While I was in High School, I saw something that really intrigued me. It was Rock In Rio's music festival, and internet streaming was getting some ground, so seeing this kind of events on the internet was more accesible than in the early days of the net.
The thing that intrigued me was that they announced that, Guns N' Roses was 'bout to play onstage. But, while onstage, the Guns N' Roses everyone expected wasn't up there, except for Axl Rose, and Dizzy Reed. The rest of the band was completely new. And there was this character that quite intrigued me a bit. A tall fella, really really tall fella, who wore a KFC bucket over his head. His name? Buckethead.
I felt like ''Who is that guy with that thing on the head?'' and, while I heard him playing ''Welcome to The Jungle'' I remember saying ''He's really good'' and, while he performed his solo thing with the nunchakas, I also said ''That's something you don't get to see every day''
-Heart Felt Music. Something you don't see every day -
So I started my research, and then I found, he had a ZILLION albums recorded. I wanted to get them, but I couldn't, 'till two years ago, while a friend o' mine downloaded 'em. I was amazed. The guy not only could shred, but also play as melodic as his spirit could tell...
His style ranges from Heavy Metal, Funk, Trash Metal, Jazz, sometimes flamenco, sometimes electronica, etc. What this guy couldn't play? To be honest, modern guitar players should consider this idea, of being able to play more than just one musical genre at the time, 'cause, all the guitar things we know know, were made by the greats before us, and if you have this minimal desire, of being a great as well, you should consider playing as good as you can, and learning as much as you can as well. And that means, being musically open to all the music you could hear, and appreciate, and learn.
No doubt, that Buckethead is really one of the New World Order's guitar Heroes, and a real one... Wish more guitar players as innovators as him arise on the years to come... who knows?
James Marshall Hendrix was an unique character... At the time he became one of the most amazing musicians, all people was crazy and psyched 'bout the British Invasion, you know... The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Many bands, like The Byrds, tried to let's say, ''fight'' against this thing.
But anyway, one day Jimi Hendrix takes a flight to England... and starts something here, one of the most amazing and experimental acts in rock history: The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was a power trio, with Hendrix on Guitar, Noel Redding on bass, and Mitch Mitchell on drums.
Hendrix was one of a kind, 'cause he was damn humble. In fact, he usually paid tribute to his blues influences, such as B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, and Albert King, and also showed a lot of respect for his contemporaries, like Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, The Beatles, and Eric Clapton -In fact, Hendrix covered the famous ''Sunshine of Your Love'' once, in quite a fast fashion, but it sounded really cool. Like it was his.-
He even met another of my musical heroes, Robert Fripp, and he shook his hand with Robert's, saying that King Crimson was the best band in the world. A left handed shook... Amazing. I do insist, what a humble man Jimi was.
-''You only sacrifice what you love''-
Jimi surely could play the blues out of his guitar. In fact, you could visualize him as he is playing his music. And that is something, you don't see this days, where music is more a business than just real art in its pure state, as it was back then.
- Uncle Henry really says it all... listen to him :D -
Thanks a lot Jimi, for what you've done in music is something that really encourages a lot of guitar players to pick up a guitar... Thanks, a lot.
While I heard for the first time Metallica, back in the days I was 17 years old, I did some research 'bout how those guys crafted such an amazing sound. And among many other bands, one of the main influences they mentioned, was Black Sabbath.
Same thing happened with Soundgarden. I did some research how those guys crafted such an amazing sound. And among many other bands, one of the main influences they mentioned, was Black Sabbath.
I had a Black Sabbath ''Greatest Hits'' in my music record's bibliotheque, but I never played it much. In fact, the only song I remember I played over, and over again, was Iron Man. I couldn't get enough of that guitar riff, and the lyrics were awesome. In fact, I had to cover Iron Man for something I had to play... at college. My band -and specially myself- sucked, but boy I pulled my whole energies out playin' that song. I was 19.
At the time Sabbath really hit me, I was 21... The same year I started hearing Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains... I really was missing a lot, 'cause this band is so damn awesome... One of the first songs I heard, was Under the Sun.
An extremely low-tuned guitar, with slow riffs, and dense rhytms, to me, it was something totally new, among with grunge music. Similarities? Yeah, well in fact, Black Sabbath was a key band for the grunge music development, as well as for other styles and bands... Nirvana's frontman Kurt Cobain cited them as influences too, Henry Rollins of Black Flag and Rollins band too, so this band really cooked great rock music like really a few do.
I was like ''Jeez, what a sound''. I wasn't used to hear such slow rhytms on guitar, 'cause up to then I was only shredding, or playin' intricate tempos derived from the progressive rock thing. It was like a bummer, to hear what you could do with such an slow vibe... I felt like the whole world was 'bout to end.
-This is what I mean with ''I felt like the whole world was 'bout to end''-
And that's what Tony Iommi's riffs did to me back then. Among with Gilmour's crystaline sounds in Floyd, Robert Fripp's ambient soundscapes, and Hendrix's feedback antics, it showed me that it's not necessary to be like a damn Ferrari to be a good guitarist. Meaning, that you shouldn't play like a 10000 notes per second. How wrong was I while I thought being a good guitarist meant being a shred-so-fast. Glad I changed my mind...
Black Sabbath went through some changes as well. We all know, the classic lineup of Ozzy, Geezer, Tony and Bill. But while Ozzy left, the also great Ronnie James Dio came up to take the vocal duties, and a new drummer - Carmine Appice? I don't remember anyway, I stick to the classic Sabbath Lineup -. But they always preserved that characteristic dark and edgy sound.
My personal opinion is that the key of their sound is on their communion as a band. Just today, I was watching this DVD called ''The Last Supper'', and there was this section, where each one of the band members said their role. And Bill Ward said something really amazing: ''I try to be as intimate as possible with Tony's playing, with Geezer's playing, and I try to be like an orchestrator...'' And Tony Iommi said something even more amazing ''The main feature of us is that each one of us provides the power to the band...''
Amazing isn't it?
I think, each one of us rock and roll guys should thank this four gentleman, for what they've done for modern rock music. I specially thank Tony Iommi for teaching me that no matter what limitants you could have, you still could play the hell out of a guitar.
I don't remember exactly how I got so much into this band, to be honest. I'll be a liar if I told you that I was ''Oh my god Oh my god What an amazing band'' since day one. To be honest, I didn't liked what I heard at first, 'cause progressive rock didn't make much sense to me, odd meters and all that? Were insanity for me, but anyway I got used to it later on.
