“…The [FBI] agents did not say what they were searching for or if anything was removed from the plant. But some hardwoods used in making premium guitars, like rosewood from the rain forests of Madagascar and Brazil, have recently been banned under a federal law called the Lacey Act because of environmental concerns…” Here.
November 16, 2009
The great clown guitarist
In Italy around 1541 the great guitarist Ignatius Pulnasio gained guitar fame and wealth in Rome, and was deeply admired by the Vatican. However, during a concert at the illustrious Sistine chapel Ignatius’s fingers froze up on the fingerboard, turning his concert into a disaster of dissonance, and a great embarrassment to Pope Leopold Luciani who was in the audience with several of his mistresses. Consequently Ignatius was ordered to give any subsequent concerts dressed as a clown.
A statue of Ignatius Pulnasio
November 9, 2009
Those soothing guitars…
…Of all the concerts given in McCook’s historic Fox Theatre, the performance Thursday night by the Gothenburg Combo may have been the most delicate and serene ever. You could hear a pin drop as Thomas Hansy and David Hansson of Gothenburg, Sweden blended smooth, gently played strokes on their acoustical guitars. “Some of the audience members told me they closed their eyes to more fully focus their hearing upon the delicate sounds…” Here.
October 18, 2009
“Song decoders”
Though not specifically related to guitar this is an interesting article on music analysis, as in what makes a song tick? “…On first listen, some things grab you for their off-kilter novelty. Like the story of a company that has hired a bunch of “musicologists,” who sit at computers and listen to songs, one at a time, rating them element by element, separating out what sometimes comes to hundreds of data points for a three-minute tune. The company, an Internet radio service called Pandora, is convinced that by pouring this information through a computer into an algorithm, it can guide you, the listener, to music that you like. The premise is that your favorite songs can be stripped to parts and reverse-engineered…” The Song Decoders (Sunday N.Y. Times)
October 18, 2009
Gaming the guitar
October 1, 2009
Harp-lute
Did you know…“The instrument called a harp-lute, with twelve strings, was invented by Edward Light, of London, [in app 1798], and was designed for accompanying vocal music, but never enjoyed much public favour.” (Musical Instruments at the South Kensington Museum, London) Yeah, you don’t find many of these around.
September 30, 2009
A guitar case, a motorcyle, and a basketball player
Cavaliers’ star player Delonte West arrested for carrying guitar case–of course, it was full of weapons. Article here.
September 30, 2009
Hot guitars
“…Three decades after defying the odds and persuading Carlos Santana to try out his hand-built guitar, Paul Reed Smith’s quest for perfect tone is still reeling in enthusiasts from all over the world…” This year’s sales will match those of last: 38 million. Article here
.September 22, 2009
After 40 years it was goodbye classical guitar, hello blues
“…one day two years ago, I looked at my [classical] guitar and realized I’d been playing for almost 40 years, practising scales, memorizing chord shapes, learning bits and pieces but never really mastering anything. And I was no longer the introvert I’d once imagined myself to be. I’d become a chattier, nosier, bolder and more sociable version of myself. Why not play blues instead?” Article here.
September 21, 2009
An electric guitar, Edgar Allan Poe, and a Spanish torture chamber
“A woman in the audience said it best in the Q&A session following the Saturday matinee of “Tell-Tale Electric Poe.” “It was like watching ‘Saw III,’” she said by way of complementing actor Bruce Roach. She was referring to Roach’s extraordinary performance of the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Pit and the Pendulum” on the stage of the Coterie Theatre. With only Poe’s words, Rex Hobart’s edgy work on the electric guitar and his own acting ability, Roach created a picture from a Spanish torture chamber so vivid that it was, indeed, like watching a movie…” Review here.
September 21, 2009
C. F. Martin’s guitar man
“…First hired as a design draftsman, Boak has held diverse positions at Martin, from running its saw mill and exotic wood products division to guitar design. His creative skills led to the formation of the artist relations department, where he has collaborated with the likes of Paul Simon, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton and countless other legends in the conception of more than 150 signature guitars…” Article here (who is he? Hint: he was once a dumpster diver for wood…)
September 21, 2009
Making violins to playing guitar
“…He [David Bromberg, that is] doesn’t make them anymore[violins, that is], however. He sells them and appreciates them. That leaves Bromberg, lauded by many as a musician’s musician, plenty of time to concentrate on being an artist again. The 2007 Grammy-nominated Try Me One More Time, a stripped-down collection of folk and blues music, finds him picking an array of acoustic guitars…” Article here.
September 14, 2009
Whatever happened to…?
