“ROLL UP. ROLL UP FOR THE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR. STEP RIGHT THIS WAY”… AND BEYOND THAT – IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY!

“ROLL UP.  ROLL UP FOR THE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR. STEP RIGHT THIS WAY”…  AND BEYOND THAT – IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY! for SOME OTHER GUY…

“THE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR IS WAITING TO TAKE YOU AWAY”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, what you are about to see is the product of our imaginations and believe me, at this point they are quite vivid.”  – Paul McCartney

The Beatles’ 1967 Magical Mystery Tour Feature Film which has been out of print has been fully restored with a remixed stereo soundtrack by Apple Films for DVD and Blu-Ray release on October 8th, 2012.  Word out is that there will even be a limited theatrical release beginning September 27th.

 

 

WHAT’S ALL THE HYPE?

Continue reading “ROLL UP. ROLL UP FOR THE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR. STEP RIGHT THIS WAY”… AND BEYOND THAT – IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY!

JOE BAIZA’S SONIC REIGN by ED HUERTA

TIME FOR MORE OF ED HUERTA’S HE‘ART “N” SOUL

Welcome to Ed Huerta’s He‘Art “N” Soul.  This is the 4th installment here on Jackaboutguitars.com.  If you are new to this column, then a little introduction is in order.  It’s not at all about the interviews with the megastars of music.  This column sheds some light on some very talented people that you may not recognize by name.  These musicians need their stories told as much as the Clapton’s of the world.  So kick back and relax for a few minutes.  I truly appreciate you and please enjoy as I delve into the stories of these artists’ music and what they have to say.     –  Ed Huerta

 

This profile is about a man that should be a household word amongst musicians; guitarists especially.  He is certainly well known in the punk rock and jazz genres.  Now wait, don’t go turning off your mind because I said the “P” word.  Punk rock doesn’t necessarily mean drugged out kids running around in black leather with Mohawks and razor blades embedded in their skin.  That’s the old television show (see Quincy M.E.) image meant to send mom and dad scurrying into your room to throw away your Ramones and Vandals records and to discover your p*t stash that you thought you hid well.

 

There are several types of punk rock as there are several types of jazz or blues or rock and roll.  So now that this is understood, read on and experience the man that several of his musical contemporaries have called the “Carlos Santana of punk rock”.  In my opinion, this is much too limiting of a moniker.

 

Continue reading JOE BAIZA’S SONIC REIGN by ED HUERTA

LED ZEPPELIN LIVE

LED ZEPPELIN LIVE 1969 TV BROADCAST

 

Here’s a video for all of you Led Zeppelin fans – (or just Jimmy Page people) from a live broadcast on Danish TV way back in 1969.

A LITTLE ABOUT…

This ultra cool video was sent in by Paul Conn, our man over at iPerform3D, the place where you can check out their amazing 3D guitar teaching software (at no cost) and even sign up for their FREE LESSONS.

That’s right – FREE LESSONS.  Just click on the iPerform3D link.

During these economically challenging times when costs are just plain stupid, dumb, ridiculous for everything, let alone anything as cool and worthwhile as iPerform3D, Paul Conn and iPerform3D have stepped up to the plate to let YOU, thee amazing guitarist, and the soon to be other amazing, extreme guitarists in training, try out their amazing guitar teaching software for FREE!!!  No matter what level your playing ability is at, these

TIME FOR JUST A BIT O’ FUN…

WHAT DID NATHAN DANIEL, SAM THE SHAM, AND CARNAC ALL HAVE IN COMMON?  EXACTLY.  I DON’T THINK ANYONE KNOWS FOR SURE.

BUT CHECK THIS OUT.  YOU JUST DON’T SEE THIS MANY DANOS ON STAGE AT ONCE ANYMORE.  MY HAT TURBAN’S OFF TO THESE GUYS.

TIME FOR JUST A BIT O’ FUN…

Here’s 2 minutes of fun from NAMM 2011? ( I’ll trust the place and date until I hear differently from someone.)

The title on the video says it’s from DEKE

BEATLE BYTES

The Beatle Bytes section of the site will deal with videos about a “great little band” that was told that they “would never be a part of show business history”. Nonetheless, they proved quite a few people wrong as “guitar groups were on their way out” during this particular time in music history.  These guys became one of the biggest acts in show business history and their music is still well known and popular all over the world – over 42 years after they broke up.

 

Whether you’re a player who was around way back in ’64 when they landed on American soil, or a younger player, no matter what type of music that you play, these guys were such a big part of music history that they had a big  influence on most guitar players and song writers who came after them.