Maybe it was their instrumental ''Ytse Jam'' that caught me. I think that was the reason, 'cause that particular tune was really, really cool. It has a lot of flamenco elements in it, mixed with shredding guitar, go figure.
Anyway, Dream Theater, I was 19 -almost 20- while I heard that band, I mean heard it seriously. As I was used to, I started to dig all their material, and there were two particular albums that interested me a lot: A Change of Seasons, with the 23-min. song of the same name *One of the best they've come up with* and Scenes from a Memory... a concept album.
Later on, I got in my hands the ''Octavarium'' album. It was really cool, and the last piece, which was quite long also, was really cool as well. It was a weird mix of Frank Zappa-meets-Pink Floyd. In fact, the intro reminisces a lot from ''Shine on You Crazy Diamond'' from Pink Floyd... but the tune was really cool anyway.
This guys aren't regular rock and roll guys. In fact, they're the reason a lot of people are going to study in the infamous Berklee College of Music, because everyone wants to be as good as Petrucci, Myung, and Portnoy -The three of 'em met there while being students-. So, not surprise to hear a lot of Dream-Theater replicas a lot this days, not to say there aren't other kind of replicas as well 'round the world.
- This is what I mean with ''While they want, they do play'' -
It's kinda cool, that one band could influence people in such a way, but kinda sad at the same time, because they influenced a lot of people to ''want to be like them''. As I said on an early post, one thing is to be ''as good as like'' or even, ''better than'' your musical heroes... But who am I to say anything, after all.
I was among the countless guitar players studying guitar riffs from John Petrucci, I even watched his hands while he played so I could play as good as he did, but later on I realised that music isn't bout that at all...
So I started to distance myself from the ''fastuous'' progressive rock acts, like this particular one... but I still hear 'em from time to time, I cannot deny where I come from folks, as I used to do 'till a few months ago.
But one thing is for sure. This guys are technically proficient, and while they want, they're proficient songwriters as well.
What can I say? Thanks, well... maybe for showing me that a lot of perseverance in the road is finally paid off. Yes, that one. I've seen all of the documentals they've made, and they tell you such an amazing story. They started like zero, like everyone, and with patience and all that... they become who they are right now. One of the most influential bands of this time.
Nirvana means a lot of things. In the buddhist tradition, Nirvana is the state of being free from both suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Its original word, "Nibbāna" is a Pāli word that means "blowing out" — that is, blowing out the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
On the other hand, in the Janaism tradition, Nirvāna is meant specifically - as pertains gnosis - that which ends the identity of the mind (citta) with empirical phenomena.
In other words, it's a state of total awareness, where you became one with the whole, or the cosmos, and your spirit is finally free... -It's how I see it, but anyway.-
And finally, Nirvana is the name of one of the most popular bands in the history of rock music. It was created in the late eighties by two guys, basically, while the other guy joined later on. These two guys were Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, who met in their hometown of Aberdeen.
I bet a lot of you know the stories 'bout this band, so I'd not write 'bout that...
The first time I heard Nirvana was by accident, actually. And in fact, it wasn't Nirvana, it was a cover made by them, in their Unplugged series. The song I'm referring to is ''The Man Who Sold The World''... But until later on, I thought it was theirs, 'cause they made that cover on their way... If you know what I mean.
I was 10. At the time it was 1994... It was the second time I went to a guitar course, 'cause the first one I took was the previous year. And I've learned the most basic guitar chords, but I was happy I went my way with those chords. A Major, A Minor, E major, E minor, D major, D minor, and the infamous F Major.
-Guitar players who read this know what I'm talking 'bout...-
In the course I was in there were a lot of different characters. There were the ''pop-driven'' guys, there were the ''ballad'' guys, there was also a ''mellow/sweet'' girl, and there was a guy with the old ''rock n' roll'' attitude. The guy was the older one in my class, 'cause he was 16, then followed the girl who was 13, and then the lemmings of my age, who were 10 and minus.
I didn't liked the way my fellow lemmings behaved, 'cause they were sort of ''Oh I'm cool and you're not'' and, they even made some kind of, let's say, mean jokes, specially the ones who were a little bit younger -I mean, the fellas who were 8, or 7-. So I stayed far of them, to be damn honest I prefered to stay near to the younger kids, and talk or even helping them to learn some chords, 'cause of obvious reasons, while you're 8 and start to play the guitar, at first, it could be a severe pain in the ass.
I also talked with the other fellas, the sweet girl and the rock n' roll guy, who seemed to have a crush on the girl he he... I couldn't blame him 'cause, the girl was really cute, and genuinely sweet.
I'm serious folks... A short story. I remember while I was learning how to tune the guitar... my teacher taught us that usually, while guitars are brand new, they're detuned. My surprise is, that, my guitar was already tuned. I have an uncle who is a guitar player -a really good one, a shame that he doesn't compose- and, while buying me my first guitar, he tuned it.
So anyway I detuned my guitar and I wanted to learn how to tune it. My friends, that was the first mistake *Of many of course* I made as a guitar player. While I was tunning it back, the low E string came out, and almost hit me in the face. I started to cry, and the sweet girl came down and said that it was ok, and the rock n' roll guy said the same also, saying that true guitar players break their strings from time to time. And even my guitar teacher, came down and said that he was gonna replace my guitar string. He did the day after...
Note from the author: Yes, I am extremely careful and sensitive when it comes to musical instruments and music in general. I've been depressed since the day my electric guitar wrecked. And I'll be 'till I buy myself a new one.
So anyway, the day after, while my guitar was properly tuned again, and I was shown how to do it and how to prevent that accidents in the future... and also, my teacher told the whole class that we had to play something for the final day.
I was curious, so I asked my teacher ''What to play?'' and, he said that a song that we choose to play. And I said also ''Could we play something I create by myself?'' and the teacher said that it was even better.
While I wrote that folky-driven tune -It was, in fact the lyrics were 'bout the way earth was dying because of ambiental trouble, go figure he he...- I heard the rhytm section of ''The Man who sold the world'', and made an attempt to play it. Somehow, after I played my folky tune, I managed myself to play a bit of that song in the end, and my rock n' roll friend and the sweet girl were like ''Wow, the kid knows how to play''...
So, by accident, I met Nirvana... and again in the most, conflictive of all times in mankind history: the mid-teens.
