Eric Clapton Is A Shitty Blues Player

Got Cha! No I don't think he's a shitty player. Clapton talks about losing his chops through the years and elements of his playing that were prevalent before. As well, Clapton talks about his album with JJ Cale and the fact he thinks that players like JJ are the real players out there, and he's just a messenger to the masters of roots and blues music.

Blues to me is simple yet difficult to master for a lifetime. Yes your playing changes through the years but it becomes better. I hope you learn from this short video from one of the Masters of Blues from the 60's, Eric Clapton. I try to get players to learn from every post and this one is no different.

So get out there and learn from the Masters of Blues in your town.

Jim Morrison and The Doors 1969 Interview

This is a very interesting interview with Morrison,Manzerak, Densmore and Kreiger.A writer from The Village Voice did this interview.Players will find a correlation between acting,
spoken word and being a musician in this interview.

They talk about the whole concert experience and the spoken word
versus the way they think about each part they play.There is also
some future predictions as to where music will be in the 70's.

I think any real player will find it captivating,and make you think
more about how people feel about coming to see your blues or rock
band.

Enjoy players.

Mark G

Eric Clapton--Nothing But The Blues

I have the last two segments of the Martin Scorcese Blues documentary with Eric Clapton right here.The other 3 are in a previous post just below this.

But one thing I took from what Clapton said.You can listen to and play everything else in the world,but you always go back to it,the blues.

I was paraphrasing.Muddy Waters,Freddie King,Albert King,Buddy Guy,Robert Johnson,BB King and others all had that quality that set them apart as players,but brought them together as bluesmen.

I don't include Hendrix in there because he never came out with a blues album or played it much in public.Yeah, yeah a lot of what he played was blues influenced,so what.

He would agree and know he had to work on the blues more.


Here is the last two parts of: Nothing But The Blues







Peace and success to all bluesman and players

Blues Guitar Jamming And How To Improvise By Listening

Picture of Muddy Water's Guitarist Bob Margolin (Left)and Blues Guitarist Motor City Josh Just Jammin'Away


By Mark Grove


We've had a lot of good comments on this article on the art of the blues jam. Basically, how to get started jamming locally and how it can help your playing ability, and became the player you always wanted to be.


So I thought I would bring this short little how to article back.


Okay, you’ve been honing your blues rock chops on your Fender Strat or Gibson Les Paul at home, or with your garage band. And for the last number of years you said you would always hit the blues jams in your city.



But, you’re afraid of looking foolish on stage if you make mistakes. We all go through that. Before you do go on stage, go to a jam and listen to other players, really listen and write down the name of the band or musician hosting the jam. Take notes of songs being played, especially the best blues guitarist in town who’s up there.


If your blues chops aren’t up to his level, don’t worry, and go with the songs you know how to play and ask if he would be willing jam on your requested tune. I know, you’re scared up there, but if you don’t take that step you’ll never do it, it’s that simple. Chances are they’ll ask you to lead the song so practice the song until you kill it. I know it fly’s in the face of blues improvising on the fly. But you at least have to know the material, even if it’s just one song.



You’ll learn how to jam in a pressure situation that way. Then the best players will want you up on stage consistently.


Blues players will also help you more than most rock players. Even though it’s your song, listen to the other players and their techniques which will give you some in sight, into how to use little new variances in your chording technique.



Don’t try and play above everyone else or in your own little virtuoso world either.



Even if you or someone else makes a mistake, play through it and in sync with every one else. Even if it is your first jam try and pick out someone in the crowd to play to and connect with. Don’t worry about being a shred king, Blues is about simplicity.



You’ll get fans you never knew you had playing that way. So play tunes you know, and Save improvising for later, until you’ve started playing jams regularly with other musicians.



You’ll know the right time to fly on the frets if you do that. Don’t just listen to and copy guitarist’s, get your own style and include just little snippets of the Blues Masters, or top players in your town.



Listen to drummers, Bass players, singers and harp men. Apply their techniques to yours so you can get beyond your own chording and improvisation techniques. It’s not about being the baddest and best blues guitar cat on the planet.


Jamming and playing with others better than yourself is key, to glom some chording tips and even a wild blues lick or two, from a newbie like yourself. Blues jamming, It’s all so beautiful man.

