Interview with Stefan Grossman in Real Audio 1.0 "Vestapol History"

Vestapol has taken a big step forward for historical music videos. Guitarist, teacher, and file footage hunter and gatherer, Stefan Grossman has made it possible for enthusiasts of roots music to build a video library of quality uncut performance footage. Whether you are an ardent collector or just introducing yourself to Bottleneck Blues, Jazz Guitar, Ragtime or international styles such as Slack Key or Hindustani Slide, the Vestapol Videos allow you to watch and learn from prime stylists. The Vestapol catalog now offers over sixty releases uniformly excellent in audio and video mastering, elegant understated packaging and in-depth annotation including insert booklets with artist bios and anecdotes.

On the Legends of Country Blues Guitar, Big Bill Broonzy, Son House and Rev. Gary Davis exemplify the raw beauty of guitar based blues which germinated in the early decades of the century. Now it is possible to see the performers whose intensity fares very well in an era of fashion-based music videos. Many of the recordings date from the 50's and 60's when television stations began to "re-discover" blues as a folk art. The great bluesmen of all time worked a room with their eyes, persona and chops in a way that modern performers seem to shine on in favor of hairstyling, teeth caps and choreographed dancers in the background; these Vestapol tapes are about music which stands on its own.

Freddie King (1934-76), the 6'7" king of guitar, did not get to make headway in the music video era, or share in some of the later blues revival limelight as some other blues greats, but the passage of time does not diminish his dynamic (Clapton-Pre-monitory) talents on guitar. A couple of decades later his melodic riffs, undeniable charisma and hot picked licks keep his music fresh, while the video Freddie King in Concert captures rare and exciting performances. On this 58 minute tape King tears into familiar numbers "Have You Ever Loved A Woman," "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do" and Guitar Slim's "Things That I Used To Do."

Don't miss the The !!!Beat including this memorable rendition of "San-Ho-Zay." an hour of the legendary King in his Mid-sixties prime and in the hard to fathom until witnessed Mod meets Chitlin milieu.

Joe Pass In Concert taped at the 1991 Brecon Jazz Festival transparently showcases Pass' genius for solo improvisation. Referred to as the Art Tatum of the guitar, Pass performs tunes by Hammerstein/Kern "All The Things You Are," Gershwin "Summertime" and orginals such as "Joe's Blues" Demonstrating a fluid style which is harmonically floral and yet rhythmically compelling, Pass combines many bop styles, and often uses the bass line as a counterpoint to make it swing. A stunning 40 minutes of unpretentious perfection.

Pass also appears on Legends Of Jazz Guitar Volume 1 along with Wes Montgomery, Herb Ellis, and Barney Kessel. George Benson referred to Montgomery as "The Most Modern and hippest guitarist of our time." This accolade is borne out in several performances from 1965 of blues tunes and standards which reveal the smooth interpretation of hard bop which became his trademark. Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel combine for a memorable "Slow Burn."

Legends of Bottleneck Blues presents rare and historical recordings from 1965-70 of this imaginative style. Performers include Son House, Johnny Shines, Fred McDowell, Jesse Fuller, Furry Lewis, and Mance Lipscomb. Preacher and shouter Son House perhaps best exemplifies the depth and character to be found on this tape. Recorded in 1968 House had just come out of a 20 year retirement from performing with no loss in intensity. A prime influence on Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, House relates the harrowing Delta life on "Death Letter Blues" and "Levee Camp Moan." Another familiar style comes from Fred McDowell a prime influence on the Rolling Stones, his alternating bass and lead slide lines established a durable format for a whole canon of songs including a solo cover of Little Walter's "My Babe."

Collect these and other Vestapol videos in the performance catalog of the Root Alternatives store. Get There via the "order now" button. Stay tuned for more filmmaker previews, interviews and reviews in the weeks to come.