I’ve got nearly 100 old vinyl records in a box from 30 years ago or more…I always swore I would get back into vinyl one of these days and yesterday was that DAY!
With the resurgence of vinyl, turntables have suddenly become the NEW IN THING, for some audiophiles of course, they never went OUT…but slowly and surely they have picked up popularity to the point where turntables are quickly becoming a must-have for the mainstream music lover again – COOL!!
So, after weeks of research, I decided to go with the Rega Planar 1 (P1) turntable – made by a company from the UK who have been making high quality turntables for decades. As you’ll see in my video – I was NOT disappointed, and I know if you are ready to take a step back (or forward) toward a love of vinyl you will NOT be disappointed either – here’s the unboxing, setup and review…ENJOY!
Filed under audio equipment by on Jan 20th, 2019. Comment. 
For many of us, the passing of BB King still leaves a massive gap – he truly had the 3 keys to living a fulfilling and impact-filled life:
– He was a generous soul, self-made and continued to lift everyone around him with his music, advice and example long after he had made it big
– He stayed true to his passion and talent…from the churches he always played music that had feeling never succumbing to over-production or changes in direction he did not believe in
– He worked hard (perhaps the hardest working musician out there) to ensure he could bring his music and positive message to the masses
On this day, BB King would have been 91 and I still miss him and his spirit each day.
Here’s a great retrospective from blues guitar phenom Joe Bonamassa – as he see’s BB King’s influence professionally and personally…
Filed under bb king, blues guitar by on Sep 17th, 2016. Comment.
It’s been a good start to the Fall so far with some legendary veteran blues giants releasing new and exciting material.
First, the Texas band lead by Kim Wilson, “The Fabulous Thunderbirds” have come out with the critically acclaimed “Strong Like That” which is made up of 10 original tunes from this veteran blues band.
Here’s a taste of the opening track “I know I’m losing you” which includes a funky beat with tasty slide guitar – you’ll get wrapped up in this one and smell the BBQ and feel the vibe…
Second, the ageless Eric Clapton bestows an incredible collection of work on us with the just released “I Still Do” with my favorite number being “Somebody Knockin” showing Clapton still leads us down the blues music journey.
With especially big shoes to fill now that many of the blues guitar legends are gone, Eric Clapton has stepped up his game and taken that responsibility firmly in hand.
His second work due out in mere weeks (you can pre-order as I have done) is what appears to be a magical night with his former band mates (Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II) with Live In San Diego
What makes this one particularly special is that JJ Cale also appears, a massive influence and talent in his own right, Cale keeps music as real as it gets! They sound incredible on “Any Way The Wind Blows” – you can sample it here
For all of you Eric Clapton fans out there, this will need to be part of your collection.
Finally, have to give a shout OUT to my Canadian buddy and reigning blues master up here in Canada – Colin James who is about to release a re-visitation of the blues aptly titled “Blue Highway”. Colin has always focused on being a diverse artist spanning big band, country to straight ahead rock but his roots are firmly in the blues and it’s great to see him back in the genre I always felt brought out the best in him.
For any of you who have not yet heard of or tasted Colin’s blues, this is the time to jump in – I guarantee you will not be disappointed. He’s our secret up here in Canada – but we willingly share him with the world!
You guys have another new blues release you are excited about? Leave a comment and let other readers know about it.
Filed under blues guitar, blues releases by on Sep 15th, 2016. Comment.
More than ever we need to be reminded what BLUES is really like.
As we continue to lose the legends, Albert King, BB King, Stevie Ray, Albert Collins…it seems more amazing than ever when you go back and discover the true great blues guitar legends and how in-tune they were to the feeling in a song.
Today’s generation of lip-synch, electronically created music, at its best, takes creativity – we have to give kudos for that…but not for a minute does anyone believe there is the degree of feeling, emotion and GUTS in just 60-seconds of a song like this one from Albert King.
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Sep 11th, 2016. Comment.
Lonnie Mack never seemed to really get his due overshadowed by more mainstream blues guitar legends (the King’s, Eric Clapton) and later people like Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan in the great blues rebound of the 1980’s and 90’s…Stevie Ray Vaughan indeed brought attention back to Mack citing the influence of Wham! on Stevie’s own playing.
We lost Mack earlier this year in April, he had stoppped playing in the early 2000’s – but as with all great music legends, his influence remains.
Equally as influential was Mack on the Southern Rock of bands like Lynrd Skynrd and the Allman’s in the 70’s and 80’s – in his playing you can hear a passionate mix of major penatonic as well as straight ahead blues scales so it is no wonder that Mack influenced the likes of Dicky Betts and Gary Rossington
Take a look at one of the finder performances Lonnie has of Stop…notice how he ramps up the energy in this song through both his playing and under-appreciated singing
Indeed Stevie Ray Vuaghan and Lonnie had a special relationship as Stevie idolized Lonnie as he did so many other great blues legends that came before him…here is Stevie Ray and Lonnie performing WHAM – great stuff!!
