West Coast Blues Thread - Version 2.0

[TwoFeets]

I don't think I could work a hat like George.

[Dave Orban]

I don't think I could work a hat like George.So few can. ;)

[fretshop]

fret, the ampegs (B15 as well) used the classic Baxandall tone stack arrangement. been around since the 40's. most all vintage hi-fi stuff and studio equipment as well used this design (well, not a Pultec!). very different from a fender ts. that "mid dip while turning up the bass" is an inherent part of the design. they sound great but yeah, it can be annoying for a guitarist. it's a design that does'nt lend itself well to a midrange control either. if you ever saw graphs on it's "action" you'd see what i mean (i had some but they're lost in cyber-land). it took THD a long time time to figure out how to shoehorn a mid control into that circuit; the flexi is rare for a modern amp in that uses a modified Baxandall stack.

Yeah, now that I'm looking at it, it resembles an old tube phono circuit. Ampeg got heavy into the headroom game from what I can see of the 1967 RR/Gemini tone stacks. Not much versatility there. The components were all very high quality audio stuff as well. My coveted black series 60's British Philips receiver has similar components. Fender started screwing up in the same manner for awhile after CBS engineers stuck their noses into the gutiar amp line.

[dukeh62]

Nick,

I'd like to extend my thanks to you and Darrell for your hospitality this past weekend. I know things were hectic and we didn't have much time to chat. I rolled in at about 8:00PM on Friday evening and had dinner at Harry's, then hit the sheets so I could get up early for some shopping and sight seeing. I can't believe how packed the club was on Saturday night....Geeez !!

George...you mean you drove all the way out to Harry's and left before we played there Friday night? Bummer!!!!

[fretshop]

E-mail me and I'll tell you where I bought it. I'm buying another one today. The best looking stingy brim hat I ever owned. Somehow or other, the hat maker got ahold of the mold and form specs for 'ol blue eyes "stingy" fedoras.

[fretshop]

George...you mean you drove all the way out to Harry's and left before we played there Friday night? Bummer!!!!

Eric,

We were exhausted from driving for over seven hours and had to be up no later than 7:00AM to meet some people at a near by Diner.

I also didn't want my new hat to distract the audience.

[Dave Orban]

Eric,

We were exhausted from driving for over seven hours. We also got a lousy meal and were subjected to very slow service from a waitress who kept screwing up our order.

I also didn't want my new hat to distract the audience.

A wise move, no doubt.

[Strat-O]

At my age, all I could do was thank her for the drink

Huh? She was eyeing the the cutta yo' jib bro! Time to get the GROOVE on! Cha-Ching baby! Next time, I make the professional recommendation that you retrieve that ID for her.
:dude

[mikelaw]

eric, im driving with ryan to memphis and i doubt ill watch the band. ill be too wrecked. lol. maybe thats what georges problem REALLY was...

:) lol

[TwoFeets]

E-mail me and I'll tell you where I bought it. I'm buying another one today. The best looking stingy brim hat I ever owned. Somehow or other, the hat maker got ahold of the mold and form specs for 'ol blue eyes "stingy" fedoras.

Yes but did they use NOS material wherever possible?

[aja]

A good hat is hard to find.

[TwoFeets]

We've been discussing doing a live recording for demo purposes and such. It'll all be covers since that's all we've done together so far. There's a guy who lives locally that used to be out in L.A. He put together the band, produced and recorded Floyd Dixon's "Wake Up and Live" record. Guess he's a vintage audio and recording buff. Maybe once we've really tightened up, in a couple of months, we'll get something down.

[THINSOCKS]

Another great Youtube find. It's pretty cool to see Mary Osborne back there too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEJJjY-Pf34

[Poppa Stoppa]

I knew this sounded familiar - it's Peter Green's "Albatross", right? It's also on Steve Freund and Dave Specter's "Is What It Is" cd. Peter Green sure seemed to favor some fat drums for his own tunes which I dig alot. Link to Kid Andersen and Jr. Watson Guitarmegoddon "Mellow Blues" :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUqGYbQDM0
Peter Green is 100% THE MAN when it comes to the British guys back in the day;I've always enjoyed Eric C, but.......well, you know. Check Greeny out w/the early Fleetwood Mac next time you do a YouTube search. Gorgeous tone & taste, even when it rocks out.
Check out Fleetwood Mac in Chicago...I have the original records on Vinyl, but it was re-released. Greeny at his ultimate best. Side Men: Otis Spann, S.P. Leary, Walter Horton; Honeyboy Edwards; Willie Dixon; Buddy Guy; J.T. Brown.
Goldenstrat thanks for pointing that vid out! I kinda suspected Kid Andersen was a Mac fan. On one of the tracks off Musselwhite's Delta Hardware he does a perfect imitation of Danny Kirwan.

Freund & Specter also did Mac's 'Rollin' Man' on "Is What It Is". I always loved Green's playing on the original. He stole a lot of inspiration from BB King. When I heard BB for the first time on the radio, I thought I was listening to Fleetwood Mac (in my defence I was only 15).

Anybody hear Rick Vito's cover of 'I Loved Another Woman' on his album 'Pink & Black'? That's cool too.

Fretshop that Fleetwood Mac In Chicago double vinyl album was great! It came out here as 'Blues Jam At Chess'. For anybody wanting to check out more of this stuff, there is a great compilation of their six Blue Horizon records in one box, including 'Blues Jam In Chicago (At Chess)', with a lot of out-takes:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Blue-Horizon-Sessions/dp/B000021XPU

Greeny had that terrible illness, and used to be seen round these parts walking the streets like a tramp. When he started playing again he was awful, just abysmal. I heard him play in 2003 though and I was amazed because he'd got most of it back and was BURNING. I hear he's relapsed again - very sad if so.

Three people in the Mac camp suffered the same sort of mental problems: Green, Kirwan and one of their roadies from the early days. The theory I heard was that some punch they drank at a party in Germany was spiked with something very nasty.

I got my band to agree to try out Albatross this coming Saturday. They reckon it will be a great last number at 2am to bring the drunks back down to earth so we can all GO HOME.

[aja]

I have that Fleetwood Mac box set too I love it. Greene's vibrato kills me
every time.

[THINSOCKS]

Three people in the Mac camp suffered the same sort of mental problems: Green, Kirwan and one of their roadies from the early days. The theory I heard was that some punch they drank at a party in Germany was spiked with something very nasty.

Don't leave out Jeremy Spencer. He's a nut too. He left the band to join the Children Of God cult

[fretshop]

eric, im driving with ryan to memphis and i doubt ill watch the band. ill be too wrecked. lol. maybe thats what georges problem REALLY was...

:) lol


Did you talk to the bartender ? Well, we did toss a few down with the boss. I love that club. For someone from N.J., the blues starved state full of "I paid my dues" wannabes sporting Tex Mex hats, or Berets, leather vests soul patches and beer bellies,...(oh I forgot the snake skin cowboy boots and black Wayfarers) Harry's is real culture shock. The vibe reminds me ALOT of Blind Willie's in Atlanta. The place was PACKED Saturday evening. People of all ages, young and old were out there on the dance floor booooogie'n. I had the opportunity to chat with folks from Mass., Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut and Europe. Some folks, like me actually drove up in the rain just to hang out and hear Darrell. I returned home to our local blues haunt where a band was working their asses off to about nine or ten people at the bar....most of them were carrying on conversations and no really there for the music. Sucks.

Gotta get a gig at Harry's.

[fretshop]

Poppa, let me know when you decide on the wire. If Charlie ain't got it I probably do.

[Scott Miller]

A lot of Chris's "Greaseland" is fun, crazy stuff, but on "Jumping at Shadows" he digs wayyyy deep. That's been my car CD of choice lately; it sounds great at 70mph. Prolly sounds really great at 90.

If blues evolves at all, it's not from musicians thinking "Hmmmm... what can I do to contribute to the evolution of blues?" it's just musicians being themselves, and, in Chris's case, being good enough to pull it off.

[TwoFeets]

I just got a call from the guy that books the Midnight Ramblers. He had me down as unavailable for the end of this month - beginning of next month because my wife is expecting, and indeed if she makes it that long she will be induced next Tuesday the 23rd. Anyhow, he just took a gig opening for Robert Cray on the HOB mainstage next Wednesday the 24th, and they got a fill-in for it, but he said I'm welcome to be the fifth member if I can pull it off... which I'm sure I won't be able to. Dammit!

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Scott, you drivin' 70 on that windy, hilly road from San Jose to Santa Cruz? I bet the tune "Whiskey" makes you go even faster. fred

[valcotone]

Another great Youtube find. It's pretty cool to see Mary Osborne back there too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEJJjY-Pf34


Wow!!! Thanks Frank. What a great jam. First time I heard Mary Osborne... nice playing and her tone really cut through that old recording. Very cool. Where can I hear more of her playing like that?

[THINSOCKS]

Wow!!! Thanks Frank. What a great jam. First time I heard Mary Osborne... nice playing and her tone really cut through that old recording. Very cool. Where can I hear more of her playing like that?

Welcome, Sean. Good luck! It's kind of been my obsession for the last few months to find more stuff she has played on. There is a CD called "From Swing To Bop Guitars" that has 3 tracks on it and is sort of easy to find. There is a killer version of Rose Room on that CD that may be even better then the Charlie Christian's version. "Blues in Mary's Flat" is good too. She's also on a handfull of songs on Stuff Smith's Proper 2-cd set. She has a great distorted tone on those cuts. She also did a record called "A Girl and her Guitar", but it usually goes for around $100-150 on Ebay. Cool cover too! I have some stuff of hers from the 60's on, but it's a lot more mellow. The 40's & 50's stuff seems were it's at. There is some other stuff from that period that she is on, but she mostly just plays rhythm. From what I have heard, she saw Charlie Christian for the first time in '37 and went out the next day and bought a ES-150 and started playing guitar.

