My Zepeda OM Martin Copy from Nicaragua

 
 
 
 

More Banjo Chris

Monkey Wrenches.....Government Style!

Looks like I'm going to have to part with some old friends here in Nicaragua. It seems our government has restrictions on shipping for our 'short-term' move to Arlington for language training. Everything under 37' long must be shipped to our 'onward' assignment in Bulgaria.

Hence, no crib, elliptical trainer, bowflex, kitchen table....and most importantly, a day of reckoning for Jamie's guitars...all 4 of 'em. Looks like I have to choose two to take with me. So....in the spirit of being a good father/husband, I have decided against asking my family to make room for 4 guitars in the trunk of the car this summer, in what will be an epic roadtrip around our great nation.

So...goodbye 12-string Takamine FP-400s.....adios antique 1925 Oscar Schmidt Carl Fischer all-Koa wood Hawaiian parlor guitar....hello eBay, hello cold cash and beer money for, what should be, an exciting summer to come. Who would've ever thought it would come to this! I'm keeping two Nicaraguan-made custom guitars, one I haven't even played yet. I guess if I don't get a fair price for the parlor guitar, I can ship it to some friends in Springfield, Virginia for safekeeping. (that's what I prefer really, the backup, failsafe Jamie gets to keep 3 guitar option...hehehe)

Ahh, the life of nomads!

Pay Attention!

So, I'm chatting with my folks today... talking about the upcoming move, current happenings with the kids, etc.... I didn't even realize that Tropical Storm Alma was rearing its ugly head off the Nicaraguan coast. You know, when the rainy season starts here, you don't really notice when the streets begin flooding.

From the trash-clogged sewer drains, washed out roads, to the merely befuddled Nica pedestrians, you would've just thought it a normal day. In all, it just rained....and rained some more. Didn't stop me from going to Masaya and chatting up Sergio Zepeda, the famous Nicaraguan luthier that is responsible for my first, and only classical guitar.




'Number 2'

Taking him up on an earlier offer, I commissioned him to make a replica of a Martin OM-45 guitar. (Here's an example) Let me just say, this was the guitar that Roy Rogers, Woody Guthrie, and seemingly every other songster of yesteryear made famous. You see, I have two great keepsakes from Nicaragua. Of course, there is Ewan!! Without question my favorite Nica of all!! Then, there is my classical guitar. So.....I'm going for 'number 3'..... perhaps 'number 2'.......BUT, never will it be 'number 1'!



'Number 1'

So it went today....I set out for the artisan town of Masaya, despite flooded streets, road disintegration, and a tropical storm slamming the Pacific coast....all for my Nica fake Martin guitar! We'll see how it turns out...the 'due date' is June 15th.

Belated Happy Birthday ..... to me.

I'm not usually one to aggrandize my birthday, especially as the years start rolling by.....but, I just have to pass this on to you, even if it is a couple of days late!

Some of my dearest friends (who happen to be Argentine blues musicians) recorded a birthday song for me, and I'd like to share it with you here.

Avalon Blues - 100th Post

To commemorate my 100th post on my blog, here's a little Mississippi John Hurt....Avalon Blues.......Hope you like it.

Banjo Chris's 'Hunkie Tunkie Blues'

Banjo Chris with another masterful effort. This guy is a true inspiration....and I love the Stella guitar!

Shine On....

Things have been rough lately. I started a new job, had to fire our gardener...the point is....I've been busy. And, based on my last post, bad news abounds in my country. So....here's a nice little surprise. I never knew this guy even existed.

Ladies and Gentlemen.....Leon Redbone....

Monday Morning Blues Is Back

A little Son House and Blind Lemon Jefferson to get the blood flowing this week.....
First off, 'Preachin' Blues' by a very talented Son House 'disciple'......Enjoy!

And not to be outdone, Blind Lemon's classic 'Pneumonia Blues' by the 'Greek bluesman', George, who's an absolutely splendid understudy of the great Lemon....Note: George claims it is 'horrible', but he is just being overly self-critical. It's good, really good. Keep on posting videos!

Argentina Blues

Wonderful Tampa Red song done by my good friends........a true Blues inspiration!

Friday Morning Bob

A superb cover of Dylan's tale of despair and death on the South Dakota plains.

Nicaraguan Blues

This is a friend of mine.....Well, not exactly....but this guy is obviously thirsty for some Flor de Caña

Who Says White Folks Don't Have The Blues?

Broke Down Engine......2007 Style

Another Banjo Chris classic....I wish I could play the ole 12 string like this guy!

Picking the Guitar

Well, it's funny.....every once in awhile, I run into other musicians here in Managua. I guess I can call myself a 'musician'. I mean, I play guitar.
Guy that plays guitar= musician, right?!

