830 replies to this topic

[StillFingers]

topperf, on Mar 12 2009, 02:12 PM, said:

Here you go StillF, me and my buddies:

Vai brings back memories for me, I listened to him like crazy 20 years ago, could play the 'Eat 'em and smile' album except for a tapping section in... arg. ehh Elephant something?

F@cking fantastic!

Topperf, you're back putting yourself out there, still got the soulful voice to. Thanks for posting, I hoped you would.

BTW, saw the Mac, are you recording your sessions?. Also, what's on your lap, you playin a drum kit or steel guitar perhaps?

Jerry

[nomis]

Yeah, topperf, that's exiting stuff. Good music, good song. Ah, I gotta say it misses your lead guitar judging from the clips I've seen. Otherwise, top band and you can play at my place anytime. I'd like to hear you more on vocals, bleeding some heart and spilling some soul.

[StillFingers]

From 1973, before all the madness began...

Genesis - The Knife

[topperf]

Thanks StillF! Yup, it's a mac and I've hooked it up with a Roland 'Handsonic' which is a percussion instrument with ten pads, so in some songs I play percussion and in others it's various instruments, like a slide guitar for the song I've posted. I've programmed pentatonic scales in the different keys so that I can play along and I'm a little proud of my 'drumpiano' invention.

Nomis@ I would very much love to come and play for you! anytime! But I do fear the travel expenses though..
I miss playing my guitar, more than most other stuff that I dearly miss to..
But I'm so very glad that my friends dragged me along, I'll see if I can find some soulspillin' vocal from this concert!

Again, thanks guys - it means a lot to me!!

[Hapahowlee]

Ahhhhhh T,

That was spectacular and gave me a natural high like you wouldn't believe. So great to see you up on stage again. I told you, you'd be playing again . . . okay so it wasn't your guitar, but one thing at a time.

LOVED IT!

Scribbler, on Jan 18 2009, 09:00 AM, said:

Phew!!!...... At last, but was it worth it.

I've now uploaded a sample of me singing a song called Heartlight.

I made a quick video using just photos, so its not top quality as this utube is all new to me.

The first photo is of our group, which was back in the late 70's early 80's; my late wife is stood behind me playing a keyboard.

Most of the other photos are of my late wife, plus some of my PA's past and present, including their children.



I recorded this and many other song years ago, so the quality is poor. .... That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...

I hope this works!!!

Awe Scribs ~ You made me get my keyboard all wet with tears. You have a wonderful voice and put together a very touching slideshow that went perfectly with the song you were singing. The list of your talents go on and on. Thanks for sharing with us.

[StillFingers]

topperf, on Mar 17 2009, 05:26 AM, said:

Thanks StillF! Yup, it's a mac and I've hooked it up with a Roland 'Handsonic' which is a percussion instrument with ten pads, so in some songs I play percussion and in others it's various instruments, like a slide guitar for the song I've posted. I've programmed pentatonic scales in the different keys so that I can play along and I'm a little proud of my 'drumpiano' invention.

Nomis@ I would very much love to come and play for you! anytime! But I do fear the travel expenses though..
I miss playing my guitar, more than most other stuff that I dearly miss to..
But I'm so very glad that my friends dragged me along, I'll see if I can find some soulspillin' vocal from this concert!

Again, thanks guys - it means a lot to me!!

So cool Topperf...I'm a few months from getting back in my chair and have a yamaha 5 pad drum kit on backorder...yea I used the bang on a set of pearls a few decades ago; not pro like you, just to annoy my parents/neighbors

Now that I see you are using the Roland Handsonic 10, I'm thinking it might be a easier to use, as the yamaha is full lap sized and is more suited to drum sticks. I was going to try building my cardio/strength back up with the yamaha, but I've decided to just suck it up and start lifting weights and pushing my manual chair instead

I still want to pick some sticks back up, but given the MIDI and other connections the roland has, it looks better for recording/mixing...something SpeedyWheelz and I are thinking of doing...we're collaborating on some songs and thinking of putting some background music to my poetry. You and I are the same c5/6 level...PTs say I'm more c7 than c5, idk, but I still luv bangin the drum

I'm reviewing the handsonic, but, a few questions if you don't mind...

