Guitar Licks and Tips » The Neighborhood

Just met the musical icon Nash The Slash

Chris — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:48:45 +0000

I just met the legendary Nash The Slash the other day at a patio in my neighbourhood! Holy crap, it left me speechless for a second! Imagine that, another musical icon living in my neck of the woods?! My hand s are still shaking a bit believe it or not.

It all started off as just a regular outing. My wife and favorite brother in law Terry were coming back from taking our dog midnight for a swim at Cherry Beach. After the walk we wanted to get a little something to eat on a patio, trying to take full advantage of the current warm spell that we we experiencing in our area. Going to Cherry Beach we drove along Queen St E. taking in all the pedestrian traffic just wanting to shake off some of the winter blues.

We drove past this legendary restaurant that has a great patio that was originally called Stratengers. Now it’s called Stratengers Bar & Restaurant. When it was a bar, we went there to check out the great line up of bands that were always playing there. This is the bar that I did some fabulous video work of a band called The Big Kahuna.

After Midnight’s swim and walk along the beach, we decided that this would be the best place to have a late snack. When we finally arrived there, we quickly located a prime location on the patio and sat down. After we ordered a menu and a drink I went up to the little boys room. While walking upstairs, I noticed this tiny cut away in the wall that had some glass covering it. When I stopped to investigate it I realized that it was a shrine to great Nash the Slash! It had some neat pictures, media/website info and a collection of his work.

I’ve read on line before that this was one of his favorite haunts but that was it. Before going back out to the patio I ran into someone who worked there and inquired about Nash. He told me that he came in quite frequently around this time of the day and that he’d love to chat with me if I wanted. He also said that he’d probably talk to me for hours if I had the time. Holy crap, he shouldn’t of told me about that!

With a skip in my stride, that of a little kid just before Christmas, off I went to tell my clan about what I had just found inside. I was now on the hunt for the illusive Nash the Slash on the exact same patio that I was in.

The sun was just starting to set below the top of the roof of the house across the street and we knew that very soon it would be getting cold so we asked for the bill and began to get ready to leave. BUT I HADN’T SEEN NASH YET, in a child like voice in my mind but my wife knew what was going on inside my old brain box!

As I began to untie my little dog Midnight from the patio railing, the owner came up and tapped me on the back and shook my hand. He said, so you’re the one that wants to met Nash? Well here he is! I then turned around and THERE HE WAS! I stood there speechless for the first time in a long while.

He said Hi, I’m Nash. I immediately took off my sun glasses and started babbling something to him. I was in shock.

During a gig at The Edge in the late ’70’s to raise awareness of the threat from the Three Mile Island disaster, he walked on stage wearing bandages dipped in phosphorous paint and exclaimed: “look, this is what happens to you”. The bandages became his trademark.

Imagine that, right there in front of me was the guy that in my mind, made the band FM so fascinating to listen to. Playing an electric violin and mandolin? I had never thought about electrifying instruments like that before. Remember this was in the late 70’s mind you. I understand that he is such a force of musical nature in his own rite but it was with the band FM that exposed me to his musical genius.

As a impressionable young guitarist, I can’t remember how many times that I placed my parents stereo speakers out the front windows of their home for all the neighbourhood to hear. Blasting the entire album Black Noise through it and literally soaking up all their musical prowess. Often while listening to this album I tried to focus in on individual tracks to pick out what it was that each member from the band was playing. It was so foreign to me at the time. I ate it up whole and then attempted to spit it out through my guitar playing. Most of my buddies thought that I had either left the planet or that I was really on to something here.

So thanx for listening to me ramble on for many a paragraph. I know that I have not been all that active on this and on my other blogs but I guess that after many years of playing and blogging it can burn you out after a while. I hope to have re-energized my battery’s engine and resume more work

Keep on Jammin’ Nash The Slash (RIP Digger)

Why I’m not writing that many posts lately

Chris — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:01:22 +0000

Hello there everyone! I’ve been a busy boy as of late attempting to help kick start our fragile economy back into shape. No it’s no that we won the lottery but it’s due to just plain bad luck, it had to happen sometime, AHHH!!!!

