Cali Custom Guitars

For anyone with more than a casual interest in music, any music, A History of Baroque Music: Instrumental Music and its companion volume devoted to secular music will prove invaluable. Here, thoughtfully arranged as five thematic programmes, is an anthology that delivers exactly what the title promises, and in doing so lays out the foundations of Western music; not just classical music, but the folk tradition and most everything else that has developed since. Despite the budget price, the collection is attractively packaged like a miniature LP box set, each disc presented in its own tastefully designed card sleeve. There is an astonishing six and a half hours of music, from the emergence of instrumental forms in the early 16th century to the development of the baroque orchestra and the concerto, with the final disc being devoted to an exploration of the specifically German Lutheran and polyphonic tradition. The accompanying booklet sets the context with 25 pages of, clear, accessible English-language notes, making the collection appropriate for educational use as well as providing undiluted pleasure through the music of Bach, Corelli, Dowland, Handel, Monteverdi, Purcell, Telemann, Vivaldi, and many lesser-known composers. The recordings, taken from Harmonia Mundi's extensive back catalog, come from many of the top names in early music performance, including the Academy of Ancient Music, William Christie, Ensemble 415, René Jacobs, London Baroque, and Ton Koopman and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. In other words, this is an anthology of the very highest quality, a rich banquet of absolutely wonderful music. --Gary S. Dalkin

Guitar great Eric Clapton famously featured his Les Paul Standard, which originally sold for $280, on the seminal 1966 Blues Breakers album. But Clapton was only one of many legendary players who made this solid body electric with mahogany body and a three-color sunburst maple top their guitar of choice. In this exciting history, Tony Bacon examines the "burst" phenomenon from every angle. He begins with the "Les Paul Primer," documenting the guitar's brief production period from 1958 to 1960. He then profiles and interviews everyone from the man who inspired it, Les Paul, to dealers, collectors, forgers, roadies, and, of course, major players like Stephen Stills, Duane Allman, and Jimmy Page. Million Dollar Les Paul also looks at the science, investment history (and increasingly astronomical pricing), and almost mystical appeal of the instrument whose small production numbers - only 1,500 were made - belie its stature as the single most sought-after guitar in the world.

Until now, no single book has documented the fascinating development of GibsonÕs Les Paul guitars. This book examines the original collaboration between the traditional Gibson company and the brilliant musician Les Paul, and the resulting classic guitars. Unique color photographs highlight a multitude of luscious Les Paul models, including famous instruments owned by influential players. Meticulous listings for the collector document every Gibson Les Paul model from 1952 to the present day. 32 pages of color photos. 7-1/2 inch. x 9-3/4 inch.. Hardcover.