London Guitarist

The london guitarists random mumblings, about bands, gear and everything.

[theyearaftertheendoftheworld]

A new video for the new recording of the song Ripper that was created for this blog.

[theyearaftertheendoftheworld]

A new video for the new recording of the song Galaxy that was created for this blog

[thelondonguitarist]

Would you Like a Jelly Baby song, arranged and recorded by TheLondonGuitarist for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary. Based on the british science fiction tv show Doctor Who. This rock song uses the often repeated phrase by Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor, "Would you like a jelly baby?". The show is in its 50th Anniversary and will soon be airing an episode entitled "The Day of the Doctor". This song celebrates that by using the phrases used by all eleven doctors and the "Doctor" between the eighth and the ninth, played by John Hurt. The episode will feature the current Doctor Matt Smith and the tenth doctor played by David Tennant. It could also feature several doctors which have been played by: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker. Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith and now John Hurt. #SaveTheDay The song was recorded completely by the London Guitarist at home. As was the video unfortunately. Should anyone wish to make a better video or use the music in something else, feel free to send a message and I would be happy to provide the audio. For more information on the London Guitarist please subscribe here and follow @LondonGuitarist on Twitter.

[thelondonguitarist]

When ears do not hear, Use gongs and drums. When eyes do not see, Use banners and flags.

Sun Tzu

[thelondonguitarist]

Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.

Lao Tzu

[thelondonguitarist]

Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.

Xun Zi

[thelondonguitarist]

Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

Lao Tzu

[theyearaftertheendoftheworld]

Blue This weeks one minute song.

[thelondonguitarist]

If the king loves music, there is little wrong in the land.

Mencius

[thelondonguitarist]

Fever Dog (Instrumental Cover)

Recorded a cover of Fever Dog by the fictional band Stillwater, from the film Almost Famous. First time I have tried a video like this, particularly with recording all the parts myself, live.  I may not be a golden god, but I do have a golden guitar.

[thelondonguitarist]

Or fame of life, Which do you hold more dear? Or life or wealth, To which would you adhere? Keep life and lost those other things; Keep them and lose your life: - which brings Sorrow and pain more near?

Lao Tzu

[thelondonguitarist]

The human mind naturally finds pleasure in the principles of righteousness, just as the eyes take pleasure in color and the ears in sound.

Wang Yangming

[thelondonguitarist]

Top 5 Cream Songs

In no particular order:

White Room Big ringing chords start off a powerful song filled with ethereal singing. The lyrics read like poetry and it finishes with a memorable wah solo.

Crossroads Barely recognisable from the original Robert Johnson version, but still retains an authentic blues feel, whilst adding a bit more of a rock touch.

Sunshine of your Love One of the best known riffs of all time, as mentioned in my previous post (Top 5 Riffs). Heavy yet again retaining a lot of blues character.

Tales of Brave Ulysses Another song with beautiful poetic lyrics. The psychedelic feel makes the song add to its mythical subject matter.

Spoonful Another cover, but with plenty of changes made to give it a new identity. Often used as an extended instrumental piece when performed live, it provides a platform for Cream to express what made them a supergroup.

[thelondonguitarist]

Top 5 Guitar Riffs

In no particular order, five of the best:

Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple Iconic riff that has been played (and banned along with Stairway to Heaven) in guitar shops all over the world. It is a heavy rock classic.

Sunshine of your Love - Cream One of the best blues rock riffs. Combines traditional blues with a heavy rock feel.

Paranoid - Black Sabbath Black Sabbath have produced many brilliant riffs over the years. This is the most well known.

Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry Probably the first really iconic guitar riff. This rock and roll classic has been copied many many times. If Back to the Future is to believed though it was written by Marty McFly.

Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin Again Led Zeppelin are a band that are known for producing memorable guitar riffs. This is probably the best known.

Anything I missed?

[thelondonguitarist]

Searching for Singers (again)

Think I might be searching for singers again. It is still is not certain yet, but the impression I have got is that I need to start looking. At the very least for someone to do acoustic sets. I think over the years I must have auditioned about 20 or 30 singers by now. Had about 5 or 6 join then leave. It is becoming a bit like Spinal Tap and drummers. Though thankfully no one has died yet.

Anyone know any singers in london?

[thelondonguitarist]

Top 5 Guitarist Stage Names

In no particular order: The Edge The beanie hat wearing guitarist in U2. Apparently the name comes from his sharp facial features and his keen intellect. Slash The name refers to the Guns and Rose guitarist always rushing about. It apparently has nothing to do with relieving yourself. BB King The Beales Street Blues Boy. The nickname was shortened a few times till it was just BB. Muddy Waters The Mississippi blues man liked playing in the mud as a baby. Buckethead He wore a popular chicken franchise's bucket on his head. Probably where the Guns and Roses shredder got his name from.

[thelondonguitarist]

Group Play

Just seen the advert for the new mobile phone with "group play". Basically it is a way of sharing music between nearby phones and playing it through all of them at the same time. If this takes off it could very well make travelling by tube/bus etc even more hellish. It's bad enough that some people already play music without headphones, subjecting everyone around them to their taste in music, which probably no one else shares. If that is multiplied several times, with more speakers rudely blasting out, it will take annoyance to a whole new level. I'm not quite old enough to remember people in public using boomboxs, but I don't particularly want a taste of how annoying that could be. Ok rant over.