[Scott Miller]

"Scott, you drivin' 70 on that windy, hilly road from San Jose to Santa Cruz? I bet the tune "Whiskey" makes you go even faster."

What, are you clairvoyant? The first time I heard that CD was on that road, driving home from Moe's Alley.

I once encountered an extremely drunk guy going the wrong way in the fast lane on that freeway. Whew...

[HappyValley]

Fretshop-
Great seeing you the other night, hat-n-all... what a crowd! Darrell was in great form & I thought the band had a strong night.....the 2 Marks grooved like the ol' pros they are. It was fun using my ES-5 ALL night...it's been YEARS since I've used one axe the whole gig!

[fretshop]

Scott, you drivin' 70 on that windy, hilly road from San Jose to Santa Cruz? I bet the tune "Whiskey" makes you go even faster. fred

Ohhhh yes !! I remember that stretch.

[fretshop]

"Scott, you drivin' 70 on that windy, hilly road from San Jose to Santa Cruz? I bet the tune "Whiskey" makes you go even faster."

What, are you clairvoyant? The first time I heard that CD was on that road, driving home from Moe's Alley.

I once encountered an extremely drunk guy going the wrong way in the fast lane on that freeway. Whew...

How about in the rain on a motor cycle. My cousin was a wild man.

[fretshop]

Fretshop-
Great seeing you the other night, hat-n-all... what a crowd! Darrell was in great form & I thought the band had a strong night.....the 2 Marks grooved like the ol' pros they are. It was fun using my ES-5 ALL night...it's been YEARS since I've used one axe the whole gig!


The ES-5 looked new. A couple characters had their eyes on it, although I don't think anyone would have made it out the front door with it...alive.

The hotel comped me a night due to the issues I descrbied to you...got home with some dough in my pocket.

BTW, I got an e-mail from the lady that sold me the hat. Beautiful royal fur felt...excellent quality. She told me that she's blowing out her inventory, and if I order six pieces they'll be very cheap. A hundred fifteen dollar hat for less than forty bucks....killer stingy brim.

[zappafrank]

Hey George---I just emailed ya---

ac

[TwoFeets]

The ES-5 looked new. A couple characters had their eyes on it, although I don't think anyone would have made it out the front door with it...alive.

The hotel comped me a night due to the issues I descrbied to you...got home with some dough in my pocket.

BTW, I got an e-mail from the lady that sold me the hat. Beautiful royal fur felt...excellent quality. She told me that she's blowing out her inventory, and if I order six pieces they'll be very cheap. A hundred fifteen dollar hat for less than forty bucks....killer stingy brim.

Got any pics?

[Dave Orban]

Got any pics?Yeah, really!

[aja]

I got to 6.66 GB's on my new iPOD last night , it must be a sign from the music gods lol !!

Also Sugar Ray and the Bluetones @ Black eyed Sally's Saturday night for anyone interested. I'm always excited to see what
guitar player he has with him. Its usually Monster Mike, Paul Size or Troy
Gonyea should be cool.

[Dave Orban]

I got to 6.66 GB's on my new iPOD last night , it must be a sign from the music gods lol !!

I've got 25 gig on one and 18 gig on the other. That's a LOT of songs. LOL!

Getting ready to fly to France on business tomorrow, so I guess I should have enough music to tide me over. ;)

[fretshop]

Hats: Ricky, Rick, Rob, Dave check your e-mails for sizing etc.

[TwoFeets]

Earworm alert - that Mitch Kashmar tune about the Green Bananas keeps going through my frakkin' head. DO NOT under any circumstances make that the last tune you hear before you get into work in the morning.

yadda in your pajamas
look like an ignoramus
munching on an onion ring

MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fretshop]

Has anyone tried, or heard the R.I. Jensen C 12 Q ?

The Eminence 121428 - 8 Ohm OEM manufacture speaker that I have sworn by since the 90's is no longer in production. The speaker has been used in the R.I. Ampeg Jets, and although it is a 20 watt unit with a 15 oz ferrite magnet, the thin ribbed paper cone and 1" paper voice coil made it a tone monster that at least equalled the performance my authentic Jensen and CTS speakers. If I don't want to spend booteek prices, it looks like one of the only options I have is the new Jensen stuff. Any opinions.

[dukeh62]

[quote=fretshop;2012689]Has anyone tried, or heard the R.I. Jensen C 12 Q ?/quote]

George, I THINK that's what is in my little 1x12 cabinet...and I LOVE it! Tons of really nice grind, and some good bottom too. I'll try to dig it out and look tonight for you.

[HappyValley]

[quote=dukeh62;2012728 Tons of really nice grind, and some good bottom too. I'll try to dig it out and look tonight for you.[/quote]

Grinding? Good Bottoms? What kind of thread IS this any way?:jo LOL

George......A drunk guy came up to me asking about the ES-5 (what year, HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH?!!); I told him it was a Korean knock off that I put decent pickups in and a fake sticker on the headstock and then made him promise not to report me to Gibson. You never know who's watching and waiting........
Sorry guys, no pics. I'll get some one of these days on the show. I'm lucky to get there on time with my guitars and amp/cables etc. without forgetting something, never mind a camera!

Here's to "The West Coast Hat appreciation Thread". ;)

[fretshop]

[quote=fretshop;2012689]Has anyone tried, or heard the R.I. Jensen C 12 Q ?/quote]

George, I THINK that's what is in my little 1x12 cabinet...and I LOVE it! Tons of really nice grind, and some good bottom too. I'll try to dig it out and look tonight for you.

Thanks Eric. Is it a reissue or original ?

[mikelaw]

nick---you are starting to sound like watson....oh its just a parts guitar. nice cover though....although i think you would be able to take anyone toe to toe physically. :)

george---i have c12r reissues, c10q's and i used to have c15n's as well. i LOVE them all. ceramic jensens wether old or new reissues I LOVE. for harp and guitar. especially for harp!

[dukeh62]

[quote=dukeh62;2012728]

Thanks Eric. Is it a reissue or original ?

George...it's a reissue. Sounds great! It took a few gigs to break in, but now I absolutely love it.

[aja]

Whoa 25 gig's !! Its gonna be fun to see how much I actually fill. Its a 30 gig
iPOD.

George could I see the hat too ?

[zappafrank]

. :)

george---i have c12r reissues, c10q's and i used to have c15n's as well. i LOVE them all. ceramic jensens wether old or new reissues I LOVE. for harp and guitar. especially for harp!


Well George---I'm gonna be the sour grapes on this one---I have not heard a new Jensen I like yet...BUT...I had a RI C12N in something that was a pretty 'clean' tone amp, and that could be why---just brittle, ugly highs to me---oh yeah, it was in a silverface 75' Deluxe Reverb amp I had---and why Victoria insists on using the newer Jensens for so many of their amps, I just don't know---but I just had to have my 61' P15N that I've had less than a year in my Clark reconed---so there IS a cost saving plus-side to newer Jensens!!:)

YMMV--of course---

Now to go measure my head.....

ac

[bbarnard]

Just found out that the North Central Florida Blues Society quarterly concert that we've got coming up on Feb 28th will have an extra added bonus. We had booked Mark Hummel and the Blues Survivors (couldn't afford the whole Harp blow out thing with Kim and Charlie M). Then yesterday I found out that he'll have Rusty Zinn with him on guitar!!! Cool beans. Haven't had a chance to see Rusty before. Maybe I can grab a lesson from him while he's in town.

[mikelaw]

pretty 'clean' tone amp, and silverface 75' Deluxe Reverb amp I had
ac

....i dont think speaker matters much with a 75 deluxe bro. unless you left the cardboard on the front of the speaker. LOL :AOK

[pete kanaras]

Well George---I'm gonna be the sour grapes on this one---I have not heard a new Jensen I like yet

well, i'd have to agree with that one. the c10q's (4) i had were harsh, ice-pick city and stiff as hell; no amount of breaking in opened them up. but i really do want to try out a jensen neo for practical reasons; to get under the 55# weight limit for airlines. deluxe reverb/samsonite 30" clamshell suitcase. with a 2-10 baffle i've gotta pay an extra $26 each way, grrr. if the neo sounds better than decent (and i hear they do, compared to other neo's ) it'll be very cool. if not i'll stick with the 2-10's (emi legend ceramics) or get a real c12n and just pay the overage.

[Short Bus]

I just got a call from the guy that books the Midnight Ramblers. He had me down as unavailable for the end of this month - beginning of next month because my wife is expecting, and indeed if she makes it that long she will be induced next Tuesday the 23rd. Anyhow, he just took a gig opening for Robert Cray on the HOB mainstage next Wednesday the 24th, and they got a fill-in for it, but he said I'm welcome to be the fifth member if I can pull it off... which I'm sure I won't be able to. Dammit!

That could start being a habit with you Feets. Missing those gigs with the Ramblers. You gotta get your priorities right, man! :NUTS

[rhartt1234]

Hypothetical situation:
You get a gig opening for a national Blues act at a rather large theater. You have to sell your own tix. 30 is the target given by the venue and while a bit of stretch it seems do-able. As time wears on the venue adds more and more bands to the bill. Four bands, not including you and the headliner. They are not blues bands and, in your opinion, have no business on this bill. You won't know what order or time you will perform until the event begins and as a result it even seems like this bill is preventing you from selling tickets: "Well we want to see you guys and insert-national-act-here, but we don't want to sit through 4 sh!tty rock bands." Waddya do? Bag it because it is a poorly executed bill? I guarantee the fans of the other 4 bands are not fans of the headliner or even blues. Or do you tough it out in hopes of getting more and/or better gigs at this club? Can you bag it without looking like a douchebag? Just you and maybe one more opener and the headliner and you could do 30 tix no problem. But these additional bands, and the club's "whoever sells the most plays last" policy are literally costing you ticket sales. Can a venue that puts together a bill this disparate comprehend that? And if not maybe this is not the venue for your band in the first place? HYPOTHETICALLY speaking of course.
Discuss.

