Stream of Strings

If I had a nickel every time I thought about a certain make/model of guitar, I’d be a rich man. It’s amazing how these thoughts come and go multiple times on a regular basis. It’s very of stream of consciousness. (I think “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is the first time I was made aware of that concept. The random thoughts that come about following electroshock therapy are the ones which pop to mind.)

Once in a while, it comes from actually picking up a guitar at a music store and playing it. I can’t say I have seen my favorite guitarists playing offset guitars like Fender Jazzmasters. However, I played a couple of Modern Player Jaguars some years ago and really enjoyed the sound and feel of them. They have a shorter 24″ scale neck which is shorter than most.

Naturally, Fender and other guitar manufacturers keep coming out with new series to keep us all drooling and it seems to work. Then again, hearing Stevie Ray Vaughan on a Fender Strat doesn’t hurt business either.

Another electric guitar series which grabbed my attention recently is the Ibanez Jet King. It has a very retro or pawn shop vibe to it. The Bluestone finish is pretty tasty as is the sunburst. I saw one on Facebook Marketplace recently, but haven’t had the chance to play one. It’s sort of a two-tone look.

Another offset guitar which has me thinking is the Squier Paranormal Toronado. (Yes, these are all spelled correctly.) It’s another beautiful sunburst finish and has a Gibson style 24.75″ scale neck. I feel like it looks a little subtler than the full on offset Jazzmasters and Jaguars, but I could be wrong.

While I’m not dead set on purchasing an offset guitar, there seems to be no shortage of interesting ones out there.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Chicken, Egg, or Archie?

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s the singer, not the song”? I associate the line with The Who song “Join Together” (1972). (The full line is actually, “It’s the singer not the song that makes the music move along.”) There’s actually an early Rolling Stones song entitled “The Singer Not the Song”, but I have already digressed. In other words, is that true? Can a fantastic singer turn a less than fantastic song into something good or does enjoying the song thereby make the song “good” in and of itself?

Philosophically, it’s a chicken or egg situation. Here is an example to ponder. I was going through my running list of blog ideas and found a note for Wilson Pickett “Sugar, Sugar”. I have no idea where/when I came cross this version. However, it seems like the singer and the song are at opposite ends of the musical spectrum, don’t they?

Give Mr. Pickett some credit. He definitely sounds like himself regardless of the song’s format, which is most definitely bubble gum pop. Apparently, his version charted in both the R & B and pop charts in 1970. The Archies’ orginal version was released in 1969 and was written by Jeff Barry and Andy Kim. Apparently Don Kirshner (The Rock Concert guy) arranged the studio musicians for the recording.

I don’t know if that settles the whole singer vs. song, chicken vs. egg thing, but it’s worth a listen. I thought about delving into “Do the Funky Chicken” by Rufus Thomas, but will save it for later.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Frehley Fest

Extremely sad day in the world of rock n roll. The original Spaceman from KISS, lead guitarist Ace Frehley, has gone to that great galaxy in the sky. His legacy, however, looms large. When I was a kid, one of my cousins turned me on to KISS and, subsequently, Ace Frehley. There are a couple of parallels I think you can draw between Frehley and George Harrison. They were both lead guitarists in enormous bands, but weren’t the primary songwriters and both had their own unique musical voices. That brings me to Frehley’s song “Genghis Khan” off his appropriately titled solo album “Anomaly” (2009).

Another Frehley composition “Parasite” from the KISS “Hotter Than Hell” LP (1974) featured Gene Simmons on lead vocals and one of Ace’s unique guitar solos around the two minute mark.

To my ears, this song always reminded me of the “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin, which was released a few years prior.

There are many things that can be said about Ace Frehley’s fun-loving personality and creative mind, but it’s hard to gauge his enormous INFLUENCE on future guitarists both as a player and a showman. This was the guy who put smoke bombs into his Les Pauls and, later, had them launch rockets, too. I remember Frehley once said something like “theatrical rock was the way to go” for him.

In closing, I’ll say that while everyone in KISS was wearing black… Frehley was wearing silver. That says a lot and it definitely appealed to me.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Geddy’s Baseball Adventure

I wasn’t too inspired to blog last week, but have an interesting story which I heard on a local Kansas City talk radio station (KMBZ-FM) and I think it bears repeating. Canadian band RUSH has been in the headlines recently because they announced they will tour again with a new drummer to fill the enormous shoes left by the death of Neil Peart. (Her name is Anika Nilles.)

That said, the story isn’t really about that at all. Instead, it’s something new I learned about RUSH bassist Geddy Lee. Apparently, he’s an avid baseball fan and collector. Recently, he donated a collection of 400 autographed baseballs to The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which is located in Kansas City, Missouri. https://www.nlbm.com/exhibit/the-geddy-lee-collection/ He wants to keep things “Closer to the Heart.”

