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Jesse Winchester’s Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding

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While watching a taped episode of Spectacle with Elvis Costello, I was introduced to one of the best guitar/singer song writers that I never heard of, his name is Jesse Winchester! On stage was a number of other great musicians/song writers that are fabulous in their own right but none of the songs that they performed during that show came anywhere close to the magic that Jesse Winchester’s Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding!

The simplicity of his playing grew into a wave of emotions that swept through my whole body and mind. The warmth of Jesse’s guitar slowly brought me back to a more simpler time. It brought my wife and I to attention. We started focusing us on the song, blocking everything else out of our mind. Hell, the house could of been on fire and we wouldn’t of noticed!

Jesse Winchester has such a style all of his own. You could repeat every single note from this song but you will never be able to match the emotion that he brings to the piece. From his intricate guitar finger picking right down to the vibe that he gives from his soft voice is something that can not be taught.

On another note, as you all know from reading some of my past posts, I am not that into lyrics but man they are just plain beautiful! I have to admit that, while taking in this one, I turned into a little mound of mush. When writing this post I was drawn to replay this song about 6 times in a row. I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic at heart. How does he do it?!

So take a listen to this gem of a song and tell me what you were experiencing during it!

Keep on Jammin’





Jimi Hendrix’s latest album Valleys Of Neptune

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Jimi Hendrix’s latest album release titled Valleys Of Neptune sound interesting and has lots of critics both pro and con. Some say they (his company run by family members and Sony Music’s Legacy Division) should let Jimi rest in peace while others say great, release more gems if you’ve got ’em! I stand in the middle of both these camps. I wonder what Jimi would have to say about this.

For one, keeping Jimi and his revolutionary guitar playing skills should live on forever. Guitar players of today and tomorrow would benefit greatly from the release of new tunes. We have all learned tons of guitar techniques from the master from old offerings but what about stuff that we’ve never heard of? Little Wing is a master piece that keeps fingers moving and exploring different ways of expressing themselves to either the masses or just person pleasure. What if something extraordinary like this tune was never released? I know that someone out there would eventually come up with a similar guitar approach but still Jimi’s style is in a league of it’s own! Next we have the just let him go camp.

A lot of music fans feel that the people/company that keeps exploiting the man are doing a great injustice. I can appreciate that view and would support it … to a certain degree.

What’s your take on this?


This one (Hear my Train a Comin’, acoustic version) is on the new album Valleys of Neptune.

Keep on Jammin’

Jacob Moon’s acoustic Subdivisons by RUSH

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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’

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