RW 💫

 

America - a woodcut print 😏

 

Tools of the trade - John Lee Hooker’s “Muddywood”

 

John Lee Hooker with the 'Muddywood' guitar, made from wood from Muddy Waters' childhood home.

Billy Gibbons: “I had phoned Jim O’Neil, founder of Living Blues magazine – he now lives in Mississippi – and accompanied him to the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale. It so happened that Sid Graves, the director, said he was making a trip to Stovall Farms, where Muddy Waters was raised, to inspect the cabin that was in danger of being taken down upon request of the Highway Department for safety reasons. The cabin had been hit by a tornado and they figured, well, it might fall down.

“As we were looking about, the director picked up a piece of scrap lumber and said, `Why don’t you take a souvenir, here.’ There was quite a large beam left over, and we loaded it into the car.

“I drove back to Memphis and I was speaking with Rick Rayburn and Rick Hancock, the proprietors of the Pyramid Guitar Co., and mentioned having this piece of wood. I said, why don’t we make a guitar out of it? They said sure, let’s have a look.

“I unloaded it and left it with them, and two weeks later they called and said they had a couple of things in mind, why don’t I stop by?

“I drove back, spent about 20 minutes doing the design. It was humble beginnings for what really is an offering to the Delta Blues Museum. The guitar can be a focal point for modern blues musicians to pay homage to the museum, which has been doing a fine job of preserving this art form we now know as American music.”

What kind of wood was this?

“It was a piece of cypress wood that was apparently part of the roof. It was a difficult piece of wood to work with. It was filled with knotholes and nails. In fact, there are actually two instruments from this effort – the first being kind of the test piece, the experimental piece, and the final, finished piece being the one presented to the museum. I kept the first one, which I’ll probably end up using on tour. The second piece is the one presented to the museum and leased to the Hard Rock.”

What factors did you take into account in the design? Did Muddy play a similar guitar?

“Yes, in the beginning I said let’s try to keep this design aesthetic as an instrument that would be usable as we might expect from Muddy Waters. And as we got near to the completion of the project, the decision was made to make it a donation to the museum. Rather that paint the instrument blue, we decided against that because it was just too corny. The Mississippi River paint scheme was applied to the instrument as a symbol of the power of what the river has come to be known and interpreted as. Certainly, it was the Mississippi River that gave the initial rise to the Delta, which of course became the fertile ground for the invention of the blues.

“The museum guitar is really the `player.’ There was just something about it upon completion. It not only sounded great, but it played like melted butter.”

Photo by Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

Without these I’d be lost 💫

 

Who says CDs are dead?

Porn

 

The Naked Legs 😂😄😉 

From Portugal - Cinnamon DAC and network transport 💫

 

The Cinnamon Galle DAC boasts an R2R architecture with high-precision resistors (0.01% tolerance), fully isolated inputs, and state-of-the-art reclocking (SOTA). Its innovative digital-to-analog conversion, using a “quasi-nos” approach without digital filters, results in a warm, immersive sound, avoiding the coldness often associated with digital audio devices. 

The standout feature of the Cinnamon Galle DAC is its minimalist, robust design. Each component — the DAC and the transport — is crafted from a sand-cast aluminum block, with a machined bronze top acting as an inverted pendulum for enhanced stability. According to Ricardo Canelas, one of the founders, “We chose the most honest and noble materials available, and this reflects in the manufacturing process.”

The Cinnamon Galle impresses with its simple yet elegant design, free from distracting buttons, screens, or menus. It encourages users to focus solely on the listening experience, eliminating unnecessary distractions for pure auditory pleasure.

Had a conversation with Ricardo who solved some doubts I had:

 DAC:

fully differential r2r ladder dac, with isolated and recklocked inputs, no output stage and proprietary signal treatment.

And it works like the counter weight on top of a skyscrapper building.

2024 EU prices are 12k€ for the DAC, 6k€ for the network transport (no CD, it is a transport for music on the network. USB pen or harddrive, NAS in your home, tidal or qobuz streaming).

Interesting 🎶

Khalil Gibran knew it 💫

 

Cover of the day 💫

 

45 years ago today, Snakefinger (Philip Lithman) released

"Chewing Hides the Sound." Though this was the 30-year-old London-born guitarist's solo debut, about a decade prior he had moved to San Francisco and met the anonymous group that soon became avant-rock / art-pop pioneers The Residents, with whom he would record many albums, plus they co-wrote most of the tracks on this LP, which earned critical acclaim for its distinctive style. Also notable is his cover of Kraftwerk's then-recent single "The Model."

Ptooff!

 

This cool, psych album by The Deviants - dated 1968 - aged really well: it really sounds timeless 💫💫💫

Improving mediocrity 😏

 

Only for mediocre guitar players.

Need help!

 

" Night in the steppe " by Ivan Marchuk .

