Which Albert Lee dvd/video

[Essex Boy]

I really want a video to learn some awesome chicken pickin licks and tricks. I heard the Albert Lee ones are good - but which 1 to get??

[jhundt]

I have 2 VCR tapes of "Albert Lee Country Legend". They are great fun to watch and he plays like crazy. But there is no instruction on how to play like this. There is a little book with some tab charts, but there is no spoken instruction, or useful close-up slow-motion footage. It is inspiring to watch him play, but frustrating for me because I can't figure out how he's doing it.

[weemikey]

Yeah, I was disappointed. I can't remember which one I have, but it's just him sitting across from a guy with an acoustic who tries desparately to get him to explain what he's doing. Mostly it's just Albert playing way too fast to comprehend. Fun though!

[kp8]

ditto

'cool value' is high, instructional value almost nil.

[marshallmelloman]

Get the Albert Lee advanced country guitar book/double cd. It will keep you busy for the next 5-50 years :P . Also there is a great instructional cd by tdpri's Spyder Bolles called Spyder Tracks.

[Twang Tone]

For his best work, which also lets you learn the chops...

If you can find a copy, then the Master Session for Star Licks video (now on DVD) is a fine example of getting to grips with Albert's technique, when he played his stripped '53 Tele. It's only 40 minutes but you'll get a lot from it.

The booklet that came with both the video and later DVD requires transcribing into tab (which takes about 30 mins) to get the most from it, as it's written in a two-number fret/string style, but is well worth it.

I agree the newer DVD's where he's playing the Music Man guitar are great to watch, but you won't pick much up from them.

Personally, I preferred his 'Tele' days...

[Essex Boy]

Originally Posted by marshallmelloman

Get the Albert Lee advanced country guitar book/double cd. It will keep you busy for the next 5-50 years :P . Also there is a great instructional cd by tdpri's Spyder Bolles called Spyder Tracks.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...679539-0055633

This one?

[Essex Boy]

Sorry, this one rather

http://www.music44.com/Merchant2/mer...MMBK00 28CD-W

[marshallmelloman]

Yes the second one is the one I have. The first 2 solos alone over a friendly I IV V "thats alright mama" will have you picking and seeing the neck in a new light. His slides and slurs in connecting neck positions and great chromatic embelishments against the Myxolydian scale are handy tricks to have in your bag. Cool use of open strings with hammers and pulls and right hand travis stuff are covered. Probably all very typical in country playing, but for a rock guy like me it has opened a few lanes. The tab in the book is pretty good , but there are some questionable spots where you can scratch your head and use your ears. Alberts playing is very very fast and relentless , but the cool thing is you can play the stuff slowly and it all still works.

[Essex Boy]

Awesome. I'm primarily a rock player myself. All this telecaster/country nonsense is new to me. :D

[transmaniacon]

If you purchase a DVD called "Hilights" it contains a compilation of the songs from his 2 country videos virtuoso techniques and advanced country which he released in the early '90's these are the recordings which the books of the same name are based (ie the same recordings) Highlights has Country boy, that's alright, T-bird to Vegas, Fun Ranch Boogie, sweet little Lisa and a couple of others plus some instructional stuff so this combined with the books is really handy. However as was previously mentioned the books are a bit sloppy in places. The DVD alone is a great purchase and it is quite reasonably priced. I give it both thumbs up.

steve