 

Even if their influence didn’t directly influence you and your playing, there’s a good chance that they probably had influenced the players that you knew as you were growing up.   They had a tremendous influence on my generation which caused a lot of people to get interested in playing music.

These videos aren’t in any chronological order whatsoever.  Great history though.  Something new for some of you and a hop,

100 GUITAR RIFFS – A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROCK & ROLL

ALEX CHADWICK OF CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE

100 GUITAR RIFFS – A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROCK & ROLL

Here’s a cool little video sent in by a good friend, Carol Douthitt, who is quite the vocalist’ in her own right.  She and her husband, Chris, escaped the land of the Port many moons ago to the wondrous Island of Whidbey.  Many thanks, Carol, for this little gem.

Alex Chadwick of Chicago Music Exchange plays 100 guitar riffs in a single take.  My hat’s off to you Alex.  Quite a feat and well

ELIXIR GUITAR STRINGS…THE BRAND I PUT ON ALL OF MY GUITARS

YOU GUESSED IT…ELIXIR STRINGS ARE MY FAVORITE STRINGS

ELIXIR GUITAR STRINGS…THE BRAND I PUT ON ALL OF MY GUITARS

There are so many different brands of guitar strings on the market that it will make your head spin.  Over the years I have been asked numerous times about which guitar strings I prefer and use, or would even recommend.  There’s one brand that hooked me right from the first time I put them on one of my guitars.  Since that first set, it’s the only brand of strings that I buy.  Elixir.

 

You see, I had never really ever been a string snob.  Guitar strings were just something I changed – and it seemed like it was all of the time.  It didn’t really seem to matter too much if I wiped them down right after a set or waited until the end of the night before putting my guitar back in the case at the end of the gig.  After about three weeks of playing they just didn’t sound the same  anymore…in fact, they just didn’t sound very good at all any more.  I really never had a preference of brand either.  Guitar strings were just guitar strings as far as I was concerned and .010’s were what I used.

Continue reading ELIXIR GUITAR STRINGS…THE BRAND I PUT ON ALL OF MY GUITARS

THE HOFNER 500/1…ALSO KNOWN AS THE BEATLE BASS

THE HOFNER 500/1…ALSO KNOWN AS THE BEATLE BASS

THE HOFNER 500/1: THE BASS GUITAR THAT A YOUNG MAN FROM LIVERPOOL MADE VERY FAMOUS

The Hofner 500/1 is a very light weight bass guitar which became extremely popular in rock music after a certain young man from Liverpool, England made it his main instrument.  He had taken up the task of bass player in a “great little band” he belonged

STRING STRETCHA – A VERY COOL TOOL

STRING STRETCHA – A VERY COOL TOOL

A GADGET REALLY WORTH HAVING

String Stretcha is really a great little tool that any serious guitarist should have in his arsenal of guitar gadgets (unless of course, someone else changes your strings for you – then that person should have one).

 

String Stretcha – a very cool tool indeed.  I’ll be the first to admit just how much I wish that I had been the one to have the idea of String Stretcha and produce it.  It’s also common knowledge now that there are many guitar techs and players out there using the String Stretcha who have thought the same thing.  Even guitarist Randy Bachman has stated that he wishes he would have thought of it.

 

If one has played (or performed) for any considerable length of time and has several instruments which need to be maintained, this gadget is a must to own.   I’ve been playing guitar for quite some time now; long enough to say that I started learning how during that same year a world famous band from Britain arrived on U.S. shores.  (for a little more on that check out https://www.jackaboutguitars.com/guitar-bug-bit-me-big-time)  No matter how you look at it, that’s a lot of string changing over a lot of years.

Continue reading STRING STRETCHA – A VERY COOL TOOL

MISSING LINK(S) – FOUND…AND CATEGORIZED

MISSING LINK(S) – FOUND…AND CATEGORIZED

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

The missing links have been found! (and categorized!) At least a good deal of them have been as there are many more to come.

Here’s a whole slew of links living in one spot that will take you to all kinds of cool places that are really worth checking out. Here’s the several catagories that I chose to help you find what you might be looking for:

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS, AMPLIFIERS, EFFECTS/PEDALS, ELECTRIC GUITARS/BASSES, MACHINE HEADS, MICROPHONES, MISCELLANEOUS, PICKUPS, PUBLICATIONS, SPEAKERS, & STRINGS.

If your

SCOTT ABEYTA: LAYING THE TRACK THAT MOTOR-VATES THE BLUES EXPRESS by ED HUERTA

 

First off, it’s great to be back here on Jackaboutguitars.com.  This post will reside in the “Art N Soul” Section of the blog.  This is where I will be uncovering the lesser known personalities out there plying their craft.  It’s not about Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck(the guys who became successful long ago), though I will listen if their people want to set up an interview.

