Guitar Licks and Tips » Entertainment

New iPhone Six-String App

Chris — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:45:17 +0000

iPhone has just released this really neat phone App that seems like a lot of fun and it’s much more challenging that damn Guitar Hero game!

This phone application tests a person’s finger dexterity as well as developing better hand eye co-ordination. The practical applications that this App, for both guitar players or non guitar players, is actually very impressive if you look at it from a therapeutic point of view.

This phone App can be used for people who might have had damaged nerve endings in their fingers, developed carpal tunnel or have recently suffered from a stroke. Think about it for a second here folks. It certainly can help the brain relearn finger functions and also provides proper finger exercises to help rebuild their strength! It’s fairly cheap and for a non guitar player it can give them a far better idea of how an actual guitar works.

I’ve never tried this thing out because I don’t have an iPhone but it makes sense to me. I’ll bring this to attention of my neurosurgeon or physiotherapy friends at work and inquire what they think about it!

Check out this link to see what I am talking about!

Keep on Jammin’

Jacob Moon’s acoustic Subdivisons by RUSH

Chris — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:01:16 +0000

The guitarist Jacob Moon has found the best way to play Subdivisions by RUSH that I’ve heard ever heard! He performs it with such simplicity and grace that it strikes a certain chord in your heart that moves you. His striped down version is a master piece!

In this video he uses a Larivee Acoustic, Godin Montreal acoustic/electric, Gracie Guitar Stand, Porchboard Bass (kick drum sound), RCA Dictaphone, Lexicon JamMan looper, Fender Vibrolux Amp, Danelectro Daddy-O Distortion Pedal, Electro-Harmonix Memory Man Delay, Shure Beta 58 Mic, Pendulum PreAmp, G7 Capo, ZOOM H4 handeld digital recorder, Lexicon LXP-1 Reverb (modified).

He also uses this neat device called a JamMan. It’s basically a live digital looping device. I just heard about the product and I’d love to hear back from some of you who have tried this thing out.

At one point in the video, the camera shows Jacob tapping this weird piece of wood. It’s called Porchboard Bass (kick drum sound) and it sounds great! I had the chance to try one out in the 12th Fret and man was it neat! An old buddy of mine Sue should check this thing out, I think that it would compliment her style perfectly.

So I hope that you enjoy this video.

Keep on Jammin’

Some great tunes from Rick Santers band

Chris — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:01:21 +0000

My wife and I were up late last Saturday night and we happened to come across this video titled Road to Morocco from the 80’s power rock trio Santers. It was on Much Music and just watching it brought back a flood of memories of the days playing in a band with Domenic N., Jon P and Eddie S. down in Domenic’s parents basement!

The band only played one show and we performed You Turn me on, Winter Freeze at a St. John’s College talent night in 1984 I think. Anyways, it was a good show and we had some fun as well. I think that Eddie was suspended from school for a couple of days before the show and we had to do some sweet talking to the principle at the time to get permission to let him back on the school property to be part of the show. If anyone out there remembers who else played that night I’d love to hear from ya!

The original members of Santers were Rick (guitar/vocals) and Mark (drummer) Santers with Rick Lazaroff (bassists). They started playing together in 1981 and played in and around southern Ontario, Quebec and up and down the eastern US sea board. Later on they were performing in the UK for a while to some rave reviews. After that I lost track of them and didn’t notice them again until this past year.

Some other fabulous tunes were Racing Time, Mistreating Heart and Can’t Shake You.

So here is a neat video of them performing at Massey Hall in 1983, so sit back and enjoy!

Road to Morocco

Keep on Jammin’

The new Brantford SJC School Band

Chris — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:01:46 +0000

I attended St. John’s College high school during the early to mid 80’s and I was in the school band but these kids take the cake! I wonder if this is a credited coarse band? Just kiddin’ … I think?

I came across this video that someone posted up on Youtube and I am very impressed. The sound and visual effects that these player’s have was certainly not around when I went there. I wonder if they realize how lucky they are to be growing up during these highly advanced technical times?

So hats off to the school band and I’d love to hear from anyone out there that was in it. Enjoy, I sure did.

Also check out their version of Time as well.

Keep on Jammin’

If I was only born with four hands

Chris — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:01:19 +0000

Imagine if your a guitar player with four hands? I know if your a guy, some women may either be afraid or intrigued by you? Think about the unlimited tunes that you could pull off (no pun intended)! Well I know that from time to time everyone comes across weird and wacky things that guitar player do but this one will help put a smile on your face and a little more hop in your walk, I guarantee it! These two guys take the cake … for now that is. Enjoy!

Keep on Jammin’

Chuck Berry is the Father Rock and Roll

Chris — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:52:01 +0000

Chuck Berry. Wow, what a man/guitarist/god! After saying his name out loud I find myself sitting back and thinking about all that he has done for Rock and Roll music throughout his life. Chuck Berry is Rock and Roll!

I’ve been a huge fan ever since I heard this song at an old friends house, Carl Tessier was his name I think? I eventually bought the album and tried in vain to figure out what it was that he was doing! The licks, chords and phrasings are things that only he can do! A couple of years ago I did a small post about Chuck Berry on my other blog. In it there was a video that shows him telling Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones how to play a certain part of a song that they and his band is playing for a documentary, Hail hail Rockin’ Roll. God it’s so funny!

So here’s to Chuck Berry! Enjoy.

Keep on Jammin’ Canada!

