The Real Memphis Mike (don't settle for imitations)

While out doing some last minute Christmas shopping, I came across Tom Jones' CD "Praise & Blame" at Best Buy for $7. I'd downloaded a couple of tracks from it earlier this year and really enjoyed them, so I figured what the heck, I'd get myself a lil Christmas pressie. WOW! That's the best I can give for starters. I've long viewed Mr. Jones as a bit of a joke, albeit a very successful one. I've found most of his music to be tepid, calculated and droll...appealing only to the old women who throw their granny panties at him, and to those who claim to like his music purely for kitsch value. Jones, however, has long had a rebellious streak. His 1st singles were considered 'raunchy' but he soon learned to conform. When his career began to lag, he turned to country music. This never quite clicked for him but in 1987, he recorded the Prince song "Kiss" backed by The Art of Noise. Considered at the time a fluke, this was pretty damned...

OK, so the new CD hasn't even been officially released and we have our 1st review already! LOL It's all about promotion kids! LOL That said, the reviewer, my good buddy Marvin over at Blackcat Rockabilly Europe mentioned at one point that I "put a little distortion on the guitar amp and out comes Little Juliet". Allow me to say this: I do NOT use effects! I've never liked them. I like the sound of a guitar through an amp. Period. Full stop. Nuff said. That said, I used the same amp on every song on this CD. In fact, I don't even think I changed the settings at all during the sessions! I did, however, manage to get a nice array of sounds. "HOW?" you may be asking. Well, I'll tell ya! When I play, I keep my volume & tone controls wide open. If I'm using my 1960 Gibson 175, especially for a rockabilly song like "Starlight Starbright", I'll use both pickups and maybe dial the neck pickup back a hair. If I'm using one of my ...

Here it is, already December! Time for Christmas shopping and the usual silly season stuff. This time of year I always try to think back on what's happened in the past year. 2010 has been an exceptionally WEIRD but WONDERFUL year! It's been 3 years since my heart attack and I'm still kicking! The legal mess continues and while some would be ready to give up, I refuse to. As my beloved Aussies say, "She'll be right mate". I can say that I've been blessed in many ways...some obvious, some not so obvious. This year I got back into my field and damn, I missed it! 2 years away from it seemed like a lifetime! If you're not lucky enough to have a career that you love, stop what you're doing and find one! It makes all the difference in the world! I'm proud to say that I've made a difference in the lives of some very special clients...including one who everyone had pretty much given up on. He & I now share a trust and friendship that I have to ...