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  • Guitar Breaks

  • A Guitar's Journey Through 1950s USA
  • By: John Hamilton
  • Narrated by: Kerry Shale
  • Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (6 ratings)

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Guitar Breaks

By: John Hamilton
Narrated by: Kerry Shale
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Summary

Listen to the journey of "Rose", a Fender Stratocaster, through 1950s USA. Her story unfolds through the experiences of her owners.

Cliff, a country picker with Hank Williams, has a backstage musical encounter with a young Elvis. Josh, a songwriter recording with legendary producer Sam Phillips at Sun Studios, argues civil rights strategies with Martin Luther King. Zac, a young New York-based blues guitarist who works with Big Joe Turner and Muddy Waters, joins Buddy Holly during the final stages of his ill-fated Winter Dance Party tour in 1959.

This composite of Zelig meets Forrest Gump gives listeners insight into 1950s American social and music culture and a glimpse of the early forms of rock, country, and soul music that would revolutionize the youth of that generation.

©2020 John Hamilton (P)2020 John Hamilton
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about Guitar Breaks

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  • Overall
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Audiobook at its best

This is a rare treat. A beautifully put together audiobook which makes full use of the medium - utilising multiple narrators, classic and original music to really great effect.
The story revolves around Rose, a newly built, soon-to-classic-guitar and the journey it takes through a crucial and formative period in US cultural and socio-political history. Rose is there at the centre of the development of modern popular music and the lives of the people who made it.
Written with a clear musical passion, moving and humourous, I’d recommend it to anyone with an ear for a good story and a good tune.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A great idea- music to illustrate the storyline

The plot of “Guitar Breaks” was both entertaining and gripping and the narration was excellent. I very much enjoyed the music running through the book- there was great variety and it was brilliantly performed. I think it will appeal to all ages.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Good story great Music

I like the music from era (Hank Williams, Buddy Holly etc) The story was varied sometimes happy sometimes sad but kept me listening. The use of real characters in parts of plot helped authenticity.
The narrator had right voice for characters from both Southern and Northern States of USA.
A good listen.

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Great Story

I really enjoyable and engaging story outlining a potted history of American 50s rock and roll. The addition of relevant songs and and music scattered throughout is a great bonus. Throughly recommended.

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