-Angry music, for angry youngsters like I was back then :D.-
The first tune, I properly learned from them, was ''Smells like teen spirit''. Looking back then, I had bits of Johnny Ramone's approach to play the guitar: Play it with all your damn energies, power chords straight up and take no shit. And that's the way I played that song, which made me look like some sort of psycho boy.
But what the heck, I was psyched 'bout what I've learned... and what I've found, together with Korn, Nirvana was somehow another cathartic music I found and played, to leave all my demons away... It's Nirvana.
Maybe that's the intention behind Kurt's music and compositions, to let you leave all your demons away... All I could say is, thanks. For showing me and thousands of people 'round the world the real spirit of rock and roll, the no-compromises attitude, and determination.
... It was the year 2004. I was a bit over-run by my metal ''influences'' because, I don't know, I started feeling a bit ''off'' in that genre. Like I didn't belong there. So I started finding new music to study, and the name of Pink Floyd came to my head.
-Not saying that I don't enjoy hearing somw metal right now, but I don't hear it in the regular basis I used to listen in my ol'days-
At the time I was also hearing some grunge acts, who are my musical heroes too: Alice in Chains came first, along with Soundgarden, Nirvana and The Melvins *The Melvins aren't grunge music but some sort of sludge/stoner/doom rock*
So anyway, I started listening to the Pink Floyd Sound. I remember while I went to pick up my first Floyd CD's, in my ignorant-hunger-for-music self, I asked for the Pink Floyd CD's where Syd Barret was the singer. My friend who sold me the cd's told me that the other material of Floyd without him was really good also.
And I trusted him. At that moment I haven't heard the Dark Side of the Moon, so... I didn't carry any cd at that moment. After I heard it, I went back and, wanted to have every Floyd album... I wanted to hear how it sounded like, dig it, study it, and so on. While I figure out some new music that interests me, and amazes me, I don't rest 'till I got all the music from that artist/band. So Floyd wasn't the exception.
One of the first things that captivated me from Floyd was the way they approached music. I mean, of all the music you hear from the 60's -with the notably exception of King Crimson-, this band was the most innovative. Yes, sure there were the elemental things of straight rock n' roll, like blues and all that. But, believe me... they were FAR BEYOND their time.
I even had this weird thought that they're the solar system in the shape of people. Waters is the Sun, Gilmour is the Moon, Wright is the Sky, and Mason is the Earth. Go figure...
-This is what I mean by FAR BEYOND their time. Let the music do the Talking-
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, at all. Richard Wright's organ sounds were a perfect blend of ethereal sounds, I don't want to sound ridiculous, but that's what it sounded like. Roger Water's seemed like a madman, standing still and playing his bass like some sort of steady clock, Nick Mason was precise as fucking hell, no overlaps or drums showcase... And Gilmour... Gilmour's singing was amazing. Same his guitar playing... :D
Syd Barret, the guy was the one who turned the light of the torch on, and, as each one of the Floyd guys said while he passed away in 2006 ''He was the light that inspired Pink Floyd to continue''
- I don't remember if those were the exact words, but it was something like that -
It's been 6 years since the first day I heard Floyd, and I still feel the same thing. Like all of my musical heroes, they encourage me to push my own boundaries, 'cause it's the only way to find your own voice, and craft your musicianship...
Thanks to all of you guys.
Richard and Syd, hope you're giggin' in the sky...
Countless times, as an aspiring musician you'll be faced with a lot of trouble. For instance, this could be creative shortages, band shortages, money shortages, or worst yet, instrument shortages. The life of an aspiring musician is really, really hard, specially in a third-world-country where everyone just want to rip off everybody. I know that's a world-wide phenomena, but in a place where you don't get to see your musical heroes that much, is even worst.
- But right now I'm remembering the words of Henry Rollins. Think for a moment, that yours is no disgrace, think of the people in the African Countries... -
When it comes to deal with creative shortages, I couldn't imagine something worst than it. At least for a musician... Until the year 2006, I was only studying meticulously guitar riffs, solos, and all kind of things. But I haven't come up with something I could call ''Mine''. But it was O.K. I guess I needed a motivation, or something, and while the motivation came, I started to compose...
But when you start being sort of selfish, and self-indulgent, you could drown yourself in your own self indulgence. And my friends, that's the worst thing a musician could fall for. I've had a lot of trouble in that area a couple o' times, but now I'm learning how to handle it. Go figure, a guy with a Napoleonic-Dominant complex like me, it's not so easy to deal with ego sometimes.
Then, the other side of the river is that, instead of lay down on your own crappy songs, you don't do anything at all, because nothing comes, at all. I think it's way more honest to not do anything, than force yourself to come up with something. When the time to composes arrives, it just arrives. And the same way it arrives, the same way it goes... I know it too.
Band shortages... also a killer one. Nothing worst than being a guy, eager to find a rock and roll band... where you could fit in and do your thing... people who actually, become in some way, your family. That's really hard to find.
- Note from the Author: Seriously, take the time to figure out if you want to be part of a band, or a solo artist, because it's not the same. Solo artists need a backing band too. Don't forget it.-
Money Shortages: I feel like I belong in this group for the moment. You might say ''get a job and problem solved''. It's true. Get a job and problem solved... That's all I could say, although, if you have an old guitar, play in it. There's no excuse like ''Oh I need that expensive guitar to play good''. You play good either, in a shitty guitar or in a DeLuxe model. That's it. Go figure how did the Delta blues players managed themselves 'round this particular issue...
Instrument Shortage. In some way, this is related to the previous one, 'cause if you don't have the money, you don't have your instrument. Yes, you could lend a guitar, or whatever you want but, it's not the same to have a lent instrument and your own. With your own instrument you're more confident, whereas with the lent one you're sort of way too much ''careful''.
It's a tough way, I know... but if you want to make your way, all you need is perseverance, discipline, and patience... I know I'll find my path someday...
So... After I was left on my own to learn all by myself, the main question on my head was: What the fuck should I do now?
It was so fucking scary, and also funny at the same time. I had no clear sense of direction, since I was being sort of under the guidance of my guitar master, but the time I should do things by myself -at least music wise- have arrived.
So, the first idea that came to my mind was: ''O.K. let's do the following, let's research the influences of my current influences''.
At the point, I was really into progressive rock, as it has some reminiscent of the classical music thing, and also it has some symphonic elements. But oh well... I found some great things, like King Crimson, Rush, Yes, and Genesis.
