Music

Xaviere XV-700 Natural Flamed Maple

I got my first Les Paul style guitar today, in the form of an XV-700 from Xaviere. It’s finished in natural flamed maple on a mahogany body. Xaviere is sold by the Guitar Fetish company, who are best known for their guitar pickups and other accessories. The XV-700 is a very low-cost guitar, coming in … Read more

Butterscotch Telecaster

I picked up a Fender Squier Affinity Series Special Edition guitar today. It’s a beautiful butterscotch blonde color; the wood grain shows through very nicely. It’s my first telecaster and so far I’m really happy. My initial reaction is that this guitar has more clarity and presence than either my MIM strat or Gretsch 5120 … Read more

Two American Icons

One thing I love about the internet is how one minute you can be looking for one thing and all of a sudden you’re off on a completely unrelated quest.

American Dream

This is a very enjoyable song musically, an interesting video with a number of guest and cameo appearances, and it’s especially timely tonight, the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s I have a dream speech, and the night Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States. … Read more

Name That Band!

Artist: Richard Powers Album: More Important Than Facts This was a fun little diversion! From Texas Trifles, via a long path back to Eric. To make things easier to play along, I’ve copied the rules from Eric’s site: Here are the steps: * Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first article title on the page is the name … Read more

Gretsch G5120

I’ve dabbled with learning to play the guitar off and on for most of my life but have yet to progress beyond the chord-plunking stage. I did take lessons about 10 years ago, and they helped me get as far as I have, but it’s not very far. Since the lessons I’ll occasionally pick up … Read more

Spookin’ the Horses

Spookin’ the Horses by Fred Eaglesmith You’re spookin’ the horses, they’re wild and they’re scared, with that bright colored makeup, and those clothes that you wear, and I seen you dancing, last night ‘neath the trees. You’re spookin’ the horses and you’re scaring me. Where the road meets the highway, those bright city lights, must … Read more

One’s Slow and One’s Grumpy

How Long? by Kenny White one’s slow & one’s grumpy they live in the white house they have lots of parties the fun never ends let’s make sure when the day finally comes time to move out they don’t hand the keys off to one of their friends and how long are we gonna put … Read more

Say It’s Possible

Thanks to Jeneane, I’ve added a new voice to my list of favorite female vocalists. Terra Naomi began her career 5 years ago, playing in clubs and touring small venues around the country. In 2006 she began posting musical videos on YouTube, and attracted a strong following. As a result, she has just recently released … Read more

Laura Ellen: Out to Lunch

but this time, she’s not coming back. Laura Ellen, DJ and program director at my favorite radio station (KPIG), passed away on Memorial Day. As these things so often go, she had barely found out she had cancer before it took her away. As a full-time telecommuter, I listen to KPIG almost every day. And … Read more