Blue Oyster Cult - Cult Classics (Guitar Recorded Versions)

When I first bought this book of sheet music, I dismissed it at once as inaccurate and threw it aside.After all, anyone can hear that in the famous opening riff to "Don't Fear the Reaper," the fourth note is tied to the first note of the second beat, so that we hear "Ta-ta-ta-TAA-ta-ta-ta," while in the notation in the book, all notes are of equal length.The other thing I had disapproved of is that "Buck's Boogie" is obviously in a triple meter. The proper way to write it out would be in 6/8 time, in which the beats are divided into two groups of three: ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six, ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six, ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six, ONE-two-three-FOUR-five-six. The opening rhythm certainly does not begin with two eighth notes of equal length. I'd say that's a serious defect.Recently, however, I noticed that these transcriptions were done by the great Kenn Chipkin, author of many rock and blues guitar tutorials. Do a search for his name here, and see how many titles come up.So, I decided to take a second look at this book.Yes, in "Reaper" we hear the standard syncopation where the last quarter of the first beat is tied to the first of the second -- A-E-A-G__-B-D-G, A-E-A-G__-B-D-G, but while listening closely, I could hear that Buck also plays the G an octave below, on the beat. You just don't notice it. So I guess the book is technically accurate.In the notation for "Reaper," at the end of the transition to the bridge, Chipkin has one bar of 5/4 before the big guitar solo. I've listened to this passage on the CD over-and-over, counting aloud, and I do not hear the extra beat. I feel the same about the single measure of 3/4, nine bars before the key change back into A-minor. All the bars sound even to me.In "Me 262" (an abbreviation for Messerschmitt, the e is not capitalized, nor are there periods as in the book), the notation for the guitar riff skips a note. On all the BÖC recordings, it's obviously the simple rhythm of eighth-note, quarter-note, eighth-note, eighth-note, quarter-note, eighth-note.I'd also argue that, in many of the guitar solos, the rhythm of the notation is not accurate.But it's pretty close.If you look at old jazz, ragtime and swing sheet music, most of it is in 2/2 (cut time). I don't know why that's no longer done anymore, because it's sure easier to read.But you don't care about any of that unless your reason for purchasing this book is to enter the notes into some  notation software , expecting it to sound like BÖC live coming out of your computer during playback.No, you want the chord progressions, lyrics, melody and tablature. (There are so many notes and intricate turns in the solos, that I don't know anyone who could accurately play the notation that is written here, anyway.) As far as I can hear, playing the notation in this book and comparing it to the CD, everything is spot on as far as the harmony and the pitches of the lead.This is where the book is priceless. You should ignore everything written above, because I'm just some no-talent nebbish obviously nit-picking a master musician like Chipkin. Given a hundred years, there's no way I could've written this book. After ten years, I might have figured all the chord progressions out. (It's surprising how BÖC generally sticks to common chords in typical rock keys: A and E.)If you have the chops to play this music, congratulations, you have my admiration. For me, this is like going backstage and discovering how the magic tricks are done. I'll try playing some of the simpler passages, a few chords, and . . . it's fun! Without this book, I'd be capable of the first four bars of "Don't Fear the Reaper," and that's it.Y'know, seeing as it's not that expensive, you should buy this book. Try playing a little of it, and I guarantee that you'll discover something you missed just listening to the songs.If you've read this far, I have a suggestion for you. Do a search under Digital Music for "Don't Fear the Reaper," and listen to the versions *not* by BÖC. Some of them, especially the slow versions, are genuinely hideous. Surely you could do better? Right? You have the chords and lyrics right here, so what's stopping you?

Well done. On time and exactly whatI was looking for. A bit dated, but that wasAlso timely. The center pice remains Godzilla....I was very glad I waited and found Hal leonardSupport, Awesome.. the book is great and a joyto work with. Thanks much.

This is a tab book of the redone songs on Cult Classic. These are no the originals, they re-recorded them for that album. Songs like ETI sound quite a bit different on Classic than on Agents of Fortune, it's up to you if you think the new version is better or not, but personally I don't. On songs like Astronomy you'd really have a hard time finding the definitive version (we all know it's the one on Imaginos) but I'm not a huge fan of this version. I really wish we had a tab book of the original tracks and not just the remakes.

I have always wanted to study the guitar techniques of Donald Roeser (better known as Buck Dharma). This book delivered that to me and it has TAB which is great! Mr. Roeser is one of the great guitar players of all time and now I can see why. His style is very complicated and definitely worth trying to play or study. I recommend this book for any serious guitar player who truly wants to learn the fine art of playing guitar.

Easy to follow. A must for BOC fans.

Some of the tab positioning seems off to me but very good. Some things played on B and G strings seem more likely played down in a lower position on the E and B string. Then again might just be me learning it that way and it's hard to break old habits.

Accurate

I bought this book for my dad and he loved it. It has tabs which is what my dad uses and a good song selection.

What can i say, if you are a BOC fan and like me have no idea how bucky plays his songs because he is a genius this is for you. bucks boogie is awesome and its spot on. astronomy is unbelievable if you look at the book as you listen to the song you cant believe how hard it is !!! GET THIS !!!