 

(summer was far too long and hot… some cold is in need) 

Tools of the trade - Willie Nelson’s Trigger

 

A battered to death, almost falling apart Martin N20 is stage and recording instrument of choice of one of monuments of Americana: Willie Nelson 💫

Several luthiers are constantly keeping this iconic relic in playable conditions, and, like Willie - a cool ultra octogenarian, it goes on and on touring and playing.

A Guild for Tim and Jeff 💫

 

Tim Buckley was a genius and he played Guild’s 12 strings guitars for most of his career… 

His son Jeff also played a Guild’s acoustic… unfortunately they both died at very young age in their late 20s.

They’re both dearly missed.

🌸

Devils

 

Robert Pirsig’s wisdom 💫

 

Robert Pirsig (September 6, 1928 – April 24, 2017), American writer and philosopher, is the author of the philosophical novels “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values” (1974) and “Lila: An Inquiry into Morals” (1991). 

Pirsig's best-known published writing consists of two books. Published in 1974, the better known, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, delves into Pirsig's exploration into the nature of quality. Ostensibly a first-person narrative based on a motorcycle trip he and his young son Chris had taken from Minneapolis to San Francisco, it is an exploration of the underlying metaphysics of Western culture. 

He also gives the reader a short summary of the history of philosophy, including his interpretation of the philosophy of Aristotle as part of an ongoing dispute between universalists, admitting the existence of universals, and the Sophists, opposed by Socrates and his student Plato. Pirsig finds in "Quality" a special significance and common ground between Western and Eastern world views.

Pirsig took nearly four years to complete Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, writing most of the book while living above a shoe store in south Minneapolis, while working as a tech writer for Honeywell. 

He received 121 rejections before an editor finally accepted the book for publication—and he did so thinking it would never generate a profit. 50,000 copies sold in the first three months, and more than 5 million in the decades since. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance has become the best-selling philosophy book of all time.

In December 2019, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History acquired Pirsig's 1966 Honda CB77 Super Hawk on which the 1968 ride with his son Chris was taken. 

In April 2024 Pirsig's bike went on public display for the first time ever, in the museum's exhibition "America on the Move", along with the book's original manuscript, Pirsig's manual typewriter and his Apple II computer.  

Here are some quotes from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig for your consideration:

“The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

___________________

“The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling.” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

___________________

“You are never dedicated to something you have complete confidence in. No one is fanatically shouting that the sun is going to rise tomorrow. They know it's going to rise tomorrow. When people are fanatically dedicated to political or religious faiths or any other kinds of dogmas or goals, it's always because these dogmas or goals are in doubt.” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

______________________

“We’re in such a hurry most of the time we never get much chance to talk. The result is a kind of endless day-to-day shallowness, a monotony that leaves a person wondering years later where all the time went and sorry that it’s all gone. ” 

― Robert M. Pirsig   

____________________

“Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. 

This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow.

But of course, without the top you can’t have any sides. It’s the top that defines the sides. So on we go—we have a long way—no hurry—just one step after the next—with a little Chautauqua for entertainment -- .Mental reflection is so much more interesting than TV it’s a shame more people don’t switch over to it. They probably think what they hear is unimportant but it never is.” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

____________________

“In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame. 

On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

___________________

“Peace of mind produces right values, right values produce right thoughts. Right thoughts produce right actions and right actions produce work which will be a material reflection for others to see of the serenity at the center of it all.” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

___________________

“The Buddha, the Godhead, resides quite as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of the mountain, or in the petals of a flower. To think otherwise is to demean the Buddha - which is to demean oneself.” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

______________________

“Sometimes it's a little better to travel than to arrive” 

― Robert M. Pirsig 

______________________

All quotes from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values, Mariner Books (1974)]

All content of this post is for educational purposes, only.

Tools of the trade - Mark O’Connor’s Martin D28 (1945)

 

This is Mark O'Connor's 1945 D28. I did design and lettering for the jacket of his 1978 guitar album "Markology". For the back cover, my housemate (a professional photographer) took a portrait of Mark, printed it and worked the print in through the sound hole (not as easy as dropping a pick in there). We took out the end pin and placed a stiff wire in behind the print to hold it as flush to the top as possible while he snapped this photo.

Some wise words from Werner Herzog

 

‘Civilization is like a thin layer of ice upon a deep ocean of chaos and darkness.’ 

💫

News from Switzerland 🇨🇭- a new Yello’s on Triston Tapes 💫💫💫

 

Yello ‎– One Second [2 x Analog Reel-To-Reel Tapes]

Triston Masters in Switzerland is preparing master tape for commercial master tape copy release coming soon!  

A timeless album showcasing Yello’s spacious, beautiful pop sounds with their sensuous Latin feel – from the shaking and grooving ‘La Habanera’ and the hauntingly beautiful ‘The Rhythm Divine’, to the noisy, growling ‘Si Senor The Hairy Grill’. Released in 1987, the album also features both Billy MacKenzie and Shirley Bassey, the latter singing vocals on ‘The Rhythm Divine’.

Album: Yello ‎– One Second

Format: 2 x Reel-To-Reel, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Album, Limited Edition, CCIR Eq.

Country: Germany

Released: 2024

Genre: Electronic, Pop

Style: Leftfield, Synth-pop

The Tape Tracklist:

Tape One:

1 La Habanera 5:10

2 Moon On Ice 4:17

3 Call It Love 5:05

4 Le Secret Farida 3:17

5 Hawaiian Chance 4:18

Tape Two: 

6 The Rhythm Divine 4:10

7 Santiago 5:48

8 Goldrush 4:19

9 Dr Van Steiner 4:18

10 Si Señor The Hairy Grill 4:49

11 L'Hotel 3:56

Music Composed By Producer, Engineer – Boris Blank

Lyrics By, Vocals – Dieter Meier

Backing Vocals – Billy MacKenzie

Bass Trombone – Don Randolph

Drums – Beat Ash

Guitar – Chico Hablas

Piano, Accordion – Philip Kienholz

Trombone – Steve Trop

Written-By – B. Mackenzie, B. Blank, D. Meier, and R. Winters

Co-producer, Engineer – Ian Tregoning

Cover – Ernst Gamper

Producer – Yello

Cutting room: The Townhouse - London.

This album is timeless in many ways, and the musicianship of Dieter Meier and Boris Blank never goes out of style.

Yello's spacious, beautiful pop sounds with a sensuous latin feel. From the shaking and grooving 'La Habanera' through to the hauntingly beautiful 'The Rhythm Divine', through to the noisy, growling and enigmatically titled 'Si Senor The Hairy Grill', there's something for everyone and every track delights.

Released in 1987, the album is noteworthy for featuring both Billy MacKenzie and Shirley Bassey, the latter singing vocals on "The Rhythm Divine". The songs "Call It Love", "Si Senor The Hairy Grill“, "Moon On Ice", "Hawaiian Chance" were used on episodes of Miami Vice and the song "Santiago" used as a sample from Dunya Yunis' "Abu Zeluf“.

AAA 100% Analogue - Pure Analogue Components Only from the Master Tapes. Pure analog transfer from the original master tape - The entire tape mastering analog domain chain was kept analogue from start to finish. There was no compression or limiters used. Master Quality Reel To Reel Recording On RTM SM911 Tape.

All Right Reserved: Phonographic manufacturer and registered owner of the work. Unless specific permits are prohibited duplication, hire-lease, loan and use this phonographic support for pubic performance and broadcasting.

Thanks to my friend Jürg Schopper 🥇💫🥇🥂💫 for the great job and dedication 🇨🇭

Disk of the day - Lavinia Meijer - Are you Still Somewhere? (Sony Classical 2022)

 

Fantastic player, program and recording. 

Thanking my pal Marco 💫

Tools of the trade - Dr. Brian May’s “Red Special”

 

Few guitars in the world of rock can boast the fascinating history of Brian May’s Red Special. This instrument has accompanied the guitarist since he was sixteen, through the great successes of Queen, and has earned nicknames like “Fireplace” and “Old Lady.”

At the time, the Mays couldn’t afford to buy an electric guitar, so Brian and his father Harold, an engineer with a passion for modeling, decided to build one themselves. The name “Red Special” refers to the reddish color of the mahogany wood used to make it. It’s estimated that the value of the instrument at the time of its creation was around 8 pounds.

The nickname “Fireplace” has a more particular history. It seems that Harold and Brian used an old fireplace mantel to build the neck of the guitar, and they also used putty to fill the holes made by woodworms.

The Red Special has been a lifelong companion for Brian May throughout his long career.

The Long Journey 💫

 

Life is a long journey where you are both teacher and student. Sometimes you teach, but every day you learn.

Fall, hopefully 💫

 

Disk of the Month - Wadada Leo Smith & Günther “Baby” Sommer - Wisdom in Time (Intakt CD128 - 2007)

 

This Swiss-recorded disk is simply marvelous, in the purest FMP tradition and a joy to listen to.

It’s a real gift for yours truly as I was lucky enough to attend to a concert of this amazing duo exactly during the same tour which made this recording happening, shortly after a concert in Zurich.

The music is adventurous but highly enjoyable and pleasing and remains a great Polaroid of the stature of these musicians for whom unable to witness their music alive.

💫🥇💫

 

La Leggerezza

 

Photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson 🥇

Tools of the Trade - Ry Cooder’s Stratocaster

 

An iconic instrument belonging to an iconic artist 💫

Notice the cool Bigsby twang-bar 💫