- do you find the position of the 10 pads easy to access, i.e. not too close/cramped together; given the curled natured of our fingers/hands
- can you adjust the pad sensitivity
- are the pads tough enough for sticks
- can you mix directly with it or do you need or can you use a separate mixer
- and, is there any windows based software, I'm not a mac owner

Topperf, I'd love to see more of your playing and hear that great voice of yours.

Jerry

Edited by StillFingers, 19 March 2009 - 03:03 AM.

[topperf]

Thanks! Jerry. And:

do you find the position of the 10 pads easy to access, i.e. not too close/cramped together; given the curled natured of our fingers/hands - I've got zero finger movement, but I'm 76% ok with the accessibility
- can you adjust the pad sensitivity - Yes
- are the pads tough enough for sticks - I think so!
- can you mix directly with it or do you need or can you use a separate mixer - you can adjust levels and pan, most basic stuff, Since its only left/right audiowise, I would record it like: HS -> midi -> computer/harddisk recorder -> midi -> HS audio left/right -> Computer/hdr.
- and, is there any windows based software, I'm not a mac owner - There is no software 'attached' to this instrument, so if you got midi or/and audio setup with your pc? - it works!

Looking forward to hear you and speedyw.s' work!

[StillFingers]

topperf, on Mar 23 2009, 08:41 AM, said:

Thanks! Jerry. And:

do you find the position of the 10 pads easy to access, i.e. not too close/cramped together; given the curled natured of our fingers/hands - I've got zero finger movement, but I'm 76% ok with the accessibility
- can you adjust the pad sensitivity - Yes
- are the pads tough enough for sticks - I think so!
- can you mix directly with it or do you need or can you use a separate mixer - you can adjust levels and pan, most basic stuff, Since its only left/right audiowise, I would record it like: HS -> midi -> computer/harddisk recorder -> midi -> HS audio left/right -> Computer/hdr.
- and, is there any windows based software, I'm not a mac owner - There is no software 'attached' to this instrument, so if you got midi or/and audio setup with your pc? - it works!

Looking forward to hear you and speedyw.s' work!

Thanks for the info Topperf. And when Speed and I finish something we will def post something. I do a bit of photography and am thinking of putting some images to Speed's music/voice and maybe even a bit of me reading poems...who knows, I've got to rebuild my strength/lung power up a bit.

Thanks again, keep rockin

[Scribbler]

Well done Topper I applaud you, you're an inspiration to others so keep it up

I'm sure Nomis will pay your air fare.. he's got plenty of sock strained brew he can sell..

[qbounce]

Damn you Topper . . . made me cry . . . but I'm a little sensitive now and then anyway. So, I gotta blame someone.

Very cool!!

Edited by qbounce, 23 March 2009 - 08:34 PM.

[topperf]

and now you made me cry.. full circle I guess..

Scribb@ I'll do my very best and thank you. (maybe I'll throw in a discount on the bands wager, if nomis lets us try that brew..)

StillF@ The lung capacity thing is a bastard, but actually where I'm having most 'value for the buck' in PT, I hope you'll get more back - it makes a difference! So let's keep working

[araitn]

topperf, on Mar 12 2009, 05:12 PM, said:

Here you go StillF, me and my buddies:

Vai brings back memories for me, I listened to him like crazy 20 years ago, could play the 'Eat 'em and smile' album except for a tapping section in... arg. ehh Elephant something?

Great video Topper! Good to see you getting back on the stage.

While I was on YouTube I just had to listen to Voodoo Chile and Little Wing again........ just awesome!

[topperf]

Thanks araitn !!

[StillFingers]

My lady is in NY on business, thanks to everyone for keeping my spirits up...

[nomis]

Here, Stillfingers, purve on Bjork and maybe your lady is the hunter about to bring you back something...

Edited by nomis, 30 March 2009 - 09:38 AM.

