Guitar Gods IV and V: Jimmy and Jeff

well here i am--back into the guitar gods----numbers 4 and 5--done together
in my mind--because these two---are almost equals--hmmm--same band---(cough)-YARDBIRDS
and eric-no.2--also-same band---maybe they were influential-?---well at least to me---
and---------this is MY list---
so number 4--jeff beck---he did replace clapton---or at least took his place--
the band did commercialize their sound---i'll buy that--ha---and i did-
but i had been primed--really loved "english bands"---and once guitar playing was more than a passing fancy---or phase--as parents like to say---(maybe why the first guitars i received--were in-expensive models)
mom--george plays a gretsch-john-a rickenbacker---
oh--they don't sell them here-
where---i live in america-?----well yeah theory was---don't spend a lot--"it'll pass"
but-----so--i'm listening---and back then-mid-60"s---a/m radio---in philly---only two stations--famous 56---and 99--wibbage---
r+b-mixed with pop stuff top 40-----
beatles absolute number one--for me---as a band--but i read the teen mags--
heard about the different english invasion bands--they started to get radio play--
so herman's hermits-dave clark 5-chad/jeremy-stones-kinks-jerry and the pacemakers--
then the who----but those yardbirds----every guitar playing friend worth his weight--
talked about relf--with clapton--burning up the discs--then JEFF taking his spot--
like eric has done quite often---"not hang around"----go and grow---
and we all won---clapton hone's his blues-----jeff steps into shoes----and the yardbirds kept on soaring---
shapes of things---ah---mr.you're a better man than i--nazz are blue---over under---
well you know----and the sounds were changing--amps bigger more powerful--
the fuzzboxes--new experiments with altered sounds----
ahh the 60's----well once again that band morphed---in a second--i'll get to more--and number5------but jeff then did the my band thing---beck ola-and truth-----just priceless---influences to me-----his wah-wah--on ain't superstitous--jimmy's beck bolero---wow-what records----and then his jazzfusion----70's killer records---
blow by blow-and wired----then his jan hammer records---
yeah that's a catalog---
number-5---jimmy page----studio--guy---yardbird bassist then--takeover----whew--
there's a start---or "upstart"-
now-tell me--DONOVAN'S--hurdy gurdy man-----if that--almost baritone sax sounded growl of a guitar solo---doesn't raise the pressure---you be stone----
one if my fave solo's--
and boy did the competition--of him and number 4----inspire some great records---
the jeff back group vs.--led zepp-------
i was talking earlier about a/m radio----well late 60's--thank the lord---F/M---
and in the beginning there was "underground"radio-------oh yes--i experienced---
be jealous------it was wonderful-
so when first zep--then II--came out--wowowowie--probably best first two---records ever---from this era---

well this era was full of "first two"sometimes three--four--oh i'm sorry being around during this era---was very special---
anyway---when it comes to especially great guitar "climaxes"---and during "hit" records--
the first five "guys"--on MY list---are hard to beat--
i know he has life after zeppelin-----but his best to me---is the before and during
some personal--hi--lites
well back in the 80's--you may remember a series of concerts held in a few halls around the world for "ARMS"-- a benefit to raise awareness and fight--m/s-----which ron lane had---
ron--from the "faces"---had many friends---
so robbi and i---boarded the amtrak---to madison sq--garden--------with "hopes" the rumour was true+++
eric-jim-jeff------all playing to----gether
what a night and yes---it was magical----
each had played with their "bands d'jour"
jimmy had paul rodgers-----clapton---his 80's guys--
jeff doing some wild rockfusion
but then bill wyman--chas---i'd have to check the video--don't remember some other backups
with----eric-jimmy-jeff---all playing together --then "soloing"
so like when they did "further on up the road"--each playing backup==as each solos----
jeff kinda leaning next to eric as jimmy wailed--jim and eric kinda "wow check jeff out"--
and as always--when eric is "challenged"-----smirks then rifles off some fingering-riffys----
like it's a deathmatch--and he ain't losing---i remember jimmy and jeff----looking to each other
"yeah he's on tonight"
so like i said ---those yardbirds-------helluva band eh?
and the afterlife--worth checking out----when all was said and done and no life left-in the yardbirds---and both jim --jeff really "kept the idea alive"---lead singer hot guitarist----etc--
keith relf--lead singer from 'birds"-----started early proggers--------Renaissance
-------
check out-----find the first record------john hawkens on piano--great bass---right from same period as king crimson-yes-'s first stuff---really good music---
well i'm a babblski-----so-----1 thru 5--------"who's next"
(a clue or a bluff)---peace and love----------gary

ADRIAN BELEW POWER TRIO IS THE BEST LIVE BAND - and the pictures aren't bad, either

WOW-!!!---i take great pix-tures--don't i-? it's easy with this subject or these subjects--which are one in the same-or one being//entity--the ADRIAN BELEW POWER TRIO!!

for those following the guitar-god thingy i've been writing--this is a temporary but actually possibly a continuation---eh??

