Product Description

Dr. John's gospel piano session explores the church-based rhythms and harmonies that helped give birth to the blues. This session includes an encyclopedic survey of the contributions of Professor Longhair, Jellyroll Morton, Charles Brown, Allen Tousaint, and other legendary bluesmen.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #289806 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 40 pages

Customer Reviews

Mac Rebennack is not a teacher, he's the Nighttripper
Obviously you don't get here an easy "Dr. John for Dummies" just because this series of books is not made for the regular weekend piano-player. It is supposed to introduce the N'Awlins style of piano playing for the skilled blues/classical/something else pianist.

I've got the VHS versions and well before I got those I managed to learn some Dr. John's stuff by ear, like the "Honey Dripper" (in G, left hand boogie 5ths/6ths pattern) and I found it quite useful when I was learning his version of "Good Night, Irene" because I just couldn't figure out exactly what the left hand was doing, so I watched the video a couple times to get the left hand part and a couple more to get the right hand licks and it was done. Of course he won't play everything here in half-tempo and tell you to add a crushing f# to your g octave so it'll sound more Orleans. Hello, he's Mac Rebennack, aka Dr. John the Nighttripper, he isn't your piano teacher.

Well, you should get this if you are a Dr. John fan or if you are really into blues piano, but don't think this will make you a Professor Longhair. This is an aid, not a pair of crutches.

You call this teaching?
Dr. John is one amazing piano player. You'll certainly be thoroughly impressed with his trills and lightning quick fingers. BUT WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL HIM TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE? What's the point of teaching if all he does is play at mach speed? He can't help but add his fancy touch, which is fine for a performance, but not for a "lesson." And when you do hit the right notes it doesn't sound the same anyway. Unless you have some way of playing this CD in half speed I would not recomend this so-called "lesson" book unless you want to be screaming at the thing like I am to "slow down superstar." The book does however give a good basis for New Orleans blues and you get hear some cool stories. This guy should stick to performing. I'd hate to hear how patient he must be in volume 3.

TRAVESTY
How can you call this a book that teaches you how to play New Orlenas piano when the book and the cd are totally different. ignore any review from anyone who is simply listening to the cd. if you want it for that fine but if you think Dr John is going to teach you new orleans piano youre in for a disappointment.
PS I have learned how to play what hes playing and i did that by ear from this lousy book.