Blues Pinoy

CLICK HERE for Bisdak Blues!!! Done in 2006, using the backing track of 24/7 Blues, Faust gives us a hint of his musical influence - the Blues. I got to know this guy while I was in Cebu - a true bluesman to the core, he's one of the proponents of this music genre in that part of the country.

A guy from Louisiana and Jon Colot of Butuan City doing an acoustic number "Changin' Neighborhoods." Interesting lead, fine rhythm, good vocals... excellent!

Another great performance by Plug (one of the proponents of Pinoy Blues), this time playing "Byahero" at Purple Haze Bar in Q.C. Note: This is the second track from the album Blueskrieg.

Are you an aspiring Blues guitarist? Do you have trouble getting those right Blues notes? Then this is for you! CLICK HERE TO ACTIVATE THE SCALE GENERATOR!!! Just put the appropriate dots (make sure you select the Blues scale) and click the blue "submit" button. You may also refer to the more detailed instructions on the page. Enjoy, T-Bone Walker wannabes!!!

This is the original version of the hit made famous by Elvis. Listen to the sweet sound of Buddy Guy's strat, and the soulful voice of the original singer, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. From the American Folk Blues Festival DVD series.

One of the best piano Blues songs ever, by John Len Chatman, popularly known as Memphis Slim. This video was recorded and filmed in July of 1962. He is backed by jazz drummer Kansas Fields. From Wikipedia: One of Slim's 1947 recordings for Miracle, released in 1949, was originally titled "Nobody Loves Me." It has become famous as "Every Day I Have the Blues." The tune was recorded in 1950 by Lowell Fulson, and subsequently by a raft of artists including B. B. King, Elmore James, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Natalie Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Mahalia Jackson, Sarah Vaughan, Carlos Santana, and Lou Rawls.[5] Joe Williams recorded it in 1952 for Checker; his remake from 1956 (included in Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings) was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1992. "Every Day I Have the Blues" is also seen in John Mayer's, Where The Light Is, a DVD (and CD) live recording in Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre featuring Steve Jordan (dru...

One of my disappointments in life is not learning how to play the piano. I remember when I was about 6, my mom enrolled me in a piano school. The first lesson was quite easy. The following week, I went back to the same place. My teacher got me a new piano book, a more advanced edition as she lost the one we used before. And because she was busy with another student, she left me all alone to do the lessons myself. That signaled the end of my formal piano training. Who knows, I could have been the Pinoy version of Memphis Slim or Pinetop Perkins? Dream on...

When I ask friends who are guitarists of rock/alternative bands whether they play the Blues, oftentimes they just offer excuses like, "that's difficult to play" or "don't know how to." Strange since all the while, I thought that given the Blues is the foundation of rock music, then it follows that those who do play rock have full knowledge and appreciation of the Blues.

Got this rare find of a video by Danny Sillada - literally, Pinoy Blues. From Wikipedia: Danny C. Sillada (born 1963, Cateel, Davao Oriental, Philippines) is a Filipino surrealist painter, poet, philosopher, essayist, musician, performance artist, and literary, art & cultural critic from Mindanao. Visit his website! If anyone could interpret the lyrics in Tagalog, Visaya, or English, it would be much appreciated.

Cebu's Jimi Hendrix? See for yourself. This was taken during last year's Cebu Guitar Fest featuring the living legend Sammy Asuncion, Benjie Rigor, and Randy Pages. On bass is Lyndon of Cuarenta. "...and if my baby don't love me no more, I know her sister will."

No one's ever too young to play the Blues! Homemade Jamz is Blues trio made up of young siblings from Tupelo, Mississippi. Ryan Perry, 17 years old, Kyle Perry, 15 years old, and Taya Perry, 10 years. old. “These young kids have got energy, talent and do the blues proud with their own flavor. I believe they’ve got a GREAT future ahead.” – B.B. King Check their website at www.hmjamzbluesband.com.

A really funny take on the Blues by a trio of "gingerbread men," featuring an acoustic guitar player, a lap guitar player, and a vocalist who gets a not-so-good ending. Just watch and have a good laugh!

Hello Blues fanatics! Here's the closest thing to having your own backing band.  This one's a guitar backing track in A, early Chicago Blues style. (the tune sounds almost like Hoochiecoochie Man)

A new dawn is dawning! There's a movement being spearheaded by Tomcat Colvin to bring back the glory days of Pinoy Blues. Called the Blues Joint Project , it aims to build a vibrant blues audience in the Philippines (and Southeast Asia) and to elevate the musical standards of individual blues musicians and bands. Aside from providing links to the best free online blues tutorials for musicians who wish to improve their skills and understanding of the blues, pointing out venues where blues fans can find live blues, as well as the radio programs that prominently feature blues, doing reviews of individual bands and musicians, the ultimate goal will be to unite all Blues musicians and fans throughout the country.