The Roots Music Authority called No Depression

Chris — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:04:43 +0000

The website called No depression is a follow up from a quarterly print magazine covering alternative- country music in 1995. The magazine was canceled in June 2008. I caught a glimpse of it while at work the other day and from what I saw of their final issue I wish that they continued on with it.

I found the magazine highlighting a ton of blues players and other songwriters, I only skimmed through it for around an hour and then the patient that had brought it in had to go.

No Depression had received Utne Reader Independent Press Awards for Arts & Literature coverage, and was cited as one of the nation’s Top 20 magazines of any kind in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. It had it’s own radio show in Texas that was syndicated in between 2002 – 2003. They even did a tour with a couple of bands that they fell in love with during the magazine. They were featuring Whiskeytown, the Old 97’s, Hazeldine, and the Picketts) in 1997.

Our name, No Depression, refers to a song written by southern gospel pioneer J.D. Vaughan called “No Depression In Heaven.” The Carter Family recorded it in 1936, making the song one of their few topical offerings. It was cut again by Charlie Monroe (Bill’s brother and one-time singing partner) in 1948, released as the B-side of his 1950 RCA single “Mother’s Not Dead.” It next resurfaced, minus one verse, on a 1959 album by the New Lost City Ramblers (whose membership included Mike Seeger) called Songs From The Depression. That is the album that St. Louis band Uncle Tupelo heard and that they made the title track to their 1990 debut album. And that, in turn, led to the naming of an Internet discussion board, No Depression/Alt.Country. We thought all that history made it an ideal name for a magazine that wished to cover the past, present and future of American music. And with nodepression.com, we’re echoing the roots of that first-generation discussion board (which is still active, by the way).

In that final issue they also did a piece on a old high school friend of mine Carl Wilson, now that blew my mind!

So check it out and tell me what yo think of it!

Keep on jammin’

The How Long Blues in the Recovery Room

Chris — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:01:01 +0000

Here is the video of Dr. Lefkowitz and myself playing at my work. We did a 2nd take of this one because one of my favorite nurses of all time Bev and my favorite anesthesiologist Les missed the 1st one!

I now have a fonder respect for blues guitarist! I find the rhythms to play are difficult to master. The lossie goosie timing takes a bit of getting use to. The coming in and out of time signatures at unfamiliar times are something that I have not tried before. I am more accustomed to straight forward rhythms so I must appear to come off as a spastic rhythm guitarist, ha!

Just a question here for all you musicians out there, have you had certain challenges when you try to play the blues properly when your own style of playing is completely different for the blues? I just want to find out if it is just me who has the problem adapting to this unique genre or is it just me.

Like most guitar players I love attempting different forms of music to broaden my musical horizons and repertoire. It is also an advantage to having a number of tricks in my hand bag to pull out when needed.

This genre of music will take me a while to get a proper handle on it but I feel that I am up for the task. So a practicing I a go!

So sit back and have a laugh at my expense! Cheers!

Update – sorry had to remove the video as the doctor I work with made it private. Darn!

Keep on Jammin’

Micheal White and Orchestral Zeppelin

Chris — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:01:54 +0000

Micheal White & The White with their Orchestral Zeppelin project is a fascinating to say the least! The adulation from this group for that Zeppelin sound shows everyone the depth of love that they have for this great band. Having the drive and skill to pull off something like this makes one’s blood cold with excitement!

They were the first band ever to call themselves a ‘tribute’ and have performed over 4000 shows to over 3 million fans around the world. Even Jimmy Page himself commented to me in 1985 that “Michael does it best”.

The White is considered to be first act to be known as a true Led Zeppelin Tribute Band and the rest is history. I think that I’ve heard about this band for a while now but I never really paid that much attention to them until today. While driving home from the store I came across a commercial on the radio, promoting the bands next show in Toronto at the Sound Academy.

So I thought that I’d give you a heads up about these guys and I’d love to see them sometime … anyone out there got some free tickets for yours truly?!

If anyone is interested in going to the show here is the info.

Q107 the radio station that I was listening to at the time is presenting Michael White’s ORCHESTRAL ZEPPELIN featuring the Symphony Of Rock Youth Orchestra on Sat Jan 16, 2010. Doors are open at 8pm and TICKETS are $20 IN ADVANCE and $25 AT DOOR.

Keep on Jammin’ Micheal White & The White!

Playing guitar with the Singing Cardiologist

Chris — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:34:35 +0000

Happy holidays everyone and I trust that you all had a great time off!

This year I had the chance to play in the Surgical Recovery Room that I work in with our legendary Singing Cardiologist doctor also known as D.R. Cardiac Rap! He played last year for us and also the patients that recuperating there right after their surgery. It was amazing to move patients through the area and having them say things like wasn’t that a doctor singing and playing guitar for us?

Last year he performed this reggae style song on his acoustic guitar with a drum machine running in the background. He had a few back up singers(nurses) which added to the show visually speaking. The tune was about life as a cardiologist and what goes on behind the scenes in the O.R. I must say it was fun to witness!

This year he asked me if I wanted to play with him so I jumped at the opportunity. He said that he was working on a song called How Long Blues. I’m not that big of a blues guitarist but I said why not. We both hoped to have jammed at least twice to get a handle on how each other plays but we only had a short practice right before playing in front of both staff and patients.

The song went well enough and a nurse was recording it on video. I haven’t seen it yet but when he sends me a copy I’ll post it up on this particular site!

Keep on Jammin’ in the New Year everybody!

Guitar Licks and Tips » Entertainment

New iPhone Six-String App

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Jacob Moon’s acoustic Subdivisons by RUSH

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The new Brantford SJC School Band

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Micheal White and Orchestral Zeppelin

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