In Memoriam 2013... When the Music's Over

As we come to end of the year, I'd like to reflect on some of the musical talent we've lost in 2013. The up and coming artists of today have some big shoes to fill.

• Lou Reed, founding member of rock band The Velvet Underground, hits include  "Sweet Jane" and "Walk On the Wild Side". He was 71.
• J.J. Cale, a singer and songwriter who penned such classic songs as Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" and "After Midnight" as well as having a successful career of his own, has died of a heart attack. He was 74.
• Johnny Smith, a jazz guitarist and songwriter whose hits included "Walk, Don't Run", has died of natural cause. He was 90.
• Marshall Lytle, a bass player with Bill Haley & His Comets and a 2012 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has died of lung cancer. He was 79.
• Mack Emerman, the founder of Criteria Recording Studios, has died of complications from pneumonia. Classic songs such as Eric Clapton's "Layla" as well as parts of legendary albums Hotel California and Rumours were recorded at Criteria. He was 89.
• Trevor Bolder, longtime bassist for Uriah Heep and David Bowie, has died of cancer. Bolder was 62.
• Ray Manzarek, founding member of legendary rock band The Doors, has died after a long fight with bile duct cancer. He was 74.
• Richie Havens, the singer/guitar player who opened the 1969 Woodstock Festival with a three-hour performance, has died at 72.
• Andy Johns, a record producer for such groups as Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, has died at 62.
• Phil Ramone, a record producer who worked with Frank Sintara, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and Barbra Streisand among others, has died at 79.
• Peter Banks, the original guitar player for the band Yes, has died of heart failure. He was 65.
• Alvin Lee, the frontman of Ten Years After and an accomplished solo artist, has died of complications related to routine surgery. He was 68.
• Van Cliburn, the "rock star" classical pianist who won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died of bone cancer. He was 78.
• Dan Toler, a guitar player and member of the Allman Brothers Band, has died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 64.
• Rick Huxley, bass player for the British Invasion pop-rock band Dave Clark Five, has died at age 72.
• Reg Presley, the singer of the British band The Troggs, died of lung cancer. He was 71.

One of my very favorite classical tunes Claire de Lune by Debussey as played by a master, Van Cliburn

 Van Cliburn: Claire de Lune

$pecial $ongs

It's that time of year again, one month to Christmas. We get so saturated with commercialism during the holiday season, it almost works exactly the opposite of the intentions, for me at least. To put in musical terms, we hear the same ol' stuff in the stores, parking lots, radio ads, TV ads... until we're about ready to scream. And it's a pretty good bet that your favorite artist has created their own album of holiday music, because it's a very lucrative thing to do. So, of course, I've purchased even more holiday music so I can make my own selections. And there is some really good stuff, and some... errrr...  not so much. Some new renditions of old classics, and some new songs altogether.

Some of my old favorites from rock/pop artists include:

• John Lennon, 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'
• The Beach Boys, 'Little Saint Nick'
• David Bowie & Bing Crosby, 'Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy'
• Elvis Presley, 'Blue Christmas'
• Jose Feliciano, 'Feliz Navidad'

Being a "guitar guy" I must include some of my other favorites including the great guitar work of The Brian Setzer Orchestra, 'Boogie Woogie Christmas' and 'Dig That Crazy Christmas' or Gary Hoey, 'Ho Ho Hoey'. There is the more traditional albums by Gloria Estefan, 'Christmas Through Your Eyes' and Jewel, 'Joy, A Holiday Collection'. Los Lonely Boys, Sugarland, and others have also made some worthwhile contributions. I do really enjoy the new age styling of Mannheim Steamroller and the symphonic rock of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you haven't heard these last two you really need to look them up.

I'm working on this year's video, meanwhile here is a link to the past four years.

 TunaToons Christmas

Tap Tap Tapping at My Chamber Door

I've read a few articles lately on guitars with more than 6 strings. A 12-string is fairly common, that has 2 strings very close to each other for each of the guitar's 6 strings, and it's played the same as a standard guitar (although it does take some extra finger strength and stamina). That's all good, others have an extra string, or two, on the bottom end for extra bass for the guitarist. Interesting stuff but... it makes me think of a completely different instrument I first saw at an art fair years ago. A beautiful sound was floating over the noise of the crowd. I worked my way towards the notes. And finally stood mesmerized by Leo Gosselin tapping on a "Chapman stick". It's kinda like a guitar but with 10 to 12 strings, 5-6 for bass and 5-6 for melody. It's played with each hand tapping on the string(s) and not plucked at all. Bass, melody, chords, rhythm, percussion are all combined to a fantastic brew. It sounds like it's been over-dubbed and there are multiple tracks when it's all a single live amazing performance. There are many talented artists of the Chapman stick, including Blue Man Group, Mike Oldfield, Alphonso johnson, Dream Theatre and more. There are other more "polished" samples out there, but this YouTube below is close to what originally drew me to the sound.