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Jeez-Loueez, sounds like a bad catch-22. 6 bands is a festival day-long thing unless you all get 20 minute sets then it's not worth setting up. Unless you NEED this promoter on your side to get bookings in the area, I'd pass. fred

[HappyValley]

Hmmm......It would completely depend on WHO this elusive headliner is and if they'd even be in the house at the time you hit, which at this point could be anytime. The "goal" for you guys is, presuming the cash is lame given the multi-band set-up, to be heard by this national cat, who, given the circus-esque approach by the booking guy, may not have even left the hotel by the time you guys say "Thank You, Chicago!!", or wherever the bill is. So, unless you can politically persuade this clown to have you on IMMEDIATELY prior to the headliner, given both that you're of similar styles and that you'd be the most harmonic segue to him/her, I'd bag. And no, you'd not be a d-bag for doing it, IMHO.

Which doesn't mean you're not a d-bag most of the time, regardless....:moon
Kidding, Bro.......best of luck w/that...I DESPISE the booking/business end of this music. Buzz me one o'these old days, will ya?

[dukeh62]

Cool archtop if anyone is interested (no affiliation):
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=204804

[TwoFeets]

Hypothetical situation:
You get a gig opening for a national Blues act at a rather large theater. You have to sell your own tix. 30 is the target given by the venue and while a bit of stretch it seems do-able. As time wears on the venue adds more and more bands to the bill. Four bands, not including you and the headliner. They are not blues bands and, in your opinion, have no business on this bill. You won't know what order or time you will perform until the event begins and as a result it even seems like this bill is preventing you from selling tickets: "Well we want to see you guys and insert-national-act-here, but we don't want to sit through 4 sh!tty rock bands." Waddya do? Bag it because it is a poorly executed bill? I guarantee the fans of the other 4 bands are not fans of the headliner or even blues. Or do you tough it out in hopes of getting more and/or better gigs at this club? Can you bag it without looking like a douchebag? Just you and maybe one more opener and the headliner and you could do 30 tix no problem. But these additional bands, and the club's "whoever sells the most plays last" policy are literally costing you ticket sales. Can a venue that puts together a bill this disparate comprehend that? And if not maybe this is not the venue for your band in the first place? HYPOTHETICALLY speaking of course.
Discuss.


Typical strategy for a place that books a nationally-renowned band that it can't afford. Stick as many local bands on the bill as you can, get them to sell tickets, and hope the revenue from the locals covers the bill. They don't give a hoot what kind of music the openers play, nor whether the audience sticks around. They want as many people to come through the door as they can get, to buy refreshments and what not. I think you'd be well in your right to bag out on the gig, regardless of whether it would be a feather in your cap to be on the bill.

It's not your responsibility to compensate for their booking mistakes, IMO.

[HappyValley]

Cool archtop if anyone is interested (no affiliation):
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=204804

That harmony is a deal for that $$....just find a bridge PUP....

[Scott Miller]

GREAT deal for the Harmony. I have a neck-pickup only like that, and it screams. No need for a bridge pickup.

"As time wears on the venue adds more and more bands to the bill."

If it's this messed up now, imagine how it's going to go when you get there.

[HappyValley]

Ryan- Go to my MySpace site....CLASSIC shot by Mike Law....good stuff....

[HappyValley]

GREAT deal for the Harmony. I have a neck-pickup only like that, and it screams. No need for a bridge pickup.

"As time wears on the venue adds more and more bands to the bill."

If it's this messed up now, imagine how it's going to go when you get there.

I agree, Mr. Miller , on your second sentiment regarding the booking thing.....BUT having owned a number of neck PUP only boxes, IMHO, I always miss the back one for the one time a singer calls a Johnny Watson or Sumlin- era- Wolf tune (using neck & bridge on the latter), not to mention the early B.B. catalog where tones range from way- dark to out of phase sounds skinnier than Kate Moss on coke....the versatility thing; Just me, I guess.

[S.W.Erdnase]

where tones range from way- dark to out of phase sounds skinnier than Kate Moss on coke.....

It's funny because it's true.

[zappafrank]

AC...Shoot me an email on those Rolphs. I'm definitely interested!


Hey Eric----this is from awhile back re: my 56' Vintage Pretenders from J.M. Rolph in my Pee Wee strat---are you still interested??? I totally spaced this back in those earlier pages---sorry, man---

so, your turn to shoot ME an email if you are---:)

ac

[fretshop]

Hypothetical situation:
You get a gig opening for a national Blues act at a rather large theater. You have to sell your own tix. 30 is the target given by the venue and while a bit of stretch it seems do-able. As time wears on the venue adds more and more bands to the bill. Four bands, not including you and the headliner. They are not blues bands and, in your opinion, have no business on this bill. You won't know what order or time you will perform until the event begins and as a result it even seems like this bill is preventing you from selling tickets: "Well we want to see you guys and insert-national-act-here, but we don't want to sit through 4 sh!tty rock bands." Waddya do? Bag it because it is a poorly executed bill? I guarantee the fans of the other 4 bands are not fans of the headliner or even blues. Or do you tough it out in hopes of getting more and/or better gigs at this club? Can you bag it without looking like a douchebag? Just you and maybe one more opener and the headliner and you could do 30 tix no problem. But these additional bands, and the club's "whoever sells the most plays last" policy are literally costing you ticket sales. Can a venue that puts together a bill this disparate comprehend that? And if not maybe this is not the venue for your band in the first place? HYPOTHETICALLY speaking of course.
Discuss.

Arnie, David and I (my family) worked for an International booking agency for years...and learned the booking business inside out from none other than a couple of very savvy brothers from Brooklyn (no names mentioned here...Pete is probably chuckling) who, over the decades legally accumulated the trade marks of scores of oldies and vintage rock and roll acts in the U.S. Their first two commandments of successful booking were always: 1) "The right act in the right venue...K.I.S.S. Keep it simple, stupid". 2) If you feel that the audience won't connect with the act...or there are conflicting acts (ie) different musical genres, DON'T book the venue...we're also selling records and other peripheral items....and we don't wanna go home with suit cases full of tapes and CDs.

You're descrbing what we call "Stacking". It's a flim-flam/shell game tactic used by purely $$$ ("overhead motivated") venue operators and sleazy booking agents to fill seats, while ensuring the minimum head count and monetary minimum for the headliner, while getting the acts to do all the work. No reputable licensed entertainment provider in my end of the business would stoop to that B.S. Anyone, except a bunch of young headbangers looking for exposure would be foolish enough to buy into it.

Oh...Rule # 3 : Be nice to the band and don't let your new hat take the focus of attention away from the act.

Learn

[Strat-O]

I'd tell them to take their 30 tickets and stick it up their :moon !

Next time they will probably ask you to PAY for the 30 tickets up front and then go sell them to get your money back. These guys are suffering for S.A.S.!

[aja]

Sounds like that gig you guys did at Toad's place with the t-birds. You would
of been the perfect segue to the birds but they had you on first and had some quasi hair band right before the birds. Nice guitar too Duke.

[pete kanaras]

lmoa indeed george. reminds me of a certain "reputable" agent who had to umm, move to finland.......

ryann
in all seriousness; respect yourself, your fine unit and your fans and remove yourselves completely from that clusterfukk of a gig. i take it the headliner is a touring blues act booked by an agency, correct? they have their 50% deposit and will collect the other 50% upon arrival or at the end of the gig. that's SOP(standard operating procedure); the venue signed a contract with them and that's what they have to honor. and that's what they're sweating too, hence the 20 other bands that make no musical sense. there was only ONE bill graham, and these geniuses are not him. i can guarantee you and the other bands will be shafted one way or another. do yourself a favor and walk. i don't care if you're opening for BB, walk.

take it from a Hard-Core road dog

ps KARL (jetlag) call paulie on his cell. he's at National, flying your way

[RickyKing]

Sounds like Bunrattys in Allston MA in the 70' & 80's.
I agree, don't do it.

[mikelaw]

+1 here.

[jetlag]

Pete,

Will do. I hope I can hook up with Paulie this weekend. That'll be great. BTW, I gave your live CD a listen on my commutes the last couple days. Great recording and good stuff, I really enjoyed it. That was a really good outfit you were playing with. Pity that was the front mans last gig.

k

[rhartt1234]

Hmmm......It would completely depend on WHO this elusive headliner is and if they'd even be in the house at the time you hit, which at this point could be anytime

Well, as I said this is all hypothetical ;). But let's just say that except us and the headliner it won't be a room full of Blues.

[aja]

I think you should do it and see what happens. And then don't play their again
if you don't like it. If its the webster ,they are mostly a heavy metal club anyway. Thats my thought.

[THINSOCKS]

This is just my opinion, Ryan, but in the last year or so I started asking myself before accepting a gig if I'm going to find it musically enjoyable or not. If I'm not sure, I just don't do it. To me that's the only thing that matters.

[Dave Orban]

This is just my opinion, Ryan, but in the last year or so I started asking myself before accepting a gig if I'm going to find it musically enjoyable or not. If I'm not sure, I just don't do it. To me that's the only thing that matters.Of course, not all "well-paid" gigs are "enjoyable" ones; nor are all "low-paying" (or even "free") gigs "unenjoyable" ones... ;)

[THINSOCKS]

Of course, not all "well-paid" gigs are "enjoyable" ones; nor are all "low-paying" (or even "free") gigs "unenjoyable" ones... ;)

Very true. I try not to let money factor into my decision making either though. I work 40 hours a week and it's just to hard for me to give up my little free time for a gig that is going to leave me frustrated. Of course, it would be a diffrent story if music was my only income, but it isn't and I'm sure it's the same story with 99% of everyone else on this thread.