So, one day I decided to hear what I wasn't used to hear. The first thing was industrial rock. I didn't like Marilyn Manson, or Nine Inch Nails. What a mess your humble narrator was. The reason I didn't? Because all of my classmates were into their music and were complete assholes. But I was being a major asshole for not giving a chance to my ears to hear their music and just judge them by such things. And I did gave a chance, and I liked what I heard.
After that I found a related artist with this two bands. Wes Borland, former guitar player of Limp Bizkit, made a band called Black Light Burns. I was psyched 'bout the songs of the band, but looking back then, I sucked major balls. Because, that music wasn't exactly what I was looking for, and didn't represent too much who I am. So, I eventually stopped listening to that band.
Same thing happened with the European Metal. I really used to dig those german-metal bands, like Helloween and Hammerfall, and the symphonic ones like Rhapsody. But eventually I found a band called Sepultura, which, showed me how to kick some butt music-wise speaking, so I stopped hearing the Elves playing metal.
So, two things down from my musical taste. Then, came to my life something from a lady called Björk, and also something from a band called Portished, and finally something from a band called Massive Attack.
The same way came something from a french duo called Air, and something from a guy called Beck. I took Air and listened to them a lot, under heavy suggestion of my friend the Old School driven. I left Beck gradually... although I might say he has some interesting and unconventional tunes. Maybe I'll give him a chance someday again...
After I met King Crimson, and I met Robert Fripp, I was intrigued by his collaboration with Brian Eno *Who I could not understand why he produced something for this guys called Coldplay, who I cannot stand too much*. Eventually, I got the record ''No Pussyfooting'' on my hands, and I went nuts. That gave me some perspective as well... And, in my 23rd birthday, my Old school friend turned me on into Aphex Twin's music.
So, the last year I continued composing music, and one day I sent one track to my Old School-Driven friend. He says I should listen more blues. Actually, I've never listened quite carefully to the blues. So, I gave blues a shot, and felt in love with that raw and simple sound, specially of John Lee Hooker's tunes.
You might be saying: ''So Charlie Boy, what do we hear, and what not?''
My best advise? : Hear what satisfies your musical/spiritual needs. Don't hear what satisfy other's needs and not yours. Don't try to be such a wuss by just pretending you know more because you hear underground music... be honest with yourself.
While I finished high school, back in the year 2003, I had clear one thing on my mind. I just wanted to be the best guitar player I could be. At first, my ambitions weren't that high, as they are right now. But anyway, I had so much to learn.
While I went to college, a lot o' things came to my mind... I mean, college actually was the first time I made open contact with ladies. I know it sounds stupid, but it's the truth. I went to a high school were all the students were male, like some sort of reformatory. And it was, actually, I think of my high school days as ''Reformatory Days''.
In college I've met a lot of people, some of them are gone, but no one like my closer friend Alejandro. While we met it was kind of weird, I was practicing my arpeggios all over the neck of my rust and old acoustic guitar, while a friend introduced us. He liked music as well, he played guitar too, and he liked Metallica. To me that was like ''Enough, this guy's gotta be cool''. And I wasn't wrong at all.
It was kinda funny, I expected to find more friends like him so I could start a band, you know the stories of the guys of Radiohead being college classmates and all sorts. But this wasn't the case at all. All the guitar players that were in my college, either liked girly-poppy-over-the-gum music, or worst yet, were show-offs.
And you know, I couldn't stand show-offs at all. Enough with myself, the Napoleonic-Complex-driven fella who is writting this lines.
I eventually found another friend, a girl who could REALLY play the GODDAMN bass, I was psyched. She liked Metallica, and what's funnier is that she was Chinese. That was so damn cool, I had another guitar player, a bass player, now the drums and the vocals were missing. Eventually, a friend o' mine offered as a singer, and we were up to sing a Cranberries song. I hated the fact I was playing that song, but what the heck, you gotta do what you gotta do.
My friends, that was the first time I played live. And we sucked. But it's ok, I like to remember I sucked being the nutcase I am, standing there and pouring my guitar as hard as I could.
-Can you believe I was shredding the first 5 minutes of the gig? So boring huh?-
At the time we were rehearsing for this thing, I met the guy who was soon-to-be my guitar master. One of the must humble-down-to-earth persons I've ever met.
The first time we met was on one of the rehearsals. He was friends with the bass player. Before rehearsing, we left to print some invitations for the gig, and my friend Alejandro stayed in the rehearsing studio. While we were back, I heard those sounds coming from a guitar, and I called my friend 3 times. He was on another planet... I know why.
The thing is, after it we met again in another concert, I approached him saying that I wanted to be a guitar student. He told me that the lessons were sort of hard, and that he was a hard teacher as well. I didn't freak out. I wanted to learn.
*My former guitar master is a metal guitar player. And, he has his own voice. Not like this guys in youtube who sound like Petrucci, Malmsteen, or whatsover. The music you hear in the video was composed by him*
The first thing I went to learn was that I really needed to know what the hell I was playing. Because, while I went there I played a F major scale... through all the neck. And I had no clue what I was doing, so go figure...
There were times I went after college classes to my guitar classes. There were times I didn't eat anything at all, to just go to my guitar classes. But I was happy, I was doing my thing, preparing myself for the battle.
So the guitar sessions passed by, as time did. One day my guitar master told me: ''I've taught you all I know. It's time for you to move on your own. You'll make it...''
I've had received classes with my guitar master for actually 4 YEARS *2003 - 2007. And according to him, I was the student who lasted more time under his guidance*
I'll always be grateful for the chance I was given by Thomas Cansing *My guitar master's name* for being his student.
There were times I felt I was stuck, but then I made progress, under his direction and wise advise. I clearly remember when one of the classes I told him ''I want to be one of the best guitar players in the world'' and he said ''You could do it, as long as you want it and as long you put your effords in it. Flow while you play the guitar, breathe, and play what you feel''. And I also learned the art of patience.
Thanks a lot master, your help will always be appreciated, as it was back in the days I was under your guidance...
I was 18. I had for Christmas a lot of music, all the Metallica CD's were a start, I was all excited. I clearly remember while I shut down the lights in my house's living room to just listen over and over again the three first cd's, which are my favourite ones. I could remember going nuts while hearing the Call of Ktulu, Orion, and Seek and Destroy... All of sudden, I found that particular band which encouraged me to took guitar seriously...
At the same time, I met the guitar-shredding master Yngwie Malmsteen, and I was a bit intricated by two other guys, who were labeled as Guitar Virtuosos as well: Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
So I decided to order two cd's from this guys. The best albums of each one. So, I had Steve Vai's ''Passion and Warfare'' and Joe Satriani's ''The Extremist''.