Ever wanted to learn how to play the Blues harp?  YouTube is definitely your friend when it comes to this. Search for "blues harp lesson" and the top of the list shows a video by Adam Gussow, also known as KudzuRunner, with more than 140,000 views. Adam Gussow is an American scholar, memoirist, and blues harmonica player. Gussow is currently an associate professor of English and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. He spent twelve years (1986-1998) working the streets of Harlem and the international club and festival circuit with Mississippi-born bluesman Sterling Magee as a duo called Satan and Adam. As of February 22, 2007 Gussow has been running YouTube tutorials aimed at passing on his proficiency and knowledge in the harmonica to those who are interested in learning to play blues harmonica. Gussow from his first lesson says, "I'm tired of this mystification, I'm going to teach you all I know." As of November 11, 2008 the series ...

Start the day by listening to this tune. I'm sure you'll be stomping your feet the whole day through. From the "Stoned Immaculate," a tribute album dedicated to The Doors made in 2000. Dig those Blues harp riffs!

After finishing off a dozen and one terrorists led by Hans Gruber at the Nakatomi Plaza, John McClane takes his day off by doing a Blues number with his band. Deadly with his gun, even deadlier with his killer Blues harp!

Don't consider yourself a true Pinoy Blues fan if you have no idea who Tom Colvin is. Well for those who need some answers - he's the American guy who did the blues harp chores for the legendary band Lampano Alley. Visit his site at http://www.words-sounds-images.com/ I got a pleasant surprise when I checked his Multiply account (click here) , the entry on November 14, 2009 mentioned my site. Cool! Coming from someone who's a legitimate bluesman himself, this truly is an honor. Thanks, Tomcat!!!

Just for fun, try this.  CLICK HERE for your Blues name!   Mine's "Muddy" Jimmy Hunt!

Ever wanted to buy a tube amp? For Blues harp players (and serious electric guitar players), owning a vintage tube amp has always been on their Christmas wishlists. Most however, don't get their wishes fulfilled even though they've been good the whole year. Fortunately for the "economically challenged" like me, there's an amp modeling software called Peavey ReValver Mk III. Product description: Peavey Revalver Mk III models 15 of the world s most popular guitar amplifiers, including models of Peavey 6505, JSX, Classic, ValveKing, and Triple XXX amps, through an exclusive algorithm that analyzes the interactions of the components on the circuit level based on the amps original schematics. By controlling these amplifier models from the component level, Revalver is able to model every nuance with amazing accuracy. Revalver also boasts 12 preamplifier models, 9 power amplifier models, 150 speaker simulations, and 20 microphone configurations, allowing the user to mix ...

CEBU GUITAR FESTIVAL 2009 November 24 to 29, 2009 (From http://theoutpost.multiply.com/) This could be the most awaited music event of this year in Cebu. The third edition of the annual Cebu Guitar Festival is now on its final stages of preparations. This year's show will feature collaborative performances, with each group having guitar players from different bands performing side by side. Imagine a lineup of Manny Amador of MNX (classic rock), Carlo Borromeo of Purple Helmets (new wave), and Jon Vistal of Blaksmoke (hard rock) and Postmortem (heavy metal). A first ever Bass Collective performance is also included in the lineup, plus a world music assembly from Dumaguete, and Cebu's women guitarists also have their take on the limelight. Blues Bonanza will be performing on the night of November 25th. You can get more info at www.cebuguitarfest.multiply.com.

Most of us identify The Beatles with catchy rock and roll tunes, ballads, and later psychedelic rock (Sgt. Pepper's) songs. I bet most Pinoys don't know that the band had a 12-bar blues song too. Yer Blues is from The Beatles album (popularly known as the "White Album"). It was recorded in 1968 with John Lennon on vocals. A trivia: John Lennon wrote this in India while The Beatles were on a retreat learning meditation with the Maharishi.

One of the highly recommended models/brands by Blues harp players, best known for its affordable price, usability, and most importantly, good tone. Product Description: Durable plastic comb with recessed reed plates for playing comfort. The stable, airtight construction and full sound make the Special 20 one of the most popular diatonic models. This is the essence of the Classic line -- traditional value and cutting edge technology. Extremely precise tools minimize air loss and ensure a quicker response and bigger volume. As always, each Special 20 harmonica is exclusively handmade.