[TwoFeets]

Very true. I try not to let money factor into my decision making either though. I work 40 hours a week and it's just to hard for me to give up my little free time for a gig that is going to leave me frustrated. Of course, it would be a diffrent story if music was my only income, but it isn't.


Money's generally a big consideration for me, maybe more than it should be from an artistic viewpoint... but it is my justification for being out of the house a couple of nights a week with 2 (very soon to be 3) kids. I work a full 40 hr. week too and while the music thing is secondary, it is in effect my second job.

It's funny because 5 years ago when I really started gigging heavily, it was more of a for-enjoyment-only thing... but at that point I only had 1 kid. Back then, it wasn't a big deal taking the door-only gigs.

As time went on and with the birth of the second kid, I had to really put the brakes on booking gigs like that, and at the same time the decent-paying gigs started to dry up. As a result we went from doing 8-10 a month to a low of 1 or 2 a month at the end of '06 (and some months with no gigs at all).

Now with the 3rd kid it's gone full-circle and put me in a position where I NEED to take more gigs, and with no regular Ramblers gigs on the immediate horizon I even had to join a second band. But I'm at a point where while the pay is up, the enjoyment is down, and that can be kind of a drag.

I don't know where I'm going with this, it's just been stream of consciousness. Hey, who's got the doob? Pass that over, man.

[fretshop]

Big weekend at at Harry's in February: 2/23 Racky, 2/24 Ricky "King" Russell. If I ain't broke, I just might make those two gigs....hat and all.

[THINSOCKS]

I don't know where I'm going with this, it's just been stream of consciousness. Hey, who's got the doob? Pass that over, man.

Ha-ha. I don't play with potheads anymore either! The amazing thing is I still gig about 8-10 times a month even with all of my "rules".

[dukeh62]

You guys ARE NOT going to believe this. You know that hypothetical gig situation Ryan described in an earlier post? Well, it actually HAPPENED and we had to make a decision on it today. :jo

Luckily, with all your great input, I just informed the club that we will be respectfully withdrawing from the bill.

Seriously...thanks for the input on this everyone. It WAS a tough decision, and you folks really did help us make the right one.

FYI: The club didn't even really seem to give a crap!

[rhartt1234]

You guys ARE NOT going to believe this. You know that hypothetical gig situation Ryan described in an earlier post? Well, it actually HAPPENED and we had to make a decision on it today. :jo

Oh my god! You're kidding? What are the chances? You are freaking me out man!

To Thinsocks:
If you have to enjoy yourself playing music you're never go to get very far in this music biz. It's about pain, suffering and sacrifice! You just don't get it man.:NUTS

Now if you'll excuse me I have to do what a real bluesman does and write US History tests.

[mikelaw]

well where are we going in leiu of the noshow ryan/eric? :)

got no excuses now BITCHES!

[aja]

Its not the Roomful show is it ? I was looking forward to that.

[Scott Miller]

"You know that hypothetical gig situation Ryan described in an earlier post? Well, it actually HAPPENED"

HYPOTHETICALLY, if you found a 1950 ES5 in mint condition for $100, would you buy it?

(I'm counting on this hypothetical-comes-true thing we have going on here...)

[pete kanaras]

FYI: The club didn't even really seem to give a crap!

and there ya go. you just saved yourselves a whole lot of agida.

jet, thanks man. that was hands down the best band i've ever been in. the singer is back (long story, and all good). one of my best buds took my place, the great mike dutton, and they're just as smokin' as ever. going to see 'em tomorrow night, can't wait. oh, and make paulie work it this weekend!

[valcotone]

Ryan/Eric - I'm not qualified to comment, but I think you guys did the right thing. It took balls to stand up like that and you have my respect (more than ever that is). Talk about integrity! And, I'm continually assured of the depth and experience of everyone on this thread.

[Strat-O]

G-Force of Hat Club for Men Fame - What kind of settings does (or did) Anson use on his Super Reverb?

[nmontz]

I'm curious what George is gonna say about Anson's settings. I get close with the volume pretty low....so the amp sounds big but it's not really breaking up. Somewhere between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2, treble 6 or 7, mids almost 9, the bass almost up to 3, and the reverb in the sweet spot where it feels like it adds sustain...the magic spot at almost 3. It helps to use the middle pup on your strat and I have the JV mod where the middle is open and the tone is on the bridge. I can't remember what it sounds like to have a strat wired normal anymore. But having the middle pup open gives it that zing. Fender heavy pick. I think he used alnico cts speakers for the early stuff....creamic speakers on the newer stuff.

I remember looking at his SR settings once at Blues on Grand...the volume was real real low...like 2 1/2 so he might of had the bright switch on....and he had creamic speakers in there. I'm not sure anymore if they were oxfords or cts....I think remembering back they were creamic swiss cheese cts. I remember Anson laughing when I said my SR didn't sound like that. My 66' Super Reverb does the Anson thing a lot better than my 68'

rhartt you are a history teacher?

[RickyKing]

Ryan,chalk one up for just being able to say "NO"

J Geo I hope you can come for the gig,I'll still try to reach you on the Harmony

[jetlag]

Pete - not sure if I have a gig this weekend. I just found out today that Lee had a heart attack and angioplasty earlier this week. He called me today to inform me, so that was good news in that he's feeling good enough to make phone calls. I guess a second angio has been scheduled for February though, so we are pretty up in the air for a while. I just glad he's "okay" .

[dukeh62]

Pete - not sure if I have a gig this weekend. I just found out today that Lee had a heart attack and angioplasty earlier this week. He called me today to inform me, so that was good news in that he's feeling good enough to make phone calls. I guess a second angio has been scheduled for February though, so we are pretty up in the air for a while. I just glad he's "okay" .


Geez...that's awful. Please give him our regards.

[pete kanaras]

oh my! that's horrible karl, yikes. please send lee my best. that must've been one helluva shock. i'm so glad he's on the mend and it sounds like he's staying on top of it, always a good thing. he seems like a tough old bird, and i'm sure he'll be back at it soon.

[valcotone]

Karl - Ouch, tough news. Hope Lee makes a swift and comfortable recovery! You guys make such fine music together and I need to hear more!!! :AOK

[HappyValley]

Karl- Best wishes to Lee, man.... & a speedy recovery indeed!

[zappafrank]

Karl- Best wishes to Lee, man.... & a speedy recovery indeed!

+1 here!---I remember seeing him back w/ the Crawl a LONG time ago---he was eating those Cinnamon Redhots by the handful!!---Love that ".44" CD....get well Lee!

ac

[HappyValley]

I know I'm taking a hard left turn on this one, but bear with me:

Not sure how many of you write lyrics/songs/etc., but I do.... and NONE are blues tunes per se. Not that I don't wish that I COULD write authentic sounding blues tunes (my man Racky has an amazingly unique quality in that department....writes new ones in the vibe & feel of old ones without sounding like the proverbial "white kid tryin' to be hip", and still says his piece and does great.)
Here's my point: when I write, a kinda freshman/pedestrian Springsteeny/Dylanny/Waitsy/rootsy thing happens lyrically; But MUSICALLY, the stuff we all dig applies just fine! I did some home recording, singing and playing open folksy cowboy chords and then over dubbed fills and comped guitar parts via our "bag" , and it was different but cool as hell. Thoughts? Anyone?

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Not sure I understand exactly what cha mean but, I had not listened to any new Dylan for 10 years or so until the last 6 months. When I listen to him rhyming cuplets semi-endlessly over a bluesy vamp, I tend to start imitating or making up my own cuplets, too. Seems like an easy way to make songs with just a little repeated theme to hold it together.
James Harman has 15 cds or whatever with mostly all original tunes but mostly all using repeated, older blues song forms. I can't remember many original/unique musical devices on his stuff ( I really dig " Night Riding" though).
To me, so many great artists seem to lose musical (not lyrical) innovation or inspiration as time marches on (Neil Young, Dylan, maybe the most - Bruce), Waits seems to have gained a new dimension though. I could listen to Springsteens second alblum without the words just fine.
If you are playing 4/4 straight tempo folksy tunes with blues guitar over them, Dave Alvin and Los Lobos are examples that jump into my head to descibe it, would that be accurate? In my opinion, if you have something to say and the song has a groove, it works. Rock on Nick, fred

[HappyValley]

Dave Alvin and Los Lobos are examples that jump into my head to descibe it, would that be accurate? In my opinion, if you have something to say and the song has a groove, it works. Rock on Nick, fred

Los Lobos are probably one of my favorite all time bands, writing -wise and performance -wise.. .."will the wolf survive"...amazing.

The lyric thing is so interesting because it's so gawdamn PERSONAL, ya know? I always get inspired, write, (toss the idea on a napkin), leave it alone & check it out months later to see if it passes the post- inspirational smell test. 9 times out of 10, it doesn't, but once in a while it's cool and I go with it. It seems EVERYTIME I try to write lyrics utilizing the "blues-speak " of Sonny Boy II (maybe the best blues songwriter ever), or Muddy,Walter, Wells, etc. it sounds so contrived-almost forced- and well, WHITE ( I hate using racial comparisons in music, but it's "out there" whether we like it or not, especially in blues/jazz).

My best writing, topically speaking, is based on relationships, not just man/woman, but the bizarre juxtapostions of life in general.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to bore the entire WCBAT. :NUTS LOL

[RickyKing]

Just let it flow Bro Nick,the more you do it the better and easier it gets....
Best Wishes for a Speedy recovery to Lee....

[rhartt1234]

If you don't have em already check out Jeff Turmes's solo records. He is one of my favorite songwriters. He can write a song that on the surface is just a shuffle or a jump that you've heard a million time but lyrically it is light years away from a simple blues tune. He can also write chord progressions that are not blues tunes and stand on their own as "songs" His first CD with Janiva "It takes One To Know One" has a lot of non blues tunes. He second CD is just him and is a little bluesier. I've heard a little of his newest one and it seems like it's somewhere in between. But it's all "bluesy" for lack of a better term.

