Hamerhack

My wife wanted to go see Elton John recently, so off we went. Even though I like a lot of EJ songs, I wouldn't say I was eager to see him live. I gotta say... the little guy puts on a great show! Fun, enthusiastic delivery of songs he's played forever. Davey Johnstone was in fine form, too. Have you ever gone to a show that you were less than enthusiastic about, and then said "hey, that was fun!" This may include people whose style/genre isn't necessarily your cup of tea. My father never cared for Frank Sinatra, but he freely admitted he was a top-notch entertainer. My mother always enjoyed Elvis, Tina Turner, The Beatles, and other fun performers she saw on Ed Sullivan. (My father hated 'em!) I'd imagine Brian Setzer would be a cool show, certainly Sir Paul knows how to connect with an audience. Who are you favorite entertainers? Maybe they aren't the best guitarists/musicians, but they consistently deliver good performances, and may have cross-genre appeal. They're fun!

Yes, everyone should have at least one doubleneck!

Rivera Fandango and a Microcube

Rivera Fandango, 55 watt

Those Were The Days (Mary Hopkin via Paul McCartney)

I remember Shirley Bassey referring to "Goldfinger" as the bane of her existence. Seems to me some may not want to be only able to play one song every time you get on stage. (On the other hand, I've never even been on stage, so I can't really relate anyway).

After asking the question about the solo from "Midnight at the Oasis" (thanks for the replies, by the way), I started wondering about what it must be like to be associated with just one song throughout your entire life. Would you rather have written and recorded a one-hit-wonder (let's say it was a timeless classic and not some embarrassing novelty number), or would that be too frustrating to have achieved that just once, never repeating that brief taste of success?

Please tell me this is weather related or some other fluke. I've waited 24 years for this and I have floor seats in Columbus in just over a month... If the tour is falling apart, I will be beyond disappointed. I assume they didn't sell out. Nice venue, but small area population. Tickets were still available yesterday. It's supposedly "postponed", and they will hopefully be coming at a later date. There was ice in the weather forecast, which may be the reason for the sudden postponement. (No ice so far, but ice pretty much shuts things down here in Charlottesville.)

VH Postponed in Charlottesville, VA. Just a heads up, in case anyone's going... http://www.johnpauljonesarena.com/event_details.asp?id=128

Led Zep Marching Band

Merry Christmas, everyone! Time to plug in the Trans Red Artist Custom, and try my luck at "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...) (Yikes! Lotsa jazzy chords!!)

What's with the shades on Jimmy Page? Sometimes he wears them, sometimes not. He didn't have them when I saw Page/Plant in DC.

My son likes to record original stuff on his laptop. He plays guitar, ukelele, and flute (so far). He currently goes via Microcube to the computer. (I know zilch about the process). I assume a Line 6 POD or similar gadget would be a cool gift. The red ones kinda look like toys, but I guess they're pretty cool. I assume the floor ones also can be used for recording? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Little Kid Frank "Sugarchile" Robinson - Caldonia

Self tuning Guitar? http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Feat...une_%20Gibson_/ What sayest thou to that?

Ah. man... that's beautiful!!!

From the Beginning... Still You Turn Me On, Lucky Man in a row would be cool! Here Comes the Sun's a great choice, too! Lines On My Face... forgot about that one! "Itchycoo Park" might be a good acoustic one.

Let's say you've somehow gotten yourself invited to a party... (okay, so maybe you crashed the party) Regardless of how you got there, somebody passes you a guitar and everyone says "play something!" So it's just you and a guitar (and your voice, if you sing). What's it gonna be? What's your sure-fire showcase solo number for acoustic electric?

Who else has a wimpy pinky? I have pretty long fingers, and never use my pinky for playing lead parts, for some reason. It just sits curled up off the fretboard during solos. For chords, my pinky comes in handy. I also use it for riffs such as "Money" (Pink Floyd). I don't really know why I never developed my pinky for bends, hammer-ons, etc. It's pretty weak. Anyone else in the same boat? I've been playing for over 30 years. I'm sure that putting it to use would help improve my playing. Any exercise regimen to get it in action? Thanks!

My son recently borrowed a uke, and in a day he learned a bunch of chords, and he's walking around the house playing... Tiptoe Through the Tulips (naturally) With a Little Help From My Friends and other classics. It's kinda fun to mess with! Now we want a mandolin.

As a theory-lacking hack, I've lately been doing a few things: Turning on the radio (oldies stuff) and trying to play along with whatever is on. Learning a few Beatles songs a week. (I know plenty, but should know 'em all) Trying to get some Mick Taylor-esque Get Yer Ya-Ya's legato technique.

Listening to some vintage live Stones on the ipod, it brought to mind... that album cost me some money! I heard "Get Yer Ya'-Ya's Out" and went out and bought an Ampeg V4 and a Gibson. I wanted an SG, but only had enough cash for a Marauder (this was back in 1975, folks! The Maurauder was $175 new!) Still love the tones on that album! (Still have the V4 and the Marauder!) Mick Taylor and Keith playing SG and LP...absolute peak Stones. That was my first "real" guitar and amp, and that's how I ended up with it. Ever stop to think about why you have the gear you do?

Beatles, without question Led Zep Doors

I'm a newly minted fan of McLaughlin's, had never really heard of him but stumbled across some old vinyl of his at a yard sale and bought it on a whim. The title of the album is "Johnny McLaughlin, Electric Guitarist", so I bought it ! Great stuff, really liked the Jeff Beck-ish style and the jazzy stuff too,,,, got any suggestions for my next McLaughlin purchase? thx Inner Mounting Flame Birds of Fire Between Nothingness & Eternity McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra original lineup Friday Night in San Francisco: McLaughlin in an acoustic trio w/ Al DiMeola & Paco Delucia