Guitar Licks and Tips

Well as I talked about winning tickets to see this guy at the Danforth Music Hall on my other blog, my critique about his show gives it a 1 1/2 thumbs up! Seeing Amos Lee on his latest tour, Last day at the Lodge, is worth it.

I came to the conclusion 1/2 way through Amos’s show that this guy really covers his musical bases quite nicely! Motown, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Folk and Southern rock, to a lesser degree, is all there to let the listener soak it all up.
On a side note, I would find it very interesting if he added a bit of a middle eastern flavor to his style. I think he could pull something like this off in a very unique way. I am just throwing that one out there.

His Motown sound was fabulous when he used it! His keyboardist, which was a major contributer to this sound, knew his place in the band. He was very eloquent in his approach to playing this by sliding in and out of a tune very tastefully and in the back ground.

Amos’s sprinkling of his falsetto voice was not over used at all I found. This just added some musical colour to the songs he plays. His guitar playing was very good but not all that technical. I’m almost 100 % sure that he uses a B-Bender on his Fender telecaster.

The one tune that he did, “Won’t let me down”, had this Flight of the Conchords feel to it, honestly. I closed my eyes for a second and pictured the leader singer of the Flight of the Conchords, singing it and it was very believable. I brought this train of thought up to my wife during the show and she couldn’t see though. Musicians always seem to have this different view of how they intemperate music I think.

My favorite song of the show was “Sweet Pea”! It is a short tune that he through in there for the hell of it. I just love that old school big band/jazz feel that his chord progressions nudged us towards. Leon Redborn must of had some sort of influence on this guy at one time throughout his informative days. I think I’ll figure this one out and try it live just for the fun of it sometime.

So I would not mind seeing this guy live if he comes into town next. If anything, he will broaden your musical appreciation for all the different genres that are out there … but not the more contemporary, in your face ones that don’t quite cut it with me.

Keep on Jammin’

Ladies and gentlemen, may I proudly introduce you to the GUITAR MOTORCYCLE! I just wonder how you TUNE this engine? Ha, Ha! With one hell of a big tuning fork!

This puppy must be rated in miles to the album! Ok, that one was really bad I know! The bike gives a new meaning to rolling down the highway!

Keep on Jammin’

If you were alive in and around 1971 you might remember the “Coke Song” … and what a anthem it was for the 70’s!

It was a good feeling time in all of our lives, in mine anyways! We tended to look at life with rose colored coke glasses back in the days. Ohhhh, what a feeling it was.

Keep on Jammin’

To all of you who thought that Guitar Hero was difficult to master … try this one out for size!

Keep on Jammin’, accordion style! This one’s for you TONY of Pylis fame!!!!

So kidz, who is your favorite modern drummer?

I know that this blog is for the enrichment and the celebration of guitar and guitarist, but let’s not forget the ones who back them up on their musical journey.

The past ones are easy to me! John Bonham, Buddy Rich, ,Carl Palmer and Gary McCracken of Max Webster are just a few to come to mind!

So who are the modern drummers that come up in your mind?

Keep on Jammin’