Jetlag, give Lee my get well soon wish too.

[TwoFeets]

I think Racky's "Low Down Blues" is an interesting tune; blues progression played as straight cowboy chords with Nick doing "our usual bag" over it.

Harman, Estrin, etc. are good examples of guys writing blues stories with their lyrics that don't necessarily sound contrived.... they're not really trying to do the Sonny Boy thing but at the same time their stuff doesn't come across as being too "white." Maybe because they're not trying? I don't know.

I like that these artists often depart from the usual A-A-B format when writing their lyrics; it seems to really open up the possibilities.

I don't do a heck of a lot of writing on my own but what things I do write usually start with a simple song title which I then elaborate one. Most are within the traditional blues format though and don't stray too far into other territory.

I've always wanted to do an entire record of blues tunes with "updated" subject matter. Because nothing says the blues like "I can't make my next SUV payment" or "my 401K isn't doing as well as I'd like."

[pete kanaras]

backalley, you're finding your voice, and don't let ANYthing get in the way of that! good for you man. hone it, nurture it, refine it.

and although i don't believe in a "best" of anything in music, i gotta say that i think los lobos is the best damn band on the planet; musically, lyrically, conceptually they've got it all for me. thinking about it, i'd have to put the heartbreakers waaay up there too, esp their most recent stuff.
ok, i'll shaddup now.....

[Poppa Stoppa]

Love Hidalgo's playing especially...

[Strat-O]

You know, there is no shame in writing, recording or performing music that isn't a direct copy of a classic blues recording. That's something that grates me is how people (me?) spend too much time trying to be cool and get the respect of their 'peers' because they can imitate another musician perfectly. I guess that's cool to some degree, but what's really cool is to be yourself with your music. Music isn't about being a copy cat and proving to the world that you've obsessed over Robert Lockwood Jr. so long that you can play everything he's done note for note on the same guitar and amp model that he played it on, its about expressing yourself. That's what takes music somewhere new and interesting.

Unless of course a musician really doesn't have anything new or unique to say and they prefer to function as a living, breathing museum of music. Which is cool, I suppose. I mean, somebody's got to do it or it will dissapear like the Model T and hand cranked ice crusher. Its alot less risky to do the museum thing.

Be yourself man! Were all standing on the shoulders of giants but you might just have something to say that's incredible. As for me, one day I want to be the museum curator, the next day I want to be the groundbreaker. :NUTS

[mikelaw]

i just like this guy :NUTS

[THINSOCKS]

Ryan, +1 on Jeff Turmes. He's great and one of the few people doing anything interesting with blues these days.

Any Dylan fans like "Time out of Mind"? It's is easily one of my top 5 favorite records. Daniel Lanois produced with Duke Robillard on guitar and the great Augie Myers on keys.

Backalley, I'm into the rootsy songwriter thing too. Here's a couple of my recent favorites. Sam Phillips "A Boot and a Shoe" (produced by T-Bone Burnett), Ray Lamontange "Trouble", Willy Mason "Where the Humans Eat" & Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins "Rabbit Fur Coat". The last two are more on the "indie" side of the roots thing.

[jetlag]

Guys, sorry to interrupt the songwriting charrette for a minute but I just wanted to thank everyone for all the Lee well-wishes. I'll certainly pass it on to Mr. Lee and am sure it will mean a great deal.

I have very little to offer except to say that writing lyrics is incredibly HARD work for a novice like myself. I have a much easier time with heads, melodies, parts etc.

[Scott Miller]

My life has been so damn easy, I have nothing serious to say at all in my songs.

So, I go for the more wacky approach, for example, "Cheap Beer is Good Beer" and "New Do Boogie," which is a song about a girl who gets a haircut, and she really digs it, and she goes a bit crazy; it goes to her head, you might say (rim shot).

I like writing songs a lot, and I REALLY like hearing new blues songs. It's kind of hellish to sing a song for the first time, though. I've had a few occasions where I get halfway through and realize I've written a complete jive turkey.

[Swingblues]

Hi Guys,

I Would like to know about Airline Stratotone H44. Comparing with the original, is a good guitar? Let me know about you guys think.

I´m thinking about buy one.

Tks
PS. Sorry for my "terrible" english. hehehe...

Igor Prado
www.myspace.com/igorprado (http://www.myspace.com/igorprado)

[groove_king]

Hi Igor

Can't help you with your question, but I was wondering how the Silvertone H63 you got last year is working out for you ...

[Swingblues]

Hey Groove King, the Silvertone H63 is Amazing!
I use it in many records in last year, also my first solo cd that i will release in next March!

[groove_king]

Cool, that's nice to know! Keep in touch about the solo CD.

[zappafrank]

Hi Guys,

I Would like to know about Airline Stratotone H44. Comparing with the original, is a good guitar? Let me know about you guys think.

I´m thinking about buy one.

Tks
PS. Sorry for my "terrible" english. hehehe...

Igor Prado
www.myspace.com/igorprado (http://www.myspace.com/igorprado)


Hey Igor---i'll let you know in about a week or 2---I just snagged one in the guitar emporium here--cheap--

I've heard good things, but not to expect the sound of the original---totally different pickup---but supposedly cool on it's own...

I figured I won't lose anything if it's not for me---easy to sell at that price, I would think---

ac

[mikelaw]

they are minihumbuckers igor, i dont think they compare with the real ones at all from what ive heard from people. im sure feelwise they are fairly close though. again, only from what ive heard from people....

[Short Bus]

Music isn't about being a copy cat and proving to the world that you've obsessed over Robert Lockwood Jr. so long that you can play everything he's done note for note on the same guitar and amp model that he played it on, its about expressing yourself. That's what takes music somewhere new and interesting.

Hear! Hear! I just came back to that realization recently. I've been goin gnuts trying to learn this solo or play that riff. Then this 19 year-old kid at work mentioned that his dad had just gotten some SRV CDs. I thought about Dirty Pool and remembered that it is probably in my All Time Top 5 song list. A day or so later I started playing and singing it. (I'm not much of a singer) (Or a guitar player, but thats another story)

And it hit me that what I need to do is find stuff or write stuff I connect to. The blues is about the performance. That moment on stage when you count it off and let it happen. With that re-realization, I'm heading in a different direction with my learning and playing.

Don't get me wrong. I'd love to rip out Okie Dokie Stomp blindfolded behind my back while asleep. But that's not me. At least today.

Sorry for the completely obvious comments, but I excel at that.

[Poppa Stoppa]

Don't get me wrong. I'd love to rip out Okie Dokie Stomp blindfolded behind my back while asleep......or on a weird-ass Rickenbacker with a capo on the 10th fret:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEhH3KJvcug&mode=user&search=

Seriously though, lot of good thoughts there, Short bus & Strat-O. I do a lot of listening to other players doing their special thing and trying to play like that myself, but I know I'll sound better if I concentrate on doing what I do, to the best of my ability. There's a great book called 'Effortless Mastery' all about that.

I came across these great vids of George Smith. Sorry if you've all seen them a million times already:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDMcE1gItHc&mode=user&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaxsZ0Ww6X4&mode=related&search=

Final thought this morning, on another side of the song-writing subject: have you ever been in the frame of mind where every song you hear seems to have the deepest relevance and meaning for you? I've been there once in the last twenty years and I don't want to go there again in a hurry. You'll either know what I'm talking about or not...!

[Cleanhead]

Backalley et al...

I can relate to your songwriting discussion... For years as a "sideman" playing harmonica in other peoples bands I was sitting on a handful of songs that I never had the opportunity to play live. That all changed when I bit the bullet and ventured out of the shadows and decided to front my own band. As much as I like to complain about running a band one of the real benefits for me is being able to play what I want - especially working up and "road testing" my originals... Luckily I was then able to record several of the tunes with Pete and Jetlag (Karl) a few years back... At the time I was not playing much so some of the arrangements were finalized in the hallways and bathrooms of the studio... Luckily Karl and Pete were on hand to help many of the tunes come to life - Karl's arrangement ideas for Self Sevin and Marinara Mambo were invaluable and I can never thank Pete enough for really laying out the chord work on Sammy..

As for the writing process I can definitely relate to writing on napkins and scratch paper and letting the lyrics sit for a while... I am ready to record another album and most of the songs have developed first on paper lyrically and then melodically (sp?) in my head... Then, whenever I get to a piano I arrange the song.. the cool thing is that a lot of the songs on my next album are a little more arranged because I did not throw the lyrics over a 12 bar from the beginning...

sorry for the rambling email... just really enjoy this topic and thought I would add my 2 cents...

Cleanhead

P.S. here in the Windy City wishing Lee a speedy recovery...

[Short Bus]

Final thought this morning, on another side of the song-writing subject: have you ever been in the frame of mind where every song you hear seems to have the deepest relevance and meaning for you? I've been there once in the last twenty years and I don't want to go there again in a hurry. You'll either know what I'm talking about or not...!

Amen on that Poppa. I know that all too well!

Thanks for the book mention. I'll check it out.

[Scott Miller]

I saw Nathan James and Ben Hernandez last night. Totally rAwKed. Nathan's footboard was an old soft vinyl suitcase with a pickup in it (kick drum) and a lever contraption hitting a coffee can (snare). I highly recommend seeing those guys.

[dukeh62]

I saw Nathan James and Ben Hernandez last night. Totally rAwKed. Nathan's footboard was an old soft vinyl suitcase with a pickup in it (kick drum) and a lever contraption hitting a coffee can (snare). I highly recommend seeing those guys.

They are going to be in Memphis for the IBC. Can't wait to catch them. Thanks for the review!

