This is a new one to me. I am sure tired and true Hendrix fans have already heard this one, but, I never even knew it existed.
You know when you got to a Christmas party and the host has a holiday playlist where every song sounds like Frank Sinatra? Nothing against Frank I am a fan myself, but, I need a variety in my holiday playlist. Classical to Metal, Latin to Country, New Age to Punk….that makes an interesting list in my opinion.
There is just something about hearing holiday music interpreted by great musicians and this medley is definitely all Jimi!
So glad to have found this gem to add to my collection.
Gary made a name for himself with his Ho Ho Hoey Christmas recordings. I have to say I had mixed feelings on Mr. Hoey in his early days. As great a player as he is, he never truly inspired me the way Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and other players did. I didn’t find him as original or unique.
Over the years I have come to really like and respect his playing. He is a great studio guitarist/composer and has carved a serious niche for himself. He writes for NASCAR, MLB and other high-caliber entertainment genres.
He is also featured on many videos. I was lucky enough to have one of my songs, “Sunny & 70,” follow one of his on a surf movie a few years ago, “Sea Level Pressure.”
This version of Deck the Halls is in typical Hoey fashion. Takes a melody and adds his own spin to it. This piece is a little heavier than some of his others but worth a listen, Enjoy!
This is one of my favorite Xmas songs to break out and listen to each December. I love the big band rockabilly treatment Setzer gives to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite with just enough guitar in there to make it rock.
Even if you think you are not familiar with the Nutcracker you will definitely recognize most parts if not all. Unfortunately, our commercial society bastardizes great classic music into cartoonish soundbites to sell products.
For those of you who don’t know about Al Di Meola, you are missing out especially if you are a guitar aficionado. Di Meola’s style is a blending of Latin influences with jazz fusion. He is known for blistering solo work and has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians. These partnerships range from rock/metal guitarists Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to fusion jazz master Chick Corea. From flamenco giant Paco De Lucia to pop singer songwriter Paul Simon.
Happy holidays, hope you enjoy the guitar inspired Christmas music.
If they heard my b5’s and minor 9’s I’d be headin’ for the unemployment line…”
I heard this song the other day and had to post it. Musicians all have to play gigs at times where the music means more to the consumers than the musicians(beats digging ditches I always say!) This song a jazz musician lets out his hardships about playing Xmas music for the holidays and not being able to throw in his favorite jazz licks.
A colleague of mine, Carlos Rull, recently posted a Buddy Rich drum solo. I always knew Buddy was a great drummer, but, I never really knew about him until his older days when he was known to be somewhat of a ‘colorful’ character. His legendary rants often precede his reputation as an incredible musician.
Seeing this video blew my mind! Rich’s sheer artistry and technique are spectacular. As much as I love music of all genres and technical prowess, highbrow classical to 3 chord punk, the level of artistry you are about to witness is one of my favorite parts of listening to music. The total control over every note, rhythm and sound only a true master can offer.
Carlos is a great drummer himself…make sure you check out his blog!!
Not the post I was planning on writing this evening.
2012 has been a brutally tough year with the deaths of many legendary musicians. Just last week we lost jazz pianist/composer Dave Brubeck and today(Dec. 11) the sad news of Ravi Shankar’s passing.
Ravi Shankar is an amazing musician known for many things, however, there are two highlights on his resume. First, he was a pioneer in introducing Indian sitar music to the Western world. Second, not totally detached from the first was his influence on the Beatles especially guitarist George Harrison. Trained in the Northern Indian tradition of Hindustani music the sitarist was a crossover in the 1960’s Western pop culture. As mentioned he was an influence on the Beatles and also played the legendary Woodstock Festival. With his amazing talent and global appeal Shankar became an icon of Indian culture. The Indian Prime Minister said of Shankar on his passing, “National treasure and global ambassador of India’s cultural heritage”.
Shankar has two daughters who are also renown musicians. In the tradition of her father, Anoushka, concertizes throughout the world on the sitar and has pushed the sitar further into the Western realm with her collaborations. I was lucky enough to see the two play together at a San Diego concert near the turn of the millennium. Norah Jones, pop vocalist with a smooth voice inherited her fathers musical genes if not his cultural side.
Shankar died right here in San Diego. For those of you curious who are not from here, he actually passed in La Jolla which translates to the jewel. An amazingly beautiful city on the Pacific Ocean fitting of such an ambassadors final breaths.
Woooow! This was a long time coming. The Chargers haven’t won a game in about 5 weeks.
Chargers Win!
As good as it was to see the boys take it to the Steelers, the ‘best’ thing for this franchise is to lose games. Then we can get rid of Norv, AJ, get a GOOD draft pick and start all over!
Even though the Chargers are better off losing I still can’t root for them to lose for those 3 hours every Sunday.
Wow! This was a surprise to me. The San Diego concert venue is closing it’s doors. Appears they had some legal and financial issues leading to their demise.
4th & B has been a cool and quirky place to see some major acts over the last 18 years. The theater was not very big and a great place to see some of the biggest acts in the world, although maybe not what they once were by the time 4th & B was able to book them.
I remember seeing guitarists Joe Satriani and George Thorogood, metal acts Queensryche and Ronnie James Dio and many local bands at the downtown venue. They also hosted all type of events including comedy and hypnotists.
What is next for the building that once housed a bank and became a San Diego music icon? Be great if someone could tale it over and keep the music alive!
Sad day in the music world! Jazz legend Dave Brubeck passed away on December 5th just one day shy of his 92nd birthday.
A pianist and composer, Brubeck was known for writing in odd meters. Two of his most famous compositions are, “Take Five,” and “Blue Rondo A La Turk.”
One of the first jazz tunes I ever performed was the aforementioned “Blue Rondo A La Turk.” It is a piece penned in an odd 9/8 meter; 2+2+2+3 alternating with measures of a compound 9/8 meter 3+3+3. The rhythmic drive of Brubeck’s music was rare in jazz, but, easy for listeners to feel and relate to the strong beat.
For a young musician like myself who grew up influenced by Heavy Metal and Hard Rock genres the composer’s music was a natural fit. Any fan of the Progressive Rock band Rush would be familiar with the odd meters Brubeck employed.
Godspeed to Dave Brubeck, Rest in Peace and thank you for all the music!
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 