Quote Of The Day

"You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you."~Robert Anton Wilson

This Winter Thing Is Getting Old

More snow is on the way. Including the December 19th blizzard, we have had about 30 inches of the white stuff. The December 19th storm brought 22 inches alone. Now the weather gurus are calling for another winter storm to hit us tomorrow that will match and possibly surpass the December event. Time to go to Wal Mart. I hope the shelves aren't completely empty.

Here's what the National Weather Service Balitmore MD/Washington DC is calling for.

Winter Storm Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
210 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

DCZ001-MDZ003>007-009>011-013-014-501-502-VAZ028-031-042-052>054-
501-502-WVZ050>053-503-504-050315-
/O.CON.KLWX.WS.W.0006.100205T1500Z-100207T0300Z/
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-
NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-MONTGOMERY-HOWARD-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-
PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-FREDERICK VA-CLARKE-LOUDOUN-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-NORTHERN FAUQUIER-
SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-
WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WASHINGTON...HAGERSTOWN...FREDERICK...
WESTMINSTER...GAITHERSBURG...COLUMBIA...BALTIMORE...ANNAPOLIS...
FROSTBURG...CUMBERLAND...WINCHESTER...LEESBURG...MANASSAS...
MANASSAS PARK...FAIRFAX...ALEXANDRIA...FALLS CHURCH...WARRENTON...
MARTINSBURG...CHARLES TOWN...EMORYVILLE...HARTMANSVILLE...
KEYSER...FORT ASHBY
210 PM EST THU FEB 4 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO
10 PM EST SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO
10 PM EST SATURDAY.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 18 TO 24 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL BEGIN MID-MORNING FRIDAY...AND WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...WITH HEAVIEST SNOWFALL OCCURRING BETWEEN
SUNSET FRIDAY TO SUNRISE SATURDAY. THE MOST HAZARDOUS WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR FRIDAY NIGHT.

* VISIBILITIES...THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS
WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE-QUARTER MILE...PRODUCING
NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES FRIDAY NIGHT AND EARLY
SATURDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES...HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S FRIDAY. TEMPERATURES WILL
BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 20S FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

* WINDS...BECOMING NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH FRIDAY WITH GUSTS TO
30 MPH FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

CONDITIONS IN THIS STORM ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE
IN THE STORM OF 19 DECEMBER. PLAN FOR SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTIONS TO
TRAVEL FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FRIDAY NIGHT.

Another Addition To The Fold

Well I got rid of one of my guitars. The Squire P-Bass left the house today but in it's place I brought home another Squire. I's a  Squire by Fender Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz Bass. I had been wanting a fretlless bass for sometime and the deal was right so I picked one up. This is a very well built and playable guitar. A lot of players look down their noses on the Squire line of guitars but I have to say after owning the P-Bass and now this fretless Jazz, for the money you can't buy a better guitar in my book. Time to plug up and put on some Jaco.

I haven't got around to taking any pictures yet so here's a few I snagged off the web.

Jeff Beck Mixes New Solo Album

Jeff Beck Mixes Rock with Classical on New Solo Album

Jeff Beck’s forthcoming new solo album, Emotion & Commotion, promises to be among the most eclectic recordings of the guitarist’s career.

Slated for release on April 13, the album features a mix or original music and cover songs, including renditions of the Wizard of Oz classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Jeff Buckley’s “Corpus Christi Carol,” and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins' “I Put a Spell on You.” Among the disc’s three guest singers is Joss Stone, who handles vocals on the latter song.

Complementing Beck’s guitar work on several tracks will be a 64-piece orchestra. The legendary rocker says the idea to bring in an orchestra evolved from his work on Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, which he recorded a few years ago.

“It turned out amazingly well, but I didn’t want to commit to an entire album of classical music,” Beck says. “What appealed to me instead was the idea of bringing together these seemingly contradictory sounds on different kinds of non-classical music.”

Among the disc’s original compositions is “Hammerhead,” a track said to incorporate a horn arrangement into a wah-driven groove, and “Never Alone,” a soundscape that features a “high-flying” melody.

