Total Guitar Magazine May 1999 Issue 56 Blur Graham Coxon REM Nick Drake Mogwai (1499)

Original Total Guitar magazine, Issue 56, May 1999, published by Future Publishing. This issue has a strong late-1990s alternative / indie guitar focus, led by Blur guitarist Graham Coxon, who dominates the front cover.

The magazine combines artist interviews, guitar technique, transcriptions, equipment reviews and guitar-related features, making it a solid collectible for fans of 1990s British music as well as guitarists interested in period tuition and gear.

Main Cover Feature – Blur / Graham Coxon

The main feature focuses on Blur and Graham Coxon, with the cover advertising both an interview and technique feature.

Inside, the contents confirm:

• Main Blur cover feature
• Graham Coxon discussion/interview
• Guitar tuition connected with Blur
• Coverage linked to the then-current Blur material
• Tender specifically highlighted as a song readers can learn

This is a particularly relevant issue for collectors of Blur, Graham Coxon, Britpop and 1990s UK alternative music memorabilia.

Other Featured Artists & Features

The photographed contents show a particularly varied line-up, including:

• Nick Drake – feature on the influential folk guitarist/songwriter
• Mogwai – feature on the Scottish post-rock band
• R.E.M. – guitar tuition based around material from Monster
• Jeff Beck – blues guitar feature
• Shawn Mullins
• Silverchair
• Barenaked Ladies
• Guitar moments from film
• Hi-tech guitar recording and PC-based music production

The cover also promotes:

• R.E.M. – Monster classic track
• Mogwai – The Sound of the Future
• Nick Drake – The Folk Genius
• A Hi-Tech Special looking at guitars and the PC revolution

Guitar Lessons & Technique

The contents page shows a strong tuition section, including:

• R.E.M. – What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
• Jeff Beck blues lesson
• Vision On TV theme transcription
• Improvising solos
• Jazz chord rhythm tuition
• Wah technique
• Guitar tab guide / notation help

The front cover additionally promotes material for learning:

• Blur – Tender
• R.E.M. – What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
• Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away
• Nick Drake – Pink Moon
• Nick Drake – The Thoughts of Mary Jane
• Nick Drake – Man in a Shed
• Vision On Theme – The Gallery

This gives the issue considerable appeal as a practical period guitar-learning magazine rather than simply a celebrity/music title.

Gear & Technology

The issue has a notable late-1990s technology angle.

Visible features and reviews include:

• Line 6 POD preamp / recording unit
• Framus Hollywood Custom guitar
• Brunswick Jumbo Acoustic
• Computer-based guitar recording
• PC recording techniques
• Wah effects
• Guitar technology and digital recording developments from the period

The Line 6 POD feature is especially representative of the late-1990s shift toward digital amp modelling and home-recording technology.

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with general age and handling wear.

From the supplied photographs:

• Front cover is complete and presents well overall
• Light surface rubbing and fine scratches are visible, particularly across the darker lower section
• Minor handling marks are visible to the cover
• Corners show light wear/softening
• Edges show some mild rubbing consistent with age
• Spine appears intact from the visible areas
• Interior pages shown appear clean and securely bound
• Some mild age-related paper toning is visible
• No major tears are visible in the photographed internal pages
• No obvious handwriting or personal annotations are visible
• Contents and print remain bright, clear and readable

Overall, this appears to be a good used copy for its age, with cosmetic handling wear rather than severe damage. Please study all supplied photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.

Issue Details

Publication: Total Guitar
Issue: 56
Full Date: May 1999
Publisher: Future Publishing
Main Cover Feature: Blur / Graham Coxon
Other Featured Artists: R.E.M., Nick Drake, Mogwai, Jeff Beck, Shawn Mullins, Silverchair, Barenaked Ladies, Lenny Kravitz
Themes: Guitar Tuition, Alternative Rock, Britpop, Guitar Gear, Recording Technology, Reviews
Language: English
Condition: Pre-owned
SKU: 1499