tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7843809919986593092012-01-24T09:42:04.263-08:00Web-blog of freelance musician/guitarist David "Skinny Devil" McLean - news about his guitar instruction, instructor network, students, solo projects, acoustic duo ALIEN BLUE, percussion ensemble SKINNY DEVIL CIRCUS, and much, much more!Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-51776561791134310152012-01-24T07:51:00.000-08:002012-01-24T07:51:18.413-08:00

A Word About Ron Paul Let me start by saying I simply LOVE when people are politically engaged. I don't care if they agree with my personal politics or not - just so long as they are passionate, informed, and active. Now...to the point: This note isn't about which candidate I directly support. Neither is it to sway readers into my way of thinking or to tell them who to support. Rather, this

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-7283833966630419502012-01-17T08:54:00.000-08:002012-01-17T09:33:47.660-08:00

Yes, I know I'm late. Crazy times here at Skinny Devil Music Lab. But....better late than never! Here we are...January of 2011! Time for another challenge. For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-57604584279947219512011-12-19T05:55:00.000-08:002011-12-19T06:06:04.026-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!!! I usually do the annual wrap-up about this time, but so much is happening I think I'll wait until January to sum up 2011.But today....today I'll make a few announcements I've been promising. From a Christmas/Holiday present to web-related up-dates and more. 1) Locations: Private lessons still at Hurst Music (corner of Mt. Tabor & Richmond Rd),

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-37954904080844202062011-11-02T06:52:00.000-07:002011-11-02T07:02:50.932-07:00

Here we are...NOVEMBER of 2011! Time for another challenge....which, as an aside, I'm now linking in more venues than just FB (feel free to share this link elsewhere if you'd like). For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example,

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-20583950446265327732011-10-21T08:25:00.000-07:002011-10-21T08:25:20.421-07:00

Quick note....recital videos, new recital, new session, scholarships: 1) Guitar Lessons:      a) Groups Classes - the new session begins NEXT WEEK at both Beaumont and the CoC. GTR-1, GTR-2, GTR-3, GTR-4, and Youth-GTR!      b) Private Lessons - I may have a few early slots opening up. I'll keep you posted, but best to contact me now about possible openings. 2) Scholarships - Scholarships

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-18392467703186195112011-10-13T07:23:00.000-07:002011-10-13T08:10:40.275-07:00

Guitar Student NewsletterOctober 2011 Howdy! Coming up FAST on the holidays...the next recital...a new sessions...new lesson schedules.... ***Please note - we are in a new month, so please make sure your monthly fees are paid at your next lesson (my IRS account thanx you and my mortgage holder thanx you - hahaha!).*** 1) RECITAL: The SDML Student Guitar Recital will be Sunday,

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-31273419170554555692011-10-03T08:37:00.000-07:002011-10-03T08:37:19.470-07:00

Here we are...OCTOBER of 2011! Time for another challenge....which, as an aside, I'm now linking in more venues than just FB (feel free to share this link elsewhere if you'd like). For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-54519438097853688702011-09-30T05:48:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:01:12.569-07:00

Just sharing this before ALIEN BLUE hits the studio this weekend......ENJOY!!!

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-14157281739891527642011-09-11T08:08:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:03:42.467-07:00

Sooo...10 minutes a day is all Pat allows. It's an exercise, he says, to learn to dive fast and, ultimately, deep. Supposed to be "sense-driven", too. But I've been reading too much Amy Hempel, I should think. We'll see if it flies. I think I like Pat, though it's hard to say. Too early to tell...only 12 pages in or so. But I like what I hear about him, and I like those 12 pages. A lot. I like

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-32399429431847835572011-09-02T08:51:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:03:17.558-07:00