I never knew Lee was into baseball or even collected for that matter, but that must be old news to fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. I saw at least one pic of him sitting behind home plate at a home game.

There is no shortage of division, differences, and animosity in the world today, but I think this story shows human beings CAN still find common ground regardless of race and nationality for starters.

Play Ball!

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Hairless Truman?

Well it’s a sad day in Independence, Missouri. Leila’s Hair Museum has officially closed its doors. In case you’re wondering, yes…I said HAIR museum. I’m pretty sure the first time I heard about the unique place was on a radio commercial for the Missouri Division of Tourism. I know I have driven past the nondescript looking building quite a few times. Apparently, hair art was all the rage in the Victorian era. I thought about including a song from the Hair soundtrack, but have instead opted for The Walter Trout Power Trio’s version of “Give Me Back My Wig.”

The original song was released by Lightnin’ Hopkins and covered by Hound Dog Taylor, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and others.

Getting back to the museum, Leila Cohoon was a cosmetologist who started collecting hair in the 50s and her collection grew too large for its own good. (I don’t think was in 1950s sci-fi movie kind of way, but you get the idea.) If you’re the slightest bit curious, please check out the following link: https://leilashairmuseum.net/history.html . Apparently, the museum boasted hair from a wide variety of historical figures including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson. Ozzy Osbourne even visited the museum!

If I could choose my all-time famous hair list for my own museum it would have to include Rapunzel, President Trump, Don King, Ron Wood, Rod Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Farrah Fawcett, Stevie Wonder, and any number of Viking conquerors…possibly Thor, too.

Oh, and the title of this blog entry is in reference to America’s 33rd President, Harry S. Truman. I don’t think he had any affiliation with the museum, but he is associated with Independence, Missouri.

Here are some alternate titles:

  1. Hair ‘Em Scare ‘Em
  2. A Night at the Hair Museum
  3. Hairless-Kiri
  4. Follicle Frenzy
  5. Harry, Harry…Lend Me Your Comb

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Epic Allmans

Lately, I’ve been thinking about The Allman Brothers Band. I’ve never been a superfan, but I have enjoyed a lot of their popular songs which received radio airplay. For some reason, I remember going to a much touted record store in St. Louis, MO and being pretty disappointed with its selection; however, I did purchase an album called “The Best of the Allman Brothers Band.” Guitarist Dickie Betts compositions “Blue Sky” and “Ramblin’ Man” were big reasons why I bought it, but I think time and age have led me to appreciate the vocals and songwriting of Gregg Allman even more. “Whipping Post” is a pretty safe bet if you’re into epic blues rock.

Lyrically, it’s basically a “you done me wrong” blues tune. I think there are only two verses, but Allman’s gravelly vocals convince you whatever he’s singing, he MEANS it. My favorite lyric is:

“She took all my money
Wrecked my new car
Now she’s with one of my good time buddies
They’re drinkin’ in some crosstown bar”

Musically, it starts with Berry Oakley’s bass guitar echoed by electric guitar, then the whole band joins in including Gregg Allman on Hammond B-3 organ. It’s hard to believe Allman wrote and recorded this around the age of 21 because his voice and the lyrics sound so “weathered.” It’s also interesting that “Whipping Post” was on the band’s first album. Years later, a 20-minute version would appear on the live “At Fillmore East” record, too.

I’ve been listening this song on repeat and really am enjoying it. Hopefully, you enjoy it, too.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Happy Shatner-Ween!

Well, it’s basically October…I would say that means it’s “Halloween time”, but retailers have already been hocking their seasonal goods for a good while now. That, and temperatures are still in the 80s where I live. Is Pumpkin Spice flavor still all the rage? It’s hard for me to keep up. Anyway, if you need a jump start to get into the Halloween spirit, I recommend listening to William Shatner’s cover of “I Put a Spell on You” featuring guitarist Pat Travers.

This cover of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins tune demonstrates exactly why Shatner IS a cultural icon.

If that isn’t enough, check this out. I Googled “Halloween Shatner” and an interesting bit of trivia popped up. The Michael Meyers masked killer in the “Halloween” film franchise always wears a generic looking mask — however, the mask is apparently a Shatner mask which has been altered. This sort of demonic shenanigans could only happen down at the “Crossroads.” It’s a William Shatner “twin spin”!

By the way, Shatner isn’t stupid. Guitarist James Burton (who formed Elvis Presley’s TCB Band) plays on the track as well. It’s hard to believe William Shatner actually recorded an album entitled “The Blues”, but he did. I wonder if actually practices the vocal parts or just “Shatnerizes” them in an improvisational manner. Either way, I’m glad he did.

Happy Shatner-ween!

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Disgrace…Yes or No?

