Category Archives: Posts with Video
This Historic Day In Music: “Guitar Blues”/”Guitar Rag” – Take 2
On November 2, 1923, Blues guitarist Sylvester Weaver sat in front of the large horn/”microphone” of the acoustic recording machine in the New York City studios of OKeh Records. He played and recorded two original instrumental guitar pieces that day: “Guitar Blues” and “Guitar Rag.” The resulting … Continue reading
The Ballad of “Eight Days A Week”
(Ballad: “A poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas, or verses.”) Verse 1 Most likely it was in late September or on a day in very early October, 1964. Paul McCartney excitedly arrived at John Lennon’s house with … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: “Deep Minor Rhythm Stomp,” “Midnight Call Blues,” “Hot Fingers” & “Blue Room Blues”
On October 9, 1929, Blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson… …and Jazz guitarist Eddie Lang… …got together again in the New York City recording studios of OKeh Records to record what would prove to be the final four of their groundbreaking and … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: Bruce Springsteen
Today is Bruce Springsteen’s 69th birthday. He was born on September 23, 1949, in Freehold, New Jersey; the first child and only son of Douglas and Adele (Zirilli) Springsteen. In commemorating this day, I extend to Bruce my best wishes … Continue reading
Rewriting The Record For The Electric Guitar Again
One sentence. “On September 23-25, 1935, Leon McAuliffe, a brilliant player from Tulsa, Oklahoma, whose phrasing could have well influenced Charlie Christian, featured both electric steel and electrically amplified Spanish guitar on the first recordings of Bob Wills’s Texas Playboys.” … Continue reading
Sparklers: “Autumn Leaves” by Kenny Burrell
This is a new category here at sixstr stories. It will feature recordings of outstanding performances by noteworthy guitarists – or outstanding guitarists giving noteworthy performances – for your listening pleasure. It was inspired by whatever god oversees the shuffle … Continue reading
Rewriting The Record For The Electric Guitar
The book was called: Discography Of Western Swing And Hot String Bands, 1928-1942 by Cary Ginell and Kevin Coffey. It had been published in 2001. I found it one afternoon a few months ago in the Performing Arts Reading Room, … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: Sara Carter
Sara Carter was born Sara Elizabeth Dougherty on this day, July 21, in 1898, just north of Copper Creek, Wise County, Virginia. She was one of five children born to William Sevier and Nancy Elizabeth (Kilgore) Dougherty. One day when … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: “Bull Frog Moan”
Lonnie Johnson and Eddie Lang needed another side. How so? Well… In 1929, the standard format for the commercial release of recordings was a flat disc made of shellac resin and measuring 10 inches in diameter. The 78 RPM playback … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: “A Handful Of Riffs” & “Blue Guitars”
On Wednesday, May 8, 1929, Blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson and Jazz guitarist Eddie Lang returned to the OKeh Records studio at 11 Union Square in New York City. Having cut “Guitar Blues” – their third duet – the day before … Continue reading
