The second volume of a thousand and one all-time hit songs ranging from essential standards to the latest pop hits - a must for all singers and musicians. / Chant Et Guitare

Viennese music has become almost synonymous with Johann Strauss II and his great waltzes. But of course there were other luminaries: his father Johann Strauss I his talented brothers Josef and Eduard as well as their colleagues friends and rivals. This collection includes music by some of these; and apart from waltzes we have polkas (slow and fast) a couple of melodies from operettas and a march. The selection ranges from shorter eminently playable miniatures to a handful of more extended and challenging arrangements. The waltz kings were first and foremost fiddlers. They led their orchestras from the front instrument and bow in hand. As a young man JohannStrauss II used to practise his Violin in a full-length mirror so he would look every inch the part. They knew how to write for the Violin how to make it sing and dance and this helps to make the repertoire a perfect foil to the other volumes in this series. The arrangements in this collection can be performed as solos duets or trios or by larger ensembles. In fact here are all the resources to recreate a Viennese café orchestra! The full range of traditional fiddle repertoire is now at your fingertips! Using these generous collections you can create your own ceilidh barn dance jazz club Sarajevo street-café or Gypsy gathering. Some of this music is familiar some more exotic but all of it is absolutely authentic faithfully arranged and above all hugely enjoyable. Each title in the series is available in two formats: the Violin edition (with an optional easy Violin part and Guitar chords); or the complete edition which also includes both Keyboard and Violin accompaniments. Either format is hugely flexible which means the music can be played as solos duets or trios as well as with larger ensembles. Edward Huws Jones has travelled extensively researching fiddle-playing traditions. In each book he explains the background of the particular musical style giving his own suggestions for a lively performance. And to help recreate the spirit of the music every book in the series is beautifully illustrated.

Records by Charlie Byrd Lenny Breau George Van Eps Laurindo Almieda and Joe Pass have set a very high standard for solo fingerstyle jazz guitar and it is from this vantage point that the solo flights of Taylor Crook Nichols Baker and Mann take wing. Each player has developed a distinctly different approach to interpreting and writing jazz for solo guitar by listening intently to numerous other musicians and composers - pianists horn players bassists and singers as well as many guitarists in jazz blues and other styles. What distinguishes them from more traditional jazz guitarists (who more or less function in a linear voice in an ensemble) is their abilityto play (or imply) all aspects of music - rhythm chords bass and melody - without accompaniment. Their performances not only demonstrate their technical brilliance and imagination they are a testament to the enduring power and beauty of jazz guitar in its current evolution as a major instrumental force in American music.Martin Taylor: Shining Stockings My funny Valentine Just Squeeze Me Tommy Crook: Melody Of Birdland All The Things You Are It Had To Be You Wave Jim Nichols: Can't Take That Away From Me East Of The Sun Taste Of Honey Here's That Rainy Day Duck Baker: Back Home in Indiana Forty Ton Parachute Out Of The Past Seven Point One Woody Mann: Mr. Guitar Uptown Tales Gypsy Girl Cat Burglar