Guitarist, Composer, Instructor
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.
Enjoy yourself a swingin’ Merry Christmas!
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.
Woooow! This was a long time coming. The Chargers haven’t won a game in about 5 weeks.
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.
Victory Sunday Song! Chargers 34, Steelers 24
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!
So weird to see all these rockers getting in there 60’s & 70’s, but it beats the alternative.
Happy birthday to Ozzy!!! I wanna know where you get one of these cakes??
Some of you may have heard of Animusic, but if you haven’t you’ve got to watch this!
Unlike many projects where music is written to fit the animation or vise versa, Animusic uses computer programs to drive the animation from the music.
As creative as the instrument in this video is, there are real life ‘versions’ that are similar like the 42 stringed guitar in the picture below.
Eleven years? I can’t believe it has been eleven years since George Harrison left us!
My apologies this post is out a day late to recognize the day of his passing, November 29, 2001.
I came relatively late to the Beatles party. Never really liked them as a kid, they were old and silly looking and I wanted to hear my Van Halen, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. It was not until I got out of high school that their commercialism was replaced in my mind by how incredible of musicians they truly are. One year my mom gave me Rubber Soul as a holiday gift and I was totally blown away!
George quickly became my favorite Beatle. Sure there’s the guitarist connection, but, his songs always struck me musically. There’s a grace and style about his tunes. He penned some of the greatest melodies of the Rock and Roll era. To this day I truly believe, as beloved as he is, George is an underrated guitarist
Some of my favorite Harrison tunes include, Here Comes the Sun, Something, Blue Jay Way, If I needed Someone and the epic While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
When recording my first CD, Reflections of San Diego, with the Slayen & Fox Guitar Duo, I even ‘borrowed’ one of his melodies. Well actually I infused the melody into one of my songs. Meaning it is relatively hidden but means something to me having it included. That said if anyone ever thinks they have found it let me know I would be VERY impressed!!
RIP George Harrison
Once again, I had the pleasure of performing at Orfila Vineyards and Winery in Escondido. This time the day after Thanksgiving. I really didn’t know what kind of crowd to expect. Would everyone stay home? Be burned out? Turkey hangover? Shopping?
Well, the first sign it was going to be a nice crowd was there was no parking except the overflow. Walking up with my gear, it was packed. That always gets the musician juices flowing. But, it was also nice to see folks using their ‘Black Friday’ to relax. Even better they were supporting some locals over the big box chain stores. Including Orfila, myself and local jewelry maker Katy of KD Custom Jewelry, who’s always a pleasure to work with. Darn Good Food Truck was also there, but, I was so busy I never got a chance to go see what they were all about, sure they were ‘darn good’ though.
With the holiday season upon us, I only have one more scheduled public performance and you guessed it…I will be at Orfila on Dec. 2…3:00 to 5:30 PM. If you haven’t been to Orfila yet it is a must. There is truly something in this valley overlooking the vineyards that always makes for a great relaxing day. If you are planning any events or weddings definitely take a look here!
Some photos of the day!
Thank you all for following my blog! I appreciate all of you who follow and chat about my favorite subject…..MUSIC!
Thank you to all my wedding and performance clients, fellow musicians and students….it is a pleasure to share music with all of you!
I remember being a little kid listening to Joe Walsh’s, “Life’s Been Good.” It was the coolest song ever at the time. Cool guitar riffs(yes I was hooked on guitar even as a kid) and funny lyrics. I have mentioned before in my blogs that I am not much of lyrics guy, but, c’mon what little kid doesn’t laugh with their friends over lines like, ‘I have a mansion forget the price …Ain’t never been there they tell me it’s nice.’ Actually, the tune has held its own for 34 years now….so it wasn’t just for kids.
I will always think of Joe Walsh, as mentioned above, as a combination of iconic rock guitar riffs and a silly side, including some of his performance faces…he took the ‘guitar face’ to new heights. To me he is the redeeming musician in the Eagles. His stylistic rock licks lifted the Eagles from country band to Rock Supergroup status. His mark is most notably etched on tunes like Life in the Fast Lane, The Long Run, In the City and his shared guitar work on the epic Hotel California solo.
Joe’s been at his career for just under 50 years now. He has achieved legendary success as a member of The James Gang, The Eagles and his solo gig.
Here is to Life ‘Being’ Good for years to come…keep rocking Joe!
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 