I hope that your all having a blast the Christmas season!
Keep on Jammin’ everyone!!!
Archives for 2008
What is Guitar Hero really about
With the Christmas shopping season in full gear, I guess most people have this thing on their shopping list.
This new phenomena, guitar Hero, seems to have everyone frantic to either check it out or buy one, just in case one of their buddies come over and they can jam out together?
Or, do they just want to keep up with the Jones. Well not me.
They also have this game called Guitar Hero band kit? Guitar Hero is a fun thing to play with, I guess!?
What is it that makes this thing so interesting? Is it something that just gets people off the couch or the computer chair and forces them to get some exercise?
I just can’t figure this thing out, can you help me on this?
Keep on Jammin’
The perfect present for that One Finger Wonder
If you haven’t already found the ideal Christmas present for that one finger wonder (guitar player) on your list this season, then look no further!
Amp not included
Hey Dave W., here’s a instrument that you should pick up and give it a go! When you figure it out, can you give me a lesson?
Keep on Jammin’
The band called Klaatu
The Canadian Progressive Rock band Klaatu certainly needs no introduction. The myth/rumor of “Klaatu are the Beatles” didn’t hurt the bands career either.
Some of Klaatu’s great compositions are Calling Occupants, Anus of Uranus, Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III and Doctor Marvello just to name a few. Bands just don’t make music like this any more. Where is the passion, ingenuity and originality?
They were so massively talented in so many ways, that I can not possibly begin to tackle all of their skills in just one post! I will try though to sum them up in a couple of simple areas. For the un-anointed, sit back and enjoy a terrestrial ride.
- The Sentimental Factor
- Myth/Mystic
- Sound of the band
First of all there is the sentimental factor. Klaatu was CANADIAN! Their music resonates in Canadian minds of the good times that we, as a country, were experiencing! When I was around 9-10 years of age, I distinctly recall listening over and over to the song Sub Rosa Subway. I would be in my parents backyard, with that old silver Radio Shack AM radio, goofing around with the family doing whatever, just having good old family fun!
As for America’s first subway
The public scoffed, “It’s far too rude”
One station filled with Victoria’s age
From frescoed walls and goldfish fountains….
To Brahmsian tunes …
Next came the mystic of the band. Nearing the end of the Beatles era, a band was rumored to be the actual Beatles working in a clandestine project. Who were these members, where did they come from? It was a mystery and myth to most of us at the time. Everyone who thought that this group was in fact the Beatles, frantically searched through any and all of their past master pieces and for subtle clues. You can see how this would make the rabid fan lose many a nights sleep, looking for their lost heroes, just listen to Klaatu’s sound.
Let’s face it, even the electronic voice analyzer in Australia thought it was Paul McCartney singing Sub Rosa Subway. Dee Long Klaatu
Then came their distinctive sound! In some of their anthems, you could easily hear similarities in the voices.
Klaatu had many fans listening to the bands songs backwards looking for any hidden meanings. To decide for yourself, go to the Klaatu website and click on The MUSIC, in the top left of the site, look down towards the section and click BACKWARDS MESSAGES! You then have to go through a disclaimer that rightfully so, blasted some idiot who illegally took the bands hard work from their site, and created his/her own YouTube video, uploaded it to the site and then had the balls to take credit for it! Fucking idiots!!! It has since been removed by Youtube! They do have the backwards messages section nicely set up and it’s easy to use. It allows you to listen to some of the songs in question, forward and then backwards. The words show up when playing them backwards and it is quite astonishing!
So I hope that you enjoyed the trip! I just loved posting on this topic. I hope to keep the art of fine Canadian Progressive Rock music alive!
Keep on Jammin’
The Intergalactic keyboard
Maybe if Tony and Rick are good keyboardist this year … Santa my put this under their Christmas trees!
Ho, ho, ho!!!
This could be yours Tony and Rick
Keep on Jammin’
Saga’s new lead singer Rob Moratti
The Canadian Progressive Rock band Saga has finally chosen a brand new singer. The new lead singer of Saga is Toronto’s own Rob Moratti!
I realize this maybe ancient news to some of you (this actually happened way back on April 16th 2008), but a buddy of mine called me up last night and asked if I knew of this and then it dawned on me that I didn’t tell any of you about this on this blog or my other one! So better late then never I guess! I did a post about Michael Sadler leaving the band to pursue a solo career but I didn’t follow up on it, sorry kidz!
So Rob Moratti, you lucky son of a gun! Congrats on your new appointment to one of Canada’s own version of rock and roll royalty.
Rob was the singer for a local band called Final Frontier. I think that he will do well with Saga. Even though some die hard Saga fans may disagree, change is always good for your rock and roll soul!
He has quite the high register in his voice. Some people may think his voice is more suited to a Journey style band, but I for one am eagerly looking forward to see what Rob brings to Saga’s table!
Keep on Jammin’ with Saga Rob!
The Four Freshmen
The Four Freshmen is a group of singers that were formed in the 1950’s. Their improvisational, free flowing form of singing was revolutionary to the main stream music scene of their era.
They helped influence so many a great band that I thought that I would pay them homage on this site!
