26Mar 2010 by R&O No Comments

The Guitar Of My Dreams

Music, Observations, Of Interest, Technology
If you're a guitar player (like me) you're very aware of the Fender Stratocaster, Leo Fender's iconic guitar introduced in 1954 and since utilized and endorsed by top players around the world. The Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, SG and Flying V are the most recognizable guitars and coveted by amateur and professional musicians alike. Forget those dorky video games...nothing says Rock Star like one of these guitars running through a nasty big amp with the volume set to 11. So how can they improve on a design that's proven the test of time? Electronics of course. Leave the basic guitar as-is but add some amazing electronics to allow musicians to change tone or tuning at the flip of a switch. I purchased one of the first production run Gibson Les…
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04Mar 2010 by R&O 4 Comments

Music

Music, Observations
I've been listening to music all my life, probably from moments after my birth and will probably be listening to music moments before my death. Music has been with me for all the great events in my life and has helped me through some of the worst. It attaches itself to your memories and can drag you back to a sunny day with friends at the beach in 1978 or waking in the snow along Victoria's Fort Street in the early evening of 1985. All of the images, smells and sounds become clear with the help of music. Everyone has a favourite song, something they probably connect with a specific moment or event in their lives. Music is the soundtrack of our existence (oooh, heavy!) and we edit our score…
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08Jan 2010 by R&O 6 Comments
Bob Dylan is an ass

Bob Dylan is an ass

Music, Observations
I was reading an article in the November 26 issue of Rolling Stone magazine about the creation of Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the mid to late 80's. It mentioned the museum's original plan to purchase artifacts for display in the museum but after purchasing it's first item (the original lyrics to "Purple Haze" complete with abandoned subtitle "Jesus Saves") for $17,600 the founders realized that trying to fill the museum with such purchases would quickly bankrupt them. They put together a team of music journalists with industry contacts that would scour the world for museum items and request they be donated or loaned for display. Pete Townsend (who was present at the groundbreaking) donated his Gibson J-200 he used to write "Pinball Wizard", Yoko Ono donated…
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25Jun 2009 by R&O No Comments

Michael Jackson – Superstar Pederast

Music, People
Today's death of Michael Jackson, though sad and, in a lot of ways tragic, leaves me with mixed feelings. Although I've been disgusted with Mr. Jackson's behaviour over the last decade or so, his talent and innovation were undeniable. I clearly remember his performance on the Motown 25 TV special in 1983 and how impressed I was even though I didn't listen to mainstream pop music or enjoy Motown TV specials. The last time I had seen him he was still lashed to the Jackson 5 and fast becoming a has-been so this was a remarkable ressurection and completely unexpected. But as the years passed and his star diminished with bizarre behaviour and various legal problems I was suprised that I felt anything at all when I heard of his…
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