Steve Vai, to make things weirder, was Joe Satriani's guitar alumni. After that, he went to the infamous Berklee College of Music *Hosting house of three Dream Theater guys, and Al Di Meola, among others* and after that, he went to play with nothing less than Frank Zappa. And he was 19 while he had the gig...
I'm gonna be damn honest. At first I didn't liked any of his songs. Or well, I didn't like their slowest tunes. I got used to the fast speed tempo music... so while I heard a slow tune I changed it. Yes folks, I was ignorant back then, and I still am in some areas of life... but that's another story.
So after a few times hearing Vai's music, I got used to it, and I even liked it. He had some sort of demonic edge on his music, he didn't fast as much as Yngwie, but while he did? Jeez, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. For instance, the track that made me reconsider my view 'bout Steve was his famous ''For the Love of God''.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE FELLAS :D... RUN
I thought that was the ultimate guitar sound... In fact, every time I heard that song, I felt like I was talking with God himself... I felt some sort of peace, and my friends, feeling peace for me was at the time, very hard.
There were so many sides of music that were still unknown for your humble narrator back then, such as blues, jazz, and all sorts. Later on I'll tell you how I continued my journey through music.
So Steve, thanks a lot for sharing your music with all of us guitar entepreneurs. You made a mark in my music back then, teaching me the value of visualizing what I wanted to play, and then play it in the guitar... And overall, thanks for showing me the peaceful side of music. You're awesome.
So... This made my day. This is how your ''humble narrator''*Taking the words from Alexander DeLarges, main character of A Orange Clockwork* looked while he was 17. If you look closer to this picture -which by the way is very, very old- my eyes reflect some sort of hope, kind of being eager to look forward to the future. And at the same time, scared the hell out of me, 'cause I was 'bout to start something new.
I always joke 'round saying that I had this ''Veteran of War'' look in this picture. And it's true... I have that look. I'm just an ol' geezer he he... but anyway. I'm glad the photographer took the best angle of me and made this photo so in the further generations a lot o' girls will say ''This guy looks so cute'' -To be honest that thing already happened, I even surprised one of 'em saying that-
The funny thing 'bout this picture is that, most of my Rock heroes have this kinda look in their faces in their high school annuary pictures. I just laughed back then, as I'm doing right now.
At the time this happened, I was 'bout to finish High School. The picture was taken in October I guess, 'cause my 18th birthday was near. A lot happened that last year in high school... The most notable was me declining to take a trip with my classmates for buying my first electric guitar *May it rest in peace now* so I could learn more music... I was dead serious, I wanted to learn so I needed what it takes to learn.
Some things never change... I've been always a nutcase, and when it comes to music, I'm really determinated...
What hasn't been said 'bout Guitar Shredders. That they just shred, that they don't feel nothing at all, that they just, are showing off. I include myself on that list. Back in the days I was learning guitar at first, all I wanted to do was to play as fast as I could, but looking back now, I didn't really know why I wanted to do it...
Seriously. I don't know if I just wanted to show off, or just, play as good as I want. I prefer to think that I just wanted to be as good as I could, according to my own standards at the time. And they were *and still are* pretty high. I wanted to be as good as a classical-driven musician, but creating my own music. Not just reading sheet music.
With the advent of Youtube and the Twenty-First-Century-Schizoid human, where he/she wants to be known by all expenses, one day I went through it and started viewing guitar videos. My friends, how dissapointed I was that, 99% of the guys I heard, sounded exactly the same. With a few respectable 0.01% which, I'm glad I found it...
All of them, wanted to sound like Yngwie Malmsteen, or either like John Petrucci, or Steve Vai, or Joe Satriani, to name a few. In other words, it's like they have been prescribed with the same medicine...Shred-So-Fast.
While I try to figure out why people start the ''Rip Off'' act, the first thing that strikes my mind is ''They want to be like their heroes''. I mean, that's good. You find someone who inspires you. I did found an inspiration at first, so what. Everyone does... but I don't wanted to be HIM, I wanted to be as TECHNICALLY PROFICIENT as him. Not using his technique or his approach to the instrument.
While I try to figure out what made my heroes what they are now, what comes to my mind is that they had the guts and the balls to completely study their instrument, to learn and unlearn, to mess the songs of their heroes and learn them in their own way. In other words, they had really clear that they wanted to just be THEMSELVES. That's a big bucks thing folks... Believe me.
In fact, Jason Becker *Another of my Musical Heroes, I'll talk 'bout him soon* in the video ''The Legendary Guitar of Jason Becker'' states clearly the following:
''This video might be a little different from other instructional videos you may have seen. Although I do explain many of my ideas, there's a lot of me just PLAYING or IMPROVISING. There's a reason for this. When I was growing up and learning how to play the guitar, I didn't use instructional videos or written music to figure out what my favorite players were doing. I used my EAR. I think this was beneficial in man ways. It helped develop my ear, which helps me to hear and write many-layered counterpoint and chordal things. It also helped me to come up with my own ideas, because when I was trying to learn a Clapton, Beck, Hendrix, Morse, Van Halen, Bach, Mozart, Debussy or Stravinsky lick I would make mistakes, which eventually became my own licks, which I wouldn't have stumbled upon if I had been show how to play the notes exactly. I remember coming home from concerts of B.B King, Roy Buchanan, Yngwie Malmsteen and the Berkeley Symphony and being so inspired to come up with my own ideas. Not by their LICKS. But by their vibes and energy''
-What I mean with mess is actually, sucking major balls and making a lot of mistakes...Just as Jason Becker said... What a wise guy, isn't he?-
Personally I've always had a reluctant attitude against instructive videos. I mean, I like to hear what my heroes have to say but, I don't pay attention to their licks and whatsover... I just hear, and be amazed by the skills they display. Maybe that's the answer to my own question of ''Why there are so many RIP OFF guitar players 'round the world''. Because they watched the same guitar instructive.
- Clearly he is SHOWING OFF, but he surely could play.
So, do you really understand guitar shredders, or just, rip them off?
- Note from the author: I didn't used the word ''Virtuoso'' because being fast doesn't mean that you're a virtuoso. Beethoven was a virtuoso, and yet, his Moonlight Sonata was so slow, and captivating.
As you notice people, I always start my sentence with ''Back in the times I was 16''. Wanna know why? Because all this music-need that my flesh pumped was coming out. I always had it, since I was a kid, but then all of sudden, it exploded.
