things.

I love stuff like this. It's like performance art!

C.

I continue to be amazed at musicians' ability to not only play music well, but to perform in totally unexpected ways.

Brilliant British humor.

C.

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Smells Like Teen Spirit

You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore

Wuthering Heights(?)

Satellite of Love

You know, I really appreciate watching & listening to excellent musicians. In the last couple of years, I've found myself really enjoying blues guitarists. My brother, Riel, sent me a link to a Naudo video -- I've not heard or seen him before, but he's one of the best guitarists I've ever seen. He's definitely on par with Tommy Emmanuel and those of that ilk. While he's not only a blues guitarist, as he plays all sorts of styles from what I can tell, he's amazing.

Watching these almost makes me want to burn my guitar as his skills seem unreachable. But I enjoy them nonetheless.

Enjoy!

C.

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Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers

Beethoven's 5th symphony on guitar...wow!

Mission Impossible

Police, Every Breath You Take

Clapton's Tears In Heaven -- notice the Jingle Bells bit around 2:16 -- crazy!

An amazing version of "Stand By Me"

Clapton's Layla -- sounds as good, but just different that Clapton's version.

I'm in a guitar-mood right now. Here's a sketch I've been playing for years, but never really bothered to record or write down. So, it was easy (one take) & fun to record it finally.

More Audacity-fruit.

Jam.mp3

C.

I've had a Kyser Klassics Lifeguard soundhole humidifier for years and have used it to take care of my Martin D-15 Mahogany Top Dreadnought guitar. All along, I've never really liked "loading" the humidifer. The instructions say to soak it in a small basin of water, make sure you squeeze out the excess and thoroughly dry the outside of the humidifier. The instructions repeatedly warned of the damage that could occur to your guitar if any excess water comes direct contact with the wood of your guitar.

This morning, I had a small "Aha!" thought on how to load it more easily and safely. All you need to do is use a standard, run-of-the-mill drinking straw and a glass of water. If you have one of these humidifiers, this information alone is probably enough for you to figure out how to do it. For the rest of us, here are some pictures.

First, gather the humidifier, a straw (bendy or straight ) and a glass of water. The glass I used had ice in it not by design, but because it was just what was on the counter when the idea occured to me.

Next, dip the straw about an inch into the glass and use your finger to block the other end of the straw thereby trapping the water in the straw. Obviously, the deeper you dip the straw, the more water it will hold. When I do this again, I'll probably dip it as far as it can go to hold as much water as possible.

Lastly, fit the watered-end of the straw into one of the holes in the humidifier top and then release your finger. The water will transfer to the sponge somewhat slowly, but effectively and with no mess.

Repeat as often as you have humidifier holes and/or as much as you think the sponge can hold before becoming dripping wet and... you're done. And you didn't even have to worry about drying the nooks and crannies on the outside of the humidifier...huzzah!

C.

This song from Les Miserables is my favorite from that entire production. Once, Jodi and I were fortunate enough to obtain amazing seats (something like 4th row off center) in Chicago. I distinctly remember tearing up at this song. There's just something about the scenario of a father (which I am) praying (which I do) for the husband of a daughter (which I've been doing since before our girls were born...even though right now my daughters are FAR, FAR, FAR...FAR away from the age of courtship).

I appreciate and resonate with the simplicity and humility of the prayer song. An honest request to God for healing and blessing from one generation to another.

Okay, I'm like on blogging-fire today or something...or I have insomnia. Could be either. Could be both.

I checked out this teaching video. I kind of liked this song as it was played on the radio. I think I thought it was another "Jesus is my boyfriend"-types of songs -- you know, the kind where you can't really tell if it's a song about/to Jesus or if it's a song about someone you're dating. There is a difference between those two types of relationships and there should be a difference between how the two are written/sung about. Why? Because it's God, the Creator, Sustainer & Orchestrator of the Universe, not just some boyfriend.

However, after I've actually seen/spent some time pondering the lyrics, heard what was behind the song and heard how it sounds acoustically...I like it a lot more! There are some really good themes buried in "pop" worship song. If I had heard it acoustically first, I think I would have paid more attention to the lyrics/theme of the song.

Aaaanyway, here's the chord chart to the song. Enjoy & praise!

C.

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Song of Love - Capo 4
[G]Jesus, King of my heart
[D][Em]Father, my peace and my light
[D][C]Spirit, the [D]joy of my soul you [G]are

[G]Jesus, to You none compare
[D][Em]Father, I rest in Your care
[D][C]Spirit, the [D]hope of my heart You [G]are

Chorus
[D11]The heavens [C11]declare You are [G]God
[D11]And the mountains re-[C11]joice[G]
[D11]The oceans cry [C11]allelu-[G]jah
As we [A]wor-[G/B]ship You [C]Lord
[NO CHORD]For this is our song of [G]love

Jesus, You saved my soul
I’ll thank You for evermore
Jesus, the love of my life You are

(Back to chorus)

Bridge
[Em]Jesus, [D]I am in awe
Of the [C]love that [G]You have shown
[Em]Jesus, how [D]precious You are to [C]me, to me

(Back to chorus)

-- D11 & C11 are the G-shape 320033 (relative to the capo) but up on
the (absolute) 14th & 12th frets respectively.
-- Also, the A is played as 002033 (relative to the capo)

I just found this video stream of Viola Grafstrom teaching how she plays her song From The Rising of The Sun. I've not heard of the song before, but it sounds beautiful and totally God-centered. It's prayer song that strikes me as being good for the heart of a worshipper.

Check it out: http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/emicmg/newsongcafe/video/wma/300/0317.wvx

Unfortunately, in the 5 minutes that I searched, I wasn't able to find a chord chart or lyrics for this song. I'll track it down later and update this entry.

C.

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Update: here's the song's chord chart in ChordPro format:

From The Rising of The Sun - Capo 2

Intro: [D][Cadd9][D/F#][G][D][Cadd9][D/F#][G]
[D]From the rising of the Sun
[Cadd9]even [D/F#]to its [G]going down
Shall your [A7sus]name be [A7]great
[D]Through all the Earth
[Cadd9]among the [D/F#]nations we [G]give you praise
Your [Bm]name is [A7sus]high [G]above all [A7sus]other[A7]
[D]gods[Cadd9][D/F#][G][D][Cadd9][D/F#][G]

[D]Jesus, [D/F#]lover of my [G]soul
[Gmaj9]You alone my [Em7]King worthy of my [A7sus]praise[A7]
My [D]worship [D/F#]I give to only [G]one
[Gmaj9]Oh Lord my heart I [Em7]bring when to [C2]you [G/B]I [A7sus]come[A7]

What a cool performance! This talented Brit basically samples herself doing background vocals & percussion while singing over the layers. Brilliantly done and it sounds very cool.