We’ve been hit by the everything must break down all at once syndrome. Our washer, God bless it’s soul, was made in 1974 and it had it’s last spin a couple of months ago. It was a Kenmore washer and it worked great! It obviously not Energy Star rated by any stretch of the imagination but it worked. It came with the house and it did look well … rather dated? Like all older appliances it had some weird quirks. You gotta talk nicely to it or it produces a wild grinding like sound.
I had to lift the washer up on one side and drop it to get it going from time to time.

For around 4-5 months I had to head on over to our local laundromat and did the wash there and then came back home to use the dryer. It was great meeting people and talking about the neighbourhood and sharing stories. My wife thought that I was bent, as usual but it was fun! I just love meeting new people … maybe that’s why I love my job so much! Not many people can say that.

So now we have a new washer and dryer! It cost a few bucks but in the long run we will save money. We purchased a Inglis front loader washer & dryer. The reviews in most of the forums we read were great. The only problem was with mold in the washer. You have to dry the washer down after using them and some people thought that they were too loud. My wife got a steam cleaner with this in mind but we haven’t had to use it yet. We found the exact opposite when we fired ours up. I have to say that going through forums to find out the pros and cons about products before you get them is A MUST to do. I realize their are so many forums out there to check out but take your time it’s really worth it.

We received them on Saturday and had lots of things to do to prepare before using them. We got the risers for both and had to level them before placing both appliances on top them. This is VERY DIFFICULT to do in the basement where the floors are not level. We plan on finishing it later on when we have the house payed off in a few short years. Why go in more debt when you don’t have to right?!

After taking for what seemed like an eternity, we had both risers leveled off and had to make sure that we placed them exactly in the correct area of the floor after we attached both washer and dryer on top of them. I had to call my cousin to help us out on that one and here’s to you Jeff, thanx again!

I also had to install a dryer receptacle which was a piece of cake but going all over the place for some parts was a real pain in the ass.

In total it took use about 15 1/2 hours from start to finish. I didn’t count all the time spent on forums and going to stores to get a better look at what it was that we were going to spend a good chunk of change on. Damn I’m tired just thinking about what we did!

So that is only a small part of what was taking up all of my precious time on. Next thing to talk about is our old 52″ DLP TV, AHHH!!!

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!

The Mountain Music with Sheesham and Lotus

Chris — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:01:34 +0000

The musical style of Sheesham and Lotus is called mountain music. That is what Sheesham told me when I met him while walking my dog Midnight. The music is simple and refreshing. Toe tapping is another phrase to describe the band’s genre but right now I can’t find the proper words to define these guys.

I just can’t help but feel so upbeat about life when I am taking in their unique musical way of life! The music from Sheesham and Lotus gently brings me back to a time that seemed more kinder and respectful to one another. I just want to get up and dance … ok I won’t because I’m down right pathetic at it.

Check out more video’s of Sheesham and Lotus and see if you to get that feeling?!

Keep on Jammin’

A Cardiac Rap

Chris — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:01:35 +0000

Cardiac surgeons are certainly life savers to say the least.

They can change lives and make one aware of the simpler things in it that makes it worth living! These men and women touch our hearts in so many ways that one may not be cognizant of.

I bet you never thought about the music side of ones heart but this guy sure does!

I work with this great guy not to mention fine guitarist and he is definitely one in a million! I hope you enjoy his musical work … and never have to experience the other gift that he has to offer us.

Cardiac King, Keep on jammin’!

My new playlist with the big Adrian.

Chris — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:01:24 +0000

So I guess I haven’t been keeping all of you in the loop as of yet? I’ve met this great nurse/guitarist/humanitarian at work quite a while back and invited him over to jam. Nothing special, just to get together after work and make some noise in the backyard!!!

He came over one night and we all sat in the back garden. Oh, I guess I didn’t tell you either, we have a KICK ASS backyard! My wife, Adrian, our dog Midnight and myself were all there and we just started talking and jammin’.

I noticed right away that we jelled quickly. For example, I did a rough version of If I had a Rocket Launcher by Bruce Cockburn and he would be quietly doing some both simple and complex soloing in the background, nice! Then he would do a tune that he took over and I would be in the distance, filling in some holes and adding a fuller sound.

Adrian has had a very unique musical experience. He is a singer, bassist and guitarist. He’s played in Asia and Europe and has a diverse style of music that allows him to pull things out of his bad of artistic tricks out of his bag.