[StillFingers]

Nomis, thanks, quite lovely

Indeed, the garment district was her hunting ground on Saturday, bobbles-n-beads and exotic threads her captured pray. After an exhaustive day of hunting, Sunday she was on the prowl once again, stopping for a respite on Broadway at the Lincoln Center Theater, enthralled with the magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific.

Her safe return and good health are all the precious goods I need/want.

Edited by StillFingers, 30 March 2009 - 10:25 PM.

[greybeard]

........and now for something completely different.
Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramall II, & Nathan East - If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day

[StillFingers]

GB, I have both Crossroads Guitar Festival DVDs, they are both amazing, energized and fantastic examples of voice and six string picking.

[greybeard]

StillFingers, on Mar 30 2009, 10:45 PM, said:

GB, I have both Crossroads Guitar Festival DVDs, they are both amazing, energized and fantastic examples of voice and six string picking.

They both appear regularly on the satellite channel here and one day I'll record them. I just watched an hour and three quarters of Clapton and Bramall covering some of Robert Johnson's stuff. Marvelous.

[StillFingers]

greybeard, on Mar 30 2009, 02:57 PM, said:

StillFingers, on Mar 30 2009, 10:45 PM, said:

GB, I have both Crossroads Guitar Festival DVDs, they are both amazing, energized and fantastic examples of voice and six string picking.

They both appear regularly on the satellite channel here and one day I'll record them. I just watched an hour and three quarters of Clapton and Bramall covering some of Robert Johnson's stuff. Marvelous.

GB, if you like Doyle Bramhall's guitar, check out Roger Water' In The Flesh...Snowy White is a great six string picker also

Edited by StillFingers, 30 March 2009 - 11:42 PM.

[nomis]

Ah Ha.Now you guys are talkin'. I've got both the first Crossroads Guitar Festival and Roger Waters Live DVDs and lov'em all. Crossroads still gets played heaps as I never tire of it, specially JJ Cale They Call Me the Breeze. Heaven must be like that.


Now let's turn the page to something a lil'different. Two Pages on one page. Back to 1950. Firstly a short clip from a darling of the time, Patti Page.

O shit, Patti Page refuses to be embedded. She always was a bit prissy. You'll have to click on the link or ever wonder what was there:


And now, performing from a completely different page but also a big hit of the same time, Bettie Page. This shows what was going down in 1950, four years before Elvis even recorded a record and 7 years before Jailhouse Rock and all the hysteria that rock'n'roll with its beat and hip twitching was the stuff of the devil.

Edited by nomis, 31 March 2009 - 08:27 AM.

[StillFingers]

Do DVDs wear out, I hope not...Nomis, I also have both of Roger Waters' concerts, David Gilmore's as well and most of what Pink Floyd has released...I play them on a regular basis, can't seem to get enough.

And, as far as J. J. Cale goes, have you seen his DVD...To Tulsa And Back: On Tour With JJ Cale...a wonderful look at life on the road; not many sets/music, but good insight into the man.

If you're a Blues fan, Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics is part of a great DVD...Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads...it's a glimpse into the roots of blues and the amazing folk that keep it alive.

When I first heard this jazz album, ten years after it's release, Miles Davis opened my mind to the nuances of sound. He brought together Bill Evans/piano, Jimmy Cobb/drums and on saxophones John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley; an amazing ensemble; John Coltrane was my dad's fav. This is a clip from the 50th anniversary show for the album Kind of Blue.

Edited by StillFingers, 01 April 2009 - 06:04 AM.

[nomis]

Likewise, I've got Pulse and David Gilmour in Concert. I'm a big fan of Gilmour and have to stop myself buying his London and Poland live dvds. He's pumping them out too fast with different settings for the same material. Still, I might buy that Polish performance.

To Tulsa And Back, I have. There is an earlier live performance of Cale but I haven't been able to get it. He's written great stuff but his studio recordings are all a short 3min or less so it's a relief when he lets loose live. His latest cd again is short songs and styles all over the place. I like the natural follow on from long tracks played by Floyd.

