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Archives for 2011

So AUX TV can’t play more video’s?

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So the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) is up to their old crazy ways are they? These people … have to be smokin’ something else other then tobacco. Please just read the below caption.

Three months after the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission told MuchMusic it can’t air fewer music videos than it already does, the same federal agency has denied a request to play more of them on a cable music channel that’s become a launching pad for dozens of independent Canadian artists. Vancouver Sun

This story was in the Vancouver Sun on February 15, 2011. How does a decision like this happen. Who actually calls it? What was their reasoning behind it?

I like watching Aux TV. The amount of indie acts are great and I think this kind of platform is desperately deeded around here. I’ve been watching AUX TV since Oct 2009 and although I’m not a huge dedicated fan, I like the change it brings to my TV entertainment.

Can someone out there tell me how/why the CRTC came to this conclusion?

Keep on Jammin’




Who will make the Rolling Stone’s next cover?

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On the cover of the rollingstone, dr hook and the medicine show On the cover of the Roll~ing Stone … remember that tune made those crazy guys from Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show so famous?

 

Well as it turns out, the Rolling Stone is going to let their faithful readers choose what band, 16 unsigned bands, to be placed on their iconic cover in a 4 round contest.

At the end of the showdown, two of the last remaining acts will perform on stage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee early this summer.

I can’t even imagine the thrill that will get cha …

Keep on Jammin’


Picked up a iPod Touch last weekend

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We just picked up the iPod Touch, 4th generation, over the weekend. The thinking behind getting one was to place all of our audio collections, both CD’s & Vinyl albums, in one easy to access, portable or stationary entertainment system. The purchase of the iPod Touch has been swimming around in our minds for quite some time now.

iPod Touch 34gigabit 4th Generation During the sales pitch by an Apple rep in the store we were in, she brought to our attention (mine actually because my wife, as usual, was light years ahead of me in understanding what wondrous things this product can bring to us) to the options that come with it.

Then it came to me that this thing appears to look and act just like the iPad. Right after this thought, she said that some of the Apps on the iPad Touch can also be used on the iPod. The rep concluded that the look of an App itself, on either one, might differ a little bit, who really cares if it works on both.

A while ago I talked about this appealing guitar app called the Amplitube that is used on an iPad. I considered this one as an excellent idea for someone like myself. So now I’m wondering if I could get the Amplitube on the the iPod Touch? I’ll get back to ya on what I find later on.

Does anyone out there have one and like to advise me on what Guitar Apps is worth looking into that actually work?

Keep on Jammin’

What is the Fretlight Guitar

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I just found this ad on my one of my sites for something called a Fretlight Guitar and the first thing that popped into my mind was a guitar neck that has lights inserted into a fretboard that indicates where to place your fingers.

I guess this would be a great idea for beginners but it does sound a little bit gimmicky to me. If you were a drummer, would you buy a drum kit that has lights in the middle of your drum skin, telling you which one to hit? I guess it’s a start.

I cannot say through personal experience if this guitar is worth it, for someone like myself, but it might be ideal for a beginner.

I found this silly/cheesy video that gets to the point in a humorous way. I found tons of other ones that would bore you to sleep or a guy in the video’s who’s voice would make you close your browser window faster then a speeding bullet, so I picked this one.

The guy below doing the critiquing is definitely not the type of guitarist that I would aspire to become but he cuts right to the meat and potatoes part of the question!

Obviously if you want more info about this guitar, just search their site or Youtube where of coarse you’ll find 5 billion video’s about it. I should know, I just spent roughly 1 hour doing so!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oJLbJCPhsU&feature=fvw

Pros about the Fretlight.

I will say that if you are just starting out playing the guitar and you might wish to find unique ways of speeding up the learning curve, then this might be an idea worth looking into. The software looks promising. Up to now, Fretlight has a limited number of songs in their program to show you, that will expand I imagine, as the company grows. Some of the options are interesting.

You can slow the speed of the song down when your learning from the software. In the beginning, your not as agile with your fingers as you think are. You need to slow down and take each part or phrasing of a song apart bit by bit until you master it. It’s better to sound like shit at home then in front of people! It’s great that they have a looping section here. This allows you to practice over and over again a part of the song until you have it down perfectly, this option I really like.

Cons about the Fretlight

This is JUST A PRACTICE GUITAR. The quality of the guitar is ok if that is what you want. For around $300 bucks, what do you think you’ll for that. I went to more then a couple of guitar forums and that seems to be the consensus.

If you have had any exposure to the Fretlight Guitar, then I’d love to hear your point of view of this instrument.

Keep on Jammin’

Nash the Slash and Iggy Pop interview

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Here is a rare video of Nash the Slash and Iggy Pop interviewing themselves after a concert in Calgary Alberta sometime in 1982. I think it was 1982 because Nash was on a North American tour with Iggy Pop from February-April in 1982.

