Welcome to Dreambook, a nifty new free service from:
New Dream Network, Dreamhost, and Dreamservers!If you have a minute, please sign my Dreambook too!
| Name: | Sandy DeSandre |
| E-mail address: | lt-ripley@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Hi El, I just had to drop you a note to say that I just bought your book, "The Art of Dropped D Guitar" after a long search for the tab for "Lover's Waltz" which I am finally able to work on, thanks to you. I love all the music in the book. It'll be a challenge for me to do it justice but I'll get there. Thanks for your music and your arrangements. I am a new fan.
Sandy Lockport, Illinois |
| Name: | Pamela Faiella |
| E-mail address: | pfaiella@cox.net |
| Comments: | I just love to listen to your gift.
Have your songs been transcribed in tab for us older folks who love the celtic DADGAD sounds? |
| Name: | Preston |
| E-mail address: | preston@msn.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://hem.passagen.se/bror.s/amoxicillin/allergic-reactions-to-amoxicillin.html |
| Comments: | Our partners : <a rel="dofollow" href="http://jubjib.hostse.com/ultram/ultram-no-prescription.html">ultram no prescription</a> is about ultram no prescription... <a rel="dofollow" href="http://y42t.blackapplehost.com/alprazolam/alprazolam-no-prescription.html">alprazolam no prescription</a> is about alprazolam no prescription... Excellent site, added to favorites!! Take a look at our site Hello from Illinois... |
| Name: | Sam Guarnaccia |
| E-mail address: | sguarnaccia@msn.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.samguarnaccia.com |
| Comments: | El, I was just introduced to you by Lynn Bujnak, a dulcimer enthusiast and conference minister of the Vermont UCC, who has met you.
I recently composed,recorded and have released a CD called, A Celtic Mass for Peace, Songs for the Earth, which you can get a glimpse of at: www.samguarnaccia.com After hearing you on your website, I thought you might like to know about this work, and perhaps correspond. All the best to you El, Sam |
| Name: | Emily |
| E-mail address: | emily@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.galeon.com/solojesus/flagyl/vulvovaginitis.html |
| Comments: | Our partners : <a rel="dofollow" href="http://auxion.jislaaik.com/hydrocodone/claritin-hydrocodone.html">claritin hydrocodone</a> is about claritin hydrocodone... <a rel="dofollow" href="http://hem.passagen.se/wezetunited/lisinopril/lisinopril-hct.html">lisinopril hct</a> is about lisinopril hct... Excellent work, nice pictures. Very nice to see someone taking so much interest and pain on such an intresting subject. great work!! Visit our site and have fun! |
| Name: | Jacob |
| E-mail address: | jacob@terra.com.br |
| Homepage URL: | http://eride.extra.hu/glucophage/buying-glucophage-online.html |
| Comments: | Our partners : <a rel="dofollow" href="http://bleier.rantweb.com/soma/soma-fm.html">soma fm</a> is about soma fm... <a rel="dofollow" href="http://eureka.ya.com/asmus/plendil/calcium-channel.html">calcium channel</a> is about calcium channel... My friend told me to visit your site because she said its beautiful. She really was telling that truth. Indeed, your site is amazing. Ill surely go visit here again. Keep up the good work! :D Visit our site and have fun! |
| Name: | Joshua Parrish |
| E-mail address: | playinaroundwv@verizon.net |
| Comments: | Love your playing, El...... and my Martin jumbo loves that case I got from you. Thx, God bless, and keep up the great work! |
| Name: | mike sellers |
| E-mail address: | mikesellers31@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I just received your Guitar Artistry dvd,the Dropped D tuning book,and one of your CDs and they are GREAT !!!! I also requested your tracts which i cant recommend highly enough to anyone reading this.Not only is Mr McMeen an incredibly talented musician but his faith is inspiring.Mike S. |
| Name: | Ken Bonvallet |
| E-mail address: | actuary0@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | El--
We played in the clarinet section of the Harvard Band way back. Looks like you found success with a different instrument. Congratulations. Ken |
| Name: | Joanna Mell |
| E-mail address: | joannamell@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.joannamell.com |
| Comments: | Hello El! I met you wayyyy back a few years ago at Bob Pegritz's wedding in Havertown. Bob is really something - he has made some beautiful videos lately and I really enjoyed the one he made of you playing Hyfrydol! Hope you're well and happy --
Blessings -- Joanna Mell, the harpist |
| Name: | El |
| Comments: | Thanks for all the commentary, and for staying in touch.