At any rate, for those of you that know me, I haven't been at it very long, couple of years, maybe 3. So, when some guy comes along....you know, a semi-professional musician, and we get to talking....he finds out I 'play guitar'. Next thing you know, I'm going to jam with him....perhaps before he does a show in a little dive bar here.

I keep telling the guy, 'Hey! I don't play Country music, I play Country Blues music. That means no George Strait. I'm talking Mississippi John Hurt.....' Then he goes, 'What?! Who's he?!'.....and so it goes. I'm a burgeoning guitarist, playing a style no one has heard of....in a country with no music scene.

You know, some might say the climate is just right for the Blues......Where's my guitar?

YouTube Favorites on Guitar

Another Brick in the Wall by Naudo. This guy makes me want to go out and trade in all my guitars for that classical guitar he has....In fact, I have to go practice right this very minute.


Cincinnati Flow Rag #2 by Gustavo. Plays Fingerpicking Blues all the way from Spain, with a sweet sounding Martin and Blueridge....among countless others in his collection. Gustavo's keeping the tradition alive...and he's a fellow Piedmont Blues enthusiast!


Baby It Must Be Love by Guitar Dan. You know, this guy has the balls to sing Blind Willie McTell, while playing very good facsimiles....Very nice. I love his tuned down Stella 12-string.


Beans by BanjoChris. You should see him play the banjo! Chris's vocal delivery is au-thentic. He is juke-joint worthy, a serious student of the Blues. I wish he'd post more often.

I implore you to check out these guys' playing the guitar. You'll be glad you did.

Bet On Stewball?

Well, this isn't a review for The Lives of Others....That is still in the works. This, however, is fascinating and demands immediate attention....I'm glad to see Anglo-American folk music is alive and well, even in the strangest of places. Enjoy!

Stagger Lee.....He Was a Bad Man!

Monday Morning Blues on a Wednesday

Two more weeks before our newest addition to the family...Prospective parenthood, work, and other obligations have limited my blogness.

Folks, I can't get enough Blues. This week, after a long hiatus, I want to introduce you to a lesser known legend of yesteryear, Cryin' Sam Collins. Collins, one of the first recorded slide players, hailed from Louisiana in 1887, performing mostly right across the border in McComb, Mississippi in the early 1920s, recording some sides for Gennett Records later on.

A lesser known 'Delta' player, Crying Sam is similar in voice to Tommy Johnson, yet he doesn't have the same haunting quality, or feel, in the vocal delivery. Indeed, he is a cross between Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson....Delta-Lite, if you will. His most famous side was perhaps, Jailhouse Blues, a well-sung, well-played classic blues. However, this early Delta bluesman actually recorded Midnight Special Blues before Leadbelly. Although I prefer Mr. Ledbetter's, it's interesting to hear an early variation of the song. Not unlike Leadbelly, Collins dabbles in different sub-styles within the blues, playing a variation of the oft-recorded Shake That Thing, here it's Do That Thing, a dance piece that makes you smell the pine wood and corn liquor on a Saturday night.

In all, I'd recommend Collins for a change of pace from the usual suspects....the oft-mentioned greats, such as Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Skip James, Furry Lewis, and company. Check out Jailhouse Blues on the Yazoo Record reissue for a great collection of his material

To Go Electric Or Not Go Electric?

That is the question. I've been eyeing some electric guitars lately, namely Fender Nashville Telecasters. I can't decide if I should go down this road or not.....

Part of me sees it as an unethical step away from the blues....from the true spirit of the music I'm trying to improve upon. Amplification and wah-wahs are anathema to what I'm trying to accomplish as a burgeoning country blues guitarist. What would Leadbelly and John Hurt think? How about Woody, not to mention Pete Seeger, given his less than savory reaction to Dylan's infamous Newport performance.

Well, let's just step back a minute here, and allow me preface this personal 'crossroads', if you will.... I have no clue how to play an electric guitar. Granted, the chords and the frets are the same, even easier on the fingers, than a standard acoustic model. The thing is, the concept is different. Being a southpaw, I've always had a difficult time using a plectrum. Held in my right hand, they always seem awkward, and I've never been adept at strumming per se. Moreover, I have no clue about scales, soloing, etc.....

Yet, not unlike Dylan circa 1965, I'm drawn to the instrument like a bug to a light. Listening to 'Eat A Peach' will do that to a guy. Neil Young has a similar effect. So, should I just suck it up and go for it, or should I just stick with the roots music, as I realize that the acoustic sound will always be my primary passion.

Or, should I buy a banjo?