i was lucky enough last friday--to leave work-3.30pm--get to the home-grabbed my coat-grabbed my hat-sorry-sir paul- throw some cloth-ing in a satchel page--i grabbed--dashed to the patriot and drove on down south--(have to say that in the foghorn leghorn voice)---down past the masey-dix-on---line--to the home of (in the navy)---or as lt smash--said "yvan eht nioj"-------to annapolis jeeves---to THE RAMS HEAD--

as computer directions---no advertisements in this blog---usually get me close until the last minute when it all goes wrong -but seemingly always----at that moment the phone rings---"dad-are you almost here"?---

sorry julie--call you right back--so--i get straightened out--i'm a moment away---

"dad---adrian says-we're not going on til you are here"---and in the background---
"she's right gary"---familiar voice---that "elephant talk guy"----

oh i'm parking now---be right in----

right to green-room---hugs-hello's---"break a leg"---etc---

"hey we're gonna do--planet e---first time tonight"--just for you---

awwwwwwww--shucks--(thank ya jimi)-----

so i get seated---they do their--animalistic voodooo secret handshake is better than a kiss rituals--(partially seen in Hideyo's roadcam blogthing)(he's in cgt)----

and the show is going----on---

i kinda get setup-right behind eric--and bam-!!

what a show---i hadn't heard live the re-arranged sets

----broke in two parts--

usually--the new or jammy-xperimental----(an understatement)--first set----

wowie-zowie---wickey-woo-woo

break---second set another new one added-something changed----a little different towards the end------

but---i'll always be labeled being prejudiced--they are the BEST LIVE BAND out touring-----HANDS DOWN!!!

don't get me started-----ok---can't help this---totally amazing---!!
dot explanation point dot com----

so---as stated--they did **planet e** awww ahuh ahuh--FOR ME---according to my introduction---"to the man who spawned a new generation of rockers"----or somethin like that---and no---no relation that i know of to earl--------whew!---i"m better lookin--anyway---

the new songs--as always--the extended slightly different each night usuals----
my god, truly amazing trio of "power and terror"-thank ya robert

at this time---i want to thank all the old friends--new friends-i just met-people that
i spent this past weekend talking to--explaining--"the stories//legends"of my experiences-with ade--my children--etc---always a pleasure--

the management there--ram's head--really first class

lucky me--on to next gig------something--or somebody---bodies--are met--on way out of town---(please see robin's upcoming blogpost either today or tomorrow)"i thought you said--no advertise-mints---gary--?"

she's my wife--shut-up-

anywho--on to-----t-neck------home of many banks--snewjerseys----to a normally great place to gigg---mexi cali blues---

and its still a great venue--but check the weather channel--next time---not their fault but saturday was record like breaking HEAT----probably 120--degees onstage---their air--was severely over-worked---

bergen--school of rock opened--great "yes"---set---a couple kc---they did great

a buddy of mine --from work drove up from philly-with his ladyfriend-stayed same hotel

also---as far as I KNOW---stayed away from 420---------"not really a party---but some chab li---cheese---some crackers"---

anyways-----another fan---tastic show-----

and seriously i've seen tons of bands----right now----this is THE BEST--live band out now

if----i was a richma---oh stop-----if i wasn't related---i was justaguy---
aguywholoves proggyrock----intelligent rock----whatever class///hate that--

i would be screaming----eric you fff-n----rule!!!!----julie--you kickass-monster-chickbassplayer magazine-june issue-checkitout-along with who's the guitarplayer magazine-june issue also-riff section guy----atriumbelew--!

wow---again---

so again---wokeup got outta bed dragged acomb--brush really--on my head---
left--teaneck---had breakfast--we rated a 10----adrian's style potato's---really a good start------off to------THE CITY OF TROY, new york---you trojan---went thru one hell of a thunder-thunder-thundercats---thunderstorm to REVOLUTION HALL----a really super venue

eric's girlfriend in area--(so he's feeling good)--weather now better than recently--
and like i said really great place to play

some family--robin's nephew garrett-brosis in law and family from conn----there

good soundcheck=preshow meal---

good local opener----solo guy--later joined by aguy who could play lennon in RAIN---both good acoustic players--

here we go--another wonderful performance--stellar actually--

i'll ask this now-----adrian---"please-please---record futurevision-maybe for upcoming-cd"?with this trio--please buddy----i'm lucky--have heard the off the board-
version---------man---a great song done even HOTTER------MY GOODNESS---its good----

another hi--lite or two---besides the music---TROY-is a town that loves adrian--good fz base--and they love eric---know him from Project Object------but you shoulda heard the JULIE-JULIE-JULIE-chants.

