Guitars, tips and great music discussions
Now this a river boat (guitar) that I’d love to take for a spin around Toronto’s waterfront! I bet that this is what David Wilcox was thinking of when he made that great tune of his called River Boat Fantasy.
Keep on Jammin’ (just watch out for those buoys)
Only at the Nashville Earth Day Festival, held in the city’s Centennial Park (complete with its own Parthenon) would we find a bass guitar made from melted and molded plastic bags. This is the best usage I have seen of plastic bags yet.
It’s actually an art project by a Metro Nashville student for the Trash Art Contest. Considering I have forgotten your birthday for many years now Aldo D., I just saw it and it screamed your name!
Keep on Jammin’
These guys in Japan have come up with the coolest looking electric guitar lighter ever! The detail on this thing is fabulous to look at. The one overall feel that this guitar has is a hypnotic one. It’s the same effect, to me anyways, like watching a bonfire while camping. It’s also like looking at one of those boats that are built in a glass bottle and wondering to yourself how do they get that thing in there? (BTW, how in the hell do they get them in there?!).
It looks like a classic old B.C. Rich guitar that was quite popular in the 80’s with all those big hair bands of the time. It comes complete with genuine imitation strings, pick ups, control numbers, you own electric guitar lighter stand and what closely resembles a Floyd Rose double locking system with fine tuners!
I think that it would be a hilariously funny gag gift for any guitar player! If your into it, then check out the link or look at a similar electric guitar lighter at Amazon! I have never dealt with this company before so I can’t attest to how good their services are.
Keep on Jammin’
I remember that good old days before digital music came our way. Listening to music that was on vinyl was more of a religious experience.
Do you remember rummaging through albums in your favorite music store? Flipping from one section to another. Noticing the old one that you already have in your collection at home. Having flashbacks of when you first took the plastic off it, putting it on your turntable and in the back of your mind noticing that you should change your stylist soon?
Now you gently cue up the turntable arm/needle over the part of the record that gives you a couple of seconds to first gently place the cover on it, then grab the album cover and open it up to where the lyrics are. It was like performing a holy sacrament.
Just a side note here: did anyone out there have a scratch on one of their favourite platters of vinyl that skipped during a small portion of a song? The only way to rectify it was to put a penny on the arm and hope for the best. Think of it as an early version of a software patch?!
If your record cover was quite old, it may of had a distinctive scent that reminded you of some special event that took place while listening to it. Mine mostly smelled of spilled beer, ha! Also some of the art work on them were really … well works of art! What was your favorite album cover? I had too many to chose from.
Speaking of works of art, my buddy Jon had this great album from Leon Redbone. I remember hearing it tons of time at his place when he was married. We thought that it was a master piece … but his ex-wife not so much! One day when Jon was practicing with his band, she went ahead and turned it into a popcorn bowl! Does this look familiar Pinhead (you know I love ya brother!)?
I still have this one moment that will etched into my mind forever. When I was in elementary school, we started this Kiss tribute band called Deuce. Kiss had just released this one song Beth, that was on their classic vinyl 1976 record called Destroyer. This tune was played on the piano though and I had only goofed around on this instrument from time to time. That day this song kept playing in my mind over and over again. I just sat there in my desk in a dream state. I could only imagine the keyboard, trying to figure it out in my little brain.
I then literally ran home to the piano and attempted to play it. I was able to get only 1/4 of the way through the song despite working on it all night long. The following day I told my mom that I was sick and that I had to stay home. Sure enough she bought it and I was able to finish figuring it out. The day that I returned to school I played it on the school piano to my buddy’s amazement.
I still get excited about figuring out a song that I have on new CD or one that I’ve found on Youtube but it’s still not the same as the old vinyl record! I’m lost for words on this topic.
Now a days it’s not quite the same. Sure you can go to a record/CD store and peruse through their collections. Talk to others close by about certain bands or other related things but it’s not the same. Most people out there today are just too self absorbed in their own world to even bother … well maybe not everyone, I’ll talk to anybody.
Today the many ways we have to access our favorite music seems sterile to me. You first turn on your computer, go to a site, do a search and then quickly download your favorite tunes. iTunes or iPods, what is your preferred choice of downloading?
Most people I know just get a single tune from a band and that’s it. The old way you were forced to get the entire album and be exposed to some songs that you don’t like at first. After listening to those ones a couple of times, some actually grow on you to become great tunes! Remember all those B side songs?
So am I being too overly dramatic here or do I have a point?