Mark Grove

email me a question on jamming at:mdgrove@rock.com

Lurrie Bell one of Blues best players--Plays like no other on"Reconsider Baby"

Lurrie plays simply,and kind of unorthodox in his technique,like the golfer Craig Stadler. Yet, Lurrie mezmerises you with his playing when most players use too many notes.

Watch this master of the blues and be amazed. You'll learn how to play with simplicity on "Reconsider Baby".



Mark Grove

Re-Review of Elmore James Jr. album--"Daddy Gave Me The Blues"

Blues CD Review

Elmore James Jr.

Title: Daddy Gave me the Blues

Label: JSP Records

Producer: Cadillac Zack

Management: American Blues Legends Management(Los Angeles)



Elmore James Jr., yes the son of the slide guitar great Elmore James has been shouting out—bad pun there—the blues with his Daddy’s distinct voicings both with his distinct voicings in his vocals and guitar stylings. Yet, has developed his own unique vintage and modern blues styling. Some people think I don’t what the hell I’m writing about, and that may be true to some point, but I ignore it all and write about the blues which is the best music—period.


Since I’m so honest with my readers from Canadian Guitar Player; I didn’t really come across Elmore James Junior until recently, which is bad on my part, since a big part of Canadian Guitar Player is writing about and for blues artists. No excuses here fellow blues lovers. I came across Cadillac Zack a blues artist from Los Angeles who manages Elmore James Jr. and runs American Blues Legends Management Agency.


Zack also produced and played on Elmore’s Daddy Gave me the Blues giving it a modern blues twist and a feel for the blues era when Elmore James Sr. gave us his blues.


Elmore Jr. hit the club circuit way back in 1965 when Elmo was in his early 20’s and hooked up with the blues luminary Willie Dixon for a short time. Elmore was a great vocal find for many blues artists, and labels as a sideman and session player with the (Ace) label, and set out and recorded a live gig three years ago.



Elmore James Junior is now playing the club circuit in California and nationally, as well as Internationally in France at the Cognac Blues Passions Festival in July. Elmore’s Daddy Gave me the blues is just the start for the veteran of the blues wars in the 60’s to today’s blues which has come a long way, even if it still holds only a niche market in music.


Elmore James and the Broom Dusters Blues Band consists of Bass player Tom Landis,
David Lenef and Cadillac Zack on guitar. Jimmy D is on drums and Sexy Jamie belts it out as a guest vocalist and Willie Young on Tenor Sax.



Daddy gave me the Blues Review:


Elmore James Jr. and the Broom Dusters Blues band gives blues lovers another album damn fine blues with a penchant for the vintage, yet a yen for the blues of today. I’ll get right into this blues bonanza. I gotta cut out the puns. nah.

Going Back Home (Electric Version)


Is a tight blues guitar track with both a Chicago and down home blues feel. Elmore plays a Gibson axe with clean blues lines that are better than a Fender. Personal choice I guess. This album is produced by Cadillac Zack who also manages Elmore.

Norma Rae:

Elmore’s vocals in this blues laden tune, has a distinctive California blues tinge that reminds me of Southside Slim and his vocal style. I wrote articles and bio material for Slim and definitely feel the two are similar in their vocals which when applied to guitar and bass make you think you’re listening to an instrument.


Elmore’s blues is not so much technically adept, but fun and makes you want to go see the man play anywhere. Just a suggestion. You might actually enjoy it.


Tore Down:


Blues Rock with innovative licks and Jazz infused lines. Very creative blues with slight changes that are all Elmore Jr, and senior would be proud.

I’ll Get You:


Thoughtful phrasing with a surprising Big-Band like mixture on horn and drums, that most real blues lovers would not exactly like, Including me. But guitar lines are nailed down like a shot-gun blast on rhythm and lead guitar work, in a blues like manner that gives guitar lovers the desire to listen again. At least to the pure blues aspect of this song and album.



Thanks to Cadillac Zack for steering me toward Elmore James Jr. and the Broom Dusters Blues Band. For more listening pleasure of Elmo’s Daddy Gave me the Blues, go to:

http://www.elmorejamesjr.com

To book or contact Elmore James Jr. for an interview:

Cadillac Zack: scbluessociety@aol.com

Cadillac Zack American Blues Legends Management