El |
| Name: | Drew |
| E-mail address: | drewmh@optonline.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.myspace.com/drewhoski |
| Comments: | Hey El. I've just been introduced to your music a few weeks ago from a few of Stefan Grossman's DVD workshops and I must say i admire your music. It has occured to me recently that Celtic fingerstyle guitar is my favorite genre to play and listen to, and it is because of artists like you. I'm 18 years old from NJ and have been playing music for about 5 years and you are one of the primary artists who inspire me to keep going. I certainly am planning on buying some of your CD's soon, and in the meantime, please check out my music page listed above, it sure would mean alot to me. I plan on recording a song or two of yours, giving you the credit of course! Thanks for reading and hope to hear back! - Drew |
| Name: | Laura and Sam Abelarde |
| E-mail address: | lauralucas@fhi.net |
| Comments: | El,
Hi! It has been wonderful listening to your music and relaxing for us as a family. Thank you for your kindness in sending the CDs. We hope that you and your family will have a very blessed Christmas together. Thank you for blessing our lives. Laura and Sam Abelarde |
| Name: | John Fensom |
| E-mail address: | johnfensom26@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Hi El,
haven't been in touch for a while( have had acouple of very difficult years)I'm still loving your music and hope to get back into playing in 2008, All the best to you and yours John Fensom (Oxford England.) |
| Name: | Marsha Lucas |
| E-mail address: | blucas@cni.net |
| Comments: | El,
I am the mother of Laura Abelarde and mother-in-law of Sam Abelarde. I wish to thank you for the very generous gift towards their missionary work in the Philippines. My husband and I are very proud of Laura and Sam's dedication and commitment to helping the Filipino people. Bless you El, for believing in them and helping them to continue their quest. We are very honored to have them home for the holidays. Especially, wish to thank you for the absolutely exquisite CD's that you sent Laura and Sam. We listen nightly to the beautiful Christmas music from your CD and it has become my favorite of all the Christmas music CD's that I have. I just like to close my eyes and relax to the rhythm and sounds you make with your guitar strings. Just beautiful!! You are a very talented musician. I am also a fan of the Irish music, as we visited Ireland many years ago and I instantly fell in love with their music. Danny Boy is my favorite. Thank you for sharing your passion and love for music with us. Your music is truly making our Christmas season special. Blessings, Marsha Lucas |
| Name: | Nick Wallace |
| E-mail address: | nwallace@capincrouse.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.capincrouse.com |
| Comments: | Hey El...just wanted you to know I am still playing your stuff...and your old OM 35 bought from your friend Jim Ivler. Thanks so much for helping me get that hooked up.
and after months and months of work, some of it is starting to sound OK...especially some pieces from your Christmas book (the red 3 ring binder one). Still dont have your touch though. I think that will take a few more years. Supposed to take 10 years to really master something anyway...so I guess I will keep plodding along. Wish I was closer...a lesson here or there would probably do wonders... Thanks for all the efforts in putting yourself "out there" The Dropped D book is great too...and it sounds good on my..sorry don't cringe...Gibson SJ 200 |
| Name: | John Matta |
| E-mail address: | jmatta@Minntech.com |
| Comments: | Just received the "Art of Dropped D Guitar" book. It's quite a big book...there's a LOT of music in there! I tried a few last night, and, while my playing isn't quite up the superb CD, I found it very easy to follow. Excellent book, and it'll keep me busy for a long time.
|
| Name: | Earl and Bunny Costa |
| E-mail address: | Kathco1@verizon.net |
| Comments: | Spent much time in reading your desired feelings of music on your guitar. You are an ARTIST! Continue your dreams.
Much success in your fine contibutions to the musical world. |
| Name: | Mark Hughey |
| E-mail address: | mhhughey@gmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://markhughey.com |
| Comments: | nice stuff. listened to Amazing Grace this morning from your church video. |
| Name: | John Matta |
| E-mail address: | jmatta@Minntech.com |
| Comments: | I'm a huge fan of your music....Any chance you might perform in Minnesota soon (Twin Cities, preferably)?
