A friend sent me a collection of guitar hero videos from youtube.com. Check ‘em out. I know you will be impressed.
Here’s Metallica going at it:
…and here’s Eddie Van Halen, showing of his mad skillz at a smaller club:
The rest of the collection can be found here
Have a great weekend and enjoy! 
A couple of weeks ago, I read an interesting article in Times Magazine about Joost – a system for distributing video and audio over the Internet using peer-to-peer technology. This weekend I’ve been trying out the beta version of the software, and I have to say I’m highly impressed. With my fairly standard broadband setup (7Mb down/800K up), I’m able to get near TV quality image and high quality sound on my PC – without any stuttering or pausing. The application comes with the usual “social networking” functionality, such as IM, chat rooms where you can discuss whatever you’re watching at the moment, user defined “widgets”, etc, etc – all presented in a simple yet delicate transparent user interface.
For a beta platform, the content isn’t bad at all. Even Aqua Teen Hunger Force is represented, if that’s your thing Hopefully more national channels will be added. I would love to watch Scandinavian television over this system.
Joost – the future of television ?
Joost also comes with a cool Search feature, where you can – wait-for-it – …. search for contents. I did a search for “Norway”, and up came a channel with a live performance of Thomas Dybdahl, a Norwegian singer/song writer performing live with his band at a venue in Amsterdam. I have to admit that I didn’t know of this dude before, and boy have I ever missed out! The live clip on Joost prompted me to snatch his latest album – Science – from iTunes. If you like soulful, mellow, hauntingly beautiful pop music, go ahead and give this guy a try.
Full beard is back, I’m telling ya!
Instead of wasting time writing a lengthy review of John Mayer’s latest masterpiece, I think I just repeat what an online reviewer so eloquently put it the other day: “HOT DAMN!!!!” (or something along those lines)
And now children – go ahead and get it. Chop chop!
Anger he smiles towering in shiny metallic purple armor
Queen Jealousy, envy waits behind him
Her fiery green gown sneers at the grassy ground
Blue are the life-giving waters taken for granted
They quietly understand
The once happy turquoise armies lay opposite ready
But wonder why the fight is on
I’m having a creative burst these days. Spending hours every night recording, experimenting with new sounds, listening to new music. When it’s over 100F outside, my little “studio” tends to get extremely hot. I don’t mind though. Check out Meant To Be - recorded last night (2 guitars + bass + midi drums + one soaked t-shirt ) :-) It’s my humble take on John Scofield’s magic title track from the “Meant To Be” album.
Aaaargh - I cant’ get the latest Chili Peppers single Dani California out of my head. And because I’m a mean spirited person, here’s a link to the silly video:
And while you’re at it, check out the AOL Sessions performance the Peppers did some time ago (click on the “Pepper Power” link).
Done ? Fine – now go ahead and buy, borrow or steal Stadium Arcadium - an album up there in the BloodSugarSexMagik realm.
California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California show your teeth
She’s my priestess I’m your priest
Yeah Yeah
So I’m sitting at a tiny table with Diane, enjoying a glass of excellent Cognac and taking in the ambiance. The place is packed – well over 100 people are cramped together in this little triangle shaped basement in the Village. The lights have just dimmed and the crowd is settling down.
I suddenly feel this subtle trembling and a low muffled noice comming through the floor. First I think I’m about to loose it … being present at this legendary club, where Monk, Coltrane, Evans, Davis – Jazz’s All-Time Greatest have performed and recorded the last 70 years. Then it hits me … it’s the Subway …. we’re in a basement … probably located right on top of one of New York Subway’s lines. How weird is that….
I hear someone uttering a very subtle “Excuse Me”. I move my chair closer to the table, to give way to the late entering patrons behind me. God, I wish people could be on time. The event was suposed to start at 11pm, it’s now 11:30. Oh well … I shouldn’t complain – it’s Saturday night and we don’t have any other plans … and outside on 7th Ave, it’s raining cats and dogs. Probably the worst down-pour we’ve had this spring. I turn around to make sure that people can pass behind me.
