One of Stax Records’ biggest hits, “Knock On Wood” soared to the top of the charts when it was released by soul legend Eddie Floyd in 1967. Floyd and Stax guitarist Steve Cropper wrote the bulk of the track, but according to Floyd, a then-24-year-old Isaac Hayes made a significant contribution as well.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:00 AM
The "Harmony" shuffle licks are very similar to the ordinary shuffle licks discussed in previous lessons. The difference is that they require a little more coordination and flexibility from your left hand. And even though many of you probably already know how to play these licks, they're still very important for developing a great blues and rock guitar foundation.
In today's lesson, Arlen Roth breaks down the harmony shuffle licks and demonstrates just how easy they really are. Roth starts off by showing the licks in open A, E, D, and G positions, then explains how to use them in closed positions as well. He also describes how to properly keep one of your left-handed fingers "on the track" as the lick moves up and down the neck.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 3:28 PM
WHO? Lykke Li, a 22-year-old Stockholm singer-songwriter, who’s been generating a lot of blog love for her breathy lo-fi electro songs like “Little Bit” and “I’m Good, I’m Gone.”
WHAT’S WITH THE NAME? She got her stage name as a result of a passport mix-up. Her full name is Lykke Li Timotej Zahrisson. If that last name looks familiar it must be because you are an insane fan of Swedish prog rock and familiar with her father Johan Zachrisson, who recorded under the name Zilverzurfarm with the band Dag Vag. Her mother, meanwhile, is a photographer who took the family around the world. They spent five years living in a hippie commune in Portugal when Lykke Li was a child. Oh, and it’s pronounced “Lick-ee Lee.”
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:41 PM
Guitarist Freddie King played―and lived―like a fireball. And he burned out at age 42, dying of a heart attack. What King, who would have turned 74 on September 3, left behind was one of the most ferocious legacies in both Texas and Chicago blues―and even rock and roll. If influence, virtuosity, excitement, and durability are the stuff musical genius is made of, here are 10 songs that prove King’s.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:33 AM
When Isaac Hayes passed away just 10 days shy of his 66th birthday, he left a rich, disparate legacy that spanned generations. To many, he would embody the essence of muscular ’70s soul. The musical godfather gave the decade’s “blaxploitation” films their signature sound and popular appeal via his epochal theme from Shaft, where Hayes’ music immediately crystallizes the film’s gritty urban cool in its opening credits:
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:32 AM
Billy Gibbons is one of those guitarists you can recognize from looking at him or from hearing his guitar playing. Both styles are so unique they rarely get confused for someone else.
With a long list of Gibson Les Pauls to his credit, Gibbons tirelessly led ZZ Top to one of the top spots in rock and roll history. With his easily recognizable long beard, Gibbons’ trio of Texas rockers has maintained a constant sound for 40 years.
You’re not likely to find a single person sitting down in a club when one of ZZ Top’s classic songs is being played. Whether it’s the beat, the lyrics, or that bluesy guitar tone, something always brings people to their feet for “Tush,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” and “Tube Snake Boogie.”
Monday, August 18, 2008 4:23 PM
When she was two, New Haven-born Desiree Bassett’s hero was country star Reba McEntire, whose songs she was already singing. At three, Desiree began playing a mini-guitar, moving on to her dad’s full-scale model at five. By 12 she was an acolyte of Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Joe Satriani, playing the side stage at Ozzfest. Not yet 16, she’s since found herself jamming on-stage with rock legends and networking at NAMM.
Monday, August 18, 2008 3:18 PM
As the world anxiously awaits the September 23rd release of Kings of Leon’s fourth record Only By the Night, most fans still know very little about the record’s co-producer and past writing partner Angelo. Gibson recently caught up with Angelo at his house in Nashville to discuss his early relationship with the Followill brothers, and the role Gibson guitars play in shaping the Kings’ sound.
Monday, August 18, 2008 10:18 AM
As far as playing guitar goes, you've got to make an effort to learn the basics and put in some serious practice time before you can hang with the big dogs.
And if you've been following Arlen Roth and his exclusive new series of guitar lessons on Gibson Lifestyle, you're definitely on your way to becoming a great guitar player.
This past week's lessons was an excellent mix of introductory-type material, coupled with some more advanced techniques to help you build upon some of the lessons already published.
Friday, August 15, 2008 12:00 PM
What’s a wannabe guitar god with no musical talent―but endless ambition―to do? Easy: Air Guitar―an, er, “artform” that’s so evolved it now comes complete with its own instruction manuals and annual competitions. But simply flailing around the stage like an unhinged maniac wearing a human skull codpiece wasn’t good enough for 2007 U.S. Regional Air Guitarist Championship contestant Hard Rock, who upped the ante in his performance at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom by adding a little something extra. Warning: Don’t try this at home … at least not without Nomex skivvies.
Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:07 PM
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