Frequent Beck collaborators Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jason Rebello (keyboards), and Tal Wilkenfeld (bass) contribute throughout the disc, which was recorded in late 2009 in London.

EMOTION & COMMOTION Track Listing:

1. “Corpus Christi Carol”
2. “Hammerhead”
3. “Never Alone”
4. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”
5. “I Put A Spell On You” featuring Joss Stone
6. “Serene”
7. “Lilac Wine” featuring Imelda May
8. “Nessun Dorma”
9. “There’s No Other Me” featuring Joss Stone
10. “Elegy For Dunkirk” featuring Olivia Safe

Warwick Announces Adam Clayton Bass

Warwick Announces Adam Clayton Reverso Signature Bass & Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings
Anaheim, CA (January 12, 2010) -- Warwick has announced a new signature bass for U2's Adam Clayton, along with new bass strings.

Adam Clayton Reverso Signature Bass
The fact that Adam Clayton of U2, the bassist of one of the biggest rock' n 'roll bands in the world, sought the collaboration with Warwick two years ago is a milestone for the soon to be 30-year-old success story of Warwick as a manufacturer of bass equipment. An intensive collaboration with the Warwick team under the guidance of Marcus Spangler created an unmatched bass that shines with its own voice and design.

The Warwick Adam Clayton Reverso Signature Bass not only stands out because of its extravagant design. The high quality components, like the selected 5A quilted maple top for the body and headstock, the Khaya Mahogany body, the 3A flamed maple neck with tiger stripe ebony fingerboard give this bass a unique tone with smooth elegance and a punch that a band like U2 needs every time they play.

An active MEC P split coil pickup captures the tone, new passive MEC electronics co-developed with Adam Clayton allow a separate reduction of high and low frequencies, and produce the typical Adam Clayton sound. The electrical outfitting of this Adam Clayton Reverso Bass also includes red LEDs on the fingerboard's edge providing the best orientation on dark stages. An all-around professional bass for one of the most demanding bassist in the world.

Red Strings Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings
Warwick expands its range of high quality and highly affordable acoustic bass strings products with the “Red Strings Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings“, which close the market gap for affordable but still high quality acoustic bass strings. The “Red Strings Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings“ will be available in two different sets – one medium scale (32”) for 4-string basses and one long scale (34”) for 5-string basses. The Bronze Acoustic Bass Strings sound very balanced across the complete fingerboard and deliver an excellent, powerful, warm and singing tone.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) including VAT for the 4-String Medium Scale Set is £13.90, and for the 5-String Long Scale Set £18.90.

4-String Medium Scale: .045”, .065”, .085”, .105”

5-string Long Scale: .045”, .065”, .085”, .105”, .135”

For more information:
Warwick

Fender Products: 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass®-New for 2010!

Fender Products: 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass®-New for 2010!



For all you Fender Jazz bass fans out there, here's your chance to grab a piece of Fender history.

The Fender Jazz Bass guitar was first delivered to the world in 1960. If the Precision Bass® was a muscle car, the new Jazz bass was a sports car, and it proved incredibly popular with bassists of all styles worldwide.

Although remarkably unchanged since its introduction half a century ago, the Jazz Bass did see a very gradual succession of subtle design refinements over the course of the past five decades. Accordingly, our limited edition 50th anniversary Jazz Bass is a truly distinctive instrument in that it boasts design touches from several periods in Jazz Bass history, including '60s-era lacquer finish, headstock logo, chrome bridge and pickup covers; '70s-era thumb rest and bridge pickup positioning; and modern-era high-mass bridge and graphite neck support rods.

Comes in a deluxe black hardshell case containing cable, strap, polishing cloth and collectible 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass brochure.