And there he stands – looking a little confused and shy, with a higly modified Telecaster-ish guitar slung over his shoulders. He’s peering over his wired framed glasses, trying to find a safe passage through the crowd up to the small stage located at the far end of the room. He looks like an English professor I had in High School. Or perhaps an accountant. It’s the Man. It’s Bill Frisell – one of todays most exciting and inovative guitarsist and composers. The Thelonious Monk of Guitarists. Another legend … but this one is not hanging on the wall, looking hip… this is no ghost… this is the real thing standing right behind me and he’s trying to get to work. Behind him, Ron Miles is waiting with his Monette Cornet – well-dressed as always – in a dark suit and a pair of horned rimmed glasses. He looks cool ! Oh my oh my… Behind Miles, I can make out drummer Kenny Wollesen’s “signatur hat”. I’m all excited – stupid I know – but I can’t help it. I’m a big fan. Frisell’s music has moved me in ways that’s impossible to describe. And tonight, I’m here at the Village Vanguard Club in New York’s Village, with my beautiful wife (also a big fan btw) to see Bill Frisell Quintet perform live. Life’s good!
Bill with a weird looking axe
I’m not going to even try to give ya’ll a complete review. I’m way too biased, so it wouldn’t make any sense. The set they played was a mix between Frisells own material and some standards (at least one Monk tune that I could recognize). I know these cats are world class musicians, but I was still floored by how tight and dynamic they sounded. Conlusion: An all together amazing night !
(ps: this article was supposed to be posted a month ago… but I forgot to hit the “publish” button … oh well .. better late than never)
I received Derek Trucks Band’s latest CD in the mail today. I would be surprised if it doesn’t collect at least one Grammy. Songlines is pure magic – period. Go head and get it. You can thank me later for introducing you to these great musicians
WOOT!
Songlines – album of the year ?
Oh yeah, bitches! Check out this tune !
Barron and I did some jammin’ yesterday night, and here’s the result:
barron-bop.mp3 (5529Kb)
Our first bebop-ish tune. I’ve never laid down bass to this kind of beat before, so it’s a little off here and there. It was fun doing though.
The drums were created by the coolest drumplug ever created: Jamstix. For this song I’m using the new Snarepak addon for Jamstix – 120 Mb with just snares ! For the lead guitar I’m using my favorite sound on my Variax: The Gibson ES-335 emulation.
Oh, and as I was in the middle of moving the mp3 file to the correct directory on my web site, I discovered how powerfull the mv command in linux is. I accidentally wiped out 3 websites in one go Thank God I have access to excellent support. It took linux guru Eric 20 sec to figure out what I have done and how to fix the mess. Thanks for your help Eric !
1) Learn how to play Dance Dance Revolution
1) Learn to play the guitar
2) Learn to play the bass
3) Learn to play the drums (or program a drum plugin)
4) Turn up your amps to 11 and track the Virtual Power Trio
And here’s the result: Life’s Not Over Yet, Dammit!
Tracked last night in Studio Nilster, Etters, PA
You’ll feel good afterwards, trust me
I’m a lucky man. Right before the holidays, Diane asked me: “Whacha-want-for-your-birth-uhm-day” … I answered the usual: world peace, a Bush impeachment and that the Steelers win the Super Bowl XI (GO STEELERS!!!!). Yeah yeah, in retrospect, it may seem that the last item on my wish-list is abit far fetched, but hey – one can hope, right ? Oh well, unable to come up with any items from my A-list, she got me the next-best thing: Tickets to the Derek Trucks Band concert @ the Withaker Center here in Harrisburg!
Man, can’t believe it’s been over a year since Derek Trucks and his All-Star team tore up the Withaker Center with their fantastic musicianship and Tuesday night they were at it again. Derek is up there among the finest of guitar virtuosos – and he’s still some years shy of 30. He still have years to evolve as a musician – and he will evolve. I was pleased to see him playing more and more without the slide nowadays, as this opens up new doors for him to explore. He’s still sticking to his open E tuning though, which is great.
The only downside with Tuesday’s concert was some sound problems in the beginning of the set – it took just 1 song before most of them were taken care of though. Kudos to the dude behind the board.
Fender Super Reverb + Gibson SG = Derek’s Lethal Weapons of Choice