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Archives for 2007

Guitar side ports

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guitarsideport1.jpg The one thing that I see in the evolution of the acoustic guitar today is its link with the past from Canada’s own, Glenn Gould.

He used a unique approach while playing in his later years, around 1983, when he took away part of the piano body to let the sound come out of the instrument in a unorthodox way.

First of all, the guy was way ahead of his time. What he did was to remove the wooden cover section that is used to cover the piano keys. He removed this part entirely. He would also close the piano lid on his concert piano, allowing the sound to be sent through the missing cover section of the piano.

This allowed him to hear the subtle tones while playing his music.

This was best shown in his 1980’s work of the gloomy nature of life. The slowness of some of his canon’s reflect the need for this type of sound exposure that the musician needs to fully understand what the audience hears, but as a very unique approach.

Second of all, the guy went to places that no one probably ever thought of venturing. I wonder if the person who thought of the guitar side ports ever watched Glenn Gould Hereafter? If he did, I bet this is where he may have got the idea, but then again I could be dead wrong.

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I have been toying around with the idea of putting in a new state of the art pick up system in my Larrivee. The system is called the LR Baggs iMIX. It captures a lot of the character in my guitar with an active response to it. That means that the pickups pick up the aggressive or passive playing of the strings on the guitar.

Now in order to place it in there, I must have it installed inside the body above the sound hole, closest to my face. That’s fine with me. The next question is what in the world do I do with the hole that the factory installed system sat in? It would look mighty funny just viewing a rectangular opening right there in my face. Do I just leave it there or what should I do with it? Here is my best option, I think.

I have always wanted both of my acoustic guitars to have pick ups so I can have a back-up on stage. So why not put my old pick up from the Larrivee into my old Aspen acoustic guitar. Perfect, I think? Unfortunately if I do this I will have this opening on the side of the body near my chest where the old system was. It would look so odd and out of place that I would be reluctant to let anyone look at my guitar. So while talking about my problem with the guitar tech at the 12th fret, he gave me this fabulous idea of the side port!

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They could change the look of the old hole and create a fancy looking design in it’s place!

This will allow a small portion of the sound to come up directly to me acting like another sound hole or a monitor if you will. This will not effect the tonal qualities of my baby I have been told. The tech had one in this part of the workshop that he made and let me try it out. Not only did it look very cool and original, but it was nice to have some sound coming from a part of the guitar that I have never heard it coming from in the past.

Now all I have to do is convince my wife about this one, wish me and my Larrivee luck will you all?

Keep on Jammin’




Mr. James Morrison is Dead

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I was just reading an interesting article in our Maclean’s Magazine today called “Jim’s Fireman“. It was in the Aug. 13th/07 edition.

17ruebeautreillis.jpg It talks about the fire chief who arrived at 17 rue Beautreillis in the Marais district of Paris on July 3rd, 1971, who pronounced “Mr. James Morrison Dead”. Now that’s just not your average statement.

The article lightly talks about the call that was dispatched to him, what happened after it and how it still effects his life to this day.

jm.jpg So go check it out and tell me what you think of it. It’s not earth shattering, but it brings a different slant on what happened that day to the “Lizardman”.

Keep on Jammin’

Dominic Troiano Canadian Rock/Jazz Guitarist

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You know the internet is really the greatest tool of the 21st century. You can search for literally anything or anybody at the click of a computer button.

Unfortunately some of the greatest things to look for that are Canadian are often over looked. For example, the great Rock/Jazz guitarist, our own Dominic Troiano. He actually lived around 17 houses away at 356 Sammon Ave., East York, from where we live now! He also created a song called 356 Sammon Ave. on his solo debut in 1972 called “Dominic Troiano”.

While in our back yard a couple of years ago, our little old neighbour Sofie’s son and I were doing some work in her garden for her. After we had finished, I brought up Dominic’s name. He looked at me with this puzzled look on his face. I asked him if he knew anything about him and he told me that he hung out with his younger brother and played cards with them. He also said that Dominic was trying to learn guitar all the time. I said ” Trying to learn guitar you say?”.

I’ve looked him up on line to only find little bits and pieces of him and his successes. Youtube has no Bush videos and there is no official Dominic Troiano site. I looked for his death, after realizing that he passed away 6 months after the fact, only to find small little blurbs here and there. Come on now, this guy was a guitar god!

He helped create the Toronto Sound in the 60’s thru 70’s. He replaced Robbie Robertson of the Band, while Robbie was with Ronnie Hawkins. Dominic started the band Mandala and Bush in 1970. He also was with the James Gang Band with Troiano replacing the guitarist Joe Walsh. Mr. Troiano also joined The Guess Who as Randy Bachman’s replacement.

