Guitar Licks

John Mayer and Jennifer Anniston at the Oscars

Chris — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:32:06 +0000

So John Mayer and Jennifer Anniston are planning to go to the Oscars are they? Well to me I couldn’t really care about what the great guitarist does in his personal life and to be honest with you, I’m pretty sure he couldn’t care what I do in mine! All I know is that I just love how the guy makes music with his axe not his ex?!

A recent article from the site Newspostonline.com is something that caught my eye today. Are they seeing each other again, good for them. Are they going to get married, raise a family and live happily ever after is not a concern with me, but others it seems like it is so important. Why are so many people so intrigued with celebrities personal lives so much? Don’t they have lives and worries of their own?

I just had to get this off my chest!

Keep on Jammin’ John

Steven Tyler Says He’s Not Quitting Aerosmith

Chris — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:21:40 +0000

So is the drama over whether or not Steve Tyler, the lead singer from Aerosmith, is leaving the band finally put to rest? Well according to an article from today’s New York Timer he is staying.

Last week, Mr. Perry, the Aerosmith guitarist, had said that Mr. Tyler quit after Mr. Tyler gave an interview to a British music magazine in which he said he was preparing to focus on a solo career. Mr. Perry went so far as to announce on his Twitter feed on Monday that Aerosmith was looking for a new lead singer. The New York Times

Was this story just a ploy to gather some attention for the bands latest tour? Is there really some underlining truth to it?

I for one love the band! Songs like Dream On, will forever be linked to not only memories of past events in my life but countless others as well. Some of Aerosmith’s songs were like a soundtrack to our lives. That first love of your life, a concert that will not be equaled or some other memorable adventures from our past.

So if good old Steve leaves the band, will you still follow their music?

Keep on Jammin’

Remembrance Day 2009

Chris — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:34:19 +0000

Today is a day set aside to remember all those courageous young men and women who lost their lives for all of us. I just came back from today’s services at the East York cenotaph and there was a great turn out this year. Everyone from school kids and regular citizens of East York.

Last years service was the first one that I attended. I found it very moving and it brought back the times that I had shared with my late Great Private James (Joe) Henry Judge (Reg. # 3310131). He was considered a ARMY CLASS “A” member and received this, and a few more, war medal . He served in the Great War (WWI) in the Canadian 58th Battalion.

Here is a link to the book of remembrance of his fellow solders that passed away in battle that I found on line today. I just thought it is fitting to remember not only him but his fellow comrades in arms on their special day of remembrance.

I also did a post a while back about how the Canadian Government honoured our military men and women on the Canadian $10 bill. I found it some neat bits of information about what they put on our the bill and what it suppose to mean!

So to all those who have fallen, God bless them all.

The singing Cardiologist

Chris — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:01:49 +0000

This is video is performed by the best Cardiologist that I’ve ever met! The guy does everything. It’s taken during a Christmas party a few years ago that I not attend. I work with all of these great people that are in the video and yes they are pretty much always that happy!

Warning, I hope that you have a strong stomach for this one.

Keep on Jammin’ (or should I say beating?)

Great balls of fire

Chris — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:01:57 +0000

talk about one hell of a hot keyboardist! This is something that you would be exposed to when you witness my old keyboardist friends Tony F or Rick M while sitting on the side of the stage!

The bass player reminds me of those crazy bassists that I’ve had the honour of playing with, Chris Noto or Jon Penrose! No sense no feeling boys?! Ah, just kiddin’ ya!

Keep on Jammin’

Winterfolk 2010

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Winterfolk is a blues/folk festival that is held in Toronto’s east end that runs from February 12 -15, 2010. It is held in The Danforth Ave area in a couple of locations. It will be held at five or more clubs at the corner of Danforth and Broadview in Toronto, all within close walking distance of the subway.

What is Winterfolk? Well check out the link and view the video below for more details!

Last year’s festival was a big hit in the neighbourhood. The bands were fabulous and the venues owners were quite happy with the turnout. The price for admission is very realistic for the amount of entertainment value that you will get in return. Besides, what else are you going to do in the dead of winter anyway?

If your an band looking to maybe partake in this annual Festival, there will be a few audition locations around southern Ontario in which to try out. for more info check out this link!

Keep on Jammin’

Portishead are back in the studio

Chris — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:01:06 +0000

Portishead is one of those bands that just floored me when I heard them for the first time. This is one of the many bands that my wife and I, happy 20 years together baby and many more to come, love to listen to together.

Some people love it, some people are ok with it and others say “what are you high”? Some refer to their style as Trip Hop and that one sounds good enough for me! Others tag this genre as electronic, electro, acid jazz, ambient, hypnotic or chillout.

They’ve said that the name of their style, that the media critics have pigeon toed them into, is something that they find odd to say the least. They really don’t see themselves as that kind of band. They say much of their inspiration for their slightly other worldly sounding style comes from the very boring and commonplace everyday irritations that they’ve experienced in life.

The bands catalyst that nudges them into their own unique style of music starts off by the band being pissed off or grumpy at whatever is happening to them at that point in time. This is what really steers them into their musical direction.

The band’s sound is haunting, to say the least. I find my consciously drifting off when Protishead’s music comes floating out of my home stereo speakers. Their music puts you into some sort of trance that leaves you powerless to resist the new age musical orientation. It’s hard to argue that they in fact created their own distinct musical genre.

