I've been listening to America here and now Album
Really great music
Great songwriting
I've been listening to a lot of Japanese rock music while I exercise. Rock is still very much alive over there and they're putting out stuff that's much more interesting and creative than what I hear in the states.
Also, jazz. Mostly because I'm learning jazz so I'm hearing a lot of Joe Pass, Tony Mottola, Wes, etc.
Local college radio station here has been playing a tribute to Taj Mahal all week.
He's in town tomorrow night.
Always enjoyed his music.
I love 30s,40s, standards. I just added this to my CD collection. Peggy Lee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebdd_egaHI4
I just discovered Marty Robbins' album Gunfighter Ballads, featuring his hit El Paso, amongst other wonderful tunes. The album has coincided with some John Wayne movie bingewatching lately, and now I want to be a cowboy.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on July 17, 2026, 12:38:32 PMI just discovered Marty Robbins' album Gunfighter Ballads, featuring his hit El Paso, amongst other wonderful tunes. The album has coincided with some John Wayne movie bingewatching lately, and now I want to be a cowboy.
I first discovered that album about 10 years ago when they used El Paso in Breaking Bad and it blew my mind. There's nothing quite like it (except his other album that sort of copied this formula). Fantastical tales of the West that conjure such vivid imagery. I see why so many people were inspired by this music.
And, there's SO many catchy songs on that album. I've listened to the whole thing dozens of times.
It's a killer album!
Quote from: B0WIE on July 09, 2026, 01:15:42 PMI've been listening to a lot of Japanese rock music while I exercise. Rock is still very much alive over there and they're putting out stuff that's much more interesting and creative than what I hear in the states.
Also, jazz. Mostly because I'm learning jazz so I'm hearing a lot of Joe Pass, Tony Mottola, Wes, etc.
My son is into Japanese anime, which has led him to Japanese rock, which in turn flows to me a little bit. I'm about to get him his first guitar as a result.
I'm likewise listening to a bit of solo (and not solo) jazz guitar, plus fingerstyle blues stuff.
Quote from: jasonchamb on July 20, 2026, 11:40:17 AMMy son is into Japanese anime, which has led him to Japanese rock, which in turn flows to me a little bit. I'm about to get him his first guitar as a result.
I'm likewise listening to a bit of solo (and not solo) jazz guitar, plus fingerstyle blues stuff.
Very cool! Exciting to hear he's going to be learning! Truth be told, Japanese rock (via anime and video games) is what got me into guitar back in the 90's, when that stuff was first getting imported into the States.
I'm sure he already has his favorites but, two modern Japanese rock bands that have been featured in animes are Amazarashi and Asian Kung Fu Generation. They have some nice stuff that's easy to learn.
I'll make sure he knows about them! He really likes the 90's anime and games, maybe more than the newer stuff.
Quote from: StringPicker6 on July 17, 2026, 12:38:32 PMI just discovered Marty Robbins' album Gunfighter Ballads, featuring his hit El Paso, amongst other wonderful tunes. The album has coincided with some John Wayne movie bingewatching lately, and now I want to be a cowboy.
I have dabbled in this album in the past but pulled it up again recently because of this thread. I love all the Mexican-flavored guitar licks. Anyone know who played those lead parts?
Quote from: Silence Dogood on July 21, 2026, 10:44:43 AMI have dabbled in this album in the past but pulled it up again recently because of this thread. I love all the Mexican-flavored guitar licks. Anyone know who played those lead parts?
I believe that is Grady Martin. Nashville session guy.
I looked it up and Nashville sideman Grady Martin played lead guitar on this album. He left an impressive resume playing and recording with artists including Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Arlo Guthrie, Don Everly and others. Good stuff.
P.S. There is a documentary called "The Wrecking Crew" which covers a wide array of studio musicians in LA that is also worth watching.
Great info, thanks! I figured this info would be a little more obscure than a simple search. Sorry for my apparent laziness!
Fun fact; Grady Martin unknowingly birthed modern guitar distortion when he tracked a Marty Robins song through a console with a faulty preamp. That song became an unexpected hit so musicians flocked to that studio to use the faulty preamp. Eventually, this sound was boxed and sold as fuzz pedals.
Quote from: B0WIE on July 21, 2026, 12:24:26 PMFun fact; Grady Martin unknowingly birthed modern guitar distortion when he was tracked a Marty Robins song through a console with a faulty preamp. That song became an unexpected hit so musicians flocked to that studio to use the faulty preamp. Eventually, this sound was boxed and sold as fuzz pedals.
I never knew this. Interesting!