 

This column will try to get some talented people out there to you, the guitar fan, that will hopefully appreciate these collective talents. Enough yakkin’ and on to the story…

SCOTT ABEYTA: LAYING THE TRACK THAT MOTOR-VATES THE BLUES EXPRESS by ED HUERTA

SCOTT ABEYTA – GUITARIST FOR WHITEBOY JAMES AND THE BLUES EXPRESS

 

 

Continue reading SCOTT ABEYTA: LAYING THE TRACK THAT MOTOR-VATES THE BLUES EXPRESS by ED HUERTA

A SAUCERFUL OF STRATS by PETE PROWN

A SAUCERFUL OF STRATS by PETE PROWN

Note: Jackaboutguitars would like to thank Pete Prown for providing this cool article to the site.

Pete Prown is a “noted American guitaraist and music journalist” who has written many guitar books including Legends of Rock Guitar’ which he co-wrote with author and guitarist HP Newquist and Shred!: The Ultimate Guide to Warp-Speed Guitar’ which he co-wrote with Rich Maloof.  Pete  is the GEAR EDITOR at VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE and is also the  leader of  the “progressive rock” band Guitar Garden.  Pete’s guitar music can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/GuitarGarden.  For more of Pete’s guitar work see EAR CANDY.

 

PINK FLOYD’S CD CATALOG GETS A MASSIVE REISSUE

 

By any standard, Pink Floyd has one of the mightiest catalogs in rock ‘n’ roll, a 14-album pantheon from 1967 to 1994 that has few rivals. Every so often, EMI remasters the batch with fresh sonics and, no question, this latest round gives Floydheads serious reason to rejoice.  Let’s take a peek and check out the new goodies.

 

The big news is what’s being called the “Immersion” and “Experience” editions of Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall (this last one coming out in a 7-CD/DVD set).  The Immersion sets are expensive, multi-disc sets with CDs, books, new artwork, and swag, but cooler are the Experience sets, which are expanded 2-CD editions.  Every other disc in the Floyd catalog is being reissued as single “Discovery” discs that are simply remastered.

Continue reading A SAUCERFUL OF STRATS by PETE PROWN

JIM MARSHALL – A BIT ABOUT ‘THE FATHER OF LOUD’ by RICH MALOOF

JIM MARSHALL –  A BIT ABOUT ‘THE FATHER OF LOUD’ by RICH MALOOF

The title of this post says quite a bit about the man responsible for the sound that Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy PageJeff Beck, and even Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins, to name just a few, came to make their own.  Jim Marshall, R.I.P.

 

I’m usually not one who deals very well with even the mention of the word de@+#.  Concerning it, I’ve never had sadder times in my life.  I’m hoping, Lord willing, that I still have a bit of time left on this Earth, upon this treadmill I call life, to get various things accomplished that I would like to do.  Only time will tell.  I haven’t made any mention of all the guitarists and musicians of late who have stepped away from the planet as that’s just not my gig (see 1st sentence above).

 

However, if you’re into keeping up on thoses types of things, have I got a link for you!  Also, this is where I’m making a special exception to the rule about any stories concerning the d-word.  An important contributor to Jackaboutguitars, Author & Noteworthy Guitarist Rich Maloof, who wrote a biography of Jim Marshall called “The Father of Loud,” was just recently interviewed by Anchor Marco Werman of BBC/PRI’s ‘The World’.

 

Continue reading JIM MARSHALL – A BIT ABOUT ‘THE FATHER OF LOUD’ by RICH MALOOF

BRING IT ON HOME – JIMMY PAGE WALKS INTO A NEW FUTURE WITH AN OLD FRIEND by H P NEWQUIST

BRING IT ON HOME – JIMMY PAGE WALKS INTO A NEW FUTURE WITH AN OLD FRIEND by H P NEWQUIST

It’s time to take a few steps back in time and pick up a little bit of rock and roll history about one of the guitar greats of our day.  He was a member of The Yardbirds and the theremin playing guitarist of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page.

H P NEWQUIST  is a gifted writer and guitarist whose works have made there way across the planet more times than anyone can even begin to guess at.  He has received numerous awards and citations for his works.  A former Editor in Chief at Guitar Magazine, HP Newquist is the man responsible for The National GUITAR Museum  and serves as the Executive Director.  He has also written many guitar books including Legends of Rock Guitar which he co-wrote with author and guitarist Pete Prown  as well as articles for Billboard, Guitar Shop, and Guitar Player Magazine.  He has conducted interviews with many of the “greats” in the guitar world. He is also responsible for The Way They Play books, which teach “guitarists how to play and sound like their favorite artists“.  His co-writer on the series is RichMaloof, author, guitarist, and editor.  Jackaboutguitars is proud to be able to reprint another of HP Newquist’s fine works, an interview he did a while back with Jimmy Page.  Newquist’s works are truly a pleasure to read!  Many thanks HP for all of your contributions to this fine instrument which we all treasure.   Enjoy. – Jack

 

JIMMY PAGE IS THE ONLY ROCK GUITAR ICON FROM THE BLUES-BASED BRITISH INVASION WHO STILL MATTERS.  THINK ABOUT IT.

