Book Review: Kurt Rosenwinkel “East Coat Love Affair” Solo Transcriptions
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Matt Warnock and Brandon Bernstein recently completed a book of transcribed guitar improvisations taken from Kurt Rosenwinkel’s album “East Coast Love Affair.” Warnock has also provided written analysis for each of the solos supplying further insights. This Mel Bay Publication offers a thorough examination of Rosenwinkel’s guitar work on the inventive and adventuresome album.
The generation of jazz guitarists following the Scofield/Metheny/Frisell era have found their new figurehead. Kurt Rosenwinkel has been creating a stir on the scene since the early 90’s as a member of bands led by jazz greats Gary Burton and Paul Motian. In recent years as a leader and sideman, Kurt has proven himself as an inspired harmonic architect while consistently executing infectious soulful improvisations. His 1996 solo effort “East Coast Love Affair” is quickly becoming a classic amongst jazz guitar aficionados. Recorded in a trio setting during a two-week run at Small’s in New York City, the track list offers six standards and two originals with an intoxicating sense of excitement and adventure permeating the entire album.
Editor review
Kurt Rosenwinkel “East Coat Love Affair” Solo Tran
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
My personal relationship with Rosenwinkel’s guitar playing began five years ago when introduced to the music by a friend. I quickly purchased a number of his records and since then have transcribed a handful of his solos. However, I hadn’t yet studied Kurt’s playing on “East Coast Love Affair” (although I was very familiar with the disc due to repeated listening).
Upon acquiring a copy of Warnock and Bernstein’s book, I dove into the first solo: a playful improvisation over the tune “Little White Lies.” I was immediately surprised at what I discovered. Kurt’s note choices were infinitely more sophisticated then I had perceived from just casual listening. He utilized triads to great means on this track in a chord-melody style of playing. The most striking feature was his ability to harmonize diatonic pitches with triads borrowed from distant keys. Even more amazing was the inner-voice movement he created within the triads, similar to the way a pianist would perform. After slowly working through the solo, I began attempting to use Rosenwinkel’s triad concepts over other tunes with which I was familiar. The direct application over different jazz standards was instantly effective and helped my improvisations sound more hip and modern.
One of the finest attributes of the new Warnock/Bernstein transcription book is the ability to pull a harmonic or melodic idea and immediately begin using it in improvisation. With an hour of practice on “Little White Lies,” I was able to reinvigorate my own playing with new harmonic and melodic concepts. On the other hand, if a guitarist were looking for a larger undertaking the solos are presented in their entirety, which makes a worthwhile challenge to learn in full for any student of jazz.
Some jazz purists may shun the idea of working from transcription books. In this instance I disagree. Although the painstaking individual transcription of these solos would be extremely beneficial, a guitarist with a solid grasp on theory can begin directly applying Rosenwinkel’s harmonic concepts hidden within these improvisations. Also, Kurt has a tendency to strike chords with his pick making it terribly difficult to transcribe some of the inner voice movement I previously mentioned. Warnock and Bernstein have done the dirty work for us and working from this book greatly increases the learning curve.
As previously mentioned the book contains six standards that are excellent for study: “Little White Lies,” “All or Nothing At All,” “Pannonica,” “Turn Out the Stars,” “Lazy Bird,” and the classic “Round Midnight.” The two Rosenwinkel originals included are “East Coast Love Affair” and “B Blues.” In the book the solos are arranged from least to most difficult. The overarching themes in Kurt’s playing on “East Coast Love Affair” are his exhaustive use of triads and development of motives while remaining closely connected to the bebop tradition. This book is excellent for intense study and equally as inspiring for a guitarist just looking to pick up a couple new tricks over ii/V progressions. For Rosenwinkel enthusiasts “East Coast Love Affair” transcribed by Warnock and Bernstein is a must have!
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User reviews
Average user rating from: 2 user(s)
East Coast Love Affair
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A friend and myself have been working through the "East Coast Love Affair" book and I am sad to say it does not deliver the goods!
I am a fan of Mel Bay publications and was surprised by the poor presentation and inaccuracies that they have published. Personally, I do not like the way the book is presented. It is not presented in order of the album, rather easiest to hardest. Right in the beginning of the book the authors have a full page bio each with pictures while Kurt Rosenwinkel's biography is a small paragraph. Their explanation of his gear is not consistent with what I have read or have seen him use and in my opinion their analysis of his solos are sloppy and useless. As a music/guitar teacher I have tried using this book in private lessons and I (or my student!!) am constantly fixing or adjusting things
To their credit, anyone who takes on the challenge of transcribing a Kurt Rosenwinkel album deserves merit but not if it's wrong.
In "Round Midnight" the first, fourth and fifth measures are obviously wrong. In "All or Nothing..." their analysis and notation in the first 4 measures is sloppy and does nothing to help clear up Rosenwinkel's approach. If you were to youtube Rosenwinkel or go to his Artistshare.com page and watch him play you can see the difference in his position playing and note choice versus what this book has published.
In my opinion, one of the many brilliant aspects of Rosenwinkel's playing is the ability to apply simple ideas/chords in interesting ways.
If you are a fan of Kurt's you would be much more well served buying the other Mel Bay book "Kurt Rosenwinkel's Compositions" which seems to be much more accurate, offers the lead sheets along with the solos and has transcriptions ranging is career. I am a big fan of the "East Coast" album but this book is a fail in my opinion.
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Kurt Rosenwinkel's East Coast Love Affair
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A friend and myself have been working through the "East Coast Love Affair" book and I am sad to say it does not deliver the goods!
I am a fan of Mel Bay publications and was surprised by the poor presentation and inaccuracies that they have published. Personally, I do not like the way the book is presented. It is not presented in order of the album, rather easiest to hardest. Right in the beginning of the book the authors have a full page bio each with pictures while Kurt Rosenwinkel's biography is a small paragraph. Their explanation of his gear is not consistent with what I have read or have seen him use and in my opinion their analysis of his solos are sloppy and useless. As a music/guitar teacher I have tried using this book in private lessons and I (or my student!!) am constantly fixing or adjusting things
To their credit, anyone who takes on the challenge of transcribing a Kurt Rosenwinkel album deserves merit but not if it's wrong.
In "Round Midnight" the first, fourth and fifth measures are obviously wrong. In "All or Nothing..." their analysis and notation in the first 4 measures is sloppy and does nothing to help clear up Rosenwinkel's approach. If you were to youtube Rosenwinkel or go to his Artistshare.com page and watch him play you can see the difference in his position playing and note choice versus what this book has published.
In my opinion, one of the many brilliant aspects of Rosenwinkel's playing is the ability to apply simple ideas/chords in interesting ways.
If you are a fan of Kurt's you would be much more well served buying the other Mel Bay book "Kurt Rosenwinkel's Compositions" which seems to be much more accurate, offers the lead sheets along with the solos and has transcriptions ranging is career. I am a big fan of the "East Coast" album but this book is a fail in my opinion.
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