optical - ah.. so if you don't have the funds to improve your rig.. then improve the stuff that really counts..

your playing ability and you soul...

a lil' story.....
me.. I'm a leftie.. I never had the luxury of being able to choose the finest instruments... even if I had the money, the top models are simply not available to me.. in fact, nothing has changed much...
so.. I always played mid to low end models... still do.. mostly RG470s..
anyway, I was playing as a demonstrator for Laney Amps in the British Music fair.. at the time I was playing a Westone Spectrum SX... it was the only l/h guitar that came with anything remotely like a Floyd Rose... so it was my only choice... and personally, I thought it played really well and sounded great too... but it was only £250 [in the late 80s I think]..
so... I was on a one hour break and decided to go walk about around the exhibition with a session player pal [who's one fucking mean guitarist].. we were at the Marshall stand.. there was this American guy.. tan, long blonde hair, red pants, white bikers jacket and a really expensive looking red Jackson.. he was an ok player... solid riffer.. moderately quick.. knew a few lil' tricks with the whammie and harmonics etc.. a very proficient player out of the Bon Jovi / Journey / Sabu style of things.... and knew all the poses too... the crowd watching were like "ooooo... aaaaahh".. and totally blown away...
after he'd finished his little stint, he said to the crowd "anyone want to try.." a guy steps forward... novice to intermediate...playing his best.. sounding ok to a little less than ok here and there... he was obviously very nervous playing in front of people.. and our 'rock star' made fun of him a little... nothing too harsh... but still.. it was not nice..
my pal shoved me in the back and I ended up out in the front.. the guy looks at me and says "so you wanna go too?".. I said "ok thanx.. but I'm a leftie, I'll need to use my own bat"..
I got out my guitar.. he looked at the head stock and said "West-fucking-what?".. and laughed at me...
I asked him if he could shred..he says.. "yeah man.. why.. can you?.. naah... ain't no such thing as a shredder outside of Cali man... so you wanna cut heads?.." still laughing at me...
I said "ok.. sounds like fun to me.."

and I ripped that ass-hole to bits.... and then some...

after 10 minutes he'd run out of he best 'intimidation licks' and just stopped trying "enough enough.. you made ya point man.."
I shook his hand.. and he appologised....
something like "fuck man.. you're quick.. smart player too.. like I'm sorry ya know.. I really am.. I was just being stupid.."

so.. it all ended well... and he decided to like me.. and then ask questions about technique.. lol

the moral?

Mikesb - obviously in that case it's better to be the invader rather than the invaded...

appart from the bucket sized ass chicks... they just look behind and laugh at yer.. lol..

and being a Hawkwind fan.. I owas bviously well into him...

thinking of Hawkind... shit.... I need to get to a CD store when I get paid... all my Hawkwind is on vinyl.. I must get some on CD...

hi all---i want to congradulate mr. joe for his performance in PA! he played very perfect and i was very happy! i have recently got a new job. it is still in ny as a chef. i am a assistant chef at the hilton now! i left palazzo because my children were alone and my wife was in europe for a long time. i had to work very early and finish very late. no time for children! so hilton is very good for me and my children. my wife divorced me recently, so i have not been able to come and stay! i am ok now and feeling fine. mikesb! i will answer every question of yours friend! i love tony macapine with steve vais band! jason is nuts...lol i will beat him!

Zinc Master, no kenny-Wayne's music is very much vocal, but he does have a couple of instrumental tracks on each record.

Even if you prefer instrumental, the vocal tracks still rock cause the integration of guitar fills into the lyrics is excellent, and then he's let loose into what is usualy the ideal solo for that tune!

I reckon Ledbetter Heights and Live On will give a slihtly better indicator of how varied he is, as Trouble Is... is more focused, but it's the first album of his that I got, and it's polished without taking away the natural essence of the music.

If you can find a bracnch of borders, they'l let you listen to a whole album before you buy it! That's if you can find one with any Kenny-Wayne in stock, but you should find that they have his new album, The Place You're In and either Trouble Is... or Live On.

I'm pleased to hear you liked hero....it's the first review i've heard of it. It came and went in the cinema like a passing tide.....it just got ignored and forgotten about, so I gotta wait for it on DVD now and I really want to see it! It looks and sounds awesome tho!

opticalstudiomy friend thank you again. my life was messy and hope it is fresh now! food makes good money. i have not touched my keyboards for very long now. i am taking classical piano lessons also in december.

Hi Joe... I'm "young" (18) guitarist from the Czech Republic. I would like to know, if you will have a concert in our country? I'm playing with my band instrumental rock, but I think that in our country isn't place for it... I want to go on Leeds College of Music. I want to study Jazz there, because in our country it is impossible... I really like your songs "Summer Song", "Flying in the blue dream", "Surfing with the Alien" and many others... They were first songs from you, which I've learned to play. When I have a little time I play several of them with you (your clip, or live video record)...

Do The Stu & 962

You learn something new every day. I absolutely forgot that KWS was connected to G3 - must have been under a rock or something.

Also - did not know that it was not an instrumental record. I found "Trouble Is" at the library - maybe this weekend I will pick it up and take a listen.

A cabbie picks up a Nun. She gets into the cab, and the cab driver won't stop staring at her.

She asks him why is he staring.

He replies, "I have a question to ask you, but I don't want to offend you."

She answers, "My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a Nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive."

"Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a Nun kiss me."

She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic."The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I am single; and I 'm Catholic too!"

"OK" the Nun says. "Pull into the next alley."

He does and the Nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush.But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying.

"My dear child, said the nun, why are you crying?"

"Forgive me Sister, but I have sinned. I lied. I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish."

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose were to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a club and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven here St. Peter is waiting for him. "Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the head of state joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then the senator answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and club, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...... Today you voted"

Pastafarian, I am truly sorry to hear the sad family news especially whenever there are young children involved. All the best with your new life and revised family.

Gee3 - I've just got Attack by Yngwie.... the opning licks to Laser Eater are really quite simple actually... I've not played along with it 'cos I'm listening to it at work.... but I already know that I can play it just from hearing it... the solo however... that'll take a little working out....

love the album though...

it's not as heavy as Factory, Slipknot etc... but the riffing is really nice [as usual]....

and it has a similar vibe to Trilogy...
not a bad thing me thinks... lol...

Clarky, we know your feelings re Malm... Crank it thru the office PA and give us some feedback from the adjacent cubicles !!!