 

As the blues-rock of the late ’60s hurtled towards the hard rock of the ’70s, four men were pushing the limits: Jimi Hendrix, and the Yardbird triumvirate of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Page.  Jimi Hendrix is gone.  This apparently doesn’t affect his legacy, but it does affect his ability to create new music that still matters, regardless of how many “lost” recordings are posthumously released.

Continue reading BRING IT ON HOME – JIMMY PAGE WALKS INTO A NEW FUTURE WITH AN OLD FRIEND by H P NEWQUIST

GUITARS FOR VETS – THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC IN THE HANDS OF HEROES

GUITARS FOR VETS – THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC IN THE HANDS OF HEROES

NOW THERE’S A WAY WE ALL CAN GIVE BACK TO THOSE WHO GAVE IT ALL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Jackaboutguitars, we’re all about anything guitar – as the tagline says, “just a fun little guitar site“.  Anytime that anything guitar can bring about an awareness of something worthwhile, cool, or plain old fun that someone else is doing with guitars, we just have to include it on the website.

 

If you have been reading Jackaboutguitars, you’ll probably remember the story “ED VAN HALEN’S BIG GUITAR SECRET REVEALED…”  If you didn’t get a chance to read it, it’s a story about Ed Van Halen’s donation of 75 EVH electric guitars to the Los Angeles School District.  “Music education and families are dealing with the economic times,” Ed said in a statement, “and I wanted to help them.  Playing music has provided a good life for me”, said Van Halen.  “Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me.”  What a cool, generous move on Ed’s part.  Here’s another story that everyone out there can be a part of.  This story is just too good.

 

THE STORY OF GUITARS FOR VETS

 

Did you ever think that you could help someone else in such an epic way as this just by donating a guitar?  Guitars for Vets is a really great program which helps Vets who suffer with the effects of  PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

 

 THE GUITARS FOR VETS VISION:

 

“Our primary focus is using the healing power of music to help our veterans. Whether we agree or disagree with the decision to go to war, one thing is for certain: there are men and women who bravely fight for and honorably represent our country.  As a consequence of war, many of our soldiers come home with physical and emotional injuries.  They need our help.”

 

Continue reading GUITARS FOR VETS – THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC IN THE HANDS OF HEROES

CORY DAVIS: THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF… by Ed Huerta

CORY DAVIS:   THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF… by Ed Huerta

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

World renowned artist and writer  Ed Huerta, is making his 2nd appearance at Jackaboutguitars.  “The Prince of Primitive” was born in Los Angeles and currently resides in Long Beach, California.  A longtime musician, Ed has played in several L.A./O.C. bands, including The Jack Brewer Band, The Lazy Cowgirls, The Final Tourguides, Moist and Meaty, Mind Over 4, The Silly Millions, & Eddie & The Trays.  He has also toured the U.S. and Europe as a drummer.  Huerta started painting in 2007 as a way to relieve stress and to forget about everyday problems.

Many of his paintings involve fictional situations comprised of famous iconic people i.e. Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Paul Lynde, Groucho Marx, Brian Wilson, & the likes of Charles Manson.  Several musicians, from jazz and blues icons/legends, to hard-working local musicians, are highlighted in his paintings.  Many of these paintings hang in the homes of famous artists and musicians and local Long Beach and Orange County establishments have Huerta’s work hanging on their walls and garden areas.

“Someone once told me that it looks like I’m grasping at that line between bad taste and achieving utter genius.  Many of my paintings reflect the battle of Good vs. Evil, or the battle within oneself.  My upbringing seems to permeate a lot of my work…the heaven and the hell along with the humor that one has to have to deal with every day life, whether it’s the fire one has to endure or brings upon himself, or the goodness one strives to accomplish.”