I was talking to an older man the other day and during our conversation, he mentioned this band. He told me that if I liked the vocal structure of the early Manhattan Transfer or the Beach Boy’s, then I should at least familiarize myself with them to help me in my continuing musical evolution. Ok then, I will take him up on it. Boy that old guy knows his music!
The Four Freshman were not your typical barbershop quartet! Their style of singing was so tightly intertwined that it was just plain genius, then comes revolutionary! They took the old saying of milking something for all it’s worth to an entirely different level.
You can see their direct influence on this one song that the Beach Boys play, but I can’t for the life of me remember it right now! Ahhhh! The song was a slow tempo and A Capella at first, but the vocal chord structure and tonal quality just makes my knees buckle every time I hear it! It’s one of those songs that can change your life, musically speaking. Yes I’ve tried Google/Youtube thank you!
See can see the Four Freshmen’s singing technique in Manhattan Transfer sound as well. I was first exposed to Manhattan Transfer by my old singing teacher at SJC in my home town of Brantford. The way that they could jump from one style to another in a heart beat was amazing! The sound dynamics from PPP right on up to FFF can hit you like a fast moving train. Their songwriting ability creates a song that will stick in your head for hours after hearing it for the very first time. They seemed to do this quite effortlessly … and they got this from the Four Freshmen without a doubt.
The Four Freshmen pioneered a revolutionary new style of close-harmony vocals that set the stage for bands like the Beach Boys, Spanky & Our Gang, the Hi-Lo’s, the Manhattan Transfer and countless others
So now go out there and check out the Four Freshmen for yourself and see if my way of thinking about these guys are right or not. Please write back because I’d love to hear you views. Oh ya, plus your get bonus points for helping me figure out that one Beach Boys song … I hate when that happens, especially in public ahhhhhhhhhh!
Keep on Jammin’
Total guitar pedal systems or individual guitar foot pedals
I am getting to the point that I am contemplating either buying a dedicated/complete foot pedal system or just gathering individual ones to use together. As I’ve said before, I do not have an amp as of yet. I think that either plugging into my desktop to help me start in my development of a rough sound is a start in the right direction.
First there is a product that I am currently looking into buying. This company creates complete foot pedal systems called Line 6. This product came to my attention through a recording studio that I worked with for quite a while. They introduced me to the Line 6 Floor POD. It’s a great system when all you have to do is to go into a studio and just plug in through the main board or a snake cable. The type of sounds this produces is just mind boggling, but it’s impractical to use when playing live.
A close second is the Tonelab LE. I had the honor of playing with a Brantford musician Craig Peeler, at a birthday party in Paris, Ontario one night, and he was using this system. It looks both simple to use, but it has this hidden complexity that I will need while attempting to find THAT sound I am looking for. Both the LINE 6 and this one allows you to adjust the sound in them and then program them into the pre-set buttons for fast recall when using the system live or just practicing.
There are also endless products of single pedals that are designed specifically for one sound. The vintage Morley Power Wah/Fuzz/Volume pedal or any BOSS pedals and a wide range distortion pedal would be a good start.
I have ALWAYS been a firm believer that when you buy anything, you should get a product that is dedicated for one thing and one thing only! No bells and whistles please. This would be a slow and painful experience for me right now. It is the right way to go, but if CounterPoint comes to the conclusion that I am indeed worthy of playing with them, then I have to get my act in gear Chop, Chop!
So for all yo musicians out there, which way should I go!
Sing_cerly
Clearly confused in Canada!
Viking Guitars
For the inner Viking in all of us!
Keep On Jammin’
Songs Of David Byrne and Brian Eno Tour Live at Massey Hall
David Byrne appeared in concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall on October 30, 2008 in his “Songs Of David Byrne and Brian Eno Tour”. The concert was in honour of the duo’s first album in 27 years, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (in stores Nov. 25), and brought seven musicians (some who danced) and three dancers (some who played instruments) along with him.
My old high school friend Carl Wilson, a writer for the Globe and Mail did a review of the show!
He is a music critic for the Globe and Mail, Slate and other media outlets in Toronto. If you ever get the opportunity to meet Carl, maybe while taking in a show that he is writing about somewhere, ask him what he thought about a song we did together live called “Peanut Butter”!
His article was the only reference that led me to this show. I think his piece in the Globe and Mail described it rather nicely!
David Byrne (Talking Heads), is just fantastic to listen to, especially live! Life During War Time as well as Psycho Killer on Stop Making Sense, is David at his musical best. I LOVE playing Life During War Time on acoustic guitar for my brother, I mainly play what the keyboardist is doing, maybe that’s why so many guitar players are looking at me strangely when I play this with them.
Brian Eno (Roxy Music) simply needs no introduction. Everything he touches turns to musical gold! What else can you say about the guy! Same Old Scene, from Flesh and Blood is the one masterpiece that needs to played at 11 on your volume control! Thanks Ken, Allan and Tony and lets not forget Tim M., for bringing him to my attention, oh about 30 years ago!
I’ve never seen either one of these guys live, that’s my loss. So who out there has seen these troubadour’s live? Are they worth the price of admission?
Keep on Jammin’
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