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Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Who is this author? A musician? An entrepeneur? A boogie piano historian? A politician? Its whatever you want him to be!By Frank BeeckmanThe author:Eric Arthur Kriss (born 1949) produced and performed in 1976 on Mike Bloomfields "If You Love These Blues" and "Play Em As You Please"; which was nominated for a Grammy Award. He launched the instructional book and record division of Guitar Player Magazine and co-founded Inner City Records (voted "Record Label of the Year" in the 1979 International Jazz Critics Poll.)Eric Kriss is the founder/CEO of MediVision (1983-89); a network of eye surgery centers. He co-founded private investment firm Bain Capital in 1984; with T. Coleman Andrews III and Mitt Romney (the candidate for the Republican nomination for 2008 Presidential election). Eric served as assistant AF secretary under Governor William Weld (1991-93) and was CEO of MediQual Systems (1993-98); a healthcare information company. He also served as Secretary of Administration and Finance in Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romneys cabinet (2003-05).His publications:- On Performance: Collected performing arts criticism and interviews from the 1970s - Fair Isle Press; 2010- Six Blues-Roots Pianists - Oak Publications; 1973- Barrelhouse Boogie Piano - Oak Publications; 1973- Beginning Blues Piano - Acorn Music Press; 1977The book:This 112-page book is the CD edition (book with CD). It has the lyrics of several tunes and some nice pictures of the artists. I believe that the tunes that you get are the original ones; as the inside of the front cover is loaded with "Used by permission of (name) Records"; unlike most other books which are arrangements of original tunes. Some tunes in this book are playable by the late beginner; but most are for the intermediate player. Some tunes are better left to the advanced playerThis book covers a lot of stuff in a logical order:1. Ragtime Blues: History; structure and a tune (Jelly Roll Blues by Jelly Roll Morton)2. Barrelhouse and Boogie: History; structure and a few tunes (Dyin Rider Blues by Romeo Nelson; Mercy Blues by Barrelhouse Buck; Dying Pickpocket Blues by Barrelhouse Welch; State Street Jive by Charles Cow Cow Davenport; and I Dont Know by Criplle Clarence Lofton).3. Stomps and Struts: History; structure; and tunes (Peetie Wheatstraw Stomp by Peetie Wheatstraw; Indiana Avenue Stomp by Montana Taylor; Fat Fanny Stomp by Jim Clarke; Big Fat Mama by Walter Roland; W.R. Calaway and Clarence Williams)4. Boogie Woogie: History; structure; types; and tunes (Honky Tonk Train by Meade Lux Lewis; Sail On Blues by Memphis Slim; I Need a Little Spirit by Dave Alexander; and Whistlin Alex Moores Blues by Alex Moore)5. Roll an Tumble: History; structure and tunes (The Cows by Robert Shaw; Sugarland Blues by Black Boy Shine; Atlanta Bounce by Piano Red; and Its Your Baby by Sunnyland Slim).6. Barrelhouse Blues: History; structure and tunes (Lonesome Day Blues by Jesse James; I Can Tell By the Way You Smell by Walter Davis; Stella Blues by Olive (Dink) Johnson; and Short Haired Blues by Kid Stormy Weather)7. Exercises: Coordination exercises for independence and integration; fingerings; and the tremolo.8. Further Reading9. Discography (about 200 entrees)10. Suggested Piano Blues Albums11. Barrelhouse and Boogie Bass Lines: Drones; simple alternating basses; complex alternating basses; glissandos; single note basses; walking basses; 10ths; chordal boogie woogie; single note boogie woogie; and other barrelhouse basses.12. Record company adresses.Verdict:I read some of the negative reviews; where its insinuated that this author wrote fake reviews. I fail to see the motive. I believe that the author is too sharp; too busy and financially too comfortable that he has to resort to writing some obviously look-alike reviews. To assume that he did is illogical. There is just not enough demand for any kind of boogie-woogie book; no matter the reviews. A boogie-woogie book isnt going to make anyone rich. None of my friends and neighbors study it. I have reviewed nearly a hundred boogie-woogie books. Often; Im the only reviewer! Look again at this authors musical; political and entrepreneurial achievements. Does he really need the limited "cash flow" of this book? It makes more sense to conclude that this is some political back-stabbing attempt to discredit the author; given the authors political past.If you look at the content of this 112-page book and listen to the included CD; I believe that youll find a tremendous amount of material for the money. Those that dont care about the history of these styles may want to read my review on Ann Rabsons book: "Blues Barrelhouse Piano"; which I also recommend. ;-)5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Great for those who dont have great improvisational skillsBy Anonymous911While Ive played for 30 years; I never gained good improvisational skills (guess you have to be born with that). So when Id hear a tune I liked and ran out to buy the sheet music for it; Id be disappointed that the basic melody would be there; but what made the song "cool" and fun to listen to was all added by the pianist (like buying Billy Joel or Elton John sheet music). Conversely; Barrelhouse and Boogie Piano songs have every grace note and riff written in; a CD that contains all the songs; and detailed instruction on how to play the pieces. This is for the technical artist. I would imagine the "natural" pianist would be very irritated with the level of detail in this music.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good vendorBy William R. Delaunearrived quickly and as expected.