My good friend Jon from GuitarNoize.com has been promoting a contest for the past 3 weeks.

He posted a 2-minute “ballad-style” backing track on YouTube.com and challenged guitar players worldwide to record their individual, improvised solo over the top of it and then post it back to YouTube for John to grade.

It’s kind of like the “American Idol” for guitar players (albeit with only one judge).

He specifically asked for entries that were nicely phrased, melodic, and not “shred-style” playing… with the winner receiving an MXR Micro Flanger Pedal as the grand prize.

The competition has ended… and the pedal-winner will be announced soon.

There were 194 total video entries and I have selected what I believe to be the clear and decisive winner that soars high above all the others.

If this solo does not “take home the pedal”… then just chalk it up the Judges personal taste.

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For a link to the contest rules and backing track… CLICK HERE.

To watch the videos of all 194 entries, CLICK HERE.

I like many different styles of music (as long as the guitar is the featured instrument!)

If you take a look at my iPod you will find an eclectic assortment of Classic Rock, Smooth Jazz, Contemporary Christian, New Age, R&B and an eclectic variety of tunes that fall into several genres — according to my ears.

But without a doubt, there is nothing I love to listen to more than a warm, classic, slow brooding BLUES SOLO that drips with emotion. Slow blues is by far my personal preference as I love to “feel” a song even more than I like to “listen” to a song.

Duke Robillard

To give you an example of what I mean, I have embedded a video of Duke Robillard’s “Blues for T-Bone”. This is one of the most masterful slow blues recordings I know of.

Robillard calls this “Duke’s Mood” and how powerful and moody it is! If you can, turn the lights low and close the door before you click the play button. The less distraction you have, the more you will truly “feel” the music.

Don’t close your eyes because there is a lot to see as Duke shares some masterful, innovative fingering.

Watch and listen as Duke takes you on an emotional journey. It’s 7-1/2 minutes of slow blues ecstasy. If you’re like me, you will watch this video several times. If you’re really like me, you will share this with your guitar loving friends!

One more thing… be sure to catch the train at 2:28… and enjoy the ride.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about Doyle Bramhall II and his unusual left-handed playing style. If you missed it CLICK HERE to read it and watch the video.

Clapton & Bramhall - Budokan Arena in Tokyo in 2009

I received several emails about the origin of the video, complimenting the superb sound and picture quality.

The video is from the Japanese leg of Clapton’s tour and was taken at the Budokan Arena in Tokyo in February, 2009.

You can find the “Limited Edition” PAL DVD on eBay. Hmm…Legal?

If this concert comes out on US DVD anytime soon I will be in line for a copy!

Here is a clip from the acoustic set of the same show titled “Traveling Alone”.

It showcases Eric Clapton & Doyle Bramhall II at their best. I love the vibe of this one. One listener called it “haunting”…and I agree.

WATCH:

‘Twas the night before the Oscars…. and all through the house…

While somebody out there knows who will win the Academy Award for Best Actor tomorrow night, I assure you it’s not me.

But I do have my favorite and I will be rooting big time for Jeff Bridges.

His incredible performance playing the troubled country singer Bad Blake in Crazy Heart (CLICK HERE for more about the movie) was all I needed to join one of those movie download sites so I could replay it over and over before the DVD comes out.

Jeff will be on the cover of the upcoming issue of Guitar Aficionado.

Referring to his career as an actor and his passion for music, Bridges says, “I dug what an actor did, but it took me a while to feel it, to truly appreciate the craft and the preparation. Plus, I was still playing music a lot, and I guess I had a hard time choosing: was I an actor or a musician, or could I be both?”

As for his Crazy Heart character, Bridges explains, “Bad Blake is one of those ‘Dude’ parts. It’s the kind of part you know you’re born to play. Bad’s the last of a breed, one of those guys they just don’t make anymore—like Kris [Kristofferson] or Waylon Jennings or Merle Haggard. The role was such an open canvas for me to work with. And hey, the chance to actually do my own singing and guitar playing on film—what a trip!”

Crazy Heart earned Bridges his fifth Academy Award nomination and his second in the Best Actor category.

I have always admired Jeff as an actor, but as I watched Crazy Heart I kept saying over and over… “This Guy Missed His calling!”. Honestly, he did not miss a thing. He hit the mark of perfection with this performance dead-on-perfect.

The DVD will be released soon. There soundtrack CD is available today.

Watch the movie trailer HERE:

March 7, 2010 UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS JEFF BRIDGES!!!

Vusi Mahlasela is a South African singer-songwriter. His music is generally described as “African folk”.

His work is an inspiration to many with themes that include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies.

Vusi can be heard performing on Warren Haynes’ Live at Bonnaroo release during the song “Soulshine” and with the Dave Matthews Band on “Everyday”, from the album of the same name.

Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts.

It has been said that Vusi Mahlasela sings as a bird does: in total response to being alive. Apart from his remarkable songwriting talent, Mahlasela is in fact blessed with one of the most remarkable voices in contemporary popular music.

In June 2007, Mahlasela performed “Thula Mama” at the TED Conference. The video of that performance is presented HERE.

ENJOY!

Here is one from the video vault!

Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Cray playing Sweet Home Chicago in 1990.

Thank you YouTube for allowing those of us who never had the chance to see our heroes perform live together to experience the same chills the live audience felt that night.

As of today, there are 11 different versions of John Mayer’s “Apology Video” on YouTube.

The cool part about that is that (at least) 11 people had their portable video-cams going to capture the moment for the rest of us. The un-cool part is that we have to suffer through yet another celeb-apology for something stupid they said and/or did.

If you have been living under a rock for the last few days, just Google “John Mayer” and read all about it.

Hey listen…I am far from perfect and I have said my share of things that I wish had never passed through my lips, but the fact is that John Mayer has a camera and a microphone stuck in his face just about everywhere he goes, and I do not. While that would never condone me for saying the N***** word, it certainly does not forgive him for his “quest to be clever”.

Sorry John, it’s not a joke. Never was and never will be.

With celebrity, fame and fortune…comes humility, responsibility and accountability.

Just ask Chris Brown.

The sum total of the “view counts” of these videos is over 1 Million in just 3 days. Talk about something going viral… Here is the best video as far as sound/audio quality.

A few months ago I wrote a post about my favorite guitar song of all time: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, by George Harrison. It included my favorite 6 cover renditions of the song from YouTube.

If you missed it, CLICK HERE.

It’s now time to post my new favorite version to the BUZZ. And because the song is played so eloquently by an “11-Year-Old-Boy”, it makes me weep just watching. I weep for 2 reasons: 1) I love the song, and 2) The kid plays better than I do.

Enjoy the VIDEO:

I returned from NAMM last night with a massive backlog of things to write about on the BUZZ.  I also recorded several videos that I will upload over the next few days.

One of the highlights was a 3rd row seat for The Gary Hoey Band at the Fender booth. Gary has been with Fender for 14 years and showed his appreciation by putting on a free (and killer) 30-minute set which included the title track of his upcoming cd… UTOPIA.

Note: More Gary Hoey Band videos can be viewed on my “YouTube Channel”…

Check this out:

Next to playing guitar, my other passion is golf. Needless to say, this has been a tough week for my golfing hero, Tiger Woods.

Golf has forever been known as “The Gentleman’s Game” where professional players call penalties against themselves and cheating does not not occur… at least on the course.

I don’t possess the literary eloquence to explain how disappointed I am. And I’m just a fan.

Don’t misunderstand, I am not trying to be Tiger’s judge. I could personally fill a season’s worth of “Life’s