At fifteen; Turner was already exhibiting View of Lambeth. He soon acquired the reputation of an immensely clever watercolourist. A disciple of Girtin and Cozens; he showed in his choice and presentation of theme a picturesque imagination which seemed to mark him out for a brilliant career as an illustrator. He travelled; first in his native land and then on several occasions in France; the Rhine Valley; Switzerland and Italy. He soon began to look beyond illustration. However; even in works in which we are tempted to see only picturesque imagination; there appears his dominant and guiding ideal of lyric landscape. His choice of a single master from the past is an eloquent witness for he studied profoundly such canvases of Claude as he could find in England; copying and imitating them with a marvellous degree of perfection. His cult for the great painter never failed. He desired his Sun Rising through Vapour and Dido Building Carthage to be placed in the National Gallery side by side with two of Claudersquo;s masterpieces. And; there; we may still see them and judge how legitimate was this proud and splendid homage. It was only in 1819 that Turner went to Italy; to go again in 1829 and 1840. Certainly Turner experienced emotions and found subjects for reverie which he later translated in terms of his own genius into symphonies of light and colour. Ardour is tempered with melancholy; as shadow strives with light. Melancholy; even as it appears in the enigmatic and profound creation of Albrecht Duuml;rer; finds no home in Turnerrsquo;s protean fairyland ndash; what place could it have in a cosmic dream? Humanity does not appear there; except perhaps as stage characters at whom we hardly glance. Turnerrsquo;s pictures fascinate us and yet we think of nothing precise; nothing human; only unforgettable colours and phantoms that lay hold on our imaginations. Humanity really only inspires him when linked with the idea of death ndash; a strange death; more a lyrical dissolution ndash; like the finale of an opera.
#1763605 in eBooks 2011-12-22 2011-12-22File Name: B00CR6CZBW
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. NOT THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE!!!By Michael J BarberMarcel Dadis DVD "The Guitar of Merle Travis" has a booklet included with the DVD that has very accurate tabs of some of Travis most popular instrumentals:Blue BellCane Break BluesCannonball RagFuller BluesJohn HenryLost JohnNine Pound HammerSaturday Night ShuffleMemphis BluesToo Much Sugar for a DimeWalkin The StringsIf you want to learn Merles style Id strongly recommend Dadis DVD over this book and I do own both. Dadi teaches you the songs and you get the tab for 4 bucks more than this book. This book really isnt great for much more than the chord progressions of some hit songs. Also; Dadis tab for Cannonball Rag is more accurate and clearer on how to play it than the version in this book.9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. There are better optionsBy N. SarverFirst of all; the selection of tunes is pretty darn lousy - almost bizarre. Id assume that most people who want to learn how to play guitar like Merle Travis dont want to do so because of his swing material. I; and Id think most other guitarists; was hoping for a collection which included the thumb-picking style he so energetically pioneered and for which he is best known. Unfortunately; the only tune in this book fitting that description is "Cannonball Rag." Also the transcriptions dont seem to be particularly faithful to any of the Merle Travis records that I own.If you are in the strange group of guitarists who always dreamed of playing "Smoke; Smoke; Smoke (That Cigarette)" and "So Round; So Firm; So Fully Packed;" this is the book for you. If you want to learn tunes with actual Travis picking; there are other; far better options available. Tommy Flints book is phenomenal; but it doesnt contain many of Traviss actual songs; only a bunch in his style; nutty chord fingerings and all. Both Thom Bresh and Marcel Dadi have excellent videos which go into detail on the ins and outs of his playing on a great selection of his tunes; as well as tips on getting a handle on the tricky parts.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The only option available ...By BonifatiusIm not particularly fond of this songbook. Unfortunately; its currently the only option if you are looking for a Merle Travis songbook. The main issue I have with this book is that it doesnt contain a whole lot of Travis famous guitar solos; with the notable exception of Cannonball Rag; the transcription of which I dont find to be very accurate; to tell you the truth. The other tunes are mostly sung by Merle Travis and accompanied by his band. Id rather prefer a collection of transcriptions of his many fine instrumentals; but again; thats the deal - take it or leave it.Sokolow doesnt provide any information as to where the original versions can be found. This is a problem; since Travis re-recorded a lot of his hits and never played a tune the same way twice. I compared the transcriptions to Travis recordings and came up with the following: The Cannonball Rag-version can be found on "Stricly Guitar"; Dark As A Dungeon can be found on "Finger Picking Travis - The Best of Merle Travis"; I Am A Pilgrim on "The Merle Travis Guitar" and the rest of the transcriptions on "The Merle Travis Story"; all of which are still available as CDs from .