Search options (Page 7 of 159)

That's brilliant writing, Phill ... thanks for the grins & chuckles. You got me to thinking about other things which have to be used in pairs (gloves, shoes, ski poles, etc.) and how a missing one makes the other one pretty much useless. Glad you found your red-toed socks. Wear them with dignity, 'cuz they're probably the only socks on the planet that have a poem written about them.     

Thanks for this, BGD ... always enjoy hearing about new products.

I've never heard of Sono-Tones, and can't find anywhere online (in Canada) where they're sold. Since they're $18 / set in the US, they'll be about $25 here (before shipping) due to the currency exchange. I went through the same problem trying to find LaBella classical guitar strings in Canada.

I like what you said about how they sound on your Taylor, because I've also found that certain strings which sound good on one guitar, aren't so good on another. For example, a mahogany body guitar has a "boomier" low end, so a lighter / brighter 80/20 string seems to sound best. On a rosewood bodied guitar, a slightly heavier Phosphor Bronze string seems to work. And of course tone is as subjective as favorite ice cream flavors.     

Great choice, CG ... fantastic! The last verse profoundly summarizes the backdrop of life that goes into so much great music:

"So far my life's a journey
And I wouldn't change for anything
All those years of bold adventures
The highs and lows that make me sing
Within the swirling mists of time
Such sweet memories still often ring."
(written by John Mayall)

This is first class; thanks for sharing!     

Steven Wilson    "Song for Unborn"    London, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuxGW7xuTes

Mr. Wilson's newest live DVD release was recorded at Royal Albert Hall, London in March 2018, and released on DVD in November. The overall track selection contains more of his softer singer / songwriter material than usual, as well as older favorites from his solo work, and a few more from his years with Porcupine Tree. The only two musicians on thie DVD that are still there from his last one are Nick Beggs (bass) and Adam Holzman (keyboards). It's amazing to me that these other musicians can come in and play music they were never involved in creating, with such accuracy and feeling as if it were there own.

Wilson explains that "Song of Unborn" is a message of hope, for a child yet to be born into the world. In his words: "Song of Unborn in about recognizing the world is a wreck, but that every life is unique and can be turned into something special." The song originally appears on his 2017 CD "To the Bone".

That's excellent stuff, Peatle ... thank you. As you have correctly observed, scars from the past do indeed strangle any words with good intentions. We're now heading into a Federal Election campaign here in Canada, and are being asked to "pick our poison" based on two really shaky things:

a) Do the candidates mean what they say, or are they simply pandering to demographics to win?
b) Can we trust what the media shows us, which usually editorializes / journalizes what we hear beyond recognition?

I've always voted, but I don't like our choices this time 'round, and I'm not even certain we're being told what the real choices are.

The Norton's are fantastic, CG ... thanks for introducing them. But that clip of the youngster singing really made me smile. Just the fact that he would want to hang out with some other music folk much older than he is, and enjoy doing some blues together, says a lot. Really enjoyed both clips ... thank-you!

Great comment about the re-positioning of the bridge ... didn't notice that at first. As you say, intonation wasn't something that was talked about a lot at one time. Too bad there's some discoloration from where / when the bridge was slanted, but ... that's still a gorgeous instrument. I hope you have many happy hours playing it!     

The Aristocrats    "Gaping Head Wound"    Mexico, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvdMALPq5x8

In yesterday's "Tuesdays Flying Fingers" we were wondering about how musicians choose a name for an instrumental song. Here's an instrumental piece where a head injury happens during composition, and the guitarist explains how it all came about ... quite eloquently, I might add. These guys are essentially a jazz fusion group, comprised of GG on guitar (Govan Guthrie), MM on drums (Marco Minnemann), and BB on bass (Bryan Beller). They're each brilliant musicians in their own right, and have a tightness and chemistry that few groups can equal.

Guthrie toured with Steven Wilson (formerly of Porcupine Tree) for a while, who was asked about GG's involvement. Wilson explained that Govan could mop the floor with most guitarists, yet he was being asked in many songs to play simple riffs comprised of only a few notes. When Wilson asked Guthrie if he was okay with that, he replied: "Yes, because they're the right 4 notes." This clip is from their live compilation CD called "Culture Clash", released in early 2015 ... weird album cover:

Ewan Dobson    "Seduced & Beaten With Hammers"    (original)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0vY_2DZGoY

I haven't a clue as to what the title means, but this is some striking composition / playing from one of my favorite fingerstylists.     

Another dandy, Jim, and I especially love how it came into being, i.e., thoughts running around in your head, and an early morning awakening ... I think that's why so much of what you write sounds / reads so well. It always seems so natural and unforced, as if you weren't really trying to write a song. Does that even make sense?     

That's some great music, CG ... thank you muchly! I'd never heard of these guys, and gotta say Switzerland isn't the first country I think when it comes to good blues bands; and these guys are really good!     

Tangerine Dream    "Long Island Sunset"    Zurich, 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct40LFJpBEs

This song is taken from TD's 1989 album "Lily on the Beach" which was the 38th album in their prolific career. With only a few albums featuring vocals, it's an amazing feat that an instrumental group could have such a successful career. Beginning in 1967, with over 160 albums including some 60 film soundtracks, TD ranks as one of the longest performing, highest output bands of all time. It was in the 80's when TD started to add other instruments to their music, and not just synthesizers, digital sequencers, etc. A lot of traditional TD fans didn't like it, but most of us saw this as a stage of growth / evolution for the group. This performance is from their 2012 Electric Mandarine tour, and features the amazing Linda Spa on sax / flute, as well as the talents of guitarist Berhardt Beilbl and percussionist Iris Camaa.