I haven't seen that Dave Stewart dvd so I'll watch out for it. Bluesy jazz is good but I can't take Coltrane when he winds his nuts up and blows off the roof like a screaming baby. The saxophone can be so penetrating it hurts. I'm more ok with Paul Desomond if you know him. Miles Davis is similar, I have to be in the right mood. I like the jazz guitarists but basically I come from the raw Delta and Chicago blues.

A week ago I ordered Leonard Cohen: Live in London. Bloody thing has been held up and I've been berating the suppliers today. Expect to get it tomorrow morning. Cohen recently played in NZ but I couldn't afford to go (air tkts, accommodation, etc, too much) so this dvd of a live show is needed. I love Cohen's stuff and I've heard some audio of the show which sounded good but since I've got all the cds it needs the pictures, too, to be 'new'. Actually, I'm pretty excited about it.

Edited by nomis, 01 April 2009 - 09:54 AM.

[fatdave]

mmm Betty Page and bjork! Miles Davis also! Damn I'm in heaven!

[topperf]

Quote

A week ago I ordered Leonard Cohen: Live in London. Bloody thing has been held up and I've been berating the suppliers today. Expect to get it tomorrow morning. Cohen recently played in NZ but I couldn't afford to go (air tkts, accommodation, etc, too much) so this dvd of a live show is needed. I love Cohen's stuff and I've heard some audio of the show which sounded good but since I've got all the cds it needs the pictures, too, to be 'new'. Actually, I'm pretty excited about it.

Some people I know, went to concerts with him last year, from what they tell me, I think you're in for a treat, Nomis.

[StillFingers]

topperf, on Apr 1 2009, 06:42 AM, said:

Quote

A week ago I ordered Leonard Cohen: Live in London. Bloody thing has been held up and I've been berating the suppliers today. Expect to get it tomorrow morning. Cohen recently played in NZ but I couldn't afford to go (air tkts, accommodation, etc, too much) so this dvd of a live show is needed. I love Cohen's stuff and I've heard some audio of the show which sounded good but since I've got all the cds it needs the pictures, too, to be 'new'. Actually, I'm pretty excited about it.

Some people I know, went to concerts with him last year, from what they tell me, I think you're in for a treat, Nomis.

The Live at Gdansk CD/DVD set is wonderful and is the last live show that one of Pink Floyd's founding members Richard Wright performed before his death. Although many of the tunes can be found in other performances, not unlike the Royal Albert Hall sets, it's still fantastic



Nomis, my musical catalogue has been expanded. I've heard of Mr. Cohen but never listened to his music much, some of the London performance is up on Youtube

Edited by StillFingers, 01 April 2009 - 02:56 PM.

[greybeard]

One of my favourite guitar pieces played by Per-Olov Kindgren:

[greybeard]

......... and if you liked his style, how about this?

[nomis]

I got my Leonard Cohen treat. Actually, I stopped it at the second en core and will go back to it soon. Lovely stuff. Good musicians but the thrill was in Cohen being Cohen.

StillFingers, coming into Cohen fresh might be a handful. For me, at least, it's all about the words and that takes time to digest. Then there is the man and his life which are also in the words. And the music. I began with him about 1970 and as I've grown up I've always found he's pinched my thoughts and put them into words before I can. This dvd is a celebration of the work he has put to music, his thank you and farewell. It's a touching performance for fans like me.

[StillFingers]

nomis, on Apr 2 2009, 03:25 AM, said:

I got my Leonard Cohen treat. Actually, I stopped it at the second en core and will go back to it soon. Lovely stuff. Good musicians but the thrill was in Cohen being Cohen.

StillFingers, coming into Cohen fresh might be a handful. For me, at least, it's all about the words and that takes time to digest. Then there is the man and his life which are also in the words. And the music. I began with him about 1970 and as I've grown up I've always found he's pinched my thoughts and put them into words before I can. This dvd is a celebration of the work he has put to music, his thank you and farewell. It's a touching performance for fans like me.

Nomis, I will definitely be taking things slow. The power of prose is indeed often subtle and requires savoring over time. I'm going to checkout YouTube first then take a look at Mr. Cohen's catalogue, any suggestions as to what might be a good introduction would be appreciated.

Edited by StillFingers, 02 April 2009 - 06:56 PM.