First there was Orianthi making waves with her "This Is It" performance and the much lauded Grammy performance where she apparently outshone Carrie Underwood, then releasing her first US alsum "Believe". But that one was more pop/rock, and I thought the efforts to show off her chops weren't too great, though there were some good moments on that album.

Then now I stumble across Joanne Shaw Taylor. I got her release this year "White Sugar", and honestly? It's great! Killer Tele Tones, soulful voice (Orianthi still sounds like a Britney Spears who can actually sing) and actually pretty good songwriting.



She's very SRV-like in this album, with some hints of Albert Collins and some Freddie King. I'm hearing a lot of old blues from her, but what's really cool is she manages to stay a bit away from some of the old cliche licks most of the time. The solo playing I find is a bit not so inspiring (I mean, it's good, but it's not WOW), but her rhythm work is killer. I can't remember the last time I've heard a Tele sound so nice and upfront. I wish there were more recordings like this.

Her voice is like a mix between Richie Kotzen and Eric Martin. A bit more rough and breathy than Bonnie Raitt's. She's a bit less fiery than SRV, but more soul.

Oddly, I also find her stuff a bit John Mayer-esque. But the good JM rather than the bad JM. More like his "Try" Album rather than "Continuum".

Definately worth checking out!

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2008 MIM Strat
2007 MIA Strat

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

Aw shucks, Charlie Musselwhite is a pretty serious shade of blue who got his start right here in Chi with alot of bluesmen, Johnny Winter can play the blues too, most of the other dirty (blue for all of you genius types) white boys didn't make it to 30 years of age, but there were quite a few good ones back when I was buyin' my school clothes from a guy selling out of the trunk of his Cadillac on Maxwell street. You're forgiven Bro, I just been around too long.
Oh yea, White Sugar was a hit in the UK in '73 for a band named Framptons Camel, wonder if there was a copyright issue over that title.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

I'm a black woman and I could listen to Stevie Ray and Susan Tedeschi all day long. So, I will have to respectfully disagree.

Joanne has some serious skills; I wish I had half her talent.

What?!? Nevin................... Hope Eric clapton isnt listening..... you may not get any christmas presents this year....

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I can't find the Crossroads, my GPS must be broke....


2001 Fender Highway One, 2004 Fender SE Ash, 2011 Fender 200 SCE '99 Washburn WR120Pro, Amps: Fender Stage 160, Vox Valvetronix 30, Peavey 212 400 watt, Ibanez 50 watt Toneblaster

Nevin, half of me thinks you're joking (Clapton? Stevie Ray? Jeff Healey?).

But the other half wonders whether this qualifies as a racial slur as specifically forbidden by the Fender Forum Code of Conduct.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I think I understand where Nevin may be coming from, seeing as the Blues was music started by blacks and was rooted in the hardships they faced in the early 1900's and going all the way back to African Music. But the fact remains, the blues isn't about skin color, at all. Even the great blues guys would tell you that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laqOThKLWXw

Bloomfield touches in the race issue, but Son House clearly lays it out as the blues being a feeling, not a race thing.

Nevin is entitled to his opinion, no matter how misguided or offensive it may. He may not have meant his comment to be offensive, but it was and I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one who was taken aback by it.

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.

Obviously Nevin doesn't know what the blues are and what it means in a song or to music. Usually musicians are much more aware and open minded than his comment indicates. If he keeps playing it may open his mind. I hope so.....

Obviously nobody up to this point realizes Nevin1985 was being sarcastic. Everyone knows music is universal and is not limited to a certain ethnicity, age, political standing, etc... He is trying to be overly cynical for the purpose of humor, it's kind of like saying no blacks can play country or the earth is flat or if you let your baby listen to Bach while the fetus is still in the womb he/she will end up being smarter at math, etc....

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Ever heard this guy?



Johnny Winter

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

had it not been followed up by "but thats just me" I'd say you're right. Either way, it's his opinion and he is entitled to it.

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.

Ram's piss is the greatest beverage in the world, but that's just me >_>

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Obvious sarcasm. If we have learned anything in this PC world, it is that you don't make jokes about race. Right? Or does that only apply to some people? If the "sarcasm" had been posted about someone or a group of people from another race it would have drawn questions and/or criticism from others the same way that Nevins comment did.

Anyways, like I said, it is his opinion whether he was joking or not and he can post whatever he likes. Not an issue for me going forward.

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.