“I started painting with acrylic on canvas, hardboard and wood surfaces.  I like to recreate on round wood tabletops, old 78 rpm record labels.  I like the look that old 78 labels had.”  Ed has more recently experimented with oils in a lot of his portrait of jazz icon series work.  “The oils are warmer, breathe better…have a more life-like feel to them…but an obvious disadvantage for a left-hander!” Ed continues to play music (currently drumming in Lord Ransom and his Ranch Hands) and paint while his wife and two English Bulldogs and 3 cats lounge around and cheer him on.  The following article on Cory Davis: THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF is Ed Huerta’s  second contribution to Jackaboutguitars.  Enjoy.   – Jack


 A note from Author Ed Huerta : I would like to clarify one thing about this and future articles I will be doing for Jackaboutguitars.   If you come to this column and expect to read about Eric Clapton, James Hetfield, or even John Mayer, then please, move on.  In this column, I’ll be writing about lesser known guitarists and musicians.

 

I am hoping to spread the word about and open your eyes to other genres or talented players that are out there entertaining nightly in bars and clubs.  This doesn’t mean that these people have lesser talent or abilities.  As a past and current part-time musician,  fame is basically a crapshoot, with the music industry churning out and chewing up artists, as they deem necessary, anointing certain people with “Starpower” while others spend years honing their craft on stages and barroom concrete floors.

 

I would like to use this column for people to get a glimpse behind the scenes of what these musicians’ deal with and the spirit and influences that drive them forward.  As Jack  from jackaboutguitars shows on this website, the guitar and music are powerful tools that drive people to push limits, and if the spirit really gets inside of you, it’s a lifelong commitment.  Thank you Dear Readers for understanding my reasons and now please read on.   I hope you enjoy these brief moments inside the world of guitar players and their journeys…   – Ed Huerta

   

CORY DAVIS:  THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF…

 

Before I get into Cory’s story and history, let me take a few minutes and explain to some casual readers or fans of music how this interview opened up my eyes to the true musician’s world.  Upon writing this article, I stumbled upon certain truths that musicians hold dear.  Now I’m not talking about your pre-fabricated, record company, spoon fed, you know whos; not talking about the people that have never played a nightclub or a bar; or if they did show up onstage in a seedy area of town, would get their @*%^# kicked immediately by patron reaction to their soulless crap.  I’m talking about gut-busting blues, about music from the soul, about paying ones dues, about accepting your gift and taking it as far as the world will let you take it, regardless of consequences or fame.

Continue reading CORY DAVIS: THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF… by Ed Huerta

SKILL SWEETENERS

WELCOME TO SKILL SWEETENERS

 

Who doesn’t enjoy the chance to sweeten one’s skills?  No matter what you’re into, what you enjoy working, or playing at, what you do for a living, whatever.  Whenever one has the opportunity to sweeten his or her skills in that endeavor, it’s usually a pretty cool happening thing to do.  It’s always been a fun thing to have a little bit of an edge going with something that you like to pride yourself on.

 

This section of Jackaboutguitars is the place to find information that is aimed at helping take YOU to the next level, regardless of where you presently are with your guitar related skills.  In other words, the opportunity to have your Skills Sweetened will hopefully be found right here for you.  Whether you’re a beginner, an all around player, or even the guy who’s been around the block so many times that he’s dizzy and miles ahead of everyone else, resources will be provided here that should hopefully help stir up the BEAST WITHIN by showing some of the cool things out there that are available to YOU.

 

WHAT A WAY TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY GUITAR – YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO READ MUSIC…MY KIND OF LEARNING TOOL

 

Chris Liscio has come up with a great software program that is just PURE GENIUS. No, it’s not brand new as it’s been out for a little while, but I’ve got the latest version, Capo 2 for Mac, and have heard more than just a few times how cool it really is. Capo can actually help musicians to learn how to play by ear. Without a doubt, I believe CAPO could be called a guitarist’s best friend.

 

This is so cool that I had to borrow this from the CAPO website: “Along the way, we’ve received many accolades, including two Apple Design Awards for our products Capo and FuzzMeasure. Our software is recognized as some of the best in the industry, and we strive to maintain that reputation.” That says plenty.

 

Most players, even if they have never played with a physical capo, pretty much know how one works. The idea is that one can raise the key of a song by simply moving the capo up the neck.

 

For those who are just starting out and don’t know what a physical capo does, it’s kind of like this: playing a song in the key of G is a pretty basic kind of deal. If one wants to play that same song in the key of A without going through all of the hassle of transposing the chords to make the song work in the key of A, it’s as simple as putting the capo on at the second fret, and playing the song the same way as if one were playing in the key of G. However, the song is now in the key of A as the capo has done all of the work for you and made everything that much easier.