Vox Humana Band of Davao City, featuring Egbert on vocals. Yes, Blues is alive down south of the Philippines. One of the pioneering bands in the city formed in the 90s, the Vox Humana started doing alternative rock numbers, eventually going back to the roots and developing into a tight Blues band.

Here comes my favorite Blues instrument! Originally, the Blues harp wasn't designed to be used for Blues. Properly called richter-tuned harmonica and also known as 10-hole harmonica, the most widely known type of harmonica has ten holes (not eleven) which offers the player 19 notes (10 holes times a draw and a blow for each hole minus one repeated note) in a three-octave range. The standard diatonic harmonica was designed to allow a player to play chords and melody in just a single key. Over time, Blues players found a perfect use for the instrument. Employing the cross-harp technique, they totally debunked the above restriction by playing the harmonica in a key a fifth above its intended key. Playing just the unbended notes, this position gives the mixolydian scale between 2 draw and 6 blow. However, bending the 3 draw allows the player to play a minor third (or a blue third), allowing a player to use a C harmonica to play in G mixolydian or G minor. On a diatonic, starting n...

I was studying how to play the blues harp when I came across http://prewarblues.org/ years ago. As the site's title suggests, it contains very rare and old songs. Mp3's are available for downloading so you might want to check this site out.

An excellent performance by Plug, featuring the song Tumblin’ Down The Devil’s Game, from the Blueskrieg album. (As seen in their Myspace account) PLUG - A standard and hard driving blues rock band whose musical influences ranges from Cream, Eric Clapton, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix to guitar driven jam bands like The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin etc. to local rock icon Juan Dela Cruz Band. The band plays blues to classic rock songs. PLUG has already shown their wares in productions and clubs that support eccentric live band music such as Mayrics, Essex, Kolumn, Alky's, Corick's, Kublai's, XStudio, Conspiracy Garden Cafe, Gweilos Eastwood Libis, Purple Haze Bar Q.C., Mag:net Cafe Katipunan,Penguin Cafe,Malate, 6 Underground,Makati, Club Dredd, Libis,Maru Bar Makati, My Brothers Moustache,Q.C., Fete Dela Musique 2006 and 19Th East Sucat PLUG is composed of Magcalas, Rusty: Drums Manalang, Chester: Guitars Rodil, Emyrsonn: Vocals Santiago, Julpril: Bass Gome...

I lived in Cebu City until 2007. Lots of good memories. There, I forced myself to join a Blues jam band (lol). We were a bunch of guys with widely varied backgrounds. The oldest (sorry Sir J) of the group - a successful architect/entrepreneur. On vocals and guitars - an assistant state prosecutor. Next, a "drummer of the year" awardee from NU 107 and soon-to-be lawyer. On bass was an IT expert, and on lead axe, a Linux wizard and former guitarist of a defunct Manila blues rock band. We jammed in a cool bar called The Outpost. Every performance we had was unforgettable. We didn't practice (though I wish we did), just pure 100% jamming sessions. Well, we did mostly 12-bar blues songs so it wasn't much of a problem. At one point, in our quest of spreading the good news of the Blues, we attempted to form a Blues society. After doing the obligatory online postings and tons of text messages, we gathered around 25 persons during our first meeting. Lots of ideas were exchange...

by Dr. Crowley (as seen in their Facebook account) Dr. Crowley is a rock band from Cavite, Philippines. Their music is a mix of Southern, blues and classic rock w/ Pinoy lyrics. Mighty on lead vocals, Mikerock on guitar, Gerrold on slide guitar, Waku on bass, Otep on percs and John Paul on drums. What makes this song a favorite of mine are the cool blues harp riffs... sweet!

I'm a proud owner of an original Blueskrieg album copy. This is a compilation CD featuring five Philippine blues bands playing their originally composed blues-influenced/blues-based songs, Original Pilipino Blues Music. It contains fifteen (15) original songs that arguably cover the wide gamut of blues music varieties, from standard 12-bar blues, to soul/rnb tinged blues, to classic rock, southern rock, country rock style blues to modern heavy blues based rock with mostly Filipino and Tagalog lyrics and some English lyrics that still evoke Pinoy sentiment. Track listing: 1. Tumblin’ Down The Devil’s Game by PLUG 2. Byahero by PLUG 3. Blooze by PLUG 4. Zalman Knew by Snakecharmer 5. My Slow Draggin’ Week by Snakecharmer 6. Suklob by Snakecharmer 7. Bakit Nagkaganito by Firebottle 8. Di Na Lang Sana by Firebottle 9. Kalbaryo by Firebottle 10. Confronting The Evil by Dahon 11. Monster Within Me by Dahon 12. Lipad Pilip Lipad by Dahon 13. Sa Gabi Sa Umaga by Kulukati 14. Selda Katorse ...

