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| 'Resonate: A Guitar Story' on DVD Evergreen Entertainment Group Announces the Release of "Resonate: A Guitar Story" on DVD. "Resonate" is a documentary look at the current state of the art in resonator guitars, featuring four National Reso-Phonic musicians. Evergreen Entertainment, an innovator in oral history and educational film and video for the PBS and educational markets, announces the release of "Resonate: A Guitar Story", a 90-minute feature documentary featuring four of the world's leading roots/blues/jazz/traditional guitarists Doug MacLeod, Mike Dowling, Catfish Keith and Bob Brozman, as they talk about, and perform on, National Reso-Phonic Guitars, one of the most influential guitars in history of American music. Included in the documentary is an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process at National Reso-Phonic Guitar, a process that originated in the 1920s, before the advent of guitar amplification, as well as intimate performances, guitar performance tips and oral history from Doug MacLeod, Mike Dowling, Catfish Keith, Bob Brozman and National Reso-Phonic Guitar President, Don Young. National Reso-Phonic Guitars have been instrumental in creating American Blues and Hawaiian music. Resonate's featured artists are recognized the world over for pushing the boundaries of blues, folk, jazz, and traditional music, while staying true to the historic roots of each idiom. Resonate is an essential addition to any music, blues, folk, jazz, roots music, music history, music performance, how-to and American studies collection, for both the home and educational libraries. Resonate is the first in a proposed three-part series on American Roots Music, currently in pre-production at Evergreen Entertainment Group LLC. Resonate is available for a $24.99 purchase from the Evergreen Entertainment website. About Doug MacLeod Doug MacLeod is one of the last remaining bluesmen who learned from the old masters, lived the music, survived the life and carries forward that valuable tradition. The masterful MacLeod...one of the most talented country bluesmen we've got. - Blues Revue (USA) About Catfish Keith Cutting-edge blues singer, songwriter and bottleneck slide guitarist Catfish Keith has established himself as one of the most exciting country blues performers of our time. Catfish's innovative style of foot-stomping, deep delta blues and American roots music has spellbound audiences the world over. "For Catfish Keith, a resonator guitar is an organic extension of his body, an instrument he plays intuitively and with absolute authority. Manhandling Delta vamps, artfully finger picking rag-influenced Piedmont patterns and languidly chording ballads, Catfish is one of the premier pre-war style guitarists recording today." - Living Blues About Bob Brozman Redefining musical diversity worldwide, Bob Brozman is a remarkably prolific artist whose wit, energy, and musical technique combine powerfully to create an unforgettable live performance. A master of slide, fingerstyle, and percussive guitar, Bob's exhilarating show spans the global and musical spectrum, and keeps audiences enthralled, begging for more of his endearing, infectious energy. Bob's familiarity with diverse world music cultures produces a novel blending of rhythmic and timbral influences, unparalleled in today's musical environment. His rhythmic dexterity resonates with elements of blues, jazz, Gypsy swing, calypso, sega, and even the most modern hip-hop and ska beats. "Virtuosic displays including blurred strums, double and triple picked passages, rapid hammers and pulls that would drop the jaw of any rock flashster…DRIVING RHYTHMS AND SEARING BOTTLENECK." - Guitar Player Magazine, USA About Mike Dowling When the late, great Vassar Clements heard Mike Dowling play guitar back in 1975 he did the sensible thing. He hired him. Mike was the guitarist in Vassar's first touring band and can be heard on his Grammy-nominated "Nashville Jam". Clements called him simply, "One of the finest guitarists there is, anywhere."Echoing that sentiment is an ever-growing chorus of music critics, guitar students, and acoustic music fans from throughout the world. "A masterful guitarist, with flatpicking, fingerstyle and bottleneck all in his repertoire." - Bluegrass Unlimited "Outstanding jazz-grass guitar". - The Nashville Scene About National Reso-Phonic Guitars National Reso-Phonic Guitars is a manufacturer of resonator guitars and other resonator instruments including mandolins, ukuleles and 12 string guitars. From Bob Brozman: The National line of metal-bodied resonator instruments are the most uniquely American guitars ever made, representing America's cultural melting pot, as well as the transition from acoustic to electric guitars. Invented by Slovakian immigrants (John Dopyera and his brothers) and made in Los Angeles from 1926 to 1939 - and now being made again in California - these loud, shiny instruments were built to satisfy the need for a louder guitar for jazz bands and recording. They were intended for use by Hawaiians and white dance orchestra guitarists, but wound up in the hands of black blues performers, white hillbilly performers jazz and various ethnic guitarists. National made nickel silver, Hawaiian guitars, mandolins, tenor guitars, and ukuleles. Their design shows a strong Art Deco influence, very modernistic, and a true blending of art and industry. No Nationals were made between 1942 and 1989, when Don Young and McGregor Gaines started the National Reso-Phonic Guitar Company. Nationals have a much wider dynamic range than either electric or conventional wooden acoustic guitars, with a profound tone that is unique among instruments. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |