Well, how about the Manfred Mann tune, Blinded By The Light (actually written by Springsteen) that talks about wrapped up like a douche, another runner in the night... I always thought that those were the lyrics he was singing. It should be...Revved up Like a Duece....Which is a 1932 Ford hotrod. Pt

Just curious how many beginners or more advanced p_layer_s here play the blues. For me I mainly play blues tunes. When I really get in the groove it is when I play along with a blues song and play my own solos. I've always found it difficult to play rythm along with a song on CD but my Strat sings when it comes to soloing. Lately I've been trying to expand my knowledge of the blues and I've been noticing that some blues p_layer_s like Albert King have a second guitarist who play rythm and it seems with King anyway that he would play the solo and signature licks throughout the song and not play much rhythm. At least that's how it is transcribed in the Albert King book I have. The rythm guitar is mostly played by a second guitarist. BB King seems to play this way as well. Singing and adding signiature licks throughout the song and not playing chords throughout the song. Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn always seemed to be playing rhythm and solos while on stage. Simply put some guitarists seem to be constantly doing something with their guitar while others only play certain stand out parts of a song. Is any of this making sense or does it sound like I am out of my mind? It probably goes to the particular artists _style_, type of music, song, and perhaps ability. When I was younger I wanted to play like Eddie Van Halen and all the other fast p_layer_s but as I get older (I'm 34 now) it's like I want to put more feeling into each note instead of running up and down the fretboard as fast as I can. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy listening to VH sometimes but it's not what I want to play. I've been practicing some contemporary Clapton tunes lately like the slower blues tunes from Journeyman and they are a good fit for me. I love that Strat sound in a slow blues tune. Am I rambling at this point or is anyone still with me? Anyway, summing up maybe it is the quality not quantity arguement for what appeals to me at this point in my playing and it seems like the blues is perfect for that. Ray Oh yeah man I love Taj Mahal, he did some great stuff on both acoustic and electric (both Ry Cooder and Jesse Edwin Davis played on his awesome first album, recently reissued). Tracks like Leavin' Trunk and Corinna Blues Ain't Nothin' and The Hoochie Coochie Coo just knock me out. Clapton's From the Cradle album is perfect for playing along with as most of the tracks are straight 12-bar blues progressions or variations on that theme, and Clapton shows just how versatile he is and what variety can be displayed with simple I-IV-V progressions. I'm particular about the kind of blues I listen to and I don't like it too raw or dirty (a little bit is okay). Country Blues (if Bonnie Raitt for example could fit in that category) does it for me. Hot Tuna was awesome, especially the first live album, and especially if you like to hear some blues in minor keys. Also check out early Fleetwood Mac, Fenton Robinson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and for two or three vastly unappreciated blues performances by a master of minimalism (doing a lot with a little) listen to Mercury Blues and Sweet Marie from the Steve Miller Band Album Fly Like An Eagle . Stephen Byron Bay, Australia

On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 05:11:03 GMT, Blues Axe twanged: Well, I play blues guitar.....drop in an occassional rock or country tune too.  But I thought the point of music was to enjoy it....not criticize how others do or don't play what we play......

I'm actually more of a jazz-influenced blues p_layer_. I hate playing with people who only play blues because it's all they can play. That usually translates to I'm too lazy to learn anything complex Maybe some of us actuaslly like the blues, I can play oher stuff but it doesn't talk to me,   Steve ? You don't have to be Jewish to play the Blues