So last night we got together and said, let’s make a set list that we can work on and take it from there. We can mull them over the next couple of days and see what works well for each of us. It sounds like a good collaboration.

So here is what we have so far!

Hole Hearted – Extreme
Life in the Fast lane – Eagles
Summer Breeze – Seals and Croft
Barely Breathing – Duncan Sheik
I’d Love to change the world – 10 years after
Lucky Man – ELP
If I had a Rocket Launcher – Bruce Cockburn
Listen to the Music – Doobie Brothers
Jungle Love – Steve Miller
Solsbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
Ramble on – Led Zeppelin
Walk on the Wild Side – Lou Reed
There goes my Hero*acoustic – Foo Fighters
Did I also say that we are doing it acoustic? I think that we can pull around 90% of these tunes out and do them well.

So wish us luck and I’ll get back to you on the latest results when I can!

Keep on Jammin’

World Record for largest guitar ensemble will have to wait

Chris — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:27:20 +0000

As you know the good people at Luminato Festival got together a bunch of like minded souls to gather together and attempt to break the Guinness World Book of Records for the most guitarist in a musical ensemble. We did set a Canadian record in this category in the process.

This is just a small sample of the atmosphere at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday June6th, 2009. This was when we were attempting to break the Guinness World book of Records for largest guitar ensemble. For more pictures of the event take a look at our flickr account.

The weather couldn’t of been better. I was to meet up with a buddy of mine, Sean, who works with me at the hospital. We also played a talent show at work a couple of years ago and we came in second place for the show. The winner was this lady playing the saw, yes a saw! In her defense it was very unique to say the least!

I ending up getting there early so I thought that I’d go to the Hard Rock and get us a seat on the patio. It took Sean and his beautiful bride to show up, so I had to earn my keep outside and started having a few light refreshing liquid beverages. Man that was fun!

I met tons of interesting people there. Also on the patio, there were tons of musicians hoisting pints before the show and we showing off their acoustics to anyone interested. I came across this guy named Mark McCreary who walked past my seat. He was carrying around a custom made guitar case that he created. This one was made of shaved bark and pine cones, REALLY COOL LOOKING! If you are looking for something like this for yourself or that special guitarist in your life, then give him an e-mail. uniquelydown@hotmail.com

This is a sample of the work that this guys does for his custom made guitar cases.

I remember this tall guy standing at the front of the stage with a hollow body guitar. He had his buddy there video taping the event. As it turns out, this video was taken by him and his buddy!

You can see Sean and myself on it at counter number 0:05. The counter is located on the bottom part of the video, and when the video is playing you will see numbers moving. I’m the guy with a white baseball cap on backwards with rectangular dark glasses. I am in the bottom part of the screen. I am holding up my beige top Larrivee. I am holding the guitar upside down and my guitar strap is hanging at the back of it. I’m wearing a light blue shirt. Sean is behind me directly to MY right YOUR left, with dark hair taking a picture with his head turned back to the crowd. He has a blue wristband on his right hand. You have to freeze the tape in order to see us.

The suspense was so think you could cut it with a dull butter knife! At one point, the announcer said that we were 5, YES 5 people short for the record. I looked back at Sean and the excitement level in our eyes was off the radar screen! Surely we can find 5 people at the busiest intersection of Toronto, Canada’s largest city, 5th largest in North America that plays guitar that wants to join in!

Then after performing the song, some guy from The Guinness Record group said that we were short 123 people! what the F–K! Didn’t they say we were 5 guitarists short a couple of minutes ago?!

At that point we quickly departed back to The Hard Rock Patio. Sean’s wife graciously was waiting for us, along with our guitar cases, I really appreciated that young lady!

Just a side note here, while in the head, I met this really excited guy. He told me that when he was on the patio and he heard that we only needed 5 more people for the record he begged and pleaded with the Hard Rock’s manager if he could get a guitar down from the wall and go over to join in. The manager hemmed and hawed for a split second. He then proceeded to grab this guitar off the wall that they used for employee of the month and let him go over! Can you believe it!

After a couple of drinks and some crying in our beers we headed off home.

We were sooo close but … Well there’s always next year!

P.S. Pinhead, you better show up for next years attempt, got it!!!