ade gave me another great introduction-awww--he's such a nice guy-----

during a recess period i took--got to talk to some fans---there were some from northampton mass--burlington vt---wow----and a bunch had been "camping"like at some festival that was a "jamthing"*something---(sorry-lotta miles over weekend)---they had "prepped"--(their word)--by watching "rock school"--the documentary--and accompanying soundtrack---both that feature a youthful eric slick and julie slick---

so ----what a weekend---can't wait til the river cruise--ny---

lotsa great upcoming---f-o-c-k-(friends of crimson king)---stuff and more-----
so---sorry--i'll not keep you on pinsandneedles---about god-guitar people--4and5

stay tuned same bat-time---(oh you 60's people)---------

oh wait----lotsa people now making some comparisons----i've seen-----sounds like---
cream meets return to forever----he's moon-rich-baker-bruford-williams-like or
she's a woman--sorry paul--who plays like pastorius-bruce-ent-squire----

one thing i do know-----futurevision-futurevision-futurevision---and-------
I LOVE THIS POWER TRIO---that sounds like an orchestra---or a jazz trio--or a

----so---love peace------gary

and i'm one hell of a photo-grapher

Speaking of Adrian Belew...

From Friday night's show in Tampa...unreal

Guitar Gods Part III - Lone Rhino

WOW--great picture---by me--like five feet away---World Cafe Live--winter tour 2008
So ummm--i told you i was gonna jump right on with Number 3 of my GUITAR HEROES--

not being prejudiced

really

i wouldn't lie--really--late 70's--early 80's--i still liked to play guitar--alas no contact with any persons-i'd played with--so usually sunday's---get a little whacked--plug in guitar--play with records---play along all afternoon---picked up "Lodger"---playing----huh-----next song---wha--------pickup cover--sleeve----Adrian---who??

yes----quite---different----and maybe--i had no idea---what he was doin---or better yet--how-
he was doing it--BUT I LOVED IT---

unfortunately i lost him--after bowie stuff--never knew the zappa--stuff til later----kinda same
with king crimson----but once the kids started---with rock school--eric was watching--zappa
video's---crimson---in fact---our neighbor--louis---who played guitar over the house--with our
eric and julie---lou quickly became nicknamed---little "adrian"

elelphant talk quite a popular riff---three of perfect---same---

ANDRIAN BELEW---number 3----THREE-

jimi-ertc-ade-

when i first saw ade--live--late-2005-i was amazed---and by the time i was with them---
the adrian belew power trio--in germany summer of 2006- wow----what a musician!

Germany---was really interesting---scary actually for adrian--

most of his equipment--amps---pedals---were lost----

THE SHOW--must go on--julie's bass--arrived just hours before the performance--but adrian wasn't as lucky--

i can remember ken---and adrian talking--

"boss---you can do this---just the parkers through marshalls--you're roughing it--but you can handle it"----nervous smiles accompany----

then the band bursts onto stage----

wow--they were raw---but---hot--really---

the two youngsters-pushing adrian----wowwwwwwwiiie--

i was filming ---feet in front of it all--pinching myself--asking myself-is this real-----SIR-REAL--

yes---adrian grew up listening--loving--Jimi---just like me---

ade's masterful-feedback-twangbar-whammying---was truly--amazing that afternoon--
of course in the time since---how many show-soundcheck-rehearsal--etc-----have i been privy to---where i still sit---in awe---this man has his own---"VOICE"

i saw this documentary--on les paul---i know adrian has met-les--i was fortunate myself to meet lester---at a celebration of his 90th---birthday---don't get sidetracked---oh yeah les invented sidetracking also---so---i realized---they had told stories-of les and mary---taking all these tape machines--on road trips--aka gigs--so he can have his own "sound"--or "voice"like he had in his recordings----do'oh--who's a modern day--"les"---

well--johnson amps--with "special"programmings--that lovely set of pedals and such---on floor at "the feet"---boy sounds like--adrian belew----well nothing sounds like adrian.

seriously number three----for me---mainly for these reasons---unique-artistic-great skilled player--(witnessed at germany show mentioned earlier-pay attention)-and great riff//songwriter------------

I recently had the pleasure to see perform--a little jazzy style set---with local guitar great-
greg davis--wally smith--keys---greg knows---(he saw the ABPT at the world cafe show in March)--my interests---

says---hey-gary--who's your fave five---i get to two---he stops me---"hey--same as me----but-3-gary--??"

i look at him ---simultaneously----ADRIAN-----we actually agree thru-5----but i'm adrianinnnnnggggg now---(is that a verb?)

anyway---i can go on forever---praising this guy----

his solo-bands-duets----the playing's just other worldly----and know well-----what's going on with the power and terror---which are the Power Trio----

i've seen jimi-eric-jimmy-jeff-al-stevie-pete-(i'll stop)---along with their bands--trios-etc-
and each and every show--I've seen--has out-topped each-----

and so the amazing thing is---he can be the lone rhino-dinosaur-big electric cat but he's my number three---guitar hero---god----and my friend------

how lucky---

like this coming weekend--annapolis-t-neck-troy----i'll be there-

well---i think--nos.4 and 5-will be next---a little two at once---

Peace--Love----Gary