Model Name: 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass®
Model Number: 019-5000-(809)
Series: Limited Anniversary Series
Colors: (709) Candy Apple Red,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Body: Alder
Neck: Graphite Reinforced Maple, Modern C Shape,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5 Radius (241 mm)
No. of Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups: Two 75 Vintage Jazz Bass® Single-Coil Pickups
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup),
Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup),
Master Tone
Pickup Switching: None
Bridge: HMV, High Mass Vintage, (Strings-Thru-Body or Topload)
Machine Heads: Fender®/Hipshot® Vintage Keys with Tapered Shafts
Hardware: Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply White/Black/White
Scale Length: 34 (863.6 mm)
Width at Nut: 1.50 (38 mm)
Unique Features: White Pearloid Block Position Inlays,
Matching Painted Headstock,
*60s Style Lacquer Finish,
*62 Fender Logo,
*70s Bridge Pickup Position,
*70s Style Bass-Side Thumb Rest,
*00s Style HMV Bridge and Lightweight Fender®/Hipshot® Vintage Tuning Keys,
*00s Posiflex™ Graphite Neck Support Rods,
Vintage Tinted Neck,
Buffed Fingerboard,
Highly Detailed Nut and Fret Work,
Rolled Fingerboard Edges,
Rounded Body Shape,
Chrome Bridge and Pickup Covers are Mounted at the Factory,
Collectable 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass® Brochure,
Black Plastic Parts
Strings: NEW U.S. Fender® NPS 7250M (0737250406), Gauges .045, .065, .085, .105
Accessories: Deluxe Black Hardshell Case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth, Collectable 50th Anniversary Jazz Bass® Brochure
Case: Deluxe Black Hardshell Case with Black Interior
Introduced: 1/2010
Notice: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

Quote Of The Day

"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art." ~ Charlie "YardBird" Parker

Epiphone Introduces NEW Series Thunderbird PRO

Thunderbird Pro Basses



Building upon the long-term success of the Thunderbird bass, Epiphone introduces the NEW professional series Thunderbird PRO's. Available in both 4 and 5 string versions, THE original "rock and roll" bass with the distinctive shape combines traditional design elements with new technology - all for a price that the working bassist can afford.

The Thunderbird PRO's feature a rock-solid, 7-piece (Walnut/Maple) neck with through-body construction for amazing sustain and tone. Add to that, Epiphone's new T-Pro bass humbucking pickups with custom active electronics and EQ and suddenly, the Thunderbird transforms into a very versatile bass capable of a wide variety of tonal options.

Other features include premium die-cast 14:1 bass machine heads, a "bad ass" fully-adjustable bridge and SlimTaper neck profile with Epi-designed straight-string pull headstock. Add to that black hardware and black pickguard with silver Thunderbird logo and you've got the NEW Epiphone Thunderbird PRO's. Available in 3 striking colors - Vintage Sunburst, Translucent Black and Natural Oil.









Specifications:

Body Wings: Mahogany
Neck: 7-piece (Walnut/Maple/Walnut/Maple/Walnut/Maple/Walnut)
Neck Joint: Through-Neck
Truss Rod: Double-Action, 2-Way
Fingerboard Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 12"
Frets: 20-Medium/Jumbo, nickel/silver alloy
Scale Length: 34"
Nut Width: 1.50" (4-string), 1.93" (5-string)
Neck Pickup: Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbucker
Bridge Pickup: Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbucker
Bridge: Flush-Mount, fully adjustable
Controls: Master Volume, Blend, High-EQ, Low-EQ
Tuners:
Premium Die-Cast Bass
Outputs: 1/4" Mono, Metal Jack Plate
Hardware: Black
Options: Hard Case
Warranty Limited Lifetime (US only, Void where prohibited.)

Video Demo:

Our friend Chris Catero of Razer and Marty Friedman's touring band gives us an in depth look at the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Bass in the video below.

Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Bass - Chris Catero from Epiphone Company on Vimeo.

Modern Moto-Mother: Honda CB750 KO

The 1969 Honda CB750 motorcycle offered a combination of hardware never before seen on a single machine. When Honda introduced the model in June of 1968, the manufacturer dropped the gauntlet that changed the world of motorcycling.

At the heart of the Honda CB750 motorcycle was an inline four-cylinder engine with single overhead cam, four carburetors, prominent four-into-four exhaust, and 67 horsepower at 8000 rpm.