 

With CAPO from SUPER ULTRA MEGA GROOVY, Chris Liscio has in a sense, managed to do the same type of thing with software, but it really kind of isn’t the same thing at all, and, oh yeah, and did I mention it’s only about a thousand times better! This program is unbelievable. Before I get into the meat of it, (or even better, certified organic, non GMO, Vegan great stuff – much healthier for you than the meat with what they feed the animals these days – unless your talking free range, but that’s another story altogether) about CAPO, I’m going to run you back a few decades when I was coming up on guitar to help put things a little more in perspective for people who may be coming from a different place & time, like I did. You see, not everyone who is a guitar player came up with the internet.

Continue reading SKILL SWEETENERS

BRAIN FOOD

THIS is the BIRTH of BRAIN FOOD.

I will continue to add titles to the BRAIN FOOD section of the blog as time permits.  Some of the resources might help you to play even better than you do now and others will help you to even want to play better, no matter how skillful you may be at your craft.  I hope that you’ll take advantage of some of these fabulous reads.  –  Jack

HERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR YOUR READING AND VIEWING PLEASURE

Brain Food will be offering a selection of guitar delicacies from time to time which will be most gratifying to your cerebral palette.  You’ll be pointed in directions that will soothe your consciousness, indoctrinate your faculties, and perhaps even assist you in embracing this excellent instrument even more than you do now.  In JackTalk that means you’re gonna love it…

Continue reading BRAIN FOOD

DAN WEBER IS THE REAL DEAL…

 

DAN WEBER – SONGWRITER & STORYTELLER

 

That’s right.  Dan Weber is the real deal.  “Dangerous Dan”, a name bestowed upon him on a cold, wintry night in Toronto by legendary songwriter Tom Russell, is a multi award winning songwriter who tells stories in the same tradition of the great cowboy singer songwriters.  I just have to list some of the awards that Dan has won during his short time being out there as it’s not just amazing, but totally mind blowing:

  • 2008 Best Lyrics, Portland Songwriter’s Association

               “Truth or Consequences”

  • 2008 Best Singer-Songwriter Finalist

                Portland Songwriter’s Association

  • 2009 Pacific Northwest Winner

                West Coast Songwriter’s Performing Songwriter Competition

  • 2010 Americana Honorable Mention:

                “Take the Central Georgia Home”

  •  2010 Portland West Coast Songwriters Best Song:

                 “Lost and Found”, Portland WCS

  •  2010 Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest, Sisters Folk Festival

                (1 of 5 National Finalists)

  •  2011 Dan Howell Song of the Year:

                 “Goodbye to Dad”

  •  2011 Pacific Northwest Winner

                 West Coast Songwriter’s Performing Songwriter Competition

  •  2011 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest

                 Semi-Finalist “Goodbye to Dad”

  Continue reading DAN WEBER IS THE REAL DEAL…

ADAM FULARA PLAYS BACH FOR THE MASSES

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH ON GUITAR!  (not really, but Adam Fulara makes it happen that way)

 

Mandolin Matt has done it again.  He sent some special gems through the airways which landed right here at Jackaboutguitars.  In fact, my good friend Justin also sent some of these diamonds my way just a short while after Matt.  The way that everyone and everything these days, is and are, flying about through space, cyberspace, your airspace, my airspace, and the crazy space between some folks’ ears that I’m certainly not going to get into right now (as I make it a point to stay away from Senate and House related matters), it’s a wonder this fine footage landed here at Jackaboutguitars without being too heavily taxed.

Continue reading ADAM FULARA PLAYS BACH FOR THE MASSES

FEATURED CREATURE ROCK OCK

Here’s the one I have been waiting to share since I found out about it several months back.  The FEATURED CREATURE hands down goes to ROCK OCK.  That’s right, ROCK OCK.  One might just think, what is this Rock Ock?  It sounds like Doc Ock on steroids.  Truth of the matter is, for a GUITAR, it IS the closest thing to DOC OCK ON STEROIDS.  Rock Ock was created “as an over-the-top center piece for the National GUITAR Museum’s Traveling Exhibit”, “Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World”.

 

Rock Ock is the only playable guitar that has EIGHT necks.  This is no typo.  Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick is one guitarist that comes to mind who might be one who truly would want this guitar in his collection as he is known for playing multi neck guitars.  Rock Ock comes complete with a Mandolin, Tenor Uke, 6-String Guitar, Fretless Bass, Fretted Bass, 12-String Guitar, Baritone Guitar, and even a 7-String Guitar.  My son in law, metal guitarist and shredder, Brent Kuzmanich would love Rock Ock alone for that 7 string neck.

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GUITAR SHORTY: TEXAS BLUES LEGEND by ED HUERTA

 A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

World renowned artist and writer  Ed Huerta, “The Prince of Primitive”, was born in Los Angeles and currently resides in Long Beach, California.  A longtime musician, Ed has played in several L.A./O.C. bands, including The Jack Brewer Band, The Lazy Cowgirls, The Final Tourguides, Moist and Meaty, Mind Over 4, The Silly Millions, & Eddie & The Trays.  Huerta started painting in 2007 as a way to relieve stress and to forget about everyday problems.

