Haunting Video: "Hobo Blues' - John Lee Hooker

For this week, I chose this dark and moody piece by blues master John Lee Hooker. Done the only way Hooker liked it; solo.

This song was recorded live among dozens of songs by the blues legends of the time (Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, etc) in 1965 and was released as "The American Folk Blues Festival".

This song just gives you that lonesome feeling and the guitar playing is impeccable.

Have a good weekend!

The "Lebanon Blues" Advertisement

Before you all get thinking this is about blues music, no, it's actually a TV ad promoting Lebanon by the Ministry of Tourism, with ImpactBBDO producing:



As a Lebanese, this ad is a pretty cool concept, but I think if they showed the dude checking his pockets to see if he has any money left from his trip, then he would REALLY know what the blues is.

Remembering Miles Davis after 20 Years of his Passing

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of late great jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, who died on the 28th of September, 1991.

There's a great article at Jazzwise that briefly discusses some of Mile's (and there have been many) exploits.

From the article:

"It was 20 years ago today that Miles Davis died, a momentous day that made news around the world, and one that saw the passing of one of the greatest figures in 20th century music, a man whose album Kind of Blue is without a shadow of a doubt the greatest jazz album ever made, and one whose career saw groundbreaking changes in style and idiom that influenced both his own musical development and that of his bands, jazz in all his forms, and music in general."

A big salute to Miles, and here's a joke that sheds light on just how big Miles was:

A Jazz musician dies and goes to heaven. Once in heaven, he is invited by St. Peter to the monthly heaven Jam session with other Jazz Musicians.

Once he attends he notices that the players include Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Frank Sinatra, George Shearing, 'Trane, Bing and many more. They start the session of with a amazing take on Oleo, and continue on with Giant Steps, Donna Lee, Body & Soul and finish with East St. Louis Toodle-oo. The musican is very happy, but then spots a black trumpet player in the corner on his own.

"Who's that?" Asks the Musician to St. Peter.

"Oh never mind him" Replies St. Peter, "It's just God, he thinks he's Miles Davis."

My new Office PC!

Goddamn it's finally good to get a new PC for work. 

Got this sweet Dell tower:

Looks kinda like a server!

Fooling around with new Dynamic Views

Just testing... don't be alarmed.

Actually it's pretty cool...

Will make up my mind later. EDIT: Nope... back to old design.

Upcoming Gig: 06/10/11 - Mojolaters Blues Band

Just to let everyone up to speed, the Mojolaters Blues Band will be performing on the 6th of October at the Rotana Manshar Hotel - Fahaheel.

It will be a more rockin' show this time (of course the blues will still be the main influence).

Check out the flyer for the show (click for large image), where I look very excited obviously. Call for reservations at 23931000.

Reading while Driving

Here's a major reason why there are many accidents and deaths on the streets of Kuwait:

Sorry for the quality but I didn't want to be seen as some perverted stalker.

So stop asking yourself why this happens and accept the fact; some people don't care about their lives or the lives of others.

Unless of course there's like a really interesting article in that magazine...

Fake or not? "Islamic Whiskey"

My dad (always the joker) sent me this forward; I've never heard of this lady (Salwa Muteiri). Apparently she's into all that natural herbal mumbo jumbo; and she "created" an Islamic Whiskey (natural drink made from herbs that gives a "euphoric" effect.)

There's more crap to read but I was on the floor laughing so honestly I didn't read the whole thing. I saw something about a cigarette too in there.

Think you can play like the 'Trane?

Here's an animated songsheet for John Coltrane's classic, and one of the most difficult jazz standards ever, "Giant Steps". It is considered to be one of the most challenging songs to improvise over due to the complicated nature of the chord changes.

Enjoy and have a good weekend!

Solo starts at 00:35.

Exclusive: Sex Education Bus in Kuwait Coming Soon Near You!

Or could it be the local Bang Bus (only a few will understand that reference... hats off to you, you bastards :P )

So my good buddy Jihad (AKA Mojojojo) took this pic, which is what we call in the internet world an EPIC WIN.

Feast your eyes on this ladies and gents... and heads WILL roll.