They are one of a few bands that forces me to be cognizant of their lyrical input, even though I not a great lover/follower of words (I know it shows in my lack of writing skills, I sure ain’t no literary Laureate!). My regular readers will realize this, my lack writing abilities, as a reoccurring theme that is constantly splashed all over this blog! Portishead is just a great band to listen to in my eyes! Ah the sounds of the 90’s!

The two CD’s we have in our collection are Dummy (1995) won them the Mercury Prize and their 1997 self titled album Portishead that went directly to the top 10 in Britain. Then after that … nothing. This silence has lasted up until now!

Portishead has just released a new album titled Third. Not much is known about it now but if it is anything like some of the bands earlier collaborations then we’re all in for a treat! I hope to find out later a little bit more about this album and expose you all to the bands magical spell that it holds over me!

The band consists of Beth Gibbons, Adrian Utley, Geoff Barrow and the odd time they throw in Dave McDonald into the mix, he’s a producer and engineer on their albums.

So has anyone else out there heard of these guys?

Keep on Jammin’ Portishead

Here are some interesting links to check out that is related to this post!

TV’s Glee is coming out with an album?

Chris — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:01:06 +0000

Fox’s top rated show called Glee is about a group of modern day kids struggling to find their way through high school. The school’s Glee club is in constant conflict with the other school groups but it’s the music that they perform together that helps them navigate the conflicts in those crazy years of self discovery! Now it seems that the kids are going to release solo albums in the near future! Their release will be entitled Glee: The Music volume 1 & 2. It will be followed up with a 2010 tour.

Maybe the creatures of Glee are trying to capture the magic that came from the classic TV show of the 70’s called The Partridge Family?! Remember the bus!!!

Musically, I like the way in how these kidz interpret some classic tunes. The tunes they perform are essentially the same as the original versions but with subtle variations. I watched this episode other day that featured a song one of the football players played on his guitar.It was from Neil Diamond called Sweet Caroline. I must admit that I learned a neat chord progression that he played on this one that I can use for other tunes!

Apparently songs that have already been released from the show are a hit, with a reported 1.8 million digital downloads. The “Glee” version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” sold 522,000 downloads and has peaked at # 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in it’s first week. Go, “Glee.”

The songs on the future 2 albums will consist of ones that they have play on the show. Someone thought that if around 1.8 million digital downloads of their songs can make a few bucks then what would a few albums pull in? Follow that up with a tour of some sort and merchandising … $$$! Well good luck to them!

I’m all for finding different versions in which to play a tune or watch someone reinvent a classic tune no matter what type of format it takes place in. What are your thoughts about this? Yay or Neigh

Keep on Jammin’

Morrissey’s health scare onstage

Chris — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:08:52 +0000

Steven Patrick Morrissey, the 50 year old ex-lead singer from the Smiths, was rushed to a British hospital around 9pm last night in the middle of performing a show at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon.

The 1000 audience members were taking in the Smith’s 1983 classic tune This Charming Man when his medical episode took place. He reportedly fell onto the stage, unconscious and was gingerly carried off by the stage crew.

Some at the show said he was looking strained and wincing while performing. Morrissey, who just happens to be doing a world tour, has already cancelled a number of events this year due to an “unspecified illness”.

He was taken off to the nearby Great Western Hospital and there is still no word yet on his condition.

God speed in his recovery.

Keep on Jammin’

Aerosmith Dream On – An Overview of The Song

Chris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:00:22 +0000

Aerosmith Dream On was the first single ever created by the group. It first appeared on their initial album in 1973. Steven Tyler wrote the song which was heavily influenced by the blues.

Aerosmith Dream On was the first major hit for the group. It only reached number 59 when it was originally released as a single. The re release made it to six in 1976. It was first played live at a Connecticut inn. Aerosmith Dream On was later released by the group in eight compilations, as well as on two boxed sets.

Aerosmith Dream On made it into the rock ‘n roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped rock ‘n roll. Rolling Stone listed as number 172 in its 500 greatest songs of all time. Some Aerosmith fans believe this is their signature song.

Many times songs, such as Aerosmith Dream On, are sampled for other music. That means short portions of the song appear in some way. Eminem sampled the song in his 2002 album the Eminem Show. Aerosmith’s guitaris played the guitar in the sample. Some less famous musicians also covered Aerosmith Dream On. These include Andru Donalds, and a rapper named Slim Thug.

There is a myth that the band Led Zeppelin actually wrote the song. It’s just a hoax. Buick uses the song in their commercials. Their slogan is Dream Up. It also appeared in a number of movies. These include Miracle from Walt Disney, and Last Action Hero.

Aerosmith Dream On has been featured in a number of video games. It appeared in the opening cut scene of Dead or Alive Ultimate. There’s a game called Guitar Hero Aerosmith. The song was re-recorded just for the game. People could also download Aerosmith Dream On for the game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Its appearance in that game was to promote the new game.

Not only has Aerosmith Dream On been featured in many live concerts, but but it has also been performed with full orchestras. It was featured like this for MTVs 10th anniversary show. And in 2006 members of Aerosmith performed it with the Boston Pops. The song has been dedicated to a captured in Israeli soldier. As well as to a fan of the band was murdered.

It’s not only a piece of rock ‘n roll history, Aerosmith Dream On is a piece of American history.

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