Oh...I just saw the new book "Art of Dropped D Guitar" announced.. but it's listed as being available in October, 2007. Is this right? |
| Name: | Ray Mcfeetors |
| E-mail address: | rlmc@gwl.ca |
| Comments: | El
I remember you from your days at Leboeuf when you worked on deals for great-west life. You were a good lawyer. I dont know about your guitar playing. Using Don Henderson for a deal now. You might remembewr Bill Lovatt as well All thye best. Cheers. |
| Name: | Paul Damian |
| E-mail address: | pdamian@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments: | Come play in Davis, CA--big celtic music following there. Also, how about a Celtic fingerstyle instructional DVD? Finally, could you make clear on your website that the free transcribed version of Star of the County Down is not the wonderful version you play on Rambel to Cashel? Thanks. |
| Name: | Magoo |
| E-mail address: | outside USA. |
| Comments: | Hi Elfonians,
just a word about the new Book and CD by El.Has El really spent time working out the arrangements in dropped D.Or has he used the software tabledit to merely press a button and have all the tunes transposed from CGDGAD to DADGBE. Well some people like Fingerstyle KFC with its instamatic style.What wrong exploiting the voicings of standard tuning for all those compositions? Once you exploit the fretboard you will dicover that other standard tuning is equally suited to the your guitar compositions just like CGDGAD is a glove in your hand.Most artist use standard why not present all those tunes in wonderful standard tuning! more clothing tips from the racetrack. Ok El press the button again and u are in EADGBE with TE. Magoo. |
| Name: | Johnne |
| E-mail address: | iamjohnne@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | Hi El,
Just read about your book on the Soundhole forum. Wow. Will be ordering one come payday. Congrats. |
| Name: | Magoo Dei Maghi Magoo. |
| Comments: | Buy a CD
and hurry up now! www.colinbuchanan.com.au Amen. Ciao. Australian songwriters from Magoo to Wizard of Oz. |
| Name: | It`s Magoo again. |
| E-mail address: | Guitar Journal of Planet Earth. |
| Comments: | Try a version of Verdi`s ` La Donna e Mobile` in dropped D or CGDGAD .I have other suggestions for you but will use these myself as the creative muse arrives from Oz.
Magoo. what happened to the operatic arias in CGDGAD? |
| Name: | El McMeen |
| Comments: | Thanks to everyone signing my guestbook.
Please stay in touch. El |
| Name: | Jessy Marinus |
| E-mail address: | kaleb_philosophy@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Nice play....
Calm melody.. Gentle hands. |
| Name: | Terry |
| E-mail address: | staple@reynlow.com |
| Comments: | Very nice site. I'll tell Sue about the Amazing Grace CD. I think she would enjoy it.
Terry |
| Name: | Magoo. |
| E-mail address: | Editor World Journal of the Guitar. |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.garageband.com/tanino |
| Comments: | Hi El,
Your `Amazing Grace` CD is praiseworthy.I have taken the opportunity to extend the melody of Amazing Grace in my upcoming CD,and at the same time to re-arrange one of the melodies that also appears on your collection,especially the tune:`Were U there When they Crucified my Lord`.Your version is rather short and although commendable I would urge you to closely listen to the version that Laurindo Almeida plays on his Book/CD `Praise Every Morning` in which he includes a four note motif that simply overpowers your arrangement of the tune,making the tune a stellar arrangement.I`m basing my arrangement of this tune, according to Almeida,and hope that you take more interest in how cleverly an artist can bring a tune to new heights by adding the correct motif(melodic phrase)to a beautiful melody,rather than,spend time with a new guitars every month that are more common,than the shirts you wear everyday.Another Franklin,again El! Magoo in Australia. At the Tamworth Music Festival. |
| Name: | Charles Young |
| E-mail address: | young dot charles at yahoo dot com |
| Comments: | El,
I received the Soul of Christmas book/CD as a Christmas gift. Great arrangements, I'm enjoying it immensely. |
| Name: | Bill Lockwood |
| E-mail address: | bill@hieromedia.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.hieromedia.com |
| Comments: | I am a 56 year old computer graphics designer living in Blairstown NJ. I'm self-employed and the pressures and stress that sometimes accompany my work (being artist, marketing director, salesman, accountant, etc.) sometimes wind me a little tight. So about a year ago, I picked my guitar up again after a long absence (maybe about 20 years) and started playing again to give me an outlet for all that angst -- I had a William Ackerman tablature book that I'd picked up in a store years before, but never got around to trying. I picked one or two of my favorite pieces and dug in -- the results suprised me and I got hooked on the fingerpicking technique. I got a Mel Bay fingerpicking anthology and some ragtime as well, and started working my way through them. It actually took me awhile to get my some of my old technique back, but now I'm enjoying the whole process thoroughly -- just for myself, to unwind, and anyone in my family that cares to listen . . . but to the point . . .
