Ray Benson nails down the essential techniques of this exciting
hybrid of country, jazz and blues. To solidify your rhythm playing, Ray dissects
Eldon Shamblin's traveling bass lines and Freddie Green's comping and damping
methods. Then he shows how to create hot lead lines and apply them to well-known
western swing tunes, such as "Faded Love," "Take Me Back Back To Tulsa,"
"Roly Poly," "Redwing," "Fat Boy Rag" and "Milk Cow Blues." Hearing Ray trade
licks with the legendary Johnny Gimble is an added treat. Note: This lesson is for
acoustic as well as electric players.
Reviews:
"If after listening to Bob Wills,
you want to try your hand at western swing guitar, just mosey on down to
your favorite music store and buy a copy of Ray Benson's instructional video
"Learn to Play Western Swing Guitar." Benson is the leader of Asleep at the
Wheel and one of the most popular proponents of western swing currently playing.
"This lesson is aimed at the intermediate to advanced guitar player, and it
presumes a knowledge of basic chord theory and jazz rhythm. Benson is aided
in his instruction by the great swing fiddler Johnny Gimble. As with almost
all Homespun products, the photography is excellent, and the duets between
Benson and Gimble are almost worth the price of the tape." - Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"Founder and leader of the Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Benson shows the essential
techniques and subtle nuances of this exciting hybrid of country, jazz and
blues music. Using a 1950s Epiphone Deluxe Zephyr Regent guitar, Benson plays
lead lines with embellishments such as octave bounces and arpeggios and describes
the work of practitioners such as T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian, and Junior
Bernard.
"This isn't a video for beginning guitar players and even serious
amateurs will have to watch closely. What Benson makes look easy is sometimes
hard to duplicate without some work, but his easygoing vibe and jams with
Johnny Gimble on mandolin make it all lots of fun." - Vintage Guitar Magazine