Robert Johnson Gibson L-1
Every great movement has its legends, for blues – and blue guitar especially – no legend is greater than that of Robert Johnson.
A mystery man that was known by many names, by all accounts a transient who never stayed in one place very long, and a man who died young under very suspicious circumstances. Born in 1911, Johnson’s life was cut short in 1938.
Along the way, there was the odd disappearance of an “average” blues guitar player and the re-emergence of a masterful, almost “beyond-human” guitar man leading to the legendary story of how Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at the Crossroads of Highway 61 and U.S. 49 in the Mississippi Delta.
Today I came across this story in the hometown newspaper of Johnson’s confirmed birth – Hazlehurst Mississippi – “Hazlehurst To Restore Blueseman’s Home” where the county is close to reaching its objective of raising funds to restore the house.
Will the restored house bring tourist dollars to the county? Perhaps – in any case it is good to see reminders of the great musical artists in history, sort of a snapshot in time.
What is your favorite Robert Johnson song? Sweet Home Chicago? Crossroad Blues, Hellhound on My Trail? Others?
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Nov 13th, 2009. Comment. 
I was first “infected” with Joe Bonamassa about a year ago when I was wandering through a music store and instantly recognized a blues guitar “real deal”
You know the feeling you get when you hear something that is so real – the hair stands up on your neck and suddenly all of your senses are tuned in for that 5-10 minutes.
Now 32, having started at just 12 years old, there is no doubt Joe Bonamassa is experienced – beyond his years, knows how to put it all together channeling energy reminiscent of the greats, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and of course BB King, Buddy, Albert and Freddy before them.
The marriage of Fender Strat, Marshall amps, technical prowess and that kick you in the gut power when he is tuned in makes him one of the leading blues guitar greats today.
Take a listen to this phenomenal version of “If Heartaches Were Nickels” – over 7-minutes you hear it all, finesse, power, feeling, tone and technical mastery:
Haven’t seen Joe yet – well he has just released a new packaged DVD from his recent concert at Royal Albert Hall – Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Here is the trailer – take a look:
Right from the point he was a young boy Joe had a dream to be a blue guitar player and someday, play Royal Albert Hall. Watching this DVD inspires us all to dream big and we too can eventually reach our dreams.
This Bonamassa Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall
DVD is chalk-full of inspiration and incredible blues guitar – shades of Stevie Ray as he made his way to the top. Folks, we finally have the next major blues guitar hero in our midst.
Filed under blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa, New Blues by on Nov 12th, 2009. Comment.
With 11 albums (12 counting the 1995 compilation title “Then Again”) blues guitar great Colin James is now well into his 3rd decade in music here in Canada. Having honed his chops with the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan – Colin is one of the few that has mixed elements of raw blues guitar with soul, R&B, straight ahead rock and jump/big band blues.
His new album is on the away out – titled “Rooftops and Satellites” I’m excited to hear what this innovative blues artist is up to next.
I’ll also be watching this Tuesday November 10th at 10PM Eastern on Canadian cable channel Bravo when Colin appears as part of the Motown 50th anniversary special filmed in Toronto.
For those of you who can’t catch him on Bravo – here are a couple of clips of Colin at his finest:
This legendary show is where Colin got to share the stage with blue guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. While this wasn’t his best performance, there is still magic and obvious chemistry between Stevie and Colin. Ever since these early days spent with Stevie, I swear there is some of Stevie’s soul that was transferred to Colin – it comes out on his best solo’s and best nights – you almost swear you see flashes of Stevie Ray as he hits the perfect note!
And now…for some new stuff, this one’s on Colin’s new album “Rooftops and Satellites” – a rockin blues guitar tune titled “Man’s Gotta Be A Stone”. This one has a ZZ Top feel to it, but with Colin’s smooth voice and some Colinesque guitar parts – whatta you think?
And last but not least – a really improvisational version of his hit single “Keep On Loving Me Baby” where he loses himself totally in the solo and touches on “Third Stone From The Sun” and then finishes with the rhythm to “Hidden Charms” with lots of other goodies thrown in for good measure – take a listen:
Finally – Colin is heading out on tour across Canada in early 2010 – take a look at his new website to find out where he will be and how you can catch up with him – his live shows are ALWAYS awesome!
Oh..and if there are any other Canadians (or U.S.) people who have heard Colin and want to weigh in – leave a comment and let us hear from you.
Jeff
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Nov 9th, 2009. Comment.
Nice to see that some of the newer blood – Jonny Lang is active with one of the more experienced members of the blues guitar scene – Robert Cray. I’ve had the chance to see Jonny 3-times at different venues and Robert Cray at least that many times, often at the Ottawa Blues Festival.
They are appearing together at bergenPAC November 11th in Englewood NJ at 8PM, a show you won’t want to miss
Not only is this a great combination in terms of styles – the rough and powerful with the smooth and tasteful Robert Cray – but these guys could really feed off one another. Robert Cray can feed off of Jonny’s energy and Jonny can tap into some of Robert’s amazing soul.
If you get the chance to see either one of them…and you have even a moderate interest in blues guitar, then get out and see them as soon as you can.
According to Robert Cray’s website, he will be visiting Southern Ontario, Northern New York, Boston, NJ and Indiana before the end of the year, followed by some California dates in the New Year.
I really like to listen to Robert’s playing because he constantly moves across many scales from traditional blues into major and minor scales always channeling his feeling and coming up with great melodies as he moves through his songs.
Bending, shaking and interacting with his Fender Stratocaster guitar, Robert has a unique sound that will infect you when you get out and see him live.
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Oct 22nd, 2009. Comment.
My guitar and gear
I was reading a column on an internet news site today talking about The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White in their new movie “It Might Get Loud” and really connected with the incredible joy these masters have (especially the long-time veterans Jimmy and The Edge) with their first guitar.
I still remember mine being a “Sonic” – sort of a take-off on an Ibanez that with dual humbuckers that had some good crunch, but really had some poor sustain.
My next guitar is shown above – and the one I still play the most today which is an American Standard Strat I picked up almost 10-years ago. Other than some adjustments, some wiring repair work (as well as an upcoming whammy bar replacement as you will notice it is missing in the picture…), this baby has done me very well.
Also in the picture is my Fender Twin and a few effects boxes including an Ibanez tube screamer (the green effects box on top of the amp) and a new Goudie FX Blue Daddy which acts as a combination – Fat Strat Tone accelerator and overdrive – “crunch” box where I can get the nastiest Stevie Ray Vaughan tone…or at least as close to it as I have come with various combinations of amplifiers and effects boxes.
What about you? Do you remember your first guitar? Which early guitar do you consider your “First Love?”
Filed under blues guitar, Fender guitar by on Oct 21st, 2009. Comment.