They just appear to be having a great time in each others presence. I’m not sure what they’re getting at or if there is any purpose to the interview but it sure is entertaining at times! In one section someone alludes to the fact that it is being shot in a local TV studio somewhere in Calgary.If anyone out there knows more about the video please tell me, I’d love to find out.

Nash can’t remember, but he thinks there are serious stories to be told here, but..he…can’t…. remember. Jim…..Help!!! Just kidding. Iggy and Nash remember everything that happened over the entire six week tour, but they refuse to incriminate each other.
Nash the Slash’s Gravesite

At one point in the video, they show us some of the finer points of yoga and stretching. Come to think of it, they may have been the forerunners of the 20 Minute Workout video’s? Remember that show?

The video is very poor and grainy at times, I’ll warn you now.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZnP_oNVko

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of meeting the man, without the bandages, at a local patio. It was so cool to finally meet a boyhood legend that it left me speechless … yes speechless!

Keep on Jammin’

Happy Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

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Ok this is way out there but Happy Bubble Wrap(B.W.) Appreciation Day!

Ah come on, everybody loves B.W! You have to admit that at least once in your life you saw a piece of B.W. just sitting there in front of ya, looking right back saying, Ah come on over here and get a little fix! Nobody’s watching.

Many years ago I ran a Computer VAR warehouse when the company was first starting up. I was looking for an in to this company so I took it and ran with it. Anyway, we had tons of bubble kicking around the place. We had it in large long rolls, small pouches for RAM and loose pieces everywhere. When things got a hint stressful, bang, bang could be heard throughout the warehouse. It also helps to stop smoking … I heard that somewhere.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adk7pcR8004

So for some of you out there that might require a little bit of a B.W. popping fix, then this link is for you!

Keep on Popping!

Kitty Rock guitarist

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For all those who like to Rock … we salute you! This one kitty band sure has a lot going for it. The look and attitude are there, all that’s missing is a few more. The only thing that this Rocker is probably addicted to is cat nip!

Rock and Roll Kitty

Don’t ya just love the mini Marshall Amp, the hairdo and that wild look in killer Kitty’s eyes!

Keep on Jammin’

Music might be the best way to a man’s heart?

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So there is a new study out by Canadian researchers at McGill University in Montreal that says music helps the brain release the same feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. It’s just like the ones we get when we partake in our favorite foods, sex or, for some amount of us out there, illicit drugs. Got that ladies, maybe it’s time to get out of the kitchen and go take up an instrument that will allow you to make some wild music with the one your with? Oow, I bet I’m in a little trouble for that one! Just kiddin’ … kind of.

Music triggers the same pleasure-reward system in the brain as food, sex and illicit drugs, according to Canadian researchers who have been peering into minds of music lovers.

They’ve discovered the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine is released when people listen to their favourite music, be it rock, jazz or classical.Montreal Gazette

I found this piece in the Montreal Gazette and it caught my eye. It’s called Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll? You may just need the music: Study by Margaret Munro just this morning.

To read more about this topic check out this Health Canada link.

Keep on Jammin’

Austin City Limits moving to new location

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So the longest-running music series in American television history, Austin City Limits (ACL) is getting quite the upgrade and a new larger studio. The Moody Foundation of Galveston has donated a large sum of money to ACL for new HD production equipment and to boost seating from 320 to 2,750. Through their donation the Foundation gains the naming rights to the theatre to be called the Moody Theatre

Ok, I get it, they might want to upgrade/replace the old studio by how are they going to replace that feel that you get with a smaller much more intimate venue?

Not that I’m against the advancement of music halls but why don’t the designers work with what they have? Don’t they have the expertise and technology to do it correctly?

I’ve been a huge fan of ACL’s for so many years now that I can’t remember the first time I’ve ever seen it. The bands that they had were amazing. The complete listings of bands that have performed must be HUGE. Just check out some of the line ups that have been there on the Rolling Stone website, there’s no way you can read them all!

So check what I consider the best show ever to grace the stage at the famous Austin City Limits stage!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Cc-EoybFY

Keep on Jammin’

One nice Medieval looking Guitar

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This is one hell of a Medieval looking guitar that I found. The wood carving is extraordinary to say the least. I wonder what the artists sees in the wood that allows him/her to extract such a beautiful work of art out of it? If I had the time and the tools, I’d love to take a crack at creating a guitar as distinctive as this one.

mid evil dragon guitar

I wish that I could find a profile shot of this guitar. When I look at the volume control buttons in the bottom left of the guitar, it seems like they are counter sunk into the body. Does it look like that to you? If you look closely at the bottom right of the guitar near the rhythm pick up, it’s furthest pick up to the right, there is a coat of arms there. Is it me or does the writing look like it’s written in Arabic? Anyway, this thing looks awesome! The person that would suit this one perfectly would be my dear old friend Eddie! I hope you enjoyed it.

Keep on Jammin’

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