Keep on Jammin’
Gilligan’s Island the movie sounds like a big stretch but ah, what the hell. I can imagine the set now but I sure hope they keep that old coconut that still must be kicking around the island somewhere.
The theme song for this one is classic! It’s one of those songs that I love to play on my acoustic … late at a party that is! I have a collection of TV theme songs from past that are fun to play as well. Some of them are Beverley Hill Billie’s, The Brady Bunch, Flintstones (remember John Candy singing that one?), Friends and Green Acres! I remember playing Gilligan’s Island theme song in a bar one night as just a simple/stupid filler for a late set and to my amazement it just about brought the house down! The audience singing along WAY OUT OF KEY but it looked like they enjoyed it?! Music sure does calm the drunkin’ beast(s)!
Now for some interesting facts about the show!
The script of Gilligan’s Island the movie is to be written by Brad Copeland which is suppose to start be in production in 2011. Here’s the an idea for the cast that has been floating around on line for some time now.
Gilligan: Michael Cera
The Skipper: Zach Galifianakis
Thurston Howell III: Abe Vigoda (Barney Miller) this one is the best by far!
Lovey Howell: Judi Dench
The Professor: Jeff Daniels
Mary Ann: Anne Hathaway
Ginger: Christina Hendricks
So far I like it already! Any other personal picks for the members of this one? Come on, give it a go it’ll be fun!!!
Keep on Jammin’
I’m not really too sure what to think about a guitar that is created to look like a fish. It looks kinda neat and might drive your cat crazy but besides that I wonder how this one plays? Maybe it’s for the fisherman’s inner guitar player in him/her. I’d love to see it’s case!
Keep on Jammin’
I’ve never been in a Mosh Pit before but it sure looks fun! A Mosh Pit looks like something that you should experience at least once in your life, if your in GREAT shape that is. This pic shows that it’s open up for anyone and isn’t that what life’s all about?! Has anyone out there been in one before I’d love to know what it is all about!
God that looks like a blast doesn't it!
Keep on Jammin’
This is video is performed by the best Cardiologist that I’ve ever met! The guy does everything. It’s taken during a Christmas party a few years ago that I not attend. I work with all of these great people that are in the video and yes they are pretty much always that happy!
Warning, I hope that you have a strong stomach for this one.
Keep on Jammin’ (or should I say beating?)
talk about one hell of a hot keyboardist! This is something that you would be exposed to when you witness my old keyboardist friends Tony F or Rick M while sitting on the side of the stage!
The bass player reminds me of those crazy bassists that I’ve had the honour of playing with, Chris Noto or Jon Penrose! No sense no feeling boys?! Ah, just kiddin’ ya!
Keep on Jammin’
My ever so vigilant wife found out that the Mock Rock gods Spinal Tap were going to perform 2 songs on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
She PVR’d it, or TIVO’d for my US readers, for me and as usual, they were right out of this world!
The 2 songs they did was from their latest album titled Back from the Dead!
The first one was called Funky Sex Farm (3 of 4). It is an ultra modern day funk sound that is riveting from start to finish! Who says old men can’t ROCK!
David St. Hubbins, who is played by actor Michael McKean, is fabulous in this performance. The solo that he did was really sweet! Playing a lead while singing takes some practice and talent. He certainly has both down pat! He also has a Jeff Beck sound to his playing throughout the whole song, NICE! “Fathering your live stock” was the funniest line in the song!
Nigel Tufnel‘s, who is played by actor Christopher Guest, guitar style in this one was simple and to the point. When the band was being interviewed in the beginning of the second song, Nigle was so funny. I just about fell off the couch!
Next, is the bass player with the Lemmy mustache from Motorhead. Derek Smalls had a nice groove going on in this one. I was very impressed with his performance. He, like Nigel in the early years of Spinal Tap, was a simple, no nonsense kinda of player. I think some bass slapping would be perfect here.
At the end of this one, they ventured into a genre that I never thought spinal Tap would ever enter into … they rapped. G.D. that was hilarious! The song overall fit into their wheel house and most of all it was very tight.
The second tune(4 of 4)was a more bluesy type song called Give me some Money. They seemed to pull this one off perfectly. It’s got that Texas Rock feel to it with a 60’s keyboard oriented band sounds to it. straight forward R & R, too bad they they didn’t get all of it on the video.
So God bless and long live the boys in Spinal Tap and hopefully many more years of mock rocking to come!
Keep on Jammin’