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?

My New Blog

American In A Strange Town

A collection of stories, perspective pieces dealing with life as an expat....for the time being, an expat in Managua, Nicaragua.

I'll be dedicating this space to blues reviews, performances, and movie reviews. Let me know if there is something you'd like to see covered. Cheers!

Monday Morning Blues On Tuesday

Well, as you may have gathered, I've been a bit busy lately. I haven't posted a Monday Morning Blues review in quite awhile, dedicating much of my time to my other blog.

Anyway, I offer you a more modern blues album/artist this week, Little Walter.

Best known as Muddy Waters' harmonica player, Marion Walter Jacobs was a blues innovator of the later generations of early bluesmen that made the Chicago sound famous. Although I'm not a huge fan of this sub-genre, I have to give credit where credit is due. Little Walter can flat out play the harmonica. Just have a little listen to arguably his most famous tune, Juke.

Well, if jukin' and jivin' with the mouth harp is your thing, check out Little Walter. You can almost smell the musky air and the see the neon of Chi-town's blues joints. Me.....well, I'll be down the road a piece on ole Highway 61.

Nothing like an animated movie about rats in France, dubbed in Spanish, to make this American happy!

Seriously, what a great movie! Ratatouille warmed my heart. Yesterday, Brodie and I spent the better half of the afternoon perusing the mall, avoiding the house, and preparing for a day at the movies.

After arriving a little over 30 minutes early, we hunkered down with nachos, popcorn, cokes, candy, and hot dogs....you know, all of the prerequisites for a healthy, balanced meal. Originally, we wanted to see Shrek 3, but it wasn't playing anymore. So, we were 'stuck' with this Pixar effort, which I knew little about....other than it was about rats in France....What a premise!

As far as I could tell (since it was in Spanish, and I'm not exactly Roger Ebert in my second language), this was a highly original movie, a sweet story of a peon cook that befriends a rat that happens to be a culinary prodigy. Together, they win the hearts, and, ahem, stomachs, of all of Paris. Actually, it was better for me watch it in Spanish, as it was a closer facsimile to the French subplots.....phonetically speaking, the Spanish renditions of Frenchmen was fascinating. Apparently, we're not the only ones to parody the classic French archtype. Well, enough about that! If you have kids, do them a favor, and take them to see Ratatouille.

It may even change your opinion about the jolly French....or make you have a hankering for frog legs. Au revoir!

Friday Blues

Here are two songs from two of my favorite artists.

Make Me A Pallet on Your Floor by Mississippi John Hurt

Broke Down Engine by Blind Willie McTell

My New Old Guitar....

Well, I traded in the 1940 Hensel Artist for a ladder-braced 1925 Carl Fischer 'Kilauea' Hawaiian guitar. This guitar was made by the Oscar Schmidt company and is practically the same as an old Stella, like the ones used by the bluesmen of yesteryear.

So...here's a quick take on Crow Jane....a tune made popular by Skip James and Brownie McGhee, among others.

A Change Is Gonna Come

Sorry for the absence folks. Looks like there's going to be some changes made around here. A little housecleaning, if you will.....One thing is for certain. The future of Ramblin Round Managua is going to center around two things: Music and Movies.

For all other activities, keep your ears on, as details will be coming forth soon. I hope to write more prolifically than ever before...whether that's a good thing or not, well, you be the judge.

Until then, keep on keepin' on....