Ho Ho Hollowbody

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Classic Texas blues! I hope you’re a Smokin’ Joe Kubek fan too.

I’m not convinced that you’ll be satisfied with an archtop for your style of playing, but I hope I’m wrong. And I hope this thread exposes more JGO members to the blues - it’s probably an education for many.

We do Caledonia a little differently back east. Here’s my band’s version from about 10 years ago. I’m playing my Carvin 727 with their hot humbuckers through the my Vox Night Train head and Boogie cab. The vocalist is Georgie Bonds, a great Philly bluesman I’ve backed off and on since the mid ‘90s in his own band and with mine. Georgie’s not much of a guitar player, which really mucks up the first part of this and many other tunes we did. I couldn’t get him to put it down, and neither could Bruce Iglauer. But by the time we get to my first solo at about 1:38, he backs off.

[DawgBone]

As for the archtop...it's only meant to be a backup for some of the more mellow songs we cover where high fret access isn't critical. We do a couple Fenton Robinson covers, Tennesse Woman and I Hear Some Blues Downstairs, along with a few other tunes where I think it will suit the songs nicely. I just wanted something a little different instead of just buying doubles of what I already play as a main guitar.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I think it's kind of fallen to the wayside in favor of T-Bone guys doing slower paced west coast style jump blues shuffles but that's alright cause I like that too it's just not my specialty as much but it is popular in the Austin area right now.

And that’s where your new archtop will really let you shine. We do a lot of stuff from the Joe Williams/ Count Basie book, Jimmy Witherspoon, Little Milton etc - and that’s archtop territory. I recommend this stuff as an eye opener and horizon expander for jazz players looking for new excitement.

[DawgBone]

And that’s where your new archtop will really let you shine. We do a lot of stuff from the Joe Williams/ Count Basie book, Jimmy Witherspoon, Little Milton etc - and that’s archtop territory. I recommend this stuff as an eye opener and horizon expander for jazz players looking for new excitement.

For sure. I have a bunch of songs, originals and covers both, on deck but gigs have prevented rehearsals and I hate bringing out material that isn't well rehearsed and on par with the rest of the set.

[Vihar]

Here's a slow blues I did with some friends from the San Antonio blues society a few years back. The recording quality came out good so I reckon it's worth sharing.

Great, engaging vocal performance, and you make that Twin sing! You're a true showman.