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on Aug 3rd, 2016. Comment.
80-years ago today the legendary Buddy Guy was born in Lettsworth, Louisiana but came to rule the early blues explosion of Chicago – a powerful blues guitar great who influenced the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Stevie Ray Vaughan – he was truly the bridge from the early Southern Blues into modern Chicago blues and all points in between.
In his early twenties Guy moved to Chicago and was fascinated with Muddy Waters. He soon linked up with Junior Wells where they collaborated on early blues work. As his sound evolved, Guy found himself as a critical bridge between traditional blues and rock & roll – electric with a showmanship that appealed to rock stars from Led Zepplin to Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones
As many early blues musicians, financial reward and anything approach mainstream success eluded them.
In the blues revival years of 1980 both Stevie Ray Vuaghan and Eric Clapton championed the skill and influence Guy had on their careers revitalizing a career that had largely gone unnoticed.
With Buddy Guy’s Legends blues club in Chicago and a solid legacy of critically acclaimed blues music, Buddy now is one of the elder statesman of the blues. Since the death of blues legend BB King, guy has come under new focus as one of the last remaining links between the old blues and the newer blues artists including Gary Clark Jr and Kenny Wayne Shephard.
Here is a terrific performance at Red Rocks – watch as guy dominates the stage with his guitar, his voice and his personality. It is this domination that rock musicians took on their climb to rock and roll hall of fame…
Filed under Blues Legends, buddy guy, rock and roll by on Jul 31st, 2016. Comment.
It always seemed to me that BB King was larger than life itself.
That perfect note, that deep felt solo, that big smile and that deep growl followed by perfect vibrato in his gifted voice.
The definition of a great musician is when you instantly recognize them no matter what they play – more than anyone else that was true of BB King
He not only set the bar for multiple generations of blues guitar players and blues musicians, but held everyone to a human standard that we need so much in today’s world.
An unconditional love, optimistic view that sets expectations for those who may have been down or trodden to rise up and be the best they can be…and we get that through his music too. Just because he played blues didn’t mean it gave us the blues. In fact, he gave us an outlet through which to FEEL real emotion, to stop and think about things and get back in tune with our heart instead of our head.
Here is one of my favorite BB King tunes…I can’t believe an entire year has gone by since the King of the Blues was silenced – maybe that’s because he still sings and plays on in my head as if he were just around the corner at his favorite juke joint or concert hall.
That sound will carry me through the next year, until we stop and remember the King of the Blues once again…until then, let’s continue to listen and learn from the vast material BB King left us with.
This is “How Blue Can You Get” performed live at Sing Sing Prison in 1972 – all I can say is WOW!
Filed under bb king, Blues Legends by on May 15th, 2016. Comment.
Just back from a trip to Texas, can’t be in that state without thinking of ZZTop – been to many of their concerts and have even dabbled a time or two with some of their songs and guitar licks…great music.
Take a look at this early picture they posted on their Instagram account…he Billy, where’s the BIG beard dude?
Filed under blues guitar, texas blues by on May 13th, 2016. Comment.
Love this interview with blues legend Jimmie Vaughan, has so many great stories – music or otherwise.
How one of his guitars is now for sale in LA for $1M, why he chose to play Fender guitars and how he learned to stop imitating his heroes instead choosing to find his own voice.
Such great advice…think of yourself sitting with all of your greats and it comes to your turn, what would you play?
You can’t imitate them…you’re screwed unless you have something original that sounds like you to play…such great advice.
Filed under Blues Legends, jimmie vaughan by on May 9th, 2016. Comment.
Happened to be down in the music Capital of The World…Austin TX last week and was happy to catch Tommy Shannon (Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Arc Angels, and the list goes on), David Holt (long time axe man including Storyville with Double Trouble) and Tommy Taylor (drummer Christopher Cross, Eric Johnson) at Anotone’s
They played the early show and the crowd was thin (Wed night at 6:30 is not exactly prime blues concert time), but the music was SWEET!
Here’s a little clip, guys sounded great…couldn’t help think that they were a little miffed at the poor turnout, maybe doing a better job at engaging the people who WERE there would have been a good second option as Antone’s builds it’s clientele once again after moving to a 6th location on East 5’th street across from the tall Hilton Hotel (a little off the East 6th street music row, but easily walkable from most locations downtown)
Get out and support Antone’s, get out to see Tommy and the boys – they really are super talented…lots of fun!
Filed under blues guitar, Blues Legends by on May 1st, 2016. Comment.