Can you imagine playing with other artists such as Joe Cocker, Donald Fagen, Diana Ross, David Clayton-Thomas, Etta James, and produce albums for bands/singers, including his ex-wife Shawne Jackson. Well Dominic did! Now to top things off he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1996. Not a bad resume to have hanging around your neck. I think that if I was playing a guitar in the 12th Fret and he walked in the store I would more then likely put it down and try to be a fly on the wall, wouldn’t you?

Think about it, this is the guy who replaced a guitarist called Joe Walsh. Then this guy named Joe Walsh gave his Gibson ’59 Les Paul to non-other then Mr. Jimmy Page. This gift gave Mr. Page his signature Les Paul look! Imagine giving Jimmy your guitar and have him actually use it, regularly!

I found the bassist, Prakash John, from Mr. Troiano’s band Bush and found some real neat little stories about him and his band’s adventures. Prakash John’s son, Jordan John, is quite the musician in his own right. I guess apples really don’t fall to far from the tree.

I researched some more and found the best tribute to this giant of guitar at the 12th Fret site and it was very nicely done. Hats off to you folks!

Domenic Troiano sadly passed away on unfortunately, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He succumbed on May 25, 2005. He was 59. Once again, this is another great one that I didn’t get to see live.

Dominic Troiano RIP

Keep on Jammin’

Ashley Holt the singer

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This gentleman was the singer with Rick Wakeman at the concert that I attended on Sunday August 19th, 2007 at the Danforth Music Hall. He was a short and portly man with a full bodied voice. An average looking guy with average attire. His stage presence was like a common guy with regular looking attire.

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I was told by the guy who bought my ticket not to be too judgmental by his appearance.

Yet at the end of the show, he seemed like just an average guy off the street. I am now aware of his resume of the bands that he played with and how important he is to Rock & Roll but I guess that I was looking forward to the music and not the singing.

This legendary singer was a mainstay with Rick during 19 of his solo albums. Now that’s nothing to sneeze at is it? Just being in a band with the caped crusader speaks volumes but for some reason I was not all that impressed.

I hope that the Ashley Holt fan club with be lenient with me on this one!

Keep on jammin’

Canada’s band plain and simple – no debate needed

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Well ya know, men have this saying about women and here it is for all to ponder! “Women may not always be right …….but their never wrong!”

This statement certainly rings true for the many music aficionados that contemplate “who is/was” the finest Canadian Rock & Roll music of our time. We are the ones who still hold the torch high from the glory days gone by. And we pledge an undying allegiance to the band that is/was “truly Canadian”.

These guys helped convey the thoughts and dreams of a youthful country desperately looking for it’s identity! They held and cherished us as a mother would her child. They are “MAX WEBSTER“!!! Or for the more refined followers, THE TORONTO TONTOS. Ah those little Rascals!

While going up as a young lad in Brantford, I had seen some of the best bands of my time! Pink Floyd, Yes, The Band, The Rolling Stones, the Who but the only band not to reach those lofty heights are Max Webster.

maxwebster.jpg I’ve talked to a number of Canadian music aficionados who ramble off the bands that they have seen in action and the Mighty Max is among them. Even most passing acquaintances have told me that they have witnessed Canada’s premier band as matter of fact!!! This I much admit REALLY PISSES ME OFF!!!

Why not me God! What the purgatory did I do to deserve this cruel and un-Canadian punishment!

Keep on Jammin’

Toto – the early stuff I mean

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As you are more then well aware I am a huge lover of Prog Rock or you could even say challenging music to play!

Prog Rock is better known as Progressive Rock. Examples of this is YES (the four-part “Close to the Edge” or “The Gates of Delirium” from the Relayer Album), RUSH six-part “Hemispheres”, Klattu, early Genesis, Jethro Tull or Saga. If you think that just listening to this style is enjoyable then you you should try playing it live!

Of coarse there are always bands that I strongly feel that should have placed in there but have not for some reason or another. The one band that comes to mind is Toto, SOME of their earlier stuff that is.

albumcovers-toto1978.jpgTheir first album Toto, is the greatest one that they have put out and the only vinyl one of theirs that I have ever bought. As a matter of fact, I just bought CD version on-line a couple of minutes ago. This album really brings back memories of the my early years of playing rock guitar/music.

I had just been let go by Phylis and I was a little bit bummed out to say the least. I had just found out only last year by the keyboardist Tony, still a great friend to this day, that my parents were quite worried about my playing with them on the road in bars. I think they believed that I might be influenced by the rock & roll life style that accompanied being on the road at such a tender age of 15.