Keep on Jammin’

CounterPoint at Nuance 2009

Chris — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:01:01 +0000

The Nuance Festival was at the Black Swan on The Danforth and this year and the talent did not disappoint us at all. At this years show, Counterpoint opened up the seminal event!

To illustrate CounterPoint’s musical prowess in detail, takes up way too much time and I’ve been on the old soap box so many times that I’m getting dizzy … but to me it’s more then worth it! They are pure progressive rock god’s! At last years showcase, they kept me at the edge of my seat all night and this night they added even more dept and colour to their musical masterpieces.

They have now added another layer of sound to their arsenal with a Toronto guitarist called Neil Harvey.I’ve only seen them live twice, and I am eager to see what happens when all their magical alchemy comes together. If you love this genre, then just go out and see them live to fully understand what I mean.

First tune they did was Track 9. The intro to this one, in comparison to last year, was very refreshing in many ways! Some new portions were quite inventive. Chris Noto pulls these bass harmonics right out of thin air it seems. Without notice, Led Zeppelin has made an entry into their sound?! During Chris’s solo, Rick and Neil do some fine and very tight harmonizing together. Neil will finish this one with a solo that rounds it off nicely! Neil just adds a nice intrinsic feel to the band.

The next one up is Morphine. For some reason, the boys didn’t put this video up on there site so I can show ya. Once again, they pull this one off flawlessly. Rick changes up some keyboard parts that tend to make the song flow in subtle ways. Joe is the backbone on this one, he keeps it all together. Chris is … well Chris. He gravitates in and out of the limelight like only he can.

Ritual is next on their set list. The beginning is something right out of a RUSH, Farewell to Kings or Hemisphere’s album. All that is missing on this one are some wind chimes and wood boxes played by Joe the drummer! I am really looking forward to watching this guy do a drum solo, on his own kit someday. At this point, Chris is using a wah, wah pedal and performs with it to perfection. There tends to be this 70′ish sound rising in the background with some Nirvana thrown in for good luck, admirably done boys.

Now the original Ritual rears it’s mighty head! This Ritual of old has all the early ear markings of the embryonic sound and feel to it. Rick’s keyboard has that primitive Hammond B3 ambiance and aura to it. Rick has introduced some subtle suspended touches to it, skillfully done sir. His sound is building up gradually throughout the piece. You’ve got to see these guys live to bring into context what I am talking about.

Then to finish off the night, the audience asks them for one more! CounterPoint then decides, reluctantly I think, to just jam.

So that is what I experienced that night. Next Nuance, I hope to see ya there!

Keep on Jammin’

Counterpoint on the Danforth

Chris — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:03:40 +0000

I can not begin to tell you all about this MUST SEE Progressive Rock show, being held on the Danforth on Sunday, April 26th at the Black Swan! The event will showcase the best of Progressive (Prog.) Rock bands that Toronto has to offer the world, really! This is the consummate environment for the uninitiated to become exposed to the Progressive Rock experience!

This musical plunge into the open waters of Prog. Rock, will have a bit of everything splashed in to it to wet even the most ardent listeners whistle. This I say with no reservation!

The bands in the lineup are Wilton Said, Half past four and CounterPoint. You may have noticed that Wilton Said and CounterPoint played at last years Nuance Festival so I don’t have to explain the level of musical integrity that will be forwarded to this celebration.

The other band is called Half past Four. This band has high levels of Prog Rock purity. They have quite the well rounded sound to their style. I’ve never seen them live but I’ve heard nothing but great things about them. Check out their link and hear for yourself!

I will also try to encourage an old friend of mine to show up, Carl Wilson! He is the great music critic from The Globe and Mail who just came back from taping a episode on the Corbert Report. His new book was even commented on by James Franco while he was on the Red Carpet during the 2009 Oscars!

If you want to be apart of this acumen, then don’t miss it! I promise it will be a music spectacle that you’ll remember for a long time to come!

Sunday, April 26, 2009
Time:
7:00pm – 11:30pm
Location:
THE BLACK SWAN
Street:
154 DANFORTH AVENUE

Guitar Licks and Tips » The Neighborhood

Just met the musical icon Nash The Slash

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Why I’m not writing that many posts lately

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The How Long Blues in the Recovery Room

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Micheal White and Orchestral Zeppelin

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A Cardiac Rap

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My new playlist with the big Adrian.

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CounterPoint at Nuance 2009

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