No. 296, August 2017
On the Cover: Rising singer-songwriter Joan Shelley on her influences, open tunings, and working with Jeff Tweedy; plus, play her song “Wild Indifference.”
Songs:
- Bessie Smith - “Mama’s Got the Blues”
- Tom Paxton - “A Daughter in Denver”
Features: Changemakers. A look at organizations and companies that are providing guitars, training teachers, offering lessons, and more to bring music to underprivileged and under-served communities in the US and abroad; a celebration of Scott Joplin, the famous ragtime composer, and music for his famous “Maple Leaf Rag.”
Lessons:
- Six steps to improve your rhythm playing
- How to play the blues like Booker “Bukka” White
- Improve your flatpicking skills with precision picking
Gear Reviews:
- Marchione OMC
- Waterloo WL-S
- Fender paramount PM-3
- Michael Kelly 3D Grand Auditorium
- Taylor GS Mini-e Bass
- Fishman SA Performance Audio System
Plus: The effort to halt illegal rosewood logging; a home recording primer for guitarists; strategies for landing your next gig; blues guitarist/singer Ruthie Foster; albums by “American Primitives” Max Ochs and Harry Taussig, Suitcase Junket, and George Thorogood (solo acoustic).