Anyways, during this period I was desperately trying to get out of my funk and at the time was desperately looking for another musical genre to put under my belt. This band had it all.

They were challenging to play live, a bit jazzy and a little bit of pop to round it out. Yes I did say pop. My great wife Tricia has always thought of me as a player who was a rocker at heart but for some reason loved pop music. She always has that look on her face when I play some great rock tunes only to be followed by some popish sounding stuff.

I fell in love with Child’s Anthem as well as Girl Goodbye because they have that Prog Rock like progressions to them.

I found I’ll Supply The Love, Georgy Porgy and You Are The Flower to have this Earth Wind and Fire feel to it. “Taking it back” has influences of Gino Vannelli’s Brother to Brother album, I also happen to know the brother of the drummer on this particular album.

So I hope that this post helps you better understand my childhood influences that I had growing up and the styles that has helped my playing of today.

Keep on Jammin’

The Bassist

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The Rick Wakeman concert that I saw a couple of weeks ago left me in a state of music appreciation overload. The level of musicianship at the show was in a realm that only a very talented few ever get to venture into or near.

They were so tight that it just made R. Jackson’s and my head just shake thinking to ourselves that this just can’t be happening right in front of our eyes and ears. When they played a staccato’ed note and then stopped for 2 or more seconds, the whole hall went eerily quiet. Now that’s scary! These guys have a kindred spirit/musical ability all rapped up into one.

Mr. Rick Wakeman was his usual stellar self but his supporting cast took a while to bring it up to his level. The only stand out in both of our eyes was ‘Pearly’ Lee Pomeroy the bass player and when he got going it turned out to be a night to remember!

His regular gig is with this band called Tar Babies.Their site is a MUST to check out in it’s entirety, but don’t let the Tom foolery misguide you. He comes across on stage of the perfect band mate. Always smiling and with positive energy to burn!

leepomeroy.jpg The one thing that caught my eye maybe half way through the show was that he was a left handed bass player and here’s the kicker, he had it strung upside down. He places the thick strings that normally go at the top of the neck on the bottom part.

Now to put it in a way that non musicians can understand, just envision this for one second, imagine using your keyboard turned upside down and having to type that way. It’s almost like walking backwards, you could do it, but when it comes to running it’s a whole new ball game.

So to give the nod to the best player in the band besides Rick Wakeman, Mr Jackson and I would have to give it to the guy above … really you had to be there!

Keep on Jammin’

Canada’s own John ‘JD’ Roberts

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Now I grew up watching this guy when he was one of the first Video jockeys in Canada. He talked about and interviewed many of the days greatest bands of our time. He was always soft spoken and very intellectual in my eyes.

Now a days, he is a anchor person at CNN. When I see him in his new refined roll for the American cable company CNN, I still get a chuckle and wonder what reaction people would get if they saw one of his blasts from the past interviews? Well, here goes!

This next flick is of JD, as we know him, with a member of the Canadian 80’s band FM. The member of the band is the always entertaining mandolin player, Nash the Slash!

If you recognize John Roberts and watch him on CNN, I honestly want to know what your initial response is to this video. I realize that it may make you do a double take but I hope it makes you think!

Keep on Jammin’

More on my 1959 Fender Duo Sonic

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This baby was first introduced to us in mid 1956, the original Duosonic (two pickups) were Fender’s 3/4 size, student model, 22.5″ short scale beginners guitars.

With the switch in the middle position, the two pickups are in series, giving a humbucking pickup type sound. These short scale student models were made to the same high quality standards and materials that Fender used for its more expensive models. For this reason, Duo-Sonics are very well made.

In late 1964 both models moved to second generation, coinciding with the introduction of the Mustang. A buddy of mind, Serge Roy of Brantford has one of these puppies! The “II” designation was then added to the DuoSonic and MusicMaster names. These models are more like the Mustang (except the Mustang has a vibrato), than the original DuoSonic/MusicMaster models. The differences in the new generation were in the body shape, pickguard, and electronics.

It was available with either a 22.5″ or 24″ scale, but is most often found with the longer scale. The 24″ scale Duo-Sonic II, Musicmaster II, and Mustang of the September 1965 to October 1966 period are sometimes found with a slab rosewood fingerboard, usually of Indian rosewood.

Some Fender experts today speculate that the slab board necks were leftovers from 1962 Jaguars. Don’t tell Serge about this one,ok?

No matter what is said about this vintage instrument the only thing that matters is how it plays and sounds. I am truly blessed by having this little gem of a guitar and I know that. If you ever get the opportunity to play a 1959 Fender Duo Sonic you will know what I mean and remember this post!

Keep on Jammin’

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