The Guitar of Merle Travis

Product Description Merle Travis's playing combined blues, jazz, ragtime and country music into a unique style that defined "Country Fingerstyle Guitar." In this exciting dvd lesson, Marcel Dadi teaches seven of Merle's greatest instrumentals: Fuller's Blues, Cane Break Blues, Blue Bells, Saturday Night Shuffle, Memphis Blues, Cannon Ball Rag and Walkin' The Strings. All the tunes are transcribed in a 60 page tab/music booklet. As well, five rare performances from 1951 of Merle Travis playing Nine Pound Hammer, Lost John, John Henry, Mus'rat and Too Much Sugar For A Dime are included in the dvd. DVD is region 0, playable worldwide. Review Dadi's knowledge of and affection for Travis shine through in this video. The presentation and the accompanying tab booklet are excellent... This tape serves as both an educational tool and a documentary on the work of Merle Travis." --Sing Out! About the Actor Marcel Dadi (1951-1996) is termed "the Chet Atkins of France." He was known as one of the world's premier fingerstyle guitarists. He performed and recorded with Steve Morris, Albert Lee, Chet Atkins, Larry Coryell, and many others. During his career he released nearly 20 albums and was the organizer of the European equivalent of Nashville's Chet Atkins Appreciation Society. He was an expert on the guitar styles of Merle Travis, Doc Watson, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins. His personal fingerpicking style incorporated influences from all four of these great guitarists. Marcel was born in Tunisia and grew up in Paris. He played on stage for the first time at age 12 and was influenced by the English rock scene of the '60s. Bernard Photzer introduced Dadi to country licks, the rudiments of rock, and the repertoire of Elvis. At the age of 13 a neighbor, Bernard Laux, introduced Marcel to the music of Chet Atkins. Marcel took to Chet's music with a passion and learned many of his songs from recordings. Performing at the age of 19, Dadi introduced the fingerpicking style to appreciative French audiences. He began writing columns for popular music magazines and was a champion of Chet Atkins' music. In 1973 Dadi met Chet Atkins and they performed together in 1977 at the Olympia theater in Paris. Through his broad influence Marcel furthered the cause of fingerstyle guitar throughout the world. His tragic death left his wife, two sons, and a daughter.