opinion, Gerry's one of the undersung heroes of the local scene in West Yorkshire. Though a long-time blues enthusiast, Gerry's post-formative musical "career" (after the obligatory student cover bands, that is) resided mostly on the Bradford-Irish ceilidh scene (spells with Scarlet Heights and Frigga), until Roger Sutcliffe's "infamous" guitar class rekindled Gerry's interest in studying and performing the blues. Which he carried on doing as half of the Okeh Boys until they split, then a few years on his eventual retirement from the day-job enabled a more concentrated onslaught on the local circuit, with regular appearances at (mostly) Otley Folk Club. And so here's Gerry's first CD, welcomingly unpretentious and musically very tasty indeed. Largely recorded at home, absolutely solo (vocals, acoustic 6- and 12-string and resophonic guitars with a bit of harmonica, also some unobtrusive drum samples on a couple of cuts) with slight multitracking at times. Choice of material's exactly as you'd expect – blues classics and standards done in Gerry's own supremely skilled way, with just one (shame!) ragtime instrumental (the ironically-named Slow Drag!) thrown in for good measure. Maybe one or two of the selections are a mite ephemeral (such is the nature of the genre), but Gerry sure has their measure and you can easily just concentrate on his playing for optimum listening satisfaction if you prefer. Gerry's grasp of the blues and its multiplicity of idioms is deeply intuitive, and even his interpretations of well-worn material can still surprise and delight, both on first acquaintance and subsequent plays (and that's not always the case with blues performers, is it?). It's all performed with the easy, quiet authority that characterises Gerry's live act; he shares with his mentor the air of earthy understanding and modest accomplishment in technique (if not the same degree of Suttyan flamboyance!). Some blues-oriented CDs can sound very samey, but Gerry sensibly varies the pace, mood and instrumental timbre, and the recording is for the most part ideally sensitive to the task in hand. Perhaps Gerry's vocal seems to shout a tad on the title track (too much reverb?), but otherwise the balance is just right. There's only one thing glaringly amiss with this release, to my mind – it's lax, especially so for a musician of such evident scholarship and integrity, not to have credited composers or sources. (But even as I write, I'm told that Gerry will be producing an insert once his PC problems are sorted!) So, Big Road Blues is highly recommended for anyone who loves the blues well played and well sung with authenticity, impeccable taste and savvy.
David Kidman
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Aug 1, 2006 17:49:17 GMT
Shameless self promotion!I just found this review on www.musicroom.com. Reviews from the people that buy the music and not the media! MUSICROOM.COM >CUSTOMER REVIEW >FIVE STAR RATING For those of you interested in blues slide guitar in all its genres, this DVD is excellent. The Sound Techniques production team has done a fantastic job – the DVD is of very high quality in terms of both sound and vision. Michael Messer plays superbly and features both classic blues tracks (Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson etc) and his own compositions. Michael discusses and demonstrates National, square-neck Dobro, tri-cone and electric styles of slide guitar playing. And his talent and life-long passion for slide guitar shines through. Quite inspirational. Whilst this is not billed as an 'instructional' DVD, the camera work is so clear that you will have no problem steeling licks! Robin - (Tywyn, United Kingdom)
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Nov 23, 2006 0:27:46 GMT
 To see a couple of promotional clips of the Sound Techniques DVD >go to www.youtube.com and search Michael Messer. They have some of Shouldn't Do That and Write Me a Few Short Lines Shine On, Michael |
|
|
|
Post by steadyrollinman on Feb 22, 2007 9:15:38 GMT
Thanks for the info and lyrics Michael. It is a lovely song. The simple ones are usually the best.
Regards,
Chris.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2007 11:28:34 GMT
I got my copy of the Guitar Maestros DVD last week. It's an unusual format, studio performances interspersed with interviews but it works very well. The discussion about Michael's instruments was very interesting and I picked up lots of playing tips from watching and trying to play along. It would have been nice to have an audience in attendance, the performances deserved some response other than silence but I guess logistics made that difficult. It goes without saying that the playing is top notch throughout. Ed Genis’s accompaniment is excellent and of course Michael’s slide is fantastic. My only problem now is deciding which DVD to get next.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2007 9:07:30 GMT
Hello Blisters,
Thank you! I am pleased you are enjoying the DVD.
I agree that the format is unusual. The whole project was produced & directed by the team at Sound Techniques, with a fair amount of advice from the person who interviews me in the film, Trevor Dann. The Sound Techniques gang have been in the recording & filming business for 45 years and include Nick Drake, Pink Floyd and Elton John in their CV. Trevor Dann was head of BBC Radio 1 and BBC TV Music Department for many years. Trevor was in charge of the Live Aid production in 1985 and launched 'Later with Jools Holland' on BBC TV.
So in short - Sound Techniques production crew had total control over everything in the film. All I did was play my songs and answer the questions. This is similar to recording a radio or TV show at the BBC. The producer/director has total control.
Thank you for your kind words. As for which one to get next.......well they are all excellent films.
Shine On,
Michael.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gerry C on Apr 30, 2007 11:52:51 GMT
I can only offer a personal choice here (as Michael says, all the DVDs are good) but I'd plump for the Martin Simpson one: great playing and fascinating interview (just like MM's in fact) with the bonus of film of a visit by Simpson to the workshop of Stefan Sobell, who makes Martin's guitars.
Cheerily
Gerry C
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 1, 2007 9:57:52 GMT
I think Martin Simpson and Martin Carty are the only other featured guitarists I've actually heard, although I'm sure I'd enjoy all of the DVDs. I've got a few Martin SImpson CDs and like all of them; I'm sure the visit to Stefan Sobell's workshop will be very interesting too. I'll definately get that DVD next.
|
|