For those keeping track, it put out a good 15-percent more power than BSA's new 750-cc Rocket 3 and at just under 500 pounds, weighed about the same.

It's not hard to guess which was quicker.

But it wasn't just the four-cylinder engine that caused such a stir; though most contemporary competitors were twins, several manufacturers had offered fours in the past.

No, it was the fact that four-cylinder power and smoothness was joined by a five-speed gearbox, electric starter, and a front disc brake --the disc brake first ever on a street machine -- all at a reasonable price.

The first Honda CB750 motorcycles were produced with sand-cast cases that had a rough finish; later models had smoother castings.

Those early sand-cast models, such as the Honda CB750 motorcycle pictured with this article, became the most valuable to collectors.

By 1970, Dick Mann had piloted a race-prepped Honda CB750 motorcycle into the winner's circle at Daytona, and the world of aftermarket hop-up equipment came alive.

The Honda CB750 motorcycle is also credited with casting the mold for what would later be called the "Universal Japanese Motorcycle," a breed of machines that would bring the bikes of England to their collective knees.

I always have had a very soft spot for this machine. The true definition of a classic motorcycle in my opinion. One day I will have a CB750 in my collection.

A Very Merry Vince Guaraldi Christmas with Zach Parkes

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Yes Announces U.S. Tour

Yes announces U.S. tour

by Kevin Johnson Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 From Notreble.com

Yes Legendary prog-rockers Yes have announced that they will be touring the U.S. east coast in February, 2010, starting in Concord, New Hampshire and ending up in Boca Raton, Florida.

The band features original bassist and founder Chris Squire, and alongside him the current line-up includes Steve Howe, Alan White, Benoit David, and Oliver Wakeman.

The dates are for February, 2010 include:

* 4th Concord, NH Capitol Center for the Arts
* 5th Jim Thorpe, PA Penn’s Peak
* 6th Washington, DC Warner Theatre
* 10th Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre
* 12th Atlantic City, NJ Tropicana Casino & Resort
* 13th New York, NY The Town Hall
* 14th New York, NY The Town Hall
* 17th Cleveland, OH House of Blues
* 18th Chicago, IL House of Blues
* 20th Detroit, MI Sound Board at Motor City Casino
* 23rd Dallas, TX House of Blues
* 24th Houston, TX House of Blues
* 25th New Orleans, LA House of Blues
* 27th Orlando, FL Sea World Orlando
* 28th Boca Raton, FL Sunset Cove Amphitheater

As big a fan of Yes that I am, I have never seen them live. This is going to change on February 6th at the Warner Theater in Washington DC. I'm pumped!

Gene Simmons Rocks Music World With Specially Released Bass, New Album | AHN

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - One legendary rock star has good reason to be a "Strutter."

Gene Simmons, lead singer, bassist and co-founder of the rock band Kiss, has released his own piece of music memorabilia. The Gene Simmons Axe Bass is a specially crafted musical instrument reproduced from Simmons' own trademark design. Each copy is reproduced from the axe-shaped bass he uses in all Kiss concerts, hand-numbered and signed by Simmons. All the black and silver Axe Basses also come with leather cases bearing the painted likeness Simmons' stage persona, the Demon.

"This guitar is, by some accounts a piece of art - my instrument of choice on stage in Kiss: The Bass that slays them all." Simmons said in a press release. "I've used the Axe on stage and literally thousands of people have contacted me to ask, 'Where can I get one?'"

The Axe Bass comes at a price of $5,000 and includes a personal meeting with Simmons at a Kiss concert of their choice during the 2009 Kiss Tour, which marks the release of the band's newest album, "Sonic Boom," the first new studio album in more than a decade. "Sonic Boom" was released October 6.

Simmons said the release of the Axe Bass is his way of giving back to Kiss fans.

"When I was growing up, I was never able to get a piece of the Beatles," he said. "They weren't available, but they were still Mt. Olympus to me. I owe the fans everything because they made my life possible. My fans are not just buying any guitar, but a moment they'll never forget."

