Category Archives: guitar

#34 – King Of The Delta Blues by Robert Johnson

As the quarantine continues and no one really has much variation in their day-to-day lives, there is plenty of time to reflect on any number of things.  Obviously, the big issue is the systemic racism embedded in modern American life, so I’m finding myself looking at many different situations, institutions and interactions and trying toContinue reading “#34 – King Of The Delta Blues by Robert Johnson”

#26 – Paris Live 1969 by Ritchie Havens

As Los Angeles goes under curfew for a second night of demonstrations, I decided to listen to some Ritchie Havens, who was probably the first activist/musician that I was exposed to.  I remember seeing footage of him from Woodstock when I was young and was blown away by how one man with an acoustic guitarContinue reading “#26 – Paris Live 1969 by Ritchie Havens”

#22 – Fuzz Machine by Marc Ford

I learned of this album from a Relix article about Marc Ford and the abrupt ending to his relationship with Rich Robinson.  I definitely saw Marc with the Black Crowes several times, but was not familiar with any of his solo work.  This album is filled with great guitar work from a rock master.  ItContinue reading “#22 – Fuzz Machine by Marc Ford”

#19 – Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell

I was going through the Nick Drake catalog this evening and it somehow led me to Joni Mitchell.  I knew she was a legendary songwriter and a really interesting guitar player, but had never spent any time on her albums.  For a long time, the only performance of hers that I had seen was fromContinue reading “#19 – Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell”

#14 – Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch by Frank Zappa

Back to back guys named Frank. Rookie mistake. Zappa has a fun, and massive, catalog to explore.  He’s a guitar hero with a truly bizarre sense of humor both towards music and society in general.  If you want a good YouTube rabbit hole, check out Frank’s appearances on the various late night shows of theContinue reading “#14 – Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch by Frank Zappa”

#9 – Turmoil & Tinfoil by Billy Strings

Billy Strings is a maniac on acoustic guitar.  He apparently played in some hard rock and metal bands when he was younger and you can definitely hear those influences in both his playing and even some of his lyrics.  The juxtaposition of violent, metal lyrics with bluegrass shredding is extremely entertaining and surprising at theContinue reading “#9 – Turmoil & Tinfoil by Billy Strings”

#2 – World As a Waiting Room by White Denim

These guys are a lot of fun. Their fast-paced country guitar licks are what pulled me in when I saw White Denim on an episode of Austin City Limits, an unexpected highlight of American Airlines’ in flight entertainment. World As a Waiting Room, their latest release, also features some moments that feel like they wouldContinue reading “#2 – World As a Waiting Room by White Denim”