WOW!!! 2011 has been a roller coaster so far...and no signs of slowing down! Let's jump right in with the up-dates...but first, here is the original post: http://skinnydevilmusic.blogspot.com/2011/02/sdml-creative-biz-goals-for-2011.html 1) Skinny Devil TV - still in a holding pattern. Full disclosure: I've spoken to the likes of Jennifer Batten, Greg Howe, Rory Block, Dave Martone, Kelly

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-59256880087020150442011-09-01T07:37:00.000-07:002011-09-30T08:56:50.630-07:00

Me & Jason, Sneak Attack Studio, summer 2011. Here we are...SEPTEMBER of 2011! Time for another challenge.... For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-68752435904599498192011-08-04T06:44:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.281-07:00

Here we are...AUGUST of 2011! Time for another challenge....For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-88141116518999397062011-08-02T06:40:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:04:11.912-07:00

Life has been fast & crazy..... In an attempt to impose some order on the chaos of the Skinny Devil Universe, I shall attempt to categorize and hit some of the high points of the last few weeks....live gigs, students, teaching, raw food friends, Zakk's BLS, & more!1) TV/radio - I was honored to get the call from my friend Michale Johnathon (see MJ's official fan page) last month to play guitar

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-24612897882423088922011-07-01T09:44:00.000-07:002011-10-24T08:31:29.287-07:00

Here we are...JULY of 2011! Time for another challenge.... For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-76525422103805587702011-06-03T08:03:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:03:17.559-07:00

I posted my plans & goals for 2011 at the beginning of the year so I (and others) could learn from both my successes and my failures. This post is to do an up-date...and to invite others along for the ride! You need a CD produced, engineered, or mastered? You need a guitarist for a studio or live gig? You wanna partner for one of the biz opportunities (recording studio, SD-TV, etc?)? You want a

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-48984173724992713602011-05-02T07:56:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.282-07:00

Here we are...MAY of 2011! Time for another challenge....For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize your goals:

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-29455612260172883262011-04-01T05:48:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.283-07:00

Here we are...APRIL of 2011! Time for another challenge....For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize your goals: 1)

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-90377301522098889672011-03-25T06:14:00.001-07:002011-09-30T09:04:11.913-07:00

Heard this was a great idea, so here it is:GUITAR - lessons, performance, recording, more!

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-88001290654853660852011-03-01T08:32:00.000-08:002011-09-30T09:02:04.283-07:00

Here we are...March of 2011! Time for another challenge....For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize your goals: 1)

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-54259168882820693932011-02-25T07:14:00.000-08:002011-09-30T09:03:17.559-07:00

For educational purposes (mine & anyone in the arts who is or wishes to be self-employed), I decide to put all my cards on the table...my professional & artistic goals for 2011. The qualitative I don't list (things like "improving as a guitar instructor"), but the quantitative goals are put here in advance to provide a way to assess accomplishments & trajectories by year's end.I should

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-44378234909151776742011-02-01T10:24:00.000-08:002011-09-30T09:02:04.283-07:00

It's time!!!For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize your goals: 1) Exercise - Set a specific plan or goal(s). Keep us

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-45201574726494025102011-01-03T05:46:00.001-08:002011-09-30T09:02:04.284-07:00

2010 behind us & 2011 is here. Everyone is making New Years Resolutions and getting a fresh start. I'll do you one better: Make your resolutions do-able by chopping them into 12 month-long blocks...which is to say, come join us for our monthly Lifestyle Challenges!For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-47214839303983856972010-12-06T07:32:00.000-08:002011-09-30T09:02:04.284-07:00

December is here....only a few weeks left in 2010!!!December...12 month of the year (Gregorian - 10th of the old Roman calendar), Victory Day, the Winter Solstice, first day of winter, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, Christmas, New Years Eve....and it's time for our final Lifestyle Challenge for 2010.For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-54999399176923872972010-11-01T06:19:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.284-07:00

That's right, kids - only 2 months left in 2010. Time to open up the throttle!David here, and it's November already! Halloween is behind us, we're officially in the "holiday season"....and it's time for the November Lifestyle Challenge!! For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-82087283151223663922010-10-11T05:53:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.285-07:00

HOWDY!David here, and it's October already! Where has the year gone? Leaves are changing colors, the Atumnal Equinox behind us and only the Winter Solstice to go, Halloween sneaking up on us fast....It's time for the October Lifestyle Challenge!!For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company &

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-11567715053728600972010-08-31T05:09:00.001-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.285-07:00

Fall is here!!! Not officially, of course (that comes later this month), but the leaves are falling and school is back in session. It's time for the September Lifestyle Challenge! For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused.

