This is a really neat 40 minute interview with Tele-meister Jim Campilongo. Lots of interesting stuff about his learning and development as a player. Watch and learn.
This is Kenny’s new pedalboard by boutique builder, Helweg. I can spot an Ibanez TS808HW, Analogman KOT, Dunlop Univibe, Analogman Bi-chorus, Chicago Iron Tycobrahe Octavia, Boss Tuner, MXR Blue Box, Butler Tube Driver, Dunlop MC-404 CAE Wah and a Jam Pedals Delay LLama … all connected via the Voodoo Labs Pedal Switcher. Nice work!
And for a comprehensive walk through of his immense pedal collection check this video…some fantastic vintage pieces in here!
“As a talented teenage guitar player Michael Landau found himself playing the LA club scene and touring with guitarist friend Robben Ford and vibrant young bassist Jimmy Haslip. Little did they all know then, that in 2011 the same three guys, with the addition of drummer Gary Novak, would be touring the world together as Renegade Creation, but this time under the label of musician’s supergroup. For Landau, the four decades in between has been filled with prestigious gigs with artists such as Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, BB King, Ray Charles and James Taylor to mention just a few. In 1993, he won Guitar Player magazine’s readers poll as Best Studio Guitarist in the world. Make no mistake, Michael Landau is a guitar player of great significance. Australian guitarist and long-time Landau fan SIMON PATTERSON had the rare opportunity to catch up with Mike Landau prior to the October Australian tour by Renegade Creation.”
This clip from the Adelaide show of the recent Australia tour. Please watch this all the way through and acknowledge the genius that is Landau. Also listen out for the punter who yells out “look at his right hand!” and “volume swells – trademark” … classic!
Edit: Some videos are now popping up on YouTube from the Australian tour. My favourite is Soft in Blue Jeans (above) – check the Landau solo at 1:50.
Still quivering in delight / denial after seeing this show last night. As an exhibition of pure musicianship I doubt I will ever see it topped. Just to provide a little backstory I am a huge Michael Landau fan. I’ve come to him late but for the past year or so he has been the only guitar player I’ve been listening too. Its bordering on an obsession. He just does everything right, and in his own incredible way, and there’s so much to be gleaned by how he approaches the instrument. I’m less into Robben Ford but I still remember sitting down to learn ‘Talk to Your Daughter’ when it was released…that was quite a while ago now! In any case its pretty rare to be able to catch musicians of this calibre on one stage and not too far from home.
And some more videos from the tour…
By means of a quick bullet point review:
- Landau is IT. So much vibe, tone and such a unique voice on the guitar. The way he wrangles every nuance out of his guitar is ridiculous … melding Jeff Beck, SRV, Knopfler etc into something all of his own. Pure inspiration. And he seems like a great guy too. I spotted him outside the venue and gave him a wave (whilst holding two hot dogs and two beers … no mean feat!) and he seemed genuinely chuffed at my awkward enthusiasm. I dig that.
- Landau and Ford complemented each other superbly. The sweetness of Ford’s tone and playing set alongside the more gritty vibe of Landau just works so well. Ford mainly playing a Goldtop Les Paul and Landau on his sunburst Strat all night. When they hit big open chords together the tones meshed together as one huge sweet wall of tone.
- Ford’s voice is much better live than on record. I thought he delivered a great live vocal performance. I gotta give the guy more credit … he killed it.
- I’d also say the Renegade Creation material comes across much better live too. I haven’t played the record that much but live the songs really hit the mark. The way the band shifts dynamics is something to behold and this doesn’t really translate quite so effectively on record.
- The rhythm section of Jimmy Haslip and Gary Novak was insane. Hypnotically good.
- I’m getting too old for venues without seats.
If you have a chance to catch this tour do not miss it! Also, if you are a guitar player and you have not explored the work of Michael Landau or Robben Ford get to it … you will get schooled. I promise.
I recently picked up this awesome Danocaster deluxe style telecaster after spotting it on the TGP Builder’s Emporium. Danocaster is the guitar business of Dan Strain – previously a session player in Nashville who is now turning out fantastic relic guitars of the big “F” variety. His guitars usually get sold within about 5 minutes of being listed on the forum. Lucky for me this one hung around a little longer – the color isn’t for everyone but I absolutely adore it. I’ve always loved the 70′s mocha teles. Due to the slower nature of the sale and the brown color I dubbed her “Choc Tortoise” : )
The basic specs are Medium C profile neck with 6125 frets on a 9.5” radius (my personal favorite). The neck pickup is an original 1974 Wide Range Humbucker. It sounds amazing. Thick but clear – beautifully fat but with lovely crisp edges to the tone. The bridge pickup is a Lollar. The guitar looks great and feels perfectly worn in. My dad has a later 70′s custom deluxe which I love too but this is its equal in every way. I’ve been playing Choc Tortoise non stop for the past month and its snuck into equal number 1 position with my red roses Trussart. That is a huge wrap in itself. I’ve always considered that guitar untouchable.
So if you are in the market for a great playing and sounding relic F style guitar I highly recommend Danocaster. Dan is a stand up guy and he does incredible work. Choc Tortoise is a great (and very brown) example of how good Dan is at putting together guitars for guitar players.
These new pervy Trussart videos from Guitar Center Platinum. Which one is your favourite?
1. Trussart Steelcaster Rust on Cream Gator
Its BB’s birthday today, so here’s a little flashback to some classic BB. This is a live performance at Sing Sing Prison in 1974 . The clip shows his sense of humour as well as his emotional intensity as a performer. Love you BB!
A new recording by Robben Ford titled “One Taste” is available to stream for free on his Guitar Dojo website.
Robben says, “A lot of great music is lost to the air when great players jam. And people often do their best playing in jam situations. (For those who are unsure of the term: jamming is slang for improvising; unscripted inspiration of the moment.) I decided to get some of my favorite players together, in a pro studio so that it was well-recorded, bring some simple ideas to start from and let it rip.”