Through the one Mel Bay book (the simply beautiful Jacob's Ladder) I became acquainted with your music (I'd never heard of you prior to that) . . . I ended up buying one of your CDs and something about the melodies, your technique and arrangements really affected me and I've since bought several of your cd/tablature combinations (I bought Acoustic Guitar Treasures book/cd from your website, and your rendition of Ashokan Farewell on the live CD you included for free led me to hunt down a copy of Solo Guitar Serenade on the web -- and I just ordered the Solo Guitar Serenade CD on your website moments ago). Reading the interview on your website, you mentioned that you have given one-on-one lessons from time to time in the past, and I was wondering if you still do . . . I am so enjoying learning and playing your arrangements, but have to confess that some of the subtlety in your playing (some of the string dynamics and especially the trilled articulations you use) have escaped me. I think a session with you showing me how you accomplish some of those touches as well as a critique of my fingerstyle playing would be very worthwhile to me. My ambitions are really quite simple -- I just want to get better and move to another level of playing, not faster but more beautiful -- your description of a lesson spanning several hours seems like a perfect complement to my goals . . . so I'm enquiring as to the possibility and/or availability of at least one lesson . . . Somewhere in my reading I got the idea that you lived in Sparta or somewhere in Northern Jersey, so the logistics of getting to where you are would be in the realm of the possible . . . being self-employed, I'm very flexible with my time and could easily work around your schedule . . . it may be that you're schedule no longer permits you to teach, but there was a certain karma for me in finding your music and I felt there was no harm in just asking . . . Thanks at least for the music . . . |
| Name: | Danielj |
| E-mail address: | Danielj_15+@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Your music and style has opened new directions and possibilities for me and my guitar. Thanks a ton. |
| Name: | Marie Dolton |
| E-mail address: | mdolton@comcast.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://fortissimo.org |
| Comments: | Hi El! I do so enjoy listening to your music. I have changed by email address because the spammers were out of control! Please keep me posted on your new happenings.
Marie |
| Name: | Tom S. |
| E-mail address: | t@ceciltguitar.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://ceciltguitar.com |
| Comments: | Mr McMeen,
Thank you for your music! Yesterday I just happened to be reading some of your comments about how rare it is for guitarists to play in the key of B major. I was amused by the coincidence of having just watched Mr. Atkins video "The Guitar of Chet Atkins" last week, in which, just prior to performing his drop-dead-knockout-homerun arrangement of "Londonderry Aire" in the key of B major, he commented that the key of B major is one that has been neglected by guitarists and has some amazing possibilities. God bless you! Tom |
| Name: | Myrna Speck |
| E-mail address: | oasisoflove@earthlink.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://OasisInHuntingdon.com |
| Comments: | Thank you! Brought your "Amazing Grace" recording back to the church. Played it the rest of the afternoon and will leave it on for our Service tonight. Too bad you can't be here for it. You are welcome anytime.
