Search - Happy Traum Teaches The Blues Guitar of Brownie McGhee on DVD

Good blues

Bob Patton | Netherlands | 08/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You can't go wrong with Homespun, this DVD is no acception. Happy Traum is an amiable and knowledgable teacher who explains the blues in an easy going, 'come and sit down by the fireside' fashion. He introduces each song by explaining it's background and Brownie's way of playing.


There are seven blues in E on disc one and two in the key of A on disc two plus original audio excerpts of Brownie's playing. Happy introduces each key by explaning the basic chords, rythm, baselines, leadlines and turnarounds. Then he moves on to the songs going from straightforward to the more intricate ones.
The plus in these DVD's is the typical Brownie style, turnarounds, chordshapes, baselines and some lovely intro's which make his style unique and gives him the drive in his playing. My favorite's are Sporting Life Blues, Living With The Blues in the key of E and in the key of A both Paw Shop Blues and Careless Love. This doesn't mean the others are less valuable, each song has it's place in the blues repetoire.



In conclusion I can say I have learned some new turnarounds, intro's, chordshapes and baselines that are usefull in any style of guitar playing. The booklet has the music and tab and also the lyrics of the songs. Good value for money.

Songs Disc one:

I'm Gonna Tell God How You Treat Me
I'm Gonna Move To Kansas City
Betty And Dupree
Me And My Dog Blues
Sportin' Life Blues
Blood Red River/ Key To THe Highway
Livin' With The Blues

Songs Disc two:

Pawn Shop Blues
Careless Love
audio's of Brownie's playing.

P.S. On Youtube there is a lovely rendition of Sporting Life Blues by Happy, a must see."

Another Homespun Gem!

Peter Hyatt | Orrington, Maine | 11/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another gem from master teacher, Happy Traum! This double DVD set teaching the songs of Brownie McGhee is a generous double helping of teaching and anecdotes from our country's premier acoustic guitar teacher.

Happy takes us skillfully through each song, breaking it down to digestible parts, anticipating where his student might stumble, and finally bringing home a wonderful product.

Sportin' Life Blues is my favorite and one that has been recorded by many artists, including Traum himself.

Like other DVDs from Happy Traum, this DVD is not only a wonderful instructional DVD, but it is also entertaining. If you have Happy and John Sebastian (from the Lovin' Spoonful) teaching the songs of Mississippi John Hurt, you already know that the DVD is not only instructional, but simply enjoyable to watch, sans guitar.

Happy gives us some of Brownie's favorite licks, and makes the student fall in love with these songs.

Although Happy would certainly disagree, many of his fans believe that the student has far surpassed the teacher, and Happy's own versions of these songs are, in many ways, superior to the originals. It is not just the recording, but the beautiful interpretation of the songs; that wonderful voice of his, and the playful manner in which he adds his own signature to these songs.

Like a kindly grandfather, invite him into your living room, use your pause button often, and learn some wonderful songs that your friends and family (and audience?) will love.

See also some of the other Homespun DVDs for guitar."