Freddie King (1934-1976), the one and only "Texas Cannonball", fused the open-string sound of Texas blues guitar and the raw, screaming tones of West Side Chicago blues. As a guitarist, he is best known for his extremely aggressive picking attack (using a thumbpick and steel fingerpick), his phenomenal collection of signature riffs, and one of the most wicked vibratos the planet has ever seen. His guitar playing was matched in intensity only by his voice. He is also one of the "Three Kings," the two being Albert King and the living legend, B.B. King. Here's Freddie...

The acoustic guitar is the most recognizable instrument used by blues artists. Maybe because it was and still is the most practical to use. It is affordable, can produce a great range of tones and sounds, easy to carry around, and most of all, gives the artist a "cool" low-down bluesy look. Robert Johnson, who "made a deal with the devil," used a Kalamazoo KG-14 like this.

- Willie Dixon The contribution of Blues music to the development of many other genres of music is very significant. From the perspective of musical structure, jazz as we know it would not exist without the Blues. The twelve-bar Blues chorus, with its familiar harmonic structure and narrative form, was the single most popular template for early jazz improvisation, as compact yet profound in its way as the sonnet proved to be in the realm of poetry. In the 1950's, youthful artists like Elvis Presley and Bill Haley were wrapping the Blues in a new envelope called "Rock'n'Roll" and the players of the electric Blues guitar like B.B. King were heralding the arrival of the lead guitar, soon to be a great attraction for both musicians and audiences. Throughout the evolution of the Blues the electric guitar had always been used for solos in jazz bands but now it competed with the singer for the awareness of the listeners. After years of imitating their idols something odd...

This is a scale of 5 tones used in African, Far Eastern, and Native American music. The pentatonic scale has been used in 20th century compositions as well, and that includes the Blues. This is one of the most important things to learn in order to play the Blues. The image shows where the notes are located in the guitar.

The original Filipino wailer! I remember watching Binky Lampano's band on TV years back (Lampano Alley). It was a series of performances titled "Concert at the Park." Luckily I was able to catch a glimpse of those. Binky's voice stood out, always did. Even though he had a tight band which included the great Tom Colvin on harp, still it was Binky who gave the group its soul. Probably, he IS the reincarnation of a long-gone blues singer from Mississippi. The group has since disbanded, I've read that Binky is now based abroad.

August 12, 2009 was a sad day for Blues fans and guitar players all over the world. It was the day Lester William Polsfuss, more popularly known as simply Les Paul, returned to his Maker. Still, his name will continue to be associated with the Blues, with the guitar he designed, the Gibson Les Paul. Among the notable artists who have used this axe are Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Slash, Trent Reznor, and many more. Of note, Bob Marley also had one especially made for him.

Talk about sorrow. "The Thrill Is Gone" is a blues song written by Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins in 1951 and popularized by B. B. King in 1970. This is also one of the first Blues songs with a strings accompaniment... sweet!

For Blues fanatics, this question could evoke a  long emotional and somewhat fanatical response. It's like talking about a lover, a god or religion, a friend, an addiction, an heirloom, or an achievement to brag about.  So what really is the Blues? Enter, Wikipedia! "Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre created within the African-American communities in the Deep South of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues Simple explanation, right? Wrong! Blues is not just a genre - it's a microcosm of life itself. There's sorrow, happiness, hope, loneliness, religion, hunger, satiety, sin, redemption, and love - all embedded in the songs and expressed through voice and instruments. That for me, is the Blues. 

Mabuhay, Pilipinas!  Yup, this is my first post. In the Philippines, Blues is quite an unpopular genre. This in part is brought about by what we hear and don't hear on the radio. Yes, blame it on the radio. Everyday, we get to listen to top 40 tunes, hip-hop, corny ballads, and a lot of cheesy stuff... but how often do you hear Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and even Juan de la Cruz Band songs being broadcast on air? I could even hear someone say, "Buddy who???" Anyway, I hope this blog would provide Pinoy blues fans all over the universe something to waste their time on, and would give those who haven't been introduced to the Blues yet, a chance to appreciate this very beautiful form of music. Spread the word...