Category: Heavy Metal

YNGWIE

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YNGWIE, not just a great Scrabble word, one of the most talented rock/metal guitarists.

Thought I would post this in honor of the guitarists upcoming tour bringing him to the House of Blues in San Diego on May 14.

This clip has everything a self-respecting guitar geek would want. A blistering lead guitarist, playing with his teeth, throwing his guitar and all the while backed by a full symphonic orchestra.

If you’ve never heard Yngwie play watch/listen to the clip. He is a very classic influenced guitarist. Actually more Baroque or Romantic period traits, but, it’s all ‘classical’ music to most folks.

Enjoy!

Music to Relax, Friday Edition, Joe Satriani

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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.

Why Music Is Better Than Words

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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.

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Check out VHND Van Halen News Desk..for all things Van Halen

If it included Sammy Hagar tunes Yeah Love and Baby probably would’ve tripled…

Today’s IPod Workout

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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

Let There Be Rock!

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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!

Top 10 Posts of 2012 on ’12 Notes & the Truth’

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Thank you to everyone who visited the site this year. Since starting in March there have been just shy of 10,000 views.

Here are the top 10 blog posts by numbers of viewers in 2012.

1. American Idol Live! Tour, San Diego Concert Review -July 26, 2012

You can’t deny the power of this show. Love it or hate it, it has mass appeal! I was a devout hater for the first few years but have been won over by the talent of some of the kids!

2. Van Halen Week in San Diego – Concert Review

Van Halen, the reason I play guitar = the reason I am here 30 years later playing and writing about music. So glad to see their resurgence in 2012.

3. Scorpions & Tesla in San Diego, Your Concert Review

The Scorps were one of my favorites growing up. To this day one of the best concerts I ever saw in ’84, awesome to see them still at it and popular as ever.

4. A Musical Tribute to the 2012 Olympic Games in London

This post had a lot of global appeal as all countries are included. I thought it was pretty creative.

5. This Performance May be Why the Term ‘God Bless America’ is Used as a Curse Phrase

The cyber world is truly made up of puppy, kitty and cute kid videos…and unfortunately people like to see a good train wreck as well…which is what these poor singers gave during a World Series game in San Francisco.

6. Michael Schenker Said No to the Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Aerosmith…

I am truly grateful to see Michael Schenker is so popular over the globe. I have always been a fan(and feeling on an island) and glad to see this post has been so popular over the year.

7. Mick Jagger on SNL Season Finale May 19

The Rolling Stones just don;t go away. Another post that I have been surprised got so many hits throughout the year.

8. Worst AC/DC Album??

One of my favorite bands. The title sounds negative, but, I wrote this as a tribute to how good they are and wondering which early album did not hold up in AC/DC fans minds.

9. Van Halen Week in San Diego – 10 Facts You Might Not Know About Van Halen

Again awesome to see them have such a big year in 2012.

10. What does a Playboy Playmate, Pussycat Doll and Big Screen Actress Have in Common With a San Diego Guitarist? A Wedding Blog

What a great title to get people to your blog, and I guess it worked. I was honored to play guitar for Rachel Sterling’s wedding over the summer.

A Guitar Christmas, Gary Hoey, Deck the Halls

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Ho Ho Hoey!

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!