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Hoodoo Man Blues

Been a while since I wrote about any blues, thought I may just talk about albums I like- a bit like a cathartic process. Thought I'd start with one of my favourites- Junior Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues. Recorded in 1965 it is often cited as the first actual blues "album", rather than a collection of singles. Junior Wells was allowed to pick his own sidemen and choose the material, a novelty in those times. The band is a sparse affair featuring Buddy Guy (credited as Friendly Chap) on guitar , Billy Warren on drums and Jack Myers on bass and of course Junior on vocals and harmonica.

Plenty has been said about this album in the past, I doubt I will add anything new. One thing I would say is that it's sparse feel and sound had a big effect on me, I love the way the band back Wells without doing anything large or obvious. Buddy Guy plays with amazing groove and restraint throughout and the rhythm section are snappy, tight and groovy. Maybe if people heard more blues like this, blues would have a broader appeal - it really isn't all about 20 minute guitar solo's. The band really let Junior Wells do his thing.... And for me they made an album few have bettered.. Even the guy who played Huggy Bear in Starsky and Hutch rates this albums opening track "Snatch it Back and Hold it" as his favourite saturday night record...... Case closed (check this clip out, I have fantasies about sounding like this)

Trams, Guitars and Automobiles

Here is a service update from The Guitar Spot... During the current tram works we are open for business as usual, you can still park out the front for an hour. When on street parking is lost there will be temporary parking available across the road from the shop. The current tram works are a cause for much confusion, we have been asked several times when we are being demolished, the short answer is we are not, unless Derek gets on the Special Brew again.....

In times of hardship and austerity great art can sometimes be created, inspired by the current situation my small father , Derek has expressed himself through one of the deepest mediums, The Blues -

TRAMLINE BLUES by Derek Wigginton

Spoken or sung as blues, country, rock or rap

( Derek & son James own The Guitar Spot on Chilwell Road )

HAVE YOU HEARD ‘BOUT LINE 2

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY’RE GONNA DO

BRINGIN’ THE TRAM ‘LONG CHILWELL ROAD

BUT WHO THE HELL WANTS IT, WE AIN’T BEEN TOLD

BUSINESS BAD NO PEOPLE ABOUT

AIN’T NO USE TO SCREAM AND SHOUT

‘COS JOCO AND HIS GANG JUST WANT THE KUDOS

THEY DON’T SUFFER NO DOWNTURN AND TRADE LOSS

THEY SAY THIS ALL GONNA BE GOOD FOR THE CITY

BUT FOR CHILWELL ROAD THEY DON’T SHOW NO PITY

WE GOT TO SUFFER FOR THREE LONG YEARS

AT THE END OF IT ALL THERE’LL BE MANY TEARS

SO WE ALL GOTTA TRY AND SURVIVE

WE GOTTA KEEP THIS ROAD ALIVE

THOSE CATS DON’T CARE BACK IN NOTTINGHAM

ALL THEY SAY IS TRAM, TRAM, TRAM

SO PEOPLE OF BEESTON WE NEED YOU TO TRY

TO COME ON DOWN AND JUST SEE WHY

WE’RE ALL INDEPENDENTS ON CHILWELL ROAD

AND WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH OUR HEAVY LOAD

PLEASE COME DOWN AND LOOK AROUND

WE’RE THE INTERESTING END OF BEESTON TOWN

NO CHARITY SHOPS, JUST TRADERS TRYIN’

SO COME ON CATS, JUST KEEP ON BUYIN’

Make of this what you will... Personally I feel he may have been on the Special Brew, er wait that was me.

Another ex Jimmy Wiggins Guitar

Really don't want to do this but...... Another of my own guitar children need to be sacrificed in order to pay my Council Tax and other pointless crap. This guitar has been mistaken for many things in the past- I originally thought it was Italian, thus for many years it being referred to as the Italian guitar. It was then put to me that it may be east european, a few years ago it was idetified as being a Hopf Allround.That would make it German!

I got it in 2003 off Colin Staples. It was a repair somone hadn't collected, being as this was somepoint in the mid 70's it was time to renovate and sell it. For some reason (probably drink related) I appeared in Colin's workshop and decided I had to have it. He lent it me for a bit and I bought it. I have gigged it alot, one time I was carried off stage at the Running Horse with it, cos I was so drunk. It was the original Moules and Wiggins guitar. It makes you sound like the 1950's !!. It is also wired out of phase on the middle position a la T- Bone Walker.

So watch me really sob when some fucker (sorry customer) has my pants down and I end up with £100.00....Seriously though folks £250.00 and you can have it............

Sentimental fat man in guitar sale shock

See this nice looking guitar? It belongs to me, it has a deep attachment to me, so much so that one time it was stolen from the boot of my car, only to be "oddly" returned to me the next day after being found buried in a park in Long Eaton. The Police seemed keen to give it me back, but not explain what had happened.

Another time, when I was convinced that drinking whisky was a wise career choice, I fell on it.... I have seen the aftermath of many of these events in my shop where it ended in a terminal fashion, my guitar survived. I have also done what I consider to be some of my best playing on this guitar-



Fast forward to 1.17 to hear the band start playing. That is this guitar being played with Colin Staples and his band (Colin Staples, Shakey John, Happy Bob and Norval Forrest)- the recording was made by Norval Forrest.

So now you know my attachment to it, in a bid to be less sentimental and less broke I am flogging it below are it's specifications

• Gordon Smith GS2 deluxe (2005)
• Bare Knuckle Mississippi Queen P90's
• Wrap around bridge
• Relicing from actual gigging and interaction with 16 stone drunk man
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Maple Veneer Top
• Gloss front 
• Amazing ability to come back to you when stolen (not guaranteed)

£400.00

Buy it and watch me sob..............


www.theguitarspot.com

james@theguitarspot.com

I've been away....But back with new Demo's

My world has just been a bit too bluesy recently... But alas I return with some prototype demo videos first up the PRS SE Bernie Marsden............... With a bit of talking and everything





Available here http://wwwtheguitarspotonlineshop.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/prs-se-bernie-marsden.html

PRS SE Guitars @The Guitar Spot

We are pleased to announce that we are now stocking PRS SE guitars. For those who are unaware, these are Paul Reed Smith's high quality Korean range, with many exclusive signature models. All come with deluxe padded PRS gig bags. If you have seen this months Guitarist Magazine, you will have noticed the huge feature on the PRS Bernie Marsden (I have exceeded my limit of guitars I can keep for myself this year already, otherwise I'd have kept this one), and also the single cut 245. Stock will be available on our website this week, we have eight guitars from this range in store for you to come and check out in person. Prices from £599.00

Check out the Bernie Marsden video demo of his new guitar




www.theguitarspot.com