Category: Rock

Top 10, My Favorite Posts on ’12 Notes & the Truth!’

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It’s almost 2013! This compels me to create a few lists from the year in review, my first as a blogger.

My last post was my top 10 posts of the year according to WordPress stats. The 10 listed on this post are MY favorites…according to ME.

There were many, but, these are the ones that stood out in my memory as either being fun, rewarding or challenging to write. Some were very popular, some were not and some were early before I had much following. Hopefully this list will supply my followers with some new insights into this blog 12 Notes & the Truth!

These first two are important to me as both guitarists were HUGE in my inspiration to be not only a guitarist but a musician.

1.  Van Halen Week in San Diego – Concert Review

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

This post was cool because I found a new guitarist, influence and a historical perspective I never knew. I knew of Jose Feliciano, but,  not much about him. An amazing musician that really took an unfair career hit with his version of the Star Spangled Banner. A great version in my opinion and better than many of the renditions today. Expect more posts on Jose Feliciano in 2013!

3. National Anthem, Jose Feliciano-Play Ball!

These next three are my favorite attempts at ‘writing.’ Some of my posts are just that…posts. These three were more of a personal perspective on guitar, myself and my musical past.

4. Beware of the Pick Gremlins! Important as ALL guitarists know there has to be Pick Gremlins stealing our picks! How else can they disappear so quickly?

5. Function of My Dysfunction An insight into my mind…

6. Band Logos and Dreams What did I study in school? Drawing band logos on my book covers and folders.

Sports has been another major interest throughout my life. So it is nice for me to be able to combine the two. I thought these were pretty clever, tongue in cheek ways of combining music and sports. They are also an exercise in creativity much like composing music.

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

8.  2012 NFL Predictions ‘Rock n Roll’ Edition

Playing a fair amount of weddings every year and working with so many great couples I really enjoyed blogging about different musical aspects involved in making the ‘Big Day’ special.

9. Weddings

Yeah, I had to delve into the ugly Presidential campaign of 2012. I feel I gave both a fair ration of disrespect as I feel ALL politicians deserve.  Much like the sports posts above it was a fun creative process putting this post together.

10. Presidential Campaign 2012, Romney v Obama (Scherzino Falsetto)

A Guitar Christmas, Jimi Hendrix, Silent Night/Little Drummer Boy/Auld Lang Syne

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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.

Enjoy!

A Guitar Christmas, Brian Setzer, Nutcracker Suite

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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!

What is and What Should Never 4th & B

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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!

George Harrison, My Favorite Beatle

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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

Happy Thanksgiving!

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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!

Happy Birthday Joe Walsh, 65, Life’s Been Good

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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!