Aside from touring with Kiss, a nominee for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Simmons also stars in VH1's rock reality show "Gene Simmons Family Jewels." The tour for "Sonic Boom" is scheduled to be incorporated into the show's fifth season.

More information on the Gene Simmons Axe Bass can be found on the singer's Web site, GeneSimmons.com.

Gene Simmons Rocks Music World With Specially Released Bass, New Album | AHN

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Symphony X Signs With New Label

World Management and Nuclear Blast are extremely proud to announce the
signing of Metal / Prog Gods Symphony X !!!

“As lifelong fans of the band, it is with great pride that Nuclear Blast announces the signing of US Metal / Prog Gods Symphony X!!! Symphony X exemplifies the technical sophistication of progressive metal while transcending the genre by writing amazing songs with masterful musicality and great hooks! This New Jersey-based super group effortlessly creates a balancing act between solid, accessible arrangements and song structures with highly technical, challenging instrumental work and unbelievable melodic vocal harmonies. This embrace of polyphonic lead vocals, combined with their classical-sometimes even Queen-like- choruses create a powerful, in-your-face mixture. With elements of thundering metal, rock, solos with unstoppable guitar shredding and intense keyboards - this potent group has grown with every release and is poised to compete with the commercial
success of top groups in all genres! Symphony X is currently creating their next masterpiece, anticipated in the spring of 2010! Together, we will bring this talent to a new level! We hope you are ready for the ride!”

“We are happy to be the part of the Nuclear Blast Family and look forward to working with them for many years to come,” says Michael Romeo, guitarist and founding member of Symphony X.

To Twitter Or Not To Twitter

It appears that just about everyone is on Twitter mirco-blogging about any and everything. This quote from John Taylor is the first artist I've heard speak out about Twitter.

"When artists today are asked to Twitter their every thought, their every action, to record on video their every breath, their every performance, I believe they're diluting their creative powers, their creative potency and the durability of their work.

And in the long run I believe they're also diluting the magical power and the magnetic attraction that they can or will ever have over their audience."

- Duran Duran bassist John Taylor to the BBC

Any thoughts or comments?

Rock On Rory

I just finished reading a great article in the holiday '09 issue of Guitar World magazine about Rory Gallagher. The article "Against The Grain" by Alan Di Perna examines Rory's "short, sad life" and his posthumous revival.

What a great talent he was that was taken away from us much too soon. Rory died from complications after a liver transplant. Excessive use of alcohol, combined with drugs that had been prescribed to alleviate his anxiety about flying was the cause of his liver failure. He died on June 14, 1995 at the age of 47.

I first became aware of this Irish guitarist way back in 1973 when I bought the Blueprint album just because I liked the cover. I had never heard of Rory Gallagher at the time but it didn't take me long to get hooked. "Walk On Hot Coals" from this album is still one of my all time favorite Gallagher songs. Rory was one of the artists that really fueled my passion for playing the blues. I was never in a band that didn't cover some of his music.

If you're not familiar with Gallagher and his music the 2008 compilation CD The Essential Rory Gallagher would be a good place to start.

Track Listing
CD1
1. Follow Me
2. Moonchild
3. Bought & Sold
4. Laundromat
5. Bad Penny
6. Edged In Blue
7. Brute Force & Ignorance (Live)
8. I Fall Apart
9. Loanshark Blues
10. Who’s That Coming
11. As The Crow Flies (Live)
12. Barley & Grape Rag
13. Lonesome Highway Refraining
14. Out On The Western Plain
CD2
1. In Your Town
2. Philby
3. Slumming Angel
4. Continental Op
5. Cradle Rock
6. A Million Miles Away
7. Wheels Within Wheels
8. Crest Of A Wave
9. They Don’t Make Them Like You Anymore
10. Walk On Hot Coals
11. Shadow Play
12. I Could’ve Had Religion (Live)
13. Tattoo’d Lady (Live)
14. Bullfrog Blues (Live)

To put you in the right frame of mind here's "Walk On Hot Coals". Enjoy.