New CDs...

We must be gearing up for Christmas! There have been some really interesting releases in the last couple of weeks (and next Tuesday holds quite a bit of promise). Mark Knopfler's kill to get crimson arrived last week. It's a fairly subdued album featuring some intriguing lyrics and music that's beautifully played and recorded if a bit soporific. Of course, if you're REALLY having trouble getting to sleep, try the new Raul Malo! Zzzzzz!
Joni Mitchell was just inducted into the Canadian Songwriters' Hall of Fame (last night on CBC) and her new CD arrived (at Starbucks) the same day! I downloaded it (all legal-like) from eMusic, and I'm glad I did. Saved some dough! It's dull, samey, and precise. Again...a beautiful
sonic sheen covering up...a tired Joni. Shine is not Blue, whatever they tell you. And who needs another version of "Big Yellow Taxi"?
Goin' Home is a double CD sub-titled a Tribute to Fats Domino. Now here's a guy who deserves a tribute. The recent biography Blue Monday gave me a new appreciation for Antoine. And his recent album Alive and Kicking rocks like crazy! This one spreads new versions of Fats's tunes across 2 CDs and features people like Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Taj Mahal, BB King, Robbie Robertson, and a bunch of Crescent City denizens too! I like it!
I also enjoyed the new Steve Earle disc washington square serenade. It's rootsy, and acoustic, lots of guitars, and mandolins and Steve's rugged vocals.
A new DVD came along too, The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show. This is just some of the musical guests, hand-picked by Johnny for his 1969-71 variety show. I recall watching many of these when I was a mere boy! I specifically remember Bob Dylan's appearance. The version included here seems far grainier than the rest, and looks as though it comes from a different source. My complaint with this set is that in the opening scenes they show artists who don't appear in the programme. They show James Taylor a couple of times, for instance, but his efforts are not included.
The David Gilmour concert DVD is still getting lots of play at home! Called Remember That Night it certainly helps this viewer remember the night at Massey Hall in Toronto. And the bonus footage is quite interesting too.

New Rylander (in print)

I got down to work and finished off the two Rylanders that had been residing on my computer for the past few months, and have (as off today) mailed them off to subscribers. I also have two more issues almost ready...so in the next month or so I will have caught up! Whew!
I apologize for the delay. My office was moved and already printed issue were lost in the confusion, computer files were misnamed, you know the drill! So now it's back to normal...well...what's normal?
A setting on a clothes dryer!

Strat Masters

After a couple of days in the nation's capitol I returned to find a package I had been waiting for. A 2-DVD set entitled Strat Masters which is called the Definitive History of the World's Most Famous Guitar. It's an excellent documentary showing the development of this iconic axe, and the programme is filled with interviews with famous players. Jeff Beck, Chris Rea, Robert Cray, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and even Ryland Peter Cooder. Ry looks ever so comfy in his studio, Strat on his lap, as he chats about this essential tool-of-the trade. The DVD is PAL format only, but all regions so you can watch it on your computer...or...lookup the appropriate 'hack code' and adjust your DVD player to accept PAL discs!
Ordered a copy of Uncommon Sound, which they're mailing out to me today...can't wait! We lefties need to stick together!

Hey...where've I been?

Been absent for a while! Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long. I know everyone out there in blog-land is just waiting on my next posting with bated breath. Especially Lester Bilbo! The newest issue of Fretboard Journal just came out, and again they've shown that they are the best guitar magazine out there! Earl Scruggs on the cover. Awesome. And a review of what looks like a MUST-have book for southpaw pickers like me! Uncommon Sound! 2 big deluxe volumes, lotsof pictures, and all the left-handed guitar players you can name! Well, except for yours truly...but when I sign my name in the front of my own copy...I'll stick a snapshot of myself playing between the pages!
I'm off to a board meeting in Ottawa for the rest of the week, so won't be posting.
New music? I recorded a couple of my own songs at 3 Flamingos Studio in Brantford. Picked up a copy of Eliza Gilkyson's live CD (excellent) and Lyle Lovett's It's Not Big It's Large (I think he means his band!) . Also Ben Harper's new one, (yawn). But I'm waiting for next Tuesday and Mark Knopfler's new CD! And David Gilmour's live DVD. And the Johnny Cash TV show set. It's always something, and me trying to save the money for that book of left-handed guitar players. It's $300!
Anybody want to take up a collection?