Guitarist, Composer, Instructor
Hope you are all having a great Friday evening! Coming off a vacation I am having a nice relaxing evening at home. Well actually I have been working so far, but, I am relaxed.
Here is a cool-funky-chill song from guitar legend Joe Satriani.
Enjoy and relax, especially all you sports fans gearing up for the Superbowl on Sunday.
For previous ‘Music to Relax’ posts click here.
Happy Birthday Eddie Van Halen, Jan 26…57 today.
Love the Brothers, wish they toured the mainland more! Great harmonies.
Thats what I’m talking about!
This is a pretty cool infographic on the use of words in Van Halen lyrics from the David Lee Roth era. Yeah seems to have taken the top spot over Love and Baby. I think this is the appeal of Van Halen…high brow guitar work with party lyrics…a winning rock n roll combination.
If it included Sammy Hagar tunes Yeah Love and Baby probably would’ve tripled…
Did a quick 30 minute workout this morning, of course, with IPod on shuffle…all 8,000 songs. The shuffle was pretty eclectic, but, awesome. I feel lucky that I can listen to so many diverse musics and get a connection with all.
It went from jazz to classical/opera to Blues to Grunge to New Age to Pop to 70’s Spacey Synth.
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“Nature Boy” -George Benson
Benson’s cover of the standard
“Ruckertlieder/1 Ich atmet einen linden Duft”-Mahler
I have never been much of an opera buff mostly cause I am just not into lyrics in general. But, Mahler, one of my favorite composers sets such a great orchestra arrangement to support the vocal.
“You Know I Love You” -BB King
BB doing his thing!
“All Secrets Known” -Alice In Chains
AIC is definitely my favorite of all the grunge bands and they are still going strong with a new album to be released in 2013. They may not have had the social impact of a Nirvana or Pearl Jam, but, in my opinion, were vastly superior musically to most of the top grunge bands.
“Rikki’s Shuffle” -Michael Hedges
If you are a guitar fan and don’t know Michael Hedges you really need to check him out! Although he falls into the New Age category, he was truly a virtuoso with a unique style. He is known for using a harp guitar, several tunings and lots of hammering techniques.
“Love Will Keep Us Alive” -The Eagles
The Eagles are the Eagles, many great hits, of course. But, when they wrote sappy songs they really went sappy! Of these songs my favorites are the ones sung by Timothy B Schmidt. Although he joined the band later in 1977 his voice has become an integral part of their sound ever since. Probably best featured on, “I Cant Tell you Why”
“Dream Weaver “-Gary Wright
I was always drawn to these spacey synth driven songs
San Diego has it’s mojo back folks! We are back to warmth and sunshine once again.
To all my back east/frozen tundra friends and followers hope this tune will warm you up, as well…lol
Click the album cover photo to hear Sunny & 70 and other tunes from our debut CD.
Let’s start the week off with an energy boost!
When I was a wee youngster, before I played guitar, AC/DC was my favorite band. Yes, it was Eddie Van Halen that influenced me to actually get a guitar, but, AC/DC’s Angus Young gets a lot of credit too. I used to play this song on my air guitar/tennis racquet…and I was pretty good too.
Have a great week everyone!
When I first got into teaching I was so thankful just to have a few students. I still feel grateful to have families bring their kids to the studio week after week.
Then when you realize they care about you too…it makes you feel really good! I am always taken back when clients/students think of me and my family at the holidays. It is never expected but always appreciated! Thank you all for the cards and gifts over the holidays.
Here is to a musical 2013 on the guitar!!!
“It can be tough being 7/8 in a 4/4 world…but, I would never change it!”
Mike Slayen~me
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 