Gary – Psychedelic Zen Guitar

5. July 2007

Ismael (1)

[audio:stratbend.mp3]

Ismael Kamara is an artist from Kongo living in Germany and a friend of mine. Whenever he comes to see me, he brings little pictures showing guitars which he just painted before. And every time he does so, I feel kind of overwhelmed by it. (It’s hard to accept he has done that just for me – maybe a stupid reaction). But then I proudly expose these works in my studio.

In order to thank and honor him, I’d like to show some of these pictures (in several installments) along with further improvisation. Another Link to Ismael’s pictures.

guitar & gear: ’67 Stratocaster, Vox ToneLab SE, Tube Reverb

3. July 2007

tube trem

[audio:tubetrem.mp3]

I simply love this effects pedal by GP-Lightstone (Germany) that is also a visual attraction. The alternating illumination of yellow and red makes me want to dim the lights when playing or recording, giving me feeling of dwelling in front of a fireplace on a winter evening. It can reinforce your imagination and thus inspire you.

Well, but it bears a superb sound quality, too. I found it gave a more tube-like bias to any sound I had prepared before, and so keep it activated whenever I play. Not only serves it as a tremolo effect (like the one you find in old Fender amplifiers), but also as a tube booster that enhances the guitar signal.

Back in the psychedelic days (1967) guitar players eagerly tried to contort their sounds – but there was hardly anything besides tremolo and reverb… So they turned them up to maximum, and off you go!

guitar & gear: ’67 stratocaster, Vox ToneLab, Tube Trem

29. June 2007

insight

[audio:insight.mp3]

If necessary I could actually confine myself to taking photos just around my little studio. There’s a porch, there’s a beautiful garden behind – and there’s the night.

You get some (although vague) insight from two different angles, merged into one picture.

guitar & gear: ’67 stratocaster, Vox ToneLab SE, tube reverb

26. June 2007

News

It’s a bit unusual for this blog to have two posts published the same day. But this time around there are just too many things to tell.

First: Rufus is audible now. One more invitation goes out to you to join in and dance around the trunk with me.

Second: Elspeth has posted a new video yesterday. The second proof of a fruitful collaboration. It’s (about) magic. Oh, and it will take some time to load, maybe. At least it has been so with my computer.

Third: Another collaboration is on the way, including Susanne from creative.mother.thinking.

Forth: In this case, please don’t just look at the last post, as today there is also Volcanology!

26. June 2007

volcanology

[audio:eruption.mp3]

Since I didn’t want to even remotely rival Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption” (a famous rock guitar instrumental – check it out!), I approached Charlie Parker by calling this similar to “Anthropology” and “Ornithology”.

Ouch – wrong again. Ahem. I guess this is simply “Volcanology”, and doesn’t rival anything… It’s a fade-in-tune, so please take a few moments for it to reach its full volume.

64$ question: what does the picture below actually show? (hint: it’s just a detail from a photo I posted here before).

guitar & gear: Epiphone Les Paul with Haeussel Pickups, Vox AC 50, DOD wah pedal, BSM treble booster

22. June 2007

rufus

[audio:basslydian.mp3]

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you: Rufus. He is my favorite tree. I know him since I was a child, he knows me, and I know there’s magic to him. Never have I met such an elephant- (or moose-) like vegetable creature in any other place than his, and his place is rather close to my home. So we meet regularly, I hug him, and we exchange opinions.

Near the end of the soundtrack you are being invited to join me and all the other creatures who adore Rufus and dance around the trunk together.

guitar & gear: Gibson EB-3 bass guitar, SWR SM 400 amplifier, tube reverb

21. June 2007

funky daydream

[audio:funk.mp3]

guitar & gear: ’67 stratocaster, Vox ToneLab SE, tube reverb

19. June 2007

you name it

This video is the first result of a collaboration between Elspeth Duncan, multimedia artist, and me. We are both posting it simultaneously on our respective blogs. I’d like to thank her for inviting me to take part in this. Her approach to art as well as to everyday life is an inspiration to every human with an open mind. Just go to the link above to see what I mean.

Isn’t it wonderful how the internet enables people to work together who are thousands of miles apart, located on different continents, and raised in different cultures?
I was amazed at how good the video matched the music (or vice versa), and I’d find it interesting to know about your reaction to it. What do you see? Which associations are coming up? And how would you name it?

Thanks for participating.