Many of his paintings involve fictional situations comprised of famous iconic people i.e. Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Paul Lynde, Groucho Marx, Brian Wilson, & the likes of Charles Manson.  Several musicians, from jazz and blues icons/legends, to hard-working local musicians, are highlighted in his paintings.  Many of these paintings hang in the homes of famous artists and musicians and local Long Beach and Orange County establishments have Huerta’s work hanging on their walls and garden areas.

“Someone once told me that it looks like I’m grasping at that line between bad taste and achieving utter genius.  Many of my paintings reflect the battle of Good vs. Evil, or the battle within oneself.  My upbringing seems to permeate a lot of my work…the heaven and the hell along with the humor that one has to have to deal with every day life, whether it’s the fire one has to endure or brings upon himself, or the goodness one strives to accomplish.”

“I started painting with acrylic on canvas, hardboard and wood surfaces.  I like to recreate on round wood tabletops, old 78 rpm record labels.  I like the look that old 78 labels had.”  Ed has more recently experimented with oils in a lot of his portrait of jazz icon series work.  “The oils are warmer, breathe better…have a more life-like feel to them…but an obvious disadvantage for a left-hander!” Ed continues to play music (currently drumming in Lord Ransom and his Ranch Hands) and paint while his wife and two English Bulldogs and 3 cats lounge around and cheer him on.  The following article on Texas Blues Legend Guitar Shorty is Ed’s first contribution to Jackaboutguitars.  Enjoy.   – Jack

GUITAR SHORTY:  TEXAS BLUES LEGEND

Guitar Shorty is not your common household variety name, though he should be, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as guitarists Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. He is known to have influenced both Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix.

 

In the world of blues guitarists, Guitar Shorty’s name rings as true as Muhammad Ali’s does to the sport of boxing. Surprisingly enough, Guitar Shorty was not born into this world with this moniker. He was born David William Kearney on September 8, 1939 in Houston, Texas.

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NEEDING/GETTING BY THE BAND OK GO…280 GRETSCH GUITARS @ 2:28

GUITARS BLAZING @ 2:28

 

This is quite different but very cool.  It’s a video by the band OK GO of their song NEEDING/GETTING.  Oh yes, and that’s the band in the car playing the music.  A different way of playing music while in your car, or should I say with your car?

 

You may wonder at about 2 minutes in, what the heck is this doing here?  What guitars?  I see it starts out with a ukelele. I thought that this was jackaboutguitars.com?  Am I gettin’

ED VAN HALEN’S BIG GUITAR SECRET REVEALED…

ED VAN HALEN’S BIG GUITAR SECRET REVEALED…

Ed Van Halen is already making his second appearance at Jackaboutguitars in just two weeks time.  That’s quite an accomplishment for anyone.  ED VAN HALEN’S BIG GUITAR SECRET REVEALED!

The Scoop

I can really appreciate it when someone has the ability and just goes for it – goes that extra mile because that’s what he’s all about.  That’s the case with Ed Van Halen.  My hat is off to him.

 

I’m not speaking of his incredible ability as a lead guitar player.  Anyone who has heard the name Van Halen knows what Ed is all about on guitar.  That’s a given.  What I’m referring to is the selfless act of generosity which he put forward a few short weeks ago.

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WHAT’S UP DOC? YEP… DOC WATSON & MERLEFEST 2012

A LITTLE ABOUT DOC…

Doc Watson (Arthel Lane Watson at birth) is considered to be one of the BIG talents in music and just by watching and listening to him, the reasons are very apparent why.  His flat picking style is the envy of many guitarists, both young and old.  At 88 years of age, he does not show any evidence of slowing down any time soon.  He has wowed and entertained audiences around the world for over forty years.

An eye infection left Doc blind before his first birthday, but somehow that never seems to have gotten in his way.  He got his first guitar from Sears & Roebuck (hey that’s where I got my first real one – see A LITTLE BIT ABOUT…how the guitar bug bit me BIG TIME) which happened to be a $10 Stella, made by the Oscar Schmidt Company.  His next guitar was a Martin D-18.

 

 

 

Here’s Doc doing Black Mountain Rag back in 1991.

 

I can’t even begin to fill you in on who this great man called Doc Watson is and what he is all about, but there is some wonderful reading about him on the Merlefest 2012 website.