We love your mother and keep her in our prayers. Was so nice to meet you and your wife. May God bless you. Pastors Myrna Speck & Dotty Poore |
| Name: | Bonnie Truax |
| E-mail address: | btruax@triad.rr.com |
| Comments: | Hello,
I heard your rendition of "In the Garden," my mother's favorite hymn, on NPR's "Back Porch Music" with Freddy Jenkins. I was so moved by it that I immediately ordered "Amazing Grace" from you. Almost all my (and my Mother's favorite hymns) are on this CD, rarely used in modern churches today. I would like to use this CD at my mother's Wake and would like to know if there is a way I can get some kind of discounted rate on the CD or any way to gain legal permission to copy this CD to give to each person who comes, as a memory of my mother. I could not afford to buy 200 copies I anticipate we would need to give out. Mother is now 96 years old and in ailing health with a terminal diagnosis. Thank you for your wonderful music and kind consideration of my request. Bonnie Truax |
| Name: | Rob |
| E-mail address: | chmajrobpowersprofile@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | The tin whistle web site recommended your Soul of Christmas album. I love it. My wife finally asked me to put something else in the car cd player. Well four months later I decided to see if you had any other work out there and checked your web site. I'll order Amazing Grace as soon as I get off of the computer in the office. My dream is to be able to finger pick hymns that people at least recognize when I'm playing. I'm just starting at 50. You are an inspiration.
Blessings Chaplain (LTC) Rob Poowers US Army |
| Name: | Mark Jackson |
| E-mail address: | mark@markjackson.net |
| Comments: | Found you on Ed Gerhard's "Christmas"- Your "Good King
Wenceslaus" steals the show... Play your "Danny Boy" and want to hear all your recordings. Come to California's Central Coast! Thanks for bringing Low C along. All the Best, MJ |
| Name: | Steve J. McWilliam |
| E-mail address: | steve.mcwilliam@btinternet.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.consult-eco.ndirect.co.uk/guitar/ |
| Comments: | Hi El,
Your mention of attempting some Mo-Town (Temps and 4-Tops) on a six string have me interested and very curious. How is this experiment going? Do you have any tab (.tef), midi or MP3 of your arrangements so far ? Cheers and keep on pluckin'. Steve |
| Name: | Ivan |
| E-mail address: | cassie@pisem.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://xllmricm.com/zrtl/uzwc.html |
| Comments: | Well done!
http://xllmricm.com/zrtl/uzwc.html | http://aubaphiu.com/uhmq/hudn.html |
| Name: | Ian |
| E-mail address: | lena@mail15.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://xllmricm.com/zrtl/uzwc.html |
| Comments: | Nice site!
<a href="http://xllmricm.com/zrtl/uzwc.html">My homepage</a> | <a href="http://npxbbdbz.com/qmhy/gtmp.html">Please visit</a> |
| Name: | Steven |
| E-mail address: | emily@mail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://xllmricm.com/zrtl/uzwc.html |
| Comments: | Thank you!
[url=http://xllmricm.com/zrtl/uzwc.html]My homepage[/url] | [url=http://asalnkwd.com/bxck/srbg.html]Cool site[/url] |
| Name: | Dan McLaughlin |
| E-mail address: | dmclaughlin2@rochester.rr.com |
| Comments: | Hi El, I hope that you can make it up to GypsyJam III this year.
Dan |
| Name: | ARCOMusic |
| E-mail address: | info@arcomusic.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.arcomusic.com |
| Comments: | Love your site! Please link us up, we’ll also link you-- Our site is musician gifts in historical musician images and sheet music primarily for strings and principally for the cello. Thanks! ARCOMusic <www.arcomusic.com> |
| Name: | Allan |
| E-mail address: | allanbrinser@gmail.com |
| Comments: | Really impressive guitar playing! |
| Name: | denis hayes |
| E-mail address: | denispatrick1@eircom.net |
| Comments: | El
just received your irish guitar encores video from the stefan grossman workshop and to say i was impressed is an understatement!I am interested in keeping a guitar exclusively for low c and dadgad tuning as i find the constant retuning to standard tuning is wreaking havoc with my high e string.they just keep popping.what are your views on same?Also where could i find/buy a transcription to "here comes the sun"by the beatles in low c? Kind Regards Denis |
| Name: | churchgoer |
| E-mail address: | the presbytery |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Eldergreene is arriving with the music McMeen.
Eldergreene. |
| Name: | Mago Dei Maghi suprelatives! |
| E-mail address: | the world hotel. |
| Comments: | John Hamalainen, Manfred Rentz, Gaetano Bevilacqua and Tommy Paldanius.
El Diablo, and the Bureau of Stats. your song! |
| Name: | Pertti Puusaari |
| E-mail address: | pertti.puusaari@hamk.fi |
| Comments: | I found very beutifull and very well played music on your web pages. Greetings from Finland! |