After hearing / seeing a Metallica video *Too bad I live in a Third World Country, where only you got to see the poppy-toppy acts like Shakira and all sorts*, I started to take guitar seriously, like an obsession, like a complete madness. It started to become a part of me, and I couldn't help it. It was happening, and I was damn happy it was happening. Oh dear, the days of the boy tryin' to show off and play some nice tunes to the chicks were gone. I just wanted to play the hell out of my guitar, loud, and as good as I could.
I had this friend at high school who, had the luck to be friends with the music department guy. And he played the guitar really good, really good. He was damn fast, playing some notes over here, over there, and soloing. And we eventually became friends, 'cause my best friend was a guitar wannabe, and asked him to teach him some licks and all sorts. But my friend wasn't that much disciplined.
But I was eager, to learn, and all that. I actually took with him just one single class. But I remember clearly, what he said: ''If you want to play good, listen to what you think you could play, and what you need.'' And he named me this particular guy, a Swedish man called Yngwie Johann Malmsteen.
He was perfect. I mean, he played the hell out of his fender Stratocaster, and did it in a way that showed CLEARLY, the classical music influence. Specially Nicolo Paganini, an infamous violin player who REALLY could SHRED... and really good.
So, the first song I heard was ''Far Beyond the Sun'' and I was like ''FUCK, that's what I want to learn''. And, then it started this obsession for finding his music, a thing that was virtually impossible for me at the time. But I did, I met this friend who sold music cd's and, he had Yngwie Malmsteen's ''Rising Force''.
I purchased that cd, among with 2 other ones... I was researching through the net how guitar have evolved, and how people could shred, and artists who were really good guitarists. So, the same day I met Yngwie, I met Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
But I'm talking now 'bout Yngwie... I read his history, I even downloaded a book of his complete tabs, I read through it, played it, and DAMN, I was like ''This is pretty cool''. So then I realised I wanted more, I wanted more things to learn... and start taking lessons with my guitar master, a great guy I've had the luck of meeting just by coincidence.
So, my first lessons were just polishing my neo-classical driven technique... but that's another story.
Yngwie, thanks a lot for starting this obsession I have for the guitar. I don't shred anymore but, you started the fire... And that's something I will never forget.
While I was 16, the first time I heard Loud Rock music, I sort of felt something to rely on, an alternative to speak out my head, a new way to wave out of my head all this negative things I was through at the time, like angst, depression, and in some levels, madness.
At the time I was just into classical music. Beethoven, fellas, was the ultimate guy for me. I know a lot of you will come over me and tell me that Mozart improves your IQ, Bach relaxes you, whatever. I do respect all of the masters, without them I know, music wouldn't evolve the way it did - and still does -.
But let's face it. My main man is Ludwig Van Beethoven. Looking back now, I remember one conversation with one of my musical friends, and me saying to him: ''If Beethoven were around this time, he'd surely be a rock and roll guy''.
Anyway, the first thing I sort of heard that sounded like rock, and stick to it -and I still hear 'em nowadays- was Korn. All the people in my highschool were like ''Oh I want to be like Jonathan Davis'', to the point they wanted to dress like him. Or even like Fred Durst. But I didn't give a fuck. I used to behave that way but I suddenly realised I was being completely an asshole by not being just, me.
The first song I heard from Korn was the typical MTV-Aired-Single ''Make me bad''. I didn't give a fuck for MTV. All the good things I used to watch in that channel, like the ol' Beavis N' Butthead, were gone. Now all of sudden, this girly, bubble gummed music- with no offense to the ladies, but I hate pop music- took the MTV, turning it into eMpTV. But this song, gosh, I felt like a weird feeling. I could recall myself looking through Jonathan Davis' eyes, full of anger, and desperation while singing.
''I am watching the rise and fall of my salvation... There's so much shit around me... such a lack of compassion''
In two lines, mr. Jonathan Davis described how humanity was behaving. It was a bummer, a revelation, a message. And then, after hearing this song over and over again, in some ways I felt release. I thought that I wasn't the only one feeling that way 'round the corner. And the whole band, that chaotic and bombastic sound, compliment it completely...
Thanks to each one of the Korn guys, for all they've been a huge influence in me. And they still are... You taught me that loud, heavy, noisy rock could be an amazing way of catharsis. Glenn Tipton from Judas Priest once said ''Rock isn't bad, it's just a way, for me at last, for kids to feel some relief.''
Note of the Author - Why I say ''stick to it'': because I've heard rock music way before the time I'm telling. I was 9 actually, and I heard Guns N' Roses and Nirvana because of one of my sisters heard 'em. And I like 'em as well, but I had no clue where to find their music, and my parents weren't much of a ''CD Buyers'' people-
I know fellas. Right now you might be like ''What the fuck is wrong with this guy''. My musical taste could be very, very disparate. But I know what I like, what I don't, and that's it.
Anyway... Metallica. Gosh, I was 16 while I heard 'em because of a friend o' mine from high school who saw me sort of ''troubled'' and ''confused''. He lent me his own personalised CD full of Metallica songs. I reacted like ''O.K. this sounds amazing'', and I felt sleep hearing the last song. The next day, I was like some sort of Mad Scientist who just discovered the new potion for eternal youth.
At the time, I wasn't much involved with music. I just played some chords, and wanted to impress some chicks who studied near my high school. But all of sudden, my mind changed... I clearly remember the moment I first heard the song ''Master of Puppets''. The crunchy and powerful riffs coming out straight from James Hetfield's guitars to me was so damn high. I liked that, and I turned the volume up... I felt like this guy from Matrix. Seein the real thing, the ones and zeros.
I increasedly wanted more music from them. I wanted to hear more riffs, more bombastic drums, more... and more... So, I got my way and my good ol' sister bought me all the Metallica CD's. I remember myself locking into my room just to hear each one of the albums at least twice. While I reached the song ''Orion'', from the album Master of Puppets, I was psyched. I thought: ''This guys play classical music in a rock way, that's reall, really something''. And I became fond of Cliff Burton's great bass grooves.
But the thing that kept me like ''Wow Man'' was his frontman. James Hetfield. That guy wasn't joking 'round while he said he was on his way to made it someday, and he eventually did. That attitude, was the answer for so many questions I had at the time...
James: You're the greatest frontman ever. I wish I could play half as good the guitar riffs you make man. Keep inspiring young angry people like me, so we could drive that energy to new ways of expression...