I was looking for a piece of music to ease into the work week and decided to go with some progressive or “prog” rock from the band Yes. The band has quite a catalog of music to choose from, but one that caught my ears years ago is called “Yours is no Disgrace” from 1971’s “The Yes Album”. It’s an interesting listen on headphones and is a pretty wild mix of what I would call funky wah pedal guitar, jazzy sections, and unique lyrics.

Lead singer Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire sing a lot of harmony on the track and Squire’s bass really pops throughout the nearly ten minute song. As I mentioned, Steve Howe’s wah-driven guitar is what grabbed me the first time I heard it. I remember writing down the song title on a piece of paper because I didn’t want to forget.

I feel like, lyrically, “Yours is no Disgrace” is all over the place. Apparently, the title is meant to be a message to soldiers in the Vietnam war — you have no choice in this, so there’s no disgrace in your participation. As far as “purple wolfhounds”, I’m not so sure about the meaning there. However, I really enjoy the musicianship on this track.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Law & Order: Overload

I had the TV on last night and I did a double take when I heard the announcer mention “Law & Order: Toronto”. Toronto? Nothing against the city, but it seems like their writers have literally run out of ideas. The original concept has already spun off into the following Law & Orders: Criminal Intent, Special Victims Unit, LA, Organized Crime, UK, and that’s NOT even all of them!

Here are a few ideas for new Law & Orders I’d like to contribute:

  1. Law & Order: Detroit Rock City. The original KISS lineup reforms to investigate crimes in the Motor City. Each episode ends with lead guitarist Ace Frehley crashing the KISS patrol vehicle into a different building while Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley focus on songwriting. Episode 1 features Ted Nugent and James Jamerson as guest stars. Somehow the Red Wings hockey team and Peter Criss are also involved.

2. Law & Order: Steve Miller Band. Steve Miller rides a white Pegasus horse with rainbow wings (like the one on his “Book of Dreams” album cover) while he solves crimes with harmonica player Norton Buffalo. Miller is originally from Texas so it will be set there. Episode 1 will involve heinous crimes committed at various locations of Whataburger. Law & Order’s infamous gavel “cha ching” will be fit nicely in Miller’s “Abracadabra” guitar solo.

3. Law & Order: Grunge. Set during 1990s Seattle, flannel clad detectives investigate crimes while hanging out at Starbucks and writing songs in dropped guitar tunings. This will obviously spinoff into Law & Order: Unplugged Grunge and will feature bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains. No one better think about “coming to snuff The Rooster” on their beat. Ticketmaster is also involved.

    4. Law & Order: Bo Diddley. Bo Diddley rides his motor scooter around Chicago with his red square guitar on his back and maraca player Jerome Green in tow. Naturally, they investigate crimes and the theme song now features the Bo Diddley beat interspersed with the “cha ching” sound. In Episode 1, George Thorogood reprises his role as a pool hustler from the “Bad to the Bone” video and Leonard Chess makes an appearance.

    5. Law & Order: The Rolling Stones. The beauty of this version is each week the cast lineup will change to include different guitarists from the band’s history including Brian Jones, Mick Taylor, and Ron Wood. Detectives Jagger and Richards’ contentious relationship doesn’t keep them from investigating crimes in England and beyond. Episode 1 features a deep dive into urban legend Spring Heeled Jack. Episode 2 features a trip on the fabled “Route 66” including their version of the song bearing its name.

    Well, those are a few ideas I have on yet additional spinoffs to Law & Order. It seems NBC is on a similar mission as the NFL, which is to ram their product down the throats of every person on the globe. I think it’s working.

    Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

    Super Sax

    I saw a Facebook post which asked group members to post a rock song with saxophone in it. Ironically, I heard a sax song TWICE during that same week so I took it as a sign to blog about it. I’m talking about “Maneater” by Hall and Oates.

    It was released on the 1982 album “H2O“. After doing a little research I found out the sax player’s name is Charlie DeChant. His nickname is “Mr. Casual”, which I assume is a play on words (i.e. casual sax) and he’s apparently been with Hall and Oates since 1976. He obviously contributed some other great sax to other songs in their catalog.

    Another rock song which features saxophone is a great piece of New Orleans songwriting. My first introduction to “Send Me Some Lovin'” was a live album by the one and only Little Richard. It has a fantastic vocal and a great sax solo, too.

    After a quick search on Google, I found out Lee Allen played tenor sax on the recording and Alvin “Red” Tyler played baritone sax. When I think about saxophone, this is the first piece of music which pops to mind. You can label it an “oldie”, but I think it’s fantastic!

    I had a third song in mind, but I can’t seem to remember what it is. In any event, the saxophone was actually invented by a Belgian dude named Adolphe Sax. I guess he also invented some instruments I’m not familiar with including the saxotromba, saxhorn, and saxtuba. I reserve the right to revisit Super Sax in the future!

    Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!