New Music Store Opening in Kuwait?

My friend Omar K. has sent me this photo; a new music store apparently called "Music Square" will be opening at the Avenues Phase 3.

Could it possibly be music instruments? Or only audio? Time will tell, and if you have any news of this please let us know!

'Prisoner of the Blues' - Sons of Blues

Here's a great slow and mellow tune by Chicago blues vocalist and harpist Billy Branch and his band the Sons of Blues, which is great for the upcoming three day weekend.

Have a great long holiday!

My Review of Chris Byar's Jazz Quartet is Up on Kuwait Music!

Fear the beard.

As I mentioned yesterday, my review of the Chris Byars Jazz Quartet concert is now up on Kuwait Music.

It was a great night for Kuwait and Jazz.

 Check it out [here].

Tonight: The Chris Byars Jazz Quartet Live

I'll be going (and reviewing) tonight's concert featuring the Chris Byars Jazz Quartet at the Kuwait Museum.

You might remember I reviewed the show of 2011 on Kuwait Music (see it here), which featured Chris Byars and Ari Roland and I got to meet and talk with them.

Today, they return alongside Zaid Nasser on sax and Keith Balla on drums.

The show starts at 8pm. See the great information done by Kuwait Music [here] , and their interview with the band [here].

The 25 Most Valuable Basses

[via http://www.vintageguitar.com]

Check out [this] article over on Vintage Guitar! They put up a list of the most valuable bass guitars, including pics and descriptions.

Fender took 3 out of the top 5 plus the #1 for a 1960-62 Fender Jazz Bass.

Check out that link above for the full list!

Buddy Guy Performs 'Damn Right, I've Got the Blues' on Letterman

Legendary blues great Buddy Guy is still going strong with the blues, and is one of the surviving pillars of the genre.

He just performed his classic song from the same titled Grammy winning album 'Damn Right, I've Got the Blues' on the 16th of January on the David Letterman show.

It sounds just as fresh from 22 years ago!

Have You Ever Been Mistreated?

... then you know just what I'm talkin' about.

This blues standard, called "Five Long Years" written and performed by Eddie Boyd, went to number one in the Billboard R&B charts in 1952. This song was covered by dozens of artists, such as Freddie King and Eric Clapton.

It describes the normal working man, coming home to his woman, who as most women do, had the nerve to throw him out, despite his hard efforts to please her.

Here's the live version performed by Boyd himself in 1965:

'It's Been a Long Time Baby' - William Clarke

This is a sweet tune by blues harpist and vocalist William Clarke; he had his breakthrough in the early 90's but sadly died in 1996 from heart failure.

It's pretty long at almost 7 minutes, but this blues is best heard all the way through.

Fender's New American Vintage Basses

It's been pretty hush hush for a while, but Fender finally announced their new updated American Vintage bass product line.

Since the early 80's Fender had the same vintage series ('57 & '62 for the Precision Bass, and '62 & '75 for the Jazz Bass); this is the first time they revamp the line, with new vintage years; '58 & '63 for the Precision Bass, and '64 & '74 for the Jazz Bass. They feature period correct details, hardware, finish, and pickups. There are some vintage custom color options, such as Faded Sonic Blue on the 63 P-Bass and Lake Placid Blue on the 64 J-Bass (with matching headstock!!)

I'm loving them! Need to get a '63 P-Bass in Olympic White now!!! Below are all the series with all the color options. Go to Fender's American Vintage site for videos and detailed specs. Which one would you choose?

 1958 Precision Bass

1963 Precision Bass

1964 Jazz Bass

1974 JazzBass

48 Years Ago: Bob Dylan Records 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'

In what became Bob Dylan's never ending nightmare, he finally picked up the electric guitar and moved to a more blues and rock based electric sound. This did not bode well with his fans who consider him an acoustic folk hero.

 But he never turned back, and kept on going. This track, Subterranean Homesick Blues, was recorded on this day in 1965 for the album 'Bringing it all Back Home'.  It features surreal lyrics, a 'talking blues' flow and awesome 60's electric sound.

Also noting that the video clip was very innovative for it's time. Here it is below!