While I started to hear Pink Floyd, I was 20. The 20's are a magical age, in some ways. It's the first time for a lot of things in your life. For me, it was like the first time to broad my musical scope, and listen to a lot of new music. I already knew by the time that metal wasn't much my sort of music. I still like it, but let's face it it's not my kind of music because I don't have the ''looks'' of a metal guy. I'm more vintage I think ha ha...
I had the great luck of meeting a friend here in my city, who was -and still is- a sort of Mentor in music terms. Sometimes, I went down to his house, and pick up some music he had and gave it to me, and sometimes while I could, I stayed for a while and listened to some music I wasn't used to hear at the time.
One day, I went to pick up an Yngwie Malmsteen CD. I think the one with the Symphonic. And he was hearing this song, which didn't sounded bad at all. The song was very raw, pure energy, straight rock and roll like I've never heard before. I asked sort of curious to my friend ''Who's playing that song?'' and my friend told me that it was someone called Neil Young. The song I'm referring to, was Cinnamon Girl, an amazing piece of rock n' roll at its best.
I wanted to buy Neil's albums to my friend but, while I wanted he was on his way to the States. He moved there and I was like ''Jeez, how could I find this music''. I eventually did, researching through the net, and being in a hurry sometimes.
The next song I heard from Neil was his classic ''Heart of Gold''. This happened 'round the year 2006, my german girl was 'bout to get married, and that particular song, among with the Moonlight Sonata, matched perfectly to the situation and mental state I was at the time.
Note from the Author: Pay CLOSE attention to the Harmonica Sounds...
Neil, you're the man. Thanks for being with me in the heavy times, mostly. While I sing your songs, my soul feels some relief. You're an inspiration, and a big influence too... I never imagined how powerful the simple and heartfelt music could be sometimes.
I started my musical journey a long, long time ago. I remember I was almost 7, I was a hopeless child. Well, not hopeless at all. I lived in a very caring environment, where not only my parents took care of me, but also my sisters, and my auntie Victoria, who was one of the most important persons in my life.
The thing is, my friends that I was a 7-year old kid, eager to play soccer, or whatsover. And I couldn't. I had a weird disease, a heart one, and I couldn't do anything at all. So, most of the time I felt sort of lonely, and alienated from the other kids.
One day, I was whistling a tune I heard on the radio. I always used to whistle, and it's kinda funny, I always was in tune. One of my sisters noticed that, and took me to a friend of hers who was a music teacher. And voilá, her friend told my sister that I had ''musical ears'', meaning that I would have no problem to learn music.
At first, I acted reluctant. I didn't like the idea of going to music classes on a Saturday morning, almost like 5 hours. I just wanted to stay still, looking through my sad eyes to the playfull kids. But, thank goodness that didn't happened. I went to the classes reluctantly, but later on I started to love 'em.
-Flute was the first instrument I ever picked up in my life-
I remember that day. My teacher, whose name was Karina, put a score of Beethoven's 9th in front of my eyes. As usual, I first whistled the notes I saw, and then I started to play at the rhytm I wanted. But, that wasn't the right way... My teacher gave me several instructions of how to play it a thousand times, but I always played the way I wanted. So, I got evicted with my parents.
I felt kinda sad, 'cause what I was doing for fun, started to get way too much ''Serious and Adult''. So, I closed my bedroom's door, read through the score, and practically became obsessed with that particular tune. Over and Over again, I was playing it.
One day I read Beethoven's history. And while reaching the part where he starts to loose his auditive sense, I was like ''My God, can you really do that even if you're deaf? This guy is amazing''. By the time, I was 9.
Then came the beautiful ''Für Elise''. At the time I heard it, I was 13. I switched from flute to guitar, and I heard the chords quite clearly: A minor, E major, A minor again. And, they had this sort of majesty, and also, reverence-kind-of feel on it. Once again, Ludwig Van Beethoven amazed me.
So, difficult times came in. I was 16. I was sort of depressed, angry and lonely. Usually, at this time you had your first girlfriend, first kiss, whatever. But I haven't had anything at all. All I got, was music. The girl I liked, went to USA to make a living there with her family... Ludwig came in again, and I heard the Moonlight Sonata a lot of times. Even while I was 22, back in the days I met this gorgeous german girl, who I lost, the Moonlight Sonata was there.
The same day she left, the Moonlight Sonata was being played...
I couldn't help it, while this song was playing, a couple o' tears fell through my dust n' old face... I mentally saw her going away... the pictures of the day we met... came on and on...
Ludwig, thanks for being with me all my life... in the good and bad times. You're such an inspiration and a big influence.
The Crimson King, the Mr.Spock of Rock, the Most Rational Rockstar. What I haven't heard or read 'bout this guy? Well, I don't know actually.
I'm talking 'bout Mr. Robert Fripp. The mastermind behind the legendary King Crimson, a band which defined how ROCK should be done in a very, VERY, far out and unconventional way.
I met King Crimson in a very, very unconventional -or conventional maybe, I don't know- way. As I posted earlier, I always noticed that 2 of the Tool guys, Maynard James Keenan and Adam Jones, mentioned King Crimson as main influence. Maynard even said once ''Now that you know that we rip off King Crimson, please, don't tell them''
- Which by the way I don't think so. Even Robert Fripp have told Adam Jones that he's totally a league of his own. That he sees more influence of Tool in King Crimson. What an honor :D...
Anyway, King Crimson. I was eager to find their first CD, which is called a seminal piece in the Rock Movement. Even Pete Thownsend of The Who said that he wished to create -back in the early The Who days- an album like In The Court.
No band will ever, EVER be like them. Not even this guys called The Mars Volta who are, according to my 2 cents opinion, the worst RIP OFF act. They try to RIP OFF the beautifully chaotic music of the Crimson King, but NO WAY. Crimson, as I said before, is a FAR OUT music.
And while I mean ''No one EVER will be like them'' I mean it. Even Jimi Hendrix, while he was alive, attended a King Crimson concert, and shook Robert Fripp's hands, saying ''You're left handed as me, shake my left hand brother, your music is fantastic...''
This is what I mean by beautifully chaotic.
Note of the Author: If you're currently hearing The Mars Volta and you have no clue who are King Crimson... Do me, and yourself a favor. Find the album ''In the Court of the Crimson King''... hear it, and then, fuck off all the Mars Volta's music. For your ears sake.
And Robert, thanks for showing me that guitar is an infinite instrument, not just EADGBE...
