Tim Brookes, 'Guitar: An American Life'

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Over the last thirty years or so, I've read hundreds of books about the guitar. A new book by NPR commntator Tim Brookes is easily one of the most enjoyable I've ever come across. NPR has a great audio commentary by Tim here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4671163

Tim's book tells the story of the guitar in America while every other chapter tells another story: how luthier Rick Davis built him his first custom made guitar. Tim's book touches on many things - including correctly giving steel guitar its due as the true origin of the electric guitar and recognizing that the steel guitar/Hawaiian fad is directly responsible for rock and roll. There are few facts here I didn't know but Tim hits upon some of the universal truths of all who play any type of guitar and why it became the world's most popular instrument that I've never seen in print before. A deeply satisfying read.

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 22 February 2006 at 04:07 AM.]

Bill McCloskey · Posted 22 Feb 2006 4:14 am

Speaking of good books, and not to highjack the thread, but I wanted to thank you for your own book Andy which is a constant resource for me.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Thanks for the recommendation, Andy. The part where he talks about steel guitar is about 11 minutes into the program. Altogether a very interesting audio piece.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

John D. Carter · From: Canton, Ohio, USA

I too, Andy, as a newcomer to this instrument within the last few months, have appreciated your book. You did a nice job on it and I highly recommend it for general knowledge of the instrument.

Kevin Brown · From: England

Might I just add my thanks to an inspirational piece of research from Andy Volk, I would not part with it for the world

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