Well, he didn’t die (in other words, he’s still alive sort of) and still playing guitar. We’re talking of–who? Mick Taylor of course, the “genius” behind the Rolling Stones’ golden age…”. Mick Taylor had replaced Brian Jones, as
Ronnie Wood eventually replaced Taylor. Yes, it’s confusing if the only thing you know about the Stones is that their lead singer has enormous lips.
So why did he leave? Here’s a hint: ‘After doing guitar parts on three songs, I said to Mick [Jagger] and Keith, “If you guys are just going to sit and mess around, I’m going home. I’ve got things to do.” I told them to give me a call if they wanted me to do anything else”
Excerpt: “In truth, Taylor has always been ambivalent about the Stones – a fact that explains in part why he has never pursued what he believes may be millions of pounds in unpaid royalties. For all his undoubted virtuosity on the electric guitar, he was never a huge fan of the band and found their brand of bar-room rock and roll musically limited…” ……….Even less edifying [today] is the unopened stack of bills and threats to cut off the water, electricity and gas. The uncut grass, empty cans in the kitchen sink and the ancient car parked in the driveway with weeds growing through its wheels also tell a tale…” Anyway, here’s the article.
September 13, 2009
Faster than fast…
Tiago Della Vega may be the fastest guitarist in the world but how fast is he with a six-gun?
Vega showing off in Tokyo playing flight of the bumblebee before adoring TV hostesses, nodding head men, and a metronome that’s approaching escape velocity speed:
September 11, 2009
Brazil’s best guitar duo
Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora: This video is from a ‘07 performance; a very recent interview is here.
September 11, 2009
Interview with “George Harrison” of Rain
Rain is a Beatles tribute band, and Joe Bithorn plays the role of George Harrison in the group: “George had some very, very great taste in guitars,”says Bithorn. “That guitar that he plays on ‘And I Love Her,’ that’s a Jose Ramirez classical guitar. That’s not your average rock and roller picking up an instrument, this is somebody who had some very good tastes in instruments…” Interview here.
September 11, 2009
Mat Greif: L.A. Guitar Quartet member
From rock guitar to classical: “When he was teaching guitar at Cal Poly, Matt Greif was still doing the occasional wedding and party gig, taking every opportunity to perform before a crowd. But an offer to audition with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet in 2006 meant he could perform more — to bigger crowds in places like China, Germany and Spain…” Article here.
September 11, 2009
Private classical guitarist
“…Charles Moore has played bass in his brother “Deacon” John Moore’s band for 41 years. He also has backed the likes of Allen Toussaint, Wardell Quezergue, Marva Wright, Davell Crawford and Germaine Bazzle. But rhythm & blues, rock ‘n’ roll, soul, funk and jazz do not define him. He is first and foremost a classical guitarist, albeit one who mostly pursued his passion in private…” Article here.
August 20, 2009
Again with the United broke my guitar theme
Probably the only guitarist in the world achieving fame and fortune off a damaged guitar: Part 2 (Part 1).
August 14, 2009
“While my guitar gently beeps”
“…Martin is a youthful 39, with his father’s patrician accent but also a rakish demeanor that more recalls the young Lennon. “When they first approached me, I thought, Do I really want to do a plastic-guitar Beatles game?” he said. He was persuaded to do so, he told me, after seeing how the games intensify people’s engagement with music. “In the same way we listened to records over and over again,” he observed, “because I don’t think kids do that anymore. They’ve got too much other stuff competing for their attention.” Read article here.
August 13, 2009
Les Paul
Jazz/pop guitarist/musical innovator/inventor Les Paul dead at 94.
In The New York Times’s Now Playing video section there’s an excellent video rundown on Les Paul’s career, how he started, how he influenced the Beatles, etc. It’s called Now Playing: Les Paul.
NY Times article on Les Paul here.
August 7, 2009
Classical music upswing
BBC reports an incredible leap of listeners tuning into classical music stations; evidently, at least for many, the toleration threshold of flashy pop dubbing and screaming has been breached. If this keeps up it could pay some decent dividends for classical guitarists.
August 4, 2009
Classical guitarist explains fingernail playing
Slava Grigoryan explains his finger-style technique a little.
July 17, 2009
“100 greatest guitar songs”
Rolling Stone issues the “100 greatest guitar songs” ever (with full audio). The list is debatable but to give you an idea of the selection here’s some of the songs: Chuck Berry doing Johnny B. Goode at #1, Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin at #8, Walk Don’t Run by The Ventures at #82. Well, you get the idea. The last one? Vicarious by Tool.
July 8, 2009
Mid flight guitar
“Here, without rhythm, harmony or rhyme, is Dave Carroll’s problem: Last year, while he was flying from Nova Scotia to Nebraska on United Airlines, somebody broke his $3,500 guitar…”