[TwoFeets]

Got some new gear yesterday.

Gabriel Robert, born 1/20 at 11:10 PM. 7 lbs. 10 oz. Claire went into labor while I was at a gig about an hour away. Finished our last set at 10 PM and RACED to get to the hospital on time. Just made it. I got there, one push and DONE. When we make babies we mean bizness!

Oh and with the timing, I think I might be able to do the Cray gig now. I like this little guy already!

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/itchytwofeets/gabe3.jpg

[Strat-O]

Awwww. Congratulations!:AOK

[dukeh62]

Got some new gear yesterday.

Gabriel Robert, born 1/20 at 11:10 PM. 7 lbs. 10 oz. Claire went into labor while I was at a gig about an hour away. Finished our last set at 10 PM and RACED to get to the hospital on time. Just made it. I got there, one push and DONE. When we make babies we mean bizness!

Oh and with the timing, I think I might be able to do the Cray gig now. I like this little guy already!

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/itchytwofeets/gabe3.jpg

AWESOME!!! Congrats Rob! Glad to hear everyone is happy and healthy!

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Congratulations! I'm glad you got there in time, too. fred

[jetlag]

Congradulations Rob. Great story with a great ending. Reminds me of all the gigs I did in the past 2.5 years with a cellphone in my back pocket, set on vibrate. Awaiting "the call." Thankfully, I never had to cut it close like that. I think you're my new hero. Especially if you pull off the Cray gig.

[groove_king]

Hey! Congrats on the new arrival Rob!

With timing like that, he's gotta be a drummer! :)

[zappafrank]

Daddy x THREE!---

Congratulations, man---you are a much more prolific man than I!---(No kids---scared of em'!!)

Awesome, Rob---

ac

[valcotone]

TwoFeets - Congrats on the new family member!! 7lbs 10oz... that's a good weight too... my gold top copy is just a hair heavier than that. ... haha couldn't resist. Nice work!! :)

[RickyKing]

Beautiful Child, Congrats and I hope mom is well too...

[fretshop]

Rob,
I just returned to the office after several days out and saw the baby picture. Congratulations !!!!

[fretshop]

G-Force of Hat Club for Men Fame - What kind of settings does (or did) Anson use on his Super Reverb?

Settings:
Bright switch on or off depending on the room and/or condition of the strings, Treble : 10 Mids :7-10 Bass : 3. Standard settings used by many older cats with vintage supers. Speakers: CTS Ceramics.

No treble bleed cap in guitar circuitry.

Tone: In the heart and fingers

[fretshop]

Just let it flow Bro Nick,the more you do it the better and easier it gets....
Best Wishes for a Speedy recovery to Lee....

My best focus and lyrical composition seems to have come about during periods of personal turmoil. I even wrote a novelty jump tune (complete with stops and call-response lyrics) in the midst of a tumultuous flip-flop relationship I was in a couple years ago called "You're single again !! "

I was walking around for over a month with scraps of paper in my pockets...all of which contained ideas and verse fragments. I eventually Scotch taped all the scraps to a legal pad and put everything into a final format...about ten times. At times, I'd wake up in the middle of the night with an idea...and would do a rush to the pad before I forgot it.

Also, Mini tape recorders are excellent companions during song writing episodes. I was composing and instrumental intro to a bee-bop tune yesterday...I finally hit it !! I was ecstatic that the intro flowed into the melody line right where I wanted it, Sooooo, I put the guitar down and went to the Blue Moon Cafe for a cocktail...got home later, and for the life of me, I can't remember what I did....wish I'd had a tape recorder going.

Anybody hear George Smith doing "Last Night" on XM radio this A.M. ?

BTW: Willie Pooch is dong some great stuff lately. Check him out.

[fretshop]

Dave :

I'm planning the one year anniversary bash at the Blue Moon. Call me when you get back from France.

[Strat-O]

Speaking of songwriting, has anybody heard that James Harman interview where the interviewer is asking about his songwriting style and habits. James talks a little about it and he says he tried getting a tape recorder to use at night when he wakes up with ideas in the middle of the night. Well as the story went he said he did it and recorded something one night, got up the next day and listened to it. It was so bizzare apparently, that he abandoned that particular technique of capturing song ideas at night.

[fretshop]

Speaking of songwriting, has anybody heard that James Harman interview where the interviewer is asking about his songwriting style and habits. James talks a little about it and he says he tried getting a tape recorder to use at night when he wakes up with ideas in the middle of the night. Well as the story went he said he did it and recorded something one night, got up the next day and listened to it. It was so bizzare apparently, that he abandoned that particular technique of capturing song ideas at night.

Sounds just like Ice Pick James.

[aja]

Congrats Twofeets !!

[btg]

Here is a little YouTube video of Teddy Morgan on an H62.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRtAEkedzAU

[maxVsf]

BTW: Willie Pooch is dong some great stuff lately. Check him out.

Man, thank you for mentioning Willie! I co-led a band with Willie in Ohio through the seventies and eighties, and go back to Ohio frequently to do festivals and gigs with Pooch. Willie played Biscuits and Blues here in SF when he came out here to be best man at my wedding. His new CD with organist Tony Monaco is great, and it features some very tasteful guitar work from my good friend, Ric Collura. It's on iTunes, BTW.

[fretshop]

Man, thank you for mentioning Willie! I co-led a band with Willie in Ohio through the seventies and eighties, and go back to Ohio frequently to do festivals and gigs with Pooch. Willie played Biscuits and Blues here in SF when he came out here to be best man at my wedding. His new CD with organist Tony Monaco is great, and it features some very tasteful guitar work from my good friend, Ric Collura. It's on iTunes, BTW.

Sammy Myers used to mention Wille as being one of the last real bluesmen he knew.
Pooch is old school to the bone, and has a killer voice. IF you see him, ask him if he remembers "Little New Jersey Slim" (now...New Jersey Jelly Belly) from Theresa's
Hint: (Willie's not the guy on the left with the shades).

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/images/large/wpooch2006.jpg

Heres a little quiz for the tragically hip....who was Willie's best boyhood friend ?
Hint: Willie was born in the mid thirties in Tupelo, Miss.

[THINSOCKS]

Sammy Myers used to mention Wille as being one of the last real bluesmen he knew.
Pooch is old school to the bone, and has a killer voice. IF you see him, ask him if he remembers "Little New Jersey Slim" (now...New Jersey Jelly Belly) from Theresa's
Hint: (Willie's not the guy on the left with the shades).

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/images/large/wpooch2006.jpg

Heres a little quiz for the tragically hip....who was Willie's best boyhood friend ?
Hint: Willie was born in the mid thirties in Tupelo, Miss.

Elvis?

[TwoFeets]

Thanks a lot guys!! He's doing real good. Gotta get him to sleep better though!

Hey Cleanhead - I just got an email from Felix - you guys are gigging together on the 2nd of February? Cool stuff!

[fretshop]

Elvis?


Correctomundo !!!

[valcotone]

Just a PSA (and hopefully not a PITA), if you store this link in your favourites it'll take you directly to your first unread post in this thread... saves a few seconds you can spend practicing that new lick instead. haha...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=147845&goto=newpost

[rhartt1234]

Just testing that theory.

Congrats Two Feets. I think you're nuts playing a gig that close to the due date. I have new found respect for you and your wife.

[Strat-O]

NC Slim - Did you make it back to NC okay?

[jetlag]

Did you guys see that Jimmy Reed video on youtube yet? This link was on another thread here ..............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1-h9...related&search (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1-h9Ga7m14&mode=related&search)=

[fretshop]

Ricky King / Nick Backstreets :

I finally got a room in Hyannis for 2 /23 and 2/24. Seems there's a big marathon taking place there that weekend. I got reservations just in time.

[mikelaw]

hyannis travel inn rules. i am a huge fan of that hotel.

[RickyKing]

Excellent, JG I think it will be a Great Weekend!

[fretshop]

Excellent, JG I think it will be a Great Weekend!

Did you order your hat? They've also got a "Detroit" model fur felt fedora that is cut in the late 40's style popular amongst the jazz and blues performers of the era.

[mikelaw]

set necks!

http://reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/set_neck_series.html

[dukeh62]

NOT THAT I TRUST IT THAT IT WILL DELIGHT OUR EARS...but I just read Fender is launching a hand-wired tweed Deluxe RI.

[Poppa Stoppa]

Cool Duke! Hope it turns out to be a great amp...time will tell.

Talking of set necks, I always liked the look o' these:
http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=1441&sid=195
I think they're archtops - never heard one though.

[aja]

Hamer :dude

[Poppa Stoppa]

Actually now I remember, it was this one:
http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=384&sid=179
The HOLLOW body & P90s are what caught my eye.

That 3 x P90 Monaco is cool looking, but I think it's got the block under the bridge.

[dddelta]

NOT THAT I TRUST IT THAT IT WILL DELIGHT OUR EARS...but I just read Fender is launching a hand-wired tweed Deluxe RI.


$1800?!

http://www.gearwire.com/fender-57-deluxe-wnamm.html

[mikelaw]

those hamer newports with the phat cats are really cool. humbucker sized p90s. pretty slick.

[valcotone]

Hamer... how about this one

http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=1906&sid=195

But from a purely cosmetic point of view, that headstock... UG!

http://www.hamerguitars.com/pics/models/monelp_sm.jpg

[rhartt1234]

I was flipping through Guitar Player at Wal Mart today and they had The " 101 Unsung/Forgotten Guitarists" on the cover.
Frank won't care but, Hollywood Fats was featured with a decent sized picture. Frank will care that Mary Osborne also got a pic and blurb. Other folks you might be interested to know that made it:
Tampa Red
Dave Gonzales
Magic Sam
Chris Poland (founding member of Megadeth and a buddy of mine from my LA days, believe it or not)
There were a couple more that stood out but I don't recall. I don't reed so gud and can't afford to achuilly by the magizeen.

