something out of the ordinary

[jojokeo]

Youtube can be so addicting that once there I get lost in a time warp or something? Every once in a while I come across something or someone that just knocks me out in one way or another, this is one I'd like to share from a musical standpoint. This guy is unorthodox but can actually play and play well not just on guitar, but bass, keyboard, & drums too. Probably can play pots & pans in the kitchen better than most too?! Some just have a gift for certain things & his is obvious. I think Sperzel or Grover should want to sponser this guy?

http://youtu.be/OZqb_9qnXKM

[EL34]

I saw this before. That guy is awesome

[tubenit]

WOW!

[jojokeo]

When I was at NAMM a couple of years ago I was walking around and stopped to look at a special chord connector called "Snap Jack" I believe? It incorporated a strong magnetic with a make or break connection making quick guitar changes literally a snap. While there getting a few samples there was a young Auzzie kid shreading away. No big deal especially for being at NAMM. But off to the side in the vid background was a heavy set long haired dude. You'd never know he was there or pay any attention as he watch the young shreader too.
A few hours later I wandered past the Breedlove booth/section (awesome acoustic guitars) and they always have performers playing their products in a small performance setting. A guy was playing in an awesome finger style where he did all three parts simulaneously - bass line, chord comping, and the melody all at once. This kind of style & playing is of another world to me even though I can do some melody and chords together and/or use leading tones but not with the bass line too! (Hell yes, I'm jealous!) He was finishing up a Beatles tune when a small group of black folks walked up grooving to what he was doing in front of me. He looked up, saw them and went into the coolest version of I Wish by Stevie Wonder, the girl says, "oh no you don't" and immediately on the spot breaks into singing while he's simply tearing it up. Everybody was hooting and hollering it up and had a fantastic spur of the moment great time. (one of the great things about being at NAMM).
 
So later when I got home and d/l'd my videos of the day, the heavy long haired unsuspecting dude that was in the back of young auzzie shreading dude was THIS GUY!!! You can never judge a book by it's cover - especially at NAMM! And if you were walking down the street and saw this guy in this vid above you'd likely never pin "guitar and musical genious" on him either (despite the ladybugs, buzz light year, etc...) 

[Ed_Chambley]

I have seen a few of the guys who play this way.   It is a style a lot of the younger players are doing and it is cool.  It is always nice when someone can play the instrument needing nothing else to entertain.  Just the guitar.  It is not common.

It is really amazing to even think of doing it much less the amount of practice.  That is the word, practice.  When we are young prior to being swayed by our environment as much, like 5 to 11 years old, we would learn as instructed.  I am amazed you (Joe) are not a Jazz player since your Dad was.

We want to play like others often.  I was exposed only to Country Pickin as a youngster.  All the adult men around me played this way and of course I wanted to as well.  Then Rock and women began catching my eye and ear.  I needed to desperately change modes, but the foundation was in-place.

There are so many great players.  Just visit Gruhn Guitars in Nashville any afternoon and you will see a couple.  You can play anything you want if you are willing to practice it.  The reason I can't play much Stones is I am too lazy to change tunings.  Truth.  I have been looking hard at the new auto tuners!!

Great players take their natural skills and produce music from that.  What I am trying to say is I love to listen to Jeff Beck play Beatles tunes and think I would like to play using a tremolo as well, but the truth is I would only "like" to.   I remember learning to play Mule Skinner Blues in the Jerry Reed fashion thinking I would be satisfied.  I am not and still want to learn.

Ain't it great Joe that we can still see someone who has worked their butt off to learn and still want to learn it ourselves.  That says a heap in my book.

I got tickets to see Rickey Scaggs this weekend and will get to do a meet and greet.  I am so excited.  What a great bunch of players he has with him.  I cannot tell you how many times I have seen him.

Last show I went to was Robin Trower and this one is Ricky Scaggs.  How weird.

[sluckey]

Anyone familiar with this guy? I saw Billy in the old downtown area of Mobile back in the late '90s. For several years Mobile did a "First Night" festival on New Year's eve and Billy was one of the entertainers that I saw for several years. The First Night festival died out after about 5 or 6 years but I saw Billy several times. That was back in my acoustic days. I really loved his stuff. So much sound from one guitar! Hope y'all enjoy too.

Billy McLaughlin - Helms Place

[jojokeo]

"We want to play like others often." - Yes, because we like it whether it sounds good or is a really neat or tricky lick that's fun or cool to put into your arsenal.
 