Back in the days of the year 2004, I was an angry youngster, who was stuck in the shredding metal style. I was always eager to find something else, and at that time, shredding started to be a little bit too obvious. Although, I might say, my first heroes were Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen and Metallica. So, it's not fair to say I was just a shred-head, instead, I prefer to say I was a Metal-Head.
So anyway, year 2004. I always heard a lot of chit chat from people talking 'bout this band, Pink Floyd. I just turned 20, and as I said, I was getting bored of the shredding antics. Not because they are bad, but because I wanted to expand my horizons as a musician, and as a guitarist.
I had a college classmate who had a very, very old school musical taste. And also, I have a friend who considers himself an old school. So it's no surprise that sooner or later I was gonna be introduced into the Pink Floyd's world.
I still remember it vividly. I was at a college fair, I was fucking bored as hell, 'cause college isn't my thing at all. I like music, and that's it. It's the reason I'm alive right now. So, my classmates were giving away sort of mp3 mixes, and one of 'em had the classic ''Dark Side of The Moon''. So, no one picked up the last cd, and I took it.
I remember going to my house, taking a bath, and putting that cd into the CD player. My friends, that was the first time that I was blown away... in all senses.
I even remember trying to figure out the ''Time'' Guitar Solo... and sucking a lot. For sure, it's obvious, a shredder-type like me couldn't play Time at all. Or maybe I'm wrong, but anyway I couldn't play it and that's a fact.
So I spent a lot of hours listening to that particular album... I felt even identified with the whole album, sort of hearing my whole life through it... It was so weird, and amazing as well...
And since then I've been hearing them,and I'm so glad I did. That single event, started to open me to new ways of playing guitar, and music appreciation. Thanks a lot to each one of the floyd fellas: Richard Wright *Watch me from the skies man*, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and David Gilmour.
David, you proved me that guitar is not just being fast... but also play with the whole soul involved... thanks for bringing the Ethereal/Bluesy sound to my ears every day since 2004 man. I wish I was born in the times you were in Floyd...
If the California Guitar Trio is the light, Les Gauchos Allemands are the darkness. While I mean darkness, I MEAN IT, like... their sound is very, very dense and obscure... and I like it. Life and music are so goddamn similar, I think. One day, you hear the cheerful tunes, and the other, you're melt in hell.
Les Gauchos Allemands were formed also in Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft Seminars. They were named Les Gauchos Allemands 'cause the guitar players are from Germany and Argentina. They've got a little bit less exposure than the California Guitar Trio, but they're as good as them...
So... I'll let the music do the talking. I may warn you, if you don't like dissonant sounds at all, you better not hear this guys. Their music is really really unconventional at all. Think of a thunder storm while you hear 'em... and you'll get them.
- So funny, my sister just said to me that I looked like the guys in the cartoon... just ramblin' on my mind, with my guitar... Go figure.
Long ago, while I was 'bout 20 * 4 Years to be Precise * I met Tool, 'cause the drummer of the band I'm about to start is nuts 'bout Tool's drummer, Danny Carey. Through Tool, I met King Crimson.
I always read interviews 'bout Maynard James Keenan and Adam Jones citing King Crimson as main influence. And boy, I liked what I heard, their first album ''In the Court of the Crimson King'' and the last ''The Power to Believe'' amaze me in levels that I only could compare to the first time I heard Pink Floyd... - 6 Years ago -
So the chain continues. I Heard Mr. Fripp carefully, to the point of studying countless hours his style, and how it made so much sense for me. A dissonant guy in a lot of areas, but oh well. Suddenly I noticed there was something different, maybe his tunning, that made him sound like no one have sounded before at the time...
Then, I noticed he had this group of people under his wing, like being his mentor. It was called ''The League of the Crafty Guitarists'' I was shocked, yet amazed of what I was hearing. All what I wanted to hear in an acoustic guitar player, was being played already. I was so damn happy.
Then, in this courses... 2 different groups were born. The first one was the California Guitar Trio. Paul Richards, Bert Lams and Hideyo Moriya. The three of 'em on guitars. I couldn't believe what this guys were doing. To me was like ''Goddamn, what a sound'' while I saw 'em on a video playing ''Ghost Riders of the Storm'', a melt song between Ghost Riders in the Sky - A western Classic - and Riders of the Storm, by The Doors.
- This is the reason I was like JEEZ...
Not enough with this, they have even played classical music. From Beethoven to Bach.
It's absolutely brilliant... I even got the goose bumps... Wish I could play like that :D...
So, yeh I'm wondering what the hell why I created a blog. Maybe to spread the good music world-wide. Not saying that I'll self promote my music works, 'cause I'm just an atom in the sea of chaotic atoms, a random piece in the blast of the cosmos... Who the fuck am I to say shit... at all.
So, music. That's what concerns to me... and matters at all. So I'll start this journey, and in some way, weird thing for spreading the good music. Maybe you know some of 'em , and maybe not - If you do know something I am forgetting, do me a favor and tell me . You'll be very, very helpful-
Without much further Ado. I'll start.
I'll start with this guy. His name's Robert Johnson. Maybe you know him, 'cause mr. Clapton have talked 'bout him a lot of times, citing him as a main influence - I do believe you Eric :D -
Robert Leroy Johnson, among with mr. Charley Patton and Son House - In my humble opinion - is one of the most influential and greatest bluesmen ever in the world. Yes I know, a lot of you will say ''So what 'bout Stevie Ray Vaughn and Buddy Guy and, etc...'' Well folks, without these three gentlemen, there would be no blues, at all. - Again I say, that's my 2 cents opinion -
It is said that Robert made a pact with mr. Satan itself to be the Best Bluesmen ever. Maybe it is true, but I prefer to stick to Clapton's version of ''Maybe while saying the devil he was referring to his girlfriend'' - haha, have some humour sense people -
Here's a video made based in that legend. I found it quite interesting... the song playing is ''Me and the Devil Blues''. You could find more Robert Johnson's songs among the net... Try to find the ''The Complete Robert Johnson's Recordings, Vol 1 & 2'' Highly recommended to listen while being lonely...
''And I said, hello Satan. I believe it's time to go''
So, my name's Carlos. I'm a 24 year older, almost 25 soon... And I have this blogger thing since 2006, and it's 2009 now... so go figure. Maybe I haven't had enough reasons to write 'bout in a blog, but, what the heck...
I may warn you. Sometimes you'll find things that make sense. Others that don't make sense, at first glance, and others, that definitely don't make sense at all. So, I don't care...
Remember. Free speech. And not for the dumb, precisely.