 Take Five: Leo Gosselin

What's Old is New

Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Glen Campbell, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash and Young... if any of these names sounds familiar then you have some history with folk music and story tellers. The broad category of folk is making a rebound. After the 60's went electric kool-aid and we explored new dimensions of amplification and distortion... after the disco of the 70's... and the metal of the 80's... after the hip-hop rap of the 90's... and (hopefully) after the manufactured electronic dance music of the 00's... there seems to be some level of influence of getting back to the real roots of music and instruments. Artists like Mumford and Sons with acoustic guitar, mandolin, resonator guitar, accordian have brought us back full circle. It's good to hear. Some that I've also been listening to are Of Monsters and Men, Bon Iver, The Lumineers, and The Civil Wars. I still love that 60-80's sound but this trend is refreshing. It gives hope that "real music" will survive. Is there a favorite of yours currently playing "indie folk".

 Of Monsters and Men

I Went Down to the Crossroads

Let's talk about several incarnations of Crossroads. There is a classic song, an Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, a blues movie called Crossroads with the devil, a Country Music Channel Crossroads pairing country artists with other genres, and so much more, including a Britney Spears movie Crossroads (that's already too much said about that one).

The 1936 classic song by Robert Johnson is actually Cross Road Blues. So many have done covers of this great blues tune, one of the most recognized is the Cream version, hard driven power trio rock!

 Cross Road Blues: Cream 1968


The Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival is a spectacular event. I've not been but I've seen them broadcast and have a couple on DVD. Absolutely spectacular! What a great great venue to highlight guitarists, and help a good cause. I "discovered" Robert Randolph amazing slide player, and rediscovered John McLaughlin, and really appreciated John Mayer, and many others. It's a great event for the players to relax and enjoy themselves.
Crossroads website .

I'm not a huge country fan but certainly ca appreciate the good players. And on the CMT music there is a show called Crossroads where a country artist is paired with others... errrr... not so country. Like ‘Sting and Vince Gill’, ‘The Doobie Brothers and Luke Bryan’, ‘John Mayer and Keith Urban’, ‘Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band’ and ‘Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ just to name a few of the weird amazing combinations. There are not DVD's or CD's or downloads that I've found but some episodes are on their website, and of course, watch for new or reruns on your local CMT channel.
CMT Crossroads .

And lastly, for this discussion, is a rather predictable but fun movie Crossroads with "the karate kid". An entertaining story of young and old bluesmen and a great great soundtrack by Ry Cooder and Steve Vai. I love it everytime I see it.
Crossroads movie .

Calypso music from Denmark

In the 1960's my folks had some neat music. There is a duo in particular that I remember fondly. Nina and Frederik were born in Denmark, married, and created "beautiful music together". Details appear that they had a somewhat tumultuous life, but for me the music takes me back to simple times. The caribbean influence is stark contrast to Denmark, but the harmonies are amazing. Find Mango Vendor, Jamaica Farewell, Little Donkey, amoung others and you'll be whisked away to a magical place with a small umbrella in your drink and a cool breeze.

 Maladie d'Amour

What's Cuban Tex-Mex Tejano Country?

This band, this sound is infectious. The om-pah polka beat. The blend of guitar, bass, drums, with horns, keyboard and accordion. The melancholy yodeling heartache vocals. The clash of cultures, of musical genres. Their first album was 20 years ago! And now rejoined after an 8 year break. "The Mavericks" are back. Their new album is "In Time", and has some terrific toe-tapping two-steppin' tunes as well as soulful blues. Try this upbeat tune "Back In Your Arms Again" and you'll be a fan of The Mavericks!

 Back In Your Arms Again

1+1 = perfect 10

I was going to wait a week before my next blog of music but I just can't wait... I was already thinking this band would be in my Top Ten for upcoming reviews, and recently a FB friend has escalated my desire to share. The name is the "Tedeschi Trucks Band". Two excellent and popular successful artists each with their own bands have joined forces and the sum is more than the individual parts. This blues slide rock based sound comes from Susan Tedeschi's guitar and vocals and Derek Trucks amazing slide guitar rock style. Prepare yourself for some down home style rockin' blues.

 raw acoustic guitars at the White House!

First offering: Tommy Emmanuel

I'd like to start a little blog of music that I am listening to. I'll offer some simple reviews and hopefully you'll be exposed to some new stuff. Or please comment and offer some similar suggestions to me. So.. let's see how this goes...

Earlier this year there was a special on TV "Masters of Guitar" series. And the guy on this night was TOMMY EMMANUEL. The show was mesmerizing. How could I never even heard of this amazing artist. His command of the guitar is powerful. He plays acoustic. And generally solo. His style is unique but influenced by Chet Atkins, Charlie Christian, George Benson, Django Reinhardt. Kind of a blend of jazz, classical, blues, but with a unexpected twist. He's from Australia and his first album was released in the late 80's. If you've not heard of him, you deserve to give him a listen. Here's a link to a YouTube video.

 Classical Gas