December 21, 2024

Category: Artists

Articles, interviews, and news items of the people who create or play guitars, and related topics.

Artists / Electric Guitar

George Barnes – the first electric guitarist

one manby one man0

George Barnes just may be the best guitarist you (thought) you never heard. He appeared  at more recording sessions than any musician in the union files – blues, jazz, rock n roll, folk, country and western, you name it.

… Then, I heard the duets of George Barnes and Bucky Pizzarelli. I was enthralled with the musicality of the tunes, the breathtaking licks, the slower passages of glistening, liquid tone. For some reason I assumed the suave, James Bond looking guy with the colorful name must have been doing all the exquisite lead playing. Only later did I realize it was the squat, cigar-chomping George Barnes who was tripping the light fandango in such a transcendent manner.

He had a lot of practice, as it turned out…

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George Barnes

Artists / Review

CD Review – Howard Emerson’s It Ain’t Necessarily So

one manby one man0

Howard Emerson’s It Ain’t Necessarily So offers tracks that are bluesier, while some are more poppy, or even churchy. Many are written in alternate tunings, and most of those are cross-tuned so the key is something other than the root of the tuning itself (no small feat when done with such mastery.) But all are neatly constructed and expertly rendered…

Emerson’s style is easily recognizable, by its authoritative thumb-driven rhythms matched with an intelligent use of mid range and treble that weave texture and highlight around simple yet fresh melodies. And there is always that impeccable timing, with flow and tension, space suddenly appearing and just as quickly filling up again. That is all notably present on tunes like “Pop Top” and “That’s What She Said.”

Read Full Review of Howard Emerson’s It Ain’t Necessarily So

Artists

Bob Brozman 1954-2013

one manby one man0

We are greatly saddened by the news of the untimely passing of Bob Brozman, at the age of 59.

An innovative traditionalist and with a wide scope as a musicologist, his was a unique style grounded with deep roots. He will be in many ways irreplaceable.

In the words of our good friend Stan Jay, of Mandolin Brothers:

Bob was a great person, musician and friend to the heritage of styles of the 1920s and ‘30s, and also to both the National Reso-Phonic and the Santa Cruz Guitar Companies.

He was always willing to share information and advice.

He was, in every way, a true professional.

We will greatly miss him.

Amen

Artists

Laurence Juber has a new CD and a new guitar on the way

one manby one man1

We heard from our friend Laurence Juber this morning.

The double Grammy-winning guitarist dropped by One Man’s Guitar to check out the new site, and then dropped us a line to let us know about his new guitar, and tell us that our copy of his latest CD is on the way.

The album was recorded entirely with his  Martin OMC-44K LJ. It was made in Martin’s custom shop and features Hawaiian koa wood and special ultra-light construction for maximum resonance.

It was also available to the public in a limited edition of 25 guitars, available exclusively through Wildwood Guitars of Louisville, Colorado.

But LJ let us know he has a new personal custom on order. It will be identical to his OMC-18 LJ, only with a top made from the high altitude Swiss spruce that debuted on a small number of special Martins this past January, like the Custom Shop’s own CS-OM-13.

We can’t wait to LJ’s new axe on stage and CD!

 

Artists

Leo Kottke in Concert, NYC 03.01.11

one manby one man0

kottke31as“…I inquired about them after the show. Leo said he doesn’t follow a set list. But when I mentioned details of the technique employed, he had no trouble recalling the titles; Four Cents and Flattop. “Four and Flat are new tunes.”, he added. “Four is a take on something Toots Thielemans said to Dave Evans…” 

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