Continue reading WHAT’S UP DOC? YEP… DOC WATSON & MERLEFEST 2012

ED VAN HALEN told by SCOTT LARSON

 

Years ago, a friend of mine, Ed Van Halen told me this story. One of the great guitarists of the century put his career in perspective.

and so the story goes…

Three lost explorers in lands we’ll never see came upon a lost tribe that the world had forgotten. The Chief of this tribe welcomed these explorers and invited them to stay in their humble village. The explorers gratefully accepted the Chief’s invitation.

Later that first night as the explorers settled to sleep in their new surroundings, they heard drums in the distance. They heard distant drum cadences, keeping them from sleep. All night the drums pounded the beat.

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HOW LOW Can YOU Go? by PETE PROWN


Pete Prown
is a “noted American guitaraist and music journalist” who has written many guitar books including Legends of Rock Guitar’ which he co-wrote with author and guitarist HP Newquist and Shred!: The Ultimate Guide to Warp-Speed Guitar’ which he co-wrote with Rich Maloof.  Pete  is the GEAR EDITOR at VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE and is also the  leader of  the “progressive rock” band Guitar Garden.  Pete’s guitar music can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/GuitarGarden.

 

HOW LOW Can YOU Go? by PETE PROWN

The Art of Drop Tunings and Heavy Strings

One of the hippest sonic innovations over the past decade or two has been the popular use of “drop” tunings, notably among heavy rock, metal, and alternative players. The advantage of drop tunings is that it pushes the range of standard-scale guitars down into lower ranges–not quite to that of the electric bass or Fender Bass VI, but roughly in the same territory as longer-scale baritone guitars.

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HOT LINKS. Ummmm…

 

This page has me thinking about BBQ right off the bat.  Those smokey, spicy, Louisiana hot links are what comes to my mind.  Ummmm…  Now that I got that out of my system, this is about the other type of hot link.

These hot links are the ones that are much more time sensitive and have an expiration date that will probably be on us much quicker than the date on your edible variety.  If you have the means and can do any of these before they expire, they’ll be well worth your time!    – Jack

HERE’S ONE THAT YOU REALLY NEED TO CHECK OUT!

WreckingCrewLogo

THE WRECKING CREW FILM – FREE SCREENING

If you are one of the fortunate ones who will be able to get to the final day of Winter NAMM 2013 on Sunday, January 27th – Anaheim, California…you probably already know about the free screening of The Wrecking Crew Film.

If you don’t, it’s happening in Room 204-B @ 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Here’s a trailer just to give you a little bit of information about this fantastic movie by award winning film maker Denny Tedesco, son of the late, great guitarist, Tommy Tedesco, who was a member of The Wrecking Crew.

WHAT”S IT ALL ABOUT?

Well, if the trailer didn’t spell it out for you…

This looks to be one really cool movie.  The rights to purchase all of this great music so that this wonderful film can be released are a bit on the $$$Spendy side.  Hopefully soon though, enough money will be raised to get this great film released.

Denny Tedesco let me know that there will also be a special screening on February 9, 2013 @ 8:00 p.m. honoring drummer Hal Blaine.  He also mentioned that “Nancy Sinatra will be joining us as well as a couple of other folks of the day.”

Here’s that info:

WreckingCrewUpcoming

And here’s a link to some upcoming screenings that will be taking place:

http://wreckingcrew.tv/upcoming.html

Since I’m unable to make it to NAMM this year I’d like to give a shout out for Denny Tedesco and myself to Voyage Guitar, Beamz, and Heil Sound for all of the great support that these sponsers have given to The Wrecking Crew Film!

We all need to do what we can to help Denny Tedesco get this FANTASTIC film out there.  It would be so very cool if one (or several of you for that matter) guitarists out there with a love for what’s going on here and have been blessed to make your living from music, decide to step up to the plate and help Denny get this ultra very cool movie out there for everyone who has any music in them to enjoy.

These great musicians played a huge part in many of our lives and the time has come to get their story out.

We’ll be doing a more in depth Feature Post on The Wrecking Crew Film in the near future so keep an eye out.

Many thanks to Denny Tedesco for this great film!!!          –  Jack

 

 

“WE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPERS” – A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR BLUES GUITARIST DAVID “KID” RAMOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy Rand Chortkoff & Delta Groove Productions.com

 

When you think of all the great guitar playing that Kid Ramos has given us over the years, it’s just mind boggling. It’s time for us to give back to Kid as we all can, whether it be by donations to his medical fund or even just some kind encouraging words to Kid, his wife Linda, and their family.

 

Without getting too deeply into any specifics, Kid is in a fight with cancer which he’s going to battle right out of his body. It would be great if we all rally around him and cheer him and his family on through this tough ordeal. TOGETHER WE WILL WIN!!!

Continue reading HOT LINKS. Ummmm…