[musicofanatic5]

Hyannis Travel Inn: whatta dump. I've nearly froze to death there. More than once.
Dave Gonzales: right on!
Hamer? C'mon! (or should I say Ka-man!)

[Short Bus]

I was flipping through Guitar Player at Wal Mart today and they had The " 101 Unsung/Forgotten Guitarists" on the cover.
Frank won't care but, Hollywood Fats was featured with a decent sized picture. Frank will care that Mary Osborne also got a pic and blurb. Other folks you might be interested to know that made it:
Tampa Red
Dave Gonzales
Magic Sam
Chris Poland (founding member of Megadeth and a buddy of mine from my LA days, believe it or not)
There were a couple more that stood out but I don't recall. I don't reed so gud and can't afford to achuilly by the magizeen.

The travesty of that issue, and GP in general the past few years, is that the Unsung article is about 6 pages long. Then they have an interview with Steven Seagall, the actor, that's 3 pages or so long. No offense to Mr. Seagall, he may be a fine guitarist, but 3 pages for him? And only 6 pages for some of the best who ever touched the instrument?! I'm glad my subscription runs out in a month or so.

[zappafrank]

Did you order your hat? They've also got a "Detroit" model fur felt fedora that is cut in the late 40's style popular amongst the jazz and blues performers of the era.

Hey George---I'd like to see a pic of that 'Detroit' hat, too!:)

ac

[RickyKing]

Sorry,The hat is a little rich for my blood right now. Maybe next week...

[fretshop]

Hey George---I'd like to see a pic of that 'Detroit' hat, too!:)

ac

check your e-mail

[aja]

I like the new Hamer catalog. Has anybody seen that ?:)

[mikelaw]

i have a crappy hamer import echotone ala 335 and it rips! huge neck, great feel and tone like nuts! cant say enough about ANY imports lately...mexo/jap/even chinese like my echotone! they are getting better and better. eric played it at one gig he sat in and i thought he dug it!?!? i really get a great tone old school from rolling back the tones a bit and diggin in baby! thanks for the advice on rolling tones alot eric!

[RickyKing]

JG,maybe we can still get a quantity hat buy together!!

[TwoFeets]

JG - please check your email.

Tks!
-R-

PS The Cray gig is on for me tonight! Woohoo!

[aja]

I've heard a couple of those they do sound pretty good and play pretty
good. And for a couple hundred bucks its great.

[Strat-O]

Good for you Feets, Robert Cray is absolutely mesmerizing live.

I was wondering if you guys would catch the 57 Deluxe reissue. Looks cool. Probably sounds great. If you listen to enough real 57 Deluxes, I'm sure you could find one that sounds like it.

Here's a way cool guitar from NAMM: http://www.gibson.com/Products/GibsonElectric/Gibson%20Electric%20Guitars/Melody%20Maker/Melody%20Maker%20%281%29/http://www.gibson.com/Products/GibsonElectric/Gibson%20Electric%20Guitars/Melody%20Maker/Melody%20Maker%20%281%29/

Except for the skinny neck, it looks sweet.

[fretshop]

JG,maybe we can still get a quantity hat buy together!!

Let's give it two or three weeks to see if we get some firm commitments...can even be friends of yours, no porblem...them we'll order

[fretshop]

JG - please check your email.

Tks!
-R-

PS The Cray gig is on for me tonight! Woohoo!

Check YOUR e-mail. I sent close up photos

[btg]

Fretshop - can you send me some pictures of the hats?

[cigpow]

what are these hats that everyone is talking about? pics? price?!?!?! I love a good hat!


Ian

[rjkohrs]

I like the Fats photo. Hard enough to find shots of him, let alone from the Blasters era ......

[mikelaw]

Not many people can pull off looking decent in a full brim style hat. I have seen alot of people and musicians look downright RIDICULOUS in them. Myself included.

[fretshop]

(re) hats:

Sale ended. Sorry.

[THINSOCKS]

I was flipping through Guitar Player at Wal Mart today and they had The " 101 Unsung/Forgotten Guitarists" on the cover.
Frank won't care but, Hollywood Fats was featured with a decent sized picture. Frank will care that Mary Osborne also got a pic and blurb. .

HaHa! Yeah, he's rather "sung" in my books. Kidding! Honestly, I was amazed to see Jeremy "JW" Wakefield and TK Smith. IMHO, those were the most "unsung" guys on the list. I caught them about 4 years ago doing a Jimmy Bryant/Speedy West thing at Deke Dickerson's Guitar Geek Festival.... that was probably the coolest live performance I have ever seen. TK busted out his double neck Stratosphere guitar and JW had his old triple neck Bigsby steel and both guys were going into old Standel amps. A Guitar Geeks paradise! IMHO JW is the best standard steel player walking the planet right now. Nothing blows your mind like watching a guy play bebop on a 6 string lap steel. Sings great too.

[straightblues]

those hamer newports with the phat cats are really cool. humbucker sized p90s. pretty slick.
I have two Hamer Newports. One with Phat Cats and one with TV Jones Filtertron pickups. They are great guitars and perfect for blues. Keb Mo plays one. The Phat Cats is the way to go on these guitar. They have spruce tops and mahagony backs. They are very dynamic guitars and the notes just seem to jump from them. They call them hollow bodies but they aren't like an archtop with the back and sides being seperate pieces of wood. The back piece of wood is routed out and then attached to the top. It has a vintage sound to it and can do cleans or overdrive very well. It can even cop good tele sorta single coil tones with the phat cats. Don't buy one trying to get a 335 because they have their own tone. I love mine. I will be selling the one with the TV Jones shortly. I bought the one with the Phat Cats first and I am emotionally attached to it.

I also had an Echotone (the Korean made one) and it was a very good cheap guitar. I sold it afte I bought my first Newport beacuse the Newport was getting all my attention.

[straightblues]

Hamer... how about this one

http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=1906&sid=195

But from a purely cosmetic point of view, that headstock... UG!

http://www.hamerguitars.com/pics/models/monelp_sm.jpg

This particular model has either lovers or haters and there are a lot on both sides. They can be had for about $1,100 used. Since there are so many people that don't like them, I have been unwilling to buy one without playing it first. The problem is I don't have any Hamer dealers in the Los Angeles area. I can say one thing, I own 5 Hamer USA guitars and the quality on them and consitancy is very impressive. Much better than Gibson.

[Scott Miller]

Someone mentioned Christine Kittrell recently... We now play one of her tunes, Mr. Big Wheel. Highly recommended if you have a female singer. Really fun song with all the ii VI and dim chords you could ever hope for. One of those come-uppance songs, with a great punchline:

I'll see you one cold night
Creepin' down the track
Beggin' me to take you back
But I'll just holler from my nice warm shack
Roll on Mr. Big Wheel, roll

[valcotone]

Just got turned onto Jesse Price via the "Jumpin' Like Mad- Cool Cats & Hip Chicks (http://www.amazon.com/Jumpin-Like-Mad-Cool-Chicks/dp/B000002UEV/sr=8-2/qid=1169724935/ref=sr_1_2/002-1662409-7316045?ie=UTF8&s=music)" collection. He's a drummer and his voice is amazing and the band cooks... some nice guitar too. "Baby, Let's Be Friends" (who is that on guitar???) and "My Baby Done Left Me" are cool and "Jump It With a Shuffle" is especially fun. BTW, I think this collection is consistently excellent.

I'd like to hear more... which of these would you recommend?

Jesse Price - Complete 1946-1957
Jesse Price - Swingin' Small Combos Kansas City Style - Vol.1

...I think they are both on Blue Moon.

Thanks guys!

[TwoFeets]

Last night was truly an eye-opener.

It's too bad that Robert Cray fella can't sing or play guitar.

:rolleyes:

[dukeh62]

Feets...can't wait to hear the details on the show.

EVERYONE....slip on over to Rick Holmstrom's myspace page and check out four tracks from his new record. He had played a few tunes over the phone the other day. All I can say is...WOW. Totally stripped down three piece...just some great stuff all around. Cool songs...great playing...great singing...and GREAT tones!

I think Rick really found his true sound here.

(And yes, the song "Tutwiler" is named after our own Frank.)

http://www.myspace.com/rickholmstrom

[Short Bus]

Last night was truly an eye-opener.

It's too bad that Robert Cray fella can't sing or play guitar.

:rolleyes:

Oh come on. Don't leave us hangin' man! Details! Details!

Who's this Robert guy you mentioned? :messedup

[Strat-O]

Nice tunes from Rick Holmstrom there. Reminds me a little of the swampy vibe of Musslewhite's recent album. That would be a hot show, Musselwhite and his current band plus Rick Holmstrom playing this kinda stuff.

[TwoFeets]

Anyone interested in a Squier '51 for $80 shipped? W/gig bag and strap?

Sorry to spam the thread... We now return you back to your regularly scheduled program.

[rhartt1234]

Anyone interested in a Squier '51 for $80 shipped? W/gig bag and strap?

Sorry to spam the thread... We now return you back to your regularly scheduled program.

Sunburst? Send me an email or myspace message. I don't think I have yours.

[TwoFeets]

Sunburst? Send me an email or myspace message. I don't think I have yours.

Email sent. It's a blonde/blackguard and would look really cool onstage next to Eric's Nocaster... :)

[Strat-O]

Yeah, I'll take it Feets. I've been looking around for another one.

[TwoFeets]

Sold the thang last night. Ah well.

[mikelaw]

Great spread in guitar player on hollywood fats. also stand outs to me were mickey baker and magic sam. this was for 101 forgotten great, unsung heroes.

however i missed big al anderson on the list. IMHO he is one of the best ever.

[Strat-O]

C'mon guys, now I'm gonna have to go out and buy Guitar Player.

[aja]

Does anybody know if the Monster Mike jam in Somerville sunday is on ?