"I am amazed you (Joe) are not a Jazz player since your Dad was." - you have a really good memory Ed! I can play jazz & still do, even warming up before a gig while the others are getting their crap together. I think it trips out some wondering what the heck we're going to play or what the heck I'm doing? But people here never hear it because I don't use it to make a submission or demo. Hearing George Benson or Thelonius Monk while demo'ing the FuzzBurner just doesn't go together 
 
"Ain't it great Joe that we can still see someone who has worked their butt off ..." - YES agreed!
 
"Last show I went to was Robin Trower and this one is Ricky Scaggs.  How weird." What's weird is that Jimbo just went to a Trower show and sent me some vids & photos but I didn't get any of you two together?! 

[jojokeo]

Sluckey - I've never seen him but he's talking about the I-10 fwy / Santa Monica so he was in LA doing this but I don't know if he's from here? Although he said his bedroom was near it so I'm taking it that he grew up there. It appeared that his right handed Guild was strung backwards to accommodate his technique? My right hand was getting tired from just watching.
 
There's various techniques & styles from Taro patch and drop key, to travis picking, finger style, claw-hammer, etc. & I don't thing there's a special naming of this technique? Therefore I will give it a name and that name shall be know as the hammer-pull method. 

[SILVERGUN]

Amazing!
.....I almost missed this

I have to act like these guys don't exist just so I can go on....

There are so many great players.....

....Ain't it great Joe that we can still see someone who has worked their butt off to learn and still want to learn it ourselves.  That says a heap in my book.

Yup

[jojokeo]

Hey buddy, LTNS
 
Forgot to mention that what makes the song and the guy on top so unique is not just his ability to play in the "Hammer-Pull style" but to the extent and way he continues to use those tuning pegs incorporating them in the melody AND providing the rhythm percussion also with his hands. So he's actually doing FIVE things at once! Good thing he wasn't singing 'cause then he'd have the music police breaking in to arrest him for displaying excessive talent to a minor (chord).

[SILVERGUN]

Been busier than a one armed ticket taker at the Super Bowl...

Makes it tough to keep up on current events,,,and I can't spend my days blabbin' anymore.

I started playing again, so I really do have to act like guys like this don't exist..er else i'll never make it back onstage 

[Ritchie200]

Heyya, thangquverymooch, I'll be here all week.  Please tip the waitresses!  minor chord....

These guys are amazing.  Just when you think there is nothing more you can do on the guitar....

Like when I saw Segovia solo, that was the complete package.  Rhythm, percussion, melody, lead, all woven together to tell the story.  The story is the key.  If it doesn't take you on a journey, what's the point?  Which is why my playing is pointless!

Jim

[Ritchie200]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eBnfzngq9Y

Jim

[jojokeo]

Makes it tough to keep up on current events,,,and I can't spend my days blabbin' anymore.

I started playing again, so I really do have to act like guys like this don't exist..er else i'll never make it back onstage 

Are they making you actually "work" these days? J/K - we're all lucky we can multitask as well as we do during the idle moments. So the fire is building inside once again!??? That's really good to hear. Hopefully that means you'll share a few things more soon and please don't over analyze the playing we all know we're not perfect and don't expect it. So share away okay???

[SILVERGUN]

Makes it tough to keep up on current events,,,and I can't spend my days blabbin' anymore.

I started playing again, so I really do have to act like guys like this don't exist..er else i'll never make it back onstage 

Are they making you actually "work" these days? J/K - we're all lucky we can multitask as well as we do during the idle moments. So the fire is building inside once again!??? That's really good to hear. Hopefully that means you'll share a few things more soon and please don't over analyze the playing we all know we're not perfect and don't expect it. So share away okay???

Sure, buddy....
Thanks for the encouragement.

Yeah, we go through a big 'shutdown season' here where welding equipment is at a premium and no one can afford down time....painful to say the least.

The "spark" comes and goes.....
I'll be building an amp for myself next,,,,so we'll see if I can actually perform.
Unfortunately, watching these guys does make me question my own relevance...

As Ed has said,,
"the public would rather hear Wolly Bully than Black Mountain Side",,,,so I guess I'll be alright!

[sluckey]

It appeared that his right handed Guild was strung backwards to accommodate his technique?

Yes. And a special tuning too. Billy has a unique story. He was playing right handed when I saw him in the late '90s. Then he disappeared for several years. Along came YouTube and now he's playing left handed! Here's a bit of his story about his medical condition. I think what he did is even more amazing than his music...

The Return of Billy McLaughlin

[SILVERGUN]

 

[jojokeo]

I think what he did is even more amazing than his music...

Damn! That's inspiring stuff there, thanks Steve. It helps keep you and what you do - or not - in line with a proper perspective and an appreciation of things we all have, that can be taken for granted OR that can be taken away from us in an instant.