Burlap and Blues, The Blues Blog

Interesting facts for 2010:

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The state of the union address is given tonight, what if a blues great gave that speech just using the guitar. How sweet that would sound. There couldn't be a better genre of music right now than blues. I could her BB right now playing just a few choice notes and having room to breathe between notes. . . .

A discussion at Burlap and Blues reminded me of a jam I once participated in. It was actually the first blues jam that I ever participated in.

First few songs were just "blues in a", "Blues in C", "Shuffle in A"

I could hang with that... Just thought to myself this was really loud!

To be honest I never liked the song Mustang Sally. I never learned how to play it, so when they said we are ending this set with Mustang sally, I took a deep breath. I started swinging faking playing and getting into the tune, did a spin, and while facing the wall, turned my volume all the way off.

Turned around and started strumming hard...very very hard... It was honestly the first time I intentionally broke a string. BAM POP! and then there would be no turning my way to solo... Just got to stand and fake a few words.. No disaster!

Okay, I am really not much of a sports writer.. I actually am not a sports writer at all. I am really enjoying watching the playoffs this year. It seems like teams that are underdogs have been doing well so far. I prefer my sports with some blues in the background... How about you!

After putting the first youtube up and playing the Agile 828 for a few more days, I decided it would be gig-worthy. Took the guitar for a small solo deal I was playing on New Years Eve. People were impressed by the multiple strings and this guitar got the name "Ironing Board" from one of the other musicians at the venue. Yes, this guitar is like an ironing board, wide and really cumbersome, but sounding cool.

Overall, the gig was a success!

Last week, I decided to take the monster ironing board to an open mic. This open mic is more of a traditional folk open mic, so electric anything is out of the norm. After the Banjo's and other folkish singers, I came out with the Agile Ironing board to jam. My daughter caught some of it on video!

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The Agile Intrepid 828. Not really a traditional blues guitar, but not necessarily a tool that should be overlooked for all musicians.

I have owned this guitar for about 1 month now. I have owned a few 7 strings and neither I really liked. The biggest downfall for any 7 or multi string guitar is having a floyd rose, double locking trem system. It can be hard to keep stable with 6, but add another or even two more strings and little changes can throw your whole tunic way out of whack. Purchasing a 7 string guitar was not on my agenda until I heard someone on you tube with an 8 string playing jazz. (Youtube since deleted)

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Happy 2011 everyone. I hope that your new year is filled with family, friend and many guitars.