[THINSOCKS]

Great spread in guitar player on hollywood fats. also stand outs to me were mickey baker and magic sam. this was for 101 forgotten great, unsung heroes.

however i missed big al anderson on the list. IMHO he is one of the best ever.

Usually, I don't like those "100 greatest" lists all the magazines do, but this one was pretty good. They totally dug up some obscure Western Swing/Rockabilly guys that don't get mentioned much like Roy Lanham, Jimmy Wyble, Junior Barnard, Larry Collins, Jimmie Rivers & Brain Lonbeck. Plus, Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red and Lonnie Johnson were a nice addtion to the blues side of things. Still, as far as blues goes, It would have been cool to see Jody Williams mentioned.

[TwoFeets]

Usually, I don't like those "100 greatest" lists all the magazines do, but this one was pretty good. They totally dug up some obscure Western Swing/Rockabilly guys that don't get mentioned much like Roy Lanham, Jimmy Wyble, Junior Barnard, Larry Collins, Jimmie Rivers & Brain Lonbeck. Plus, Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red and Lonnie Johnson were a nice addtion to the blues side of things. Still, as far as blues goes, It would have been cool to see Jody Williams mentioned.

Junior Barnard... that guy was a badass.

[aja]

Was Ronnie in that guitar player ?

[GOLDENSTRAT]

I don't think Ronnie was in there. Anybody have more info on T K Smith? I saw him play last fall and he was very cool . Anybody know what the Ronnie tune title A.K.O.S. stands for? thanks, fred.

[rhartt1234]

I believe Akos and Mutcika (a tune from "I Like It When It Rains") are his parents or grandparents

[nc slim]

Strat o I am Alive

[nc slim]

Sat in w Strat o's west side band had great time harp player is big Jr wells influence its fun going down the alley to the west side THANX STRATO

Zinn has been playing w Hummel lately Charles left. He will be going out w Wilson and Musselwhite possibly the South

[nc slim]

We need to say our prayers for B He was in hosp. I hope he is Ok we need our main men. I got Tix to see him in March

[Dave Orban]

Here is a little YouTube video of Teddy Morgan on an H62.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRtAEkedzAUCool! :dude

[nc slim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng6Q_l5APPg


Check out Bangham

[rhartt1234]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng6Q_l5APPg


Check out Bangham

Duke looks thrilled!

That lineup was one of those things that sounded great on paper but didn't quite live up to its potential. The "Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk" is still a pretty good record. Probably the last good record they made until "Painted On" I'd even give an edge over "Painted On"

[Scott Miller]

Coming to JJ's next month: Sheryl Crow. What the... ???? Is there another Sheryl Crow I don't know about?

Little Charlie was there last night. Smokin' as usual. Kind of a strange clanky tone from his Strat. Effective, though.

JJ's now has a "lounge" room, a place off to the side where you can hear the band fine, plus watch it on a projection on the wall. A few nice over-stuffed couches. Very comfy. It seemed to function well as a place for guys to work on gals.

[mikelaw]

great clip nc. i REALLY dig walk that walk. I like the stripped down 4 piece with jlv best, but this is cool. Duke doesnt look too bummed out although hes just playing rhythm.

Tbirds rule in all forms IMHO.

[Poppa Stoppa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng6Q_l5APPg
Check out BanghamHe plays great on that. Great Strat blues tone from a Marshall. Don't hear much from him at the moment...

I saw this lineup of the T-Birds when they came over. They played 'Full Time Lover' and Kid played a fabulous solo, 5 minutes long, maybe more, that was the highlight of the show.

At that time my kids were little, and for about 5 minutes 'Walk That Walk' was their favourite CD and they used to perform little kid gymnastics up & down the living room floor to it, bless them!

I loved his playing on 'Lonesome' & the rest of that Bluetones album. He's got the same kind of phrasing on shuffles (like 'Wait On Time') that Kid Ramos and Kirk Fletcher use.

[HappyValley]

Usually, I don't like those "100 greatest" lists all the magazines do, but this one was pretty good. They totally dug up some obscure Western Swing/Rockabilly guys that don't get mentioned much like Roy Lanham, Jimmy Wyble, Junior Barnard, Larry Collins, Jimmie Rivers & Brain Lonbeck. Plus, Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red and Lonnie Johnson were a nice addtion to the blues side of things. Still, as far as blues goes, It would have been cool to see Jody Williams mentioned.

I wasted my hard earned $$ on this issue as well; Since both Charlie Baty & Fats were mentioned, why not Junior, Kid, Schultz and Holmes? ALL of these guys deserve more universal respect & notoriety than they've received. I also take exception to Rubin's description of Fats as " Mike Bloomfield on steroids". Bloomfield and Fats have ZERO in common, IMHO, tonally or otherwise, muchless tastefully for sure... Fats was lightyears ahead of Bloomfield anyway you slice it.

To add to my nausea, that interview with Steven Seagal was pure CRAP. He's talking like he & Gatemouth were blood brothers for cryin' out loud!
(For a "Zen" Aikido expert he looks like crap as well).

But I DID learn 20 ESSENTIAL Ritchie Blackmore licks!!:jo

[valcotone]

We need to say our prayers for B He was in hosp. I hope he is Ok we need our main men. I got Tix to see him in March


I hadn't heard, thanks ncslim.

Seems he has since been released and is in good spirits:
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2007/01/27/bbking-released.html

[monstermike]

I also take exception to Rubin's description of Fats as " Mike Bloomfield on steroids". Bloomfield and Fats have ZERO in common, IMHO, tonally or otherwise, muchless tastefully for sure... Fats was lightyears ahead of Bloomfield anyway you slice it.


Funny - I always thought Fats sounded pretty much EXACTLY like Bloomfield on steroids when playing lead guitar (more swing-influenced, but not by much unless it was a straight-up jump tune, and even then...). I would also say that I prefer Bloomfield in most cases. Fats was certainly never on a record as good as "Highway 61 Revisited," that's for sure.

(The preceding is strictly my opinion, but that doesn't make you any less wrong, Nick! Heh heh heh...)

[nc slim]

Bloomfield did some great stuff early but got sloppy and did some real weak stuff later maybe all the drugs. He was and always will be one of the GUYs who helped spread our music to the larger audience. God rest his soul

check Al Blakes story in Fathers ands Sons(book I think thats the title) re fats and Bloomfiedls he knew them both. Fats may have used drugs like Bloomfield but I don't think he was capable of a many bad notes even under the influence . All my boots of him he goes and goes he was never overplaying or over bending. He always had direction. I think to compare is Apples and Oranges

Ask Jersey Fret works re Bloomfields guitar

[Scott Miller]

All my opinions of Bloomfield are forever colored by being there at the time. He was, and always will be, da MAN! OK, he can get a little more rocker-dude than I like, but he was the guy who got me and a gazillion other geezers into the blues.

[Echo Are]

Oh yeah, that 1st Butterfield Blues Band album, the one with the "to fully appreciate the BBB this record should be played as loud as possible" message on the back.

I didn't know of this album till 1990, when I found it for check-out at a local library(old vinyl copy). It goes without saying that it kicked the shit outta all the hair metal crap of the time. I wanted a Tele then and there after hearing it once.

I recorded it onto a cassette(remember those, lol) and played it over and over on my Mazda 323's little aftermarket stereo. Still have that tape(the other side has.....wait for it..........Electric Music For The Mind And Body by Country Joe & The Fish).

[THINSOCKS]

Duke looks thrilled!

Ha-Ha!

[Poppa Stoppa]

check Al Blakes story in Fathers ands Sons(book I think thats the title) re fats and Bloomfiedls he knew them both...Do you mean 'Children Of The Blues' Slim? I got it for Christmas - great read - covers, what, 47 artists' stories? A whole lot of them talk about Fats, Watson's in there too. GREAT BOOK!

[Strat-O]

NC - Glad you made it back okay. That '58 of yours sounds great! Looks cool too.

I missed the boat on Mike Bloomfield, its a different generation. Never have been able to find any reason to listen to the Butterfield Blues Band either. It isn't bad, but it just doesn't do much for me. I listened to some tunes off the first album a couple of days ago at the book store, and had the same opinion.

Hearing the comments you guys are making, I guess I can see where they/he figure into the big picture.

[frank62]

The BBB was a band that had to be experienced live. Even the first record, which i believe to be the best, only hints at what they could do. Both Butterfield and Bloomfield were serious about their heroin. It did affect their playing, but when they were on it, it was just magic. I personally like the BBB with Buzzy Fieten the best.

[Short Bus]

I heard Bloomfield 20 or so years ago. It never grabbed me. Same with Johnny Winter. I get that they were 'the guys' of that generation. I appreciate their importance, but SRV and JLV were the ones who got me actually listening to the blues.

recently added...
Kim Wilson and Troy Gonyea on youtube doing a clinic or something as a duo singing Hand To Mouth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob3CTGyq4wc

[regalcat]

hey folks,

I just stumbled on to this thread - while looking for more info about this h-44 pickup on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-50S-HARMONY-STRATOTONE-H-44-DEARMOND-PICKUP_W0QQitemZ150084975352QQihZ005QQcategoryZ226 70QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

which i bet - is being sold by one of you guys!!

what caught my attention though - was some talk back in june/july about junior watson recording in montreal with one very cool cat named bharath rajakumar (among others)..


exactly a week ago i was sitting in that same cafe working with bharath on our album...those guys are all top notch - keep an eye/ear out for them:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=116061017&MyToken=d8ad2d30-75d0-4837-991b-667dba5a1f04

what a privilege to work with those guys..

[musicofanatic5]

Yeah, that's one of "us", alright. Boy, whatta weak p.u. (heh-heh)! Welcome.

[monstermike]

I have to say that I was neither in Chicago in the 60's nor in LA in the late 70's,