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-66906320739845619512010-08-12T06:28:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.285-07:00

Yes, it's been a crazy summer...many serious ups and many serious downs on this roller-coaster. Along the way, I fumbled on several things, including the monthly Lifestyle Challenges. For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-83877084867818379042010-06-14T05:13:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:04:11.913-07:00

I don't have an "official" comment - I'm still trying to wrap my head around all that has happened. But this piece by Michael Johnathon is beautifully written and says, I think, all that needs to be said for right now.http://woodsongs.blogspot.com/2010/06/lost-little-girl.html

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-37001513567297366192010-06-02T06:10:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.286-07:00

Due to some e-mails I received....Something a bit different for this month's challenge.Pick & choose, or make up your own!1) Exercise - set a specific plan or goal(s). Keep us posted weekly (or more) on your progress!2) Creativity - Music, art, writing, acting...set a goal to complete by month's end. Keep us posted!3) Read a book - Old, new, or something in between. Start now, finish by month's

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-27185009497694392402010-05-17T07:38:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:46:46.496-07:00

Yeah...the new Alien Blue material is coming together wickedly (hahaha!!!) and we're throwing it out there this weekend at the Common Grounds gig (with opening act Tubanjo from Cincinnati, OH) this Friday night. We were hoping to record the new CD in Atlanta at Mike Froedge's Open Sky Studio, but logistics might fail. If so, we're chatting with a few top-flight facilities in Lexington. Either

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-73602022900548081312010-05-01T06:15:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.286-07:00

For those new to the "Lifestyle Challenges", well, it's all about self-analysis & improvement. Pushing yourself just a little or a lot. I list some of my goals, then ask about yours, which you can post to share with everyone. Lotsa mutual support here!Sooo....It's time for the May Lifestyle Challenge!!!What are YOUR personal or professional goals? Writing songs? Reading a book? Changing your diet

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-25864193518149656952010-04-05T07:06:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:02:04.287-07:00

Soooo...here we are at the top of another month - April - and the beginning of Spring....which means 25% of 2010 is gone, gone, gone.Are YOU feeling "actualized" yet?What are YOUR personal or professional goals? Writing songs? Reading a book? Changing your diet? Exercise? De-cluttering your life? Re-committing to a project or loved one?I read about Rush drummer Neil Peart years ago when he

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-29772200746748312762010-03-31T08:04:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:08.420-07:00

It started at Facebook. The original post:Class - Today's POLITICAL LESSON: With all the fighting going on about health-care and such, today you must argue CONVINCINGLY for the OTHER side. If you can't do that, then you not only don't understand any other option but the one you support, but cannot see & address the problems with the plan you support. Sooo...who is up for the challenge?Ignoring

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-91045165364823531552010-03-02T05:11:00.000-08:002011-10-04T09:47:31.836-07:00

For Facebook users, I'm rotating the tags (and using both my personal profile and the ALIEN BLUE page to tag), so don't feel left out if you weren't tagged...and don't be confused if you were tagged and haven't heard of our Lifestyle Challenges before. Same for MySpace & Tribe users.For those unaware, it's all about self-analysis & improvement. Pushing yourself just a little or a lot. I list some

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-27963628174696412092010-02-24T07:37:00.001-08:002011-10-04T09:47:31.836-07:00

I'm asked a bit about my work-outs, so I thought I'd post something here. I've answered queries at Facebook and at SkinnyDevil.Com (on the "about" page), but I thought I'd post here as well.Soooo....today's work-out (for a typical sampling) was body-weight callistenics & cardio, broken into sets with totals below:Push-ups: 100Dips: 100Sit-ups: 400Reverse Sits: 100Bridges: 100Calf Raises:

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-50565848576079353922010-02-02T06:49:00.001-08:002011-10-04T09:47:31.837-07:00

It's time for the February Lifestyle Challenge!!!What are your personal or professional goals? Writing songs? Finishing that book? Changing your diet? Exercise?? De-cluttering your life? Re-committing to a project or loved one?My personal goals are more intense & productive workouts...Biz goals are to either secure a booking agent or a promotional assistant who can handle some of the stuff that

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-26893038917394577082010-01-07T10:15:00.000-08:002011-10-04T09:47:31.837-07:00

Let's kick off 2010 right...with a brand new personal challenge.What are YOUR personal challenges? Setting goals for music? Diet? Exercise? Gotta get to that project that you keep putting off or that book you always wanted to read?Join us!My personal challenges:Music. - writing new material for ALIEN BLUE! Guitar - Working on those arpeggios, cleaning up the scales (time to nail down 150), and

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-17782253898964469572009-12-29T06:33:00.000-08:002011-10-04T09:47:57.481-07:00

I have promised several people I will write a piece abut health-care. Full disclosure in advance: I do not like the democrat proposals I've heard and I do not like the republican proposals any better. I even thought John Mackey was too mellow.That said, this is not such a piece. This brief blog is an excerpt from a recent conversation. The comment was:"The only thing I kept hearing during all

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-91029219906140738322009-12-01T10:07:00.000-08:002011-10-04T09:47:31.838-07:00

"He conquers who endures." (Persius)Well, it's safe to say the ribs are back to near-100%, I'm happy to say. It sucked to cancel the gigs for October & most of November while I was recovering, but my workouts are back to "brutal" status and the ALIEN BLUE gig on November 28 firmly established that any remaining artifacts of the injury are small enough as to not effect anything measurably.Now I'm

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-29295937450154841972009-11-12T08:26:00.000-08:002011-10-04T09:48:39.613-07:00

Track #9 from "Virtual Light", the new CD from ALIEN BLUE, is "Lady's Got the Blues" (4:14).The song is a classic minor key blues in Am (which we'll discuss below) using a "straight" rhythm, features a gorgeous vocal by Blue, smooth vocal harmonies, and a cool opening lick where I double the guitar with a unison "scat" vocal (shades of things to come...) as a nod to the incredible George

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-19829721927566880682009-11-06T08:13:00.000-08:002011-10-04T09:47:31.838-07:00

"Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always." (Dante)Well, with the rib injury, I had to drastically alter not only my workouts, but my performance schedule, guitar practice schedule, and much more. This definitely had a negative impact on my October goals. I hope everyone else fared better, but I'm not complaining....and I am happy to report I hit the mark on some of my October guitar

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-78338008525228626182009-11-03T07:08:00.000-08:002011-10-04T09:48:39.613-07:00

"Skinny Devil Shuffle" clocks in at 2:37, but this isn't a true representation of the song length. It's actually much shorter - just a little jam over a 12-bar blues shuffle. But this one was so much fun (you hear us laughing and such) that we left the mistakes and re-starts and after 2 false starts you get the real thing.The shuffle (think triplettes, but drop the "2") groove is in E (a blues E,

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-81227013403982784432009-10-26T08:35:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:39.614-07:00

"Imagine We" clocks in at 4:41 and is chock full of guitar mayhem hidden within it's mellow exterior.Today, I mostly want to talk about compositional ideas....Borrowing from a common melodic theme heard in dozens of songs sung over a simply Cmaj7 to Am7 change, followed by a 2nd section that replaces the C with an F add9 (the F doesn't properly replace the C until you add the maj 7 and the add9,

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-68913748990642537312009-10-19T07:02:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:39.614-07:00

"Ragamuffin Voodoo" (3:47) is song #6 from "Virtual Light", a quick, energetic, and a fun song to play!The song kicks off with a vocal riff (me) followed immediately by a second vocal (Blue) singing a haunting opposing line. This second vocal, if it sounds familiar, is a direct reference to the title track, "Virtual Light". The guitar comes in and doubles vocal, then adds some cool percussive

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-19295196446175187632009-10-12T06:39:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:39.615-07:00

We're back this week with song #5 from "Virtual Light" (the new CD from my duo Alien Blue): "That You're Gone" (5:07).This song came about while I was jamming. Just goofing off by myself using that classic Hendrix R&B chord-melody style that Jimi developed by expanding on the ideas put forth by Ike Turner, Curtis Mayfield, Steve Cropper, and others. After Hendrix used this in songs like "Castles

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-40362236559972294442009-10-05T07:09:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:39.615-07:00

We've talked about (& listened to!) the first 3 songs from the new Alien Blue CD "Virtual Light": "Welcome to the Show", "Virtual Light", and "Cool Cat". Now it's time for song #4 - "harmonica interlude" (1:04).Less a song and more just me jamming on harmonica using a classic blues theme (G mixolydian blues using the draw 2 position of a garden variety C harp) for about a minute - hence the term

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-50433289889217487542009-10-02T09:41:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:47:31.838-07:00

"Long is the road, and hard, that out of Hell leads up to the light." (Milton)I have both personal challenges AND professional challenges for the month of October. Care to join me for the ride? Set your own challenges, keep us up-dated, and even jump on board as part of the team!October ain't just Halloween, friends! It's time for the new Lifestyle Challenge!My personal challenge is to continue

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-81931849264032066282009-09-28T08:11:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:39.616-07:00

"Cool Cat" - that's the third song from Alien Blue's new CD "Virtual Light" and one we've been playing for a while now.Basically, this song is all vocal with just a backing bass line and some finger snaps. Blue wrote all the lyrics and does an amazing vocal performance. We slapped a bit of echo in the mix and then left it alone.The song features the same approach as "Desperation" from the debut

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-83905992215697176872009-09-21T05:49:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:39.616-07:00

The second song from the new CD is the title track, "Virtual Light" (4:52).This one started out as a blues riff I was playing with that I decided to shift into the Phrygian mode (3rd mode of the major scale: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7) to see what that particular meat grinder would do to it. Turned out I liked it. I also add (due to the blues angle) the b5, so the scale often alludes to Locrian.So I'm

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-89835979169651199802009-09-14T06:48:00.000-07:002011-10-04T09:48:39.616-07:00

Due to questions regarding the inspiration for the new Alien Blue CD "Virtual Light", we decided to do a "Song of the Week" feature, where we'll make some of the inspirations, concepts, & lyrics of each song available. So, without further ado...CD title and song # 1:The title of the new CD is "Virtual Light". The term was coined by Stephen Beck and is also the title of William Gibson's 4th novel

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-70522723602141581492009-08-14T09:43:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:48:05.122-07:00

I'm figuring this thing out, and step two is to link it to the web-site - www.skinnydevile.com - as well as our other sites (FaceBook, Plaxo, MySpace, Tribe, etc.). Gott see if comments here will show up automatically at the other locations, or vice versa, or if all will necessarily act independently.Here's a photo from the road: Alien Blue with Tony T (as Elvis) and Danny O (owner of the Sand

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-784380991998659309.post-50688841636305755222009-08-11T10:20:00.000-07:002009-08-11T10:22:29.143-07:00

Kicking off the new blog....This will be the same info I post on the skinnydevil.com site as well as the pages at MySpace, facebook, tribe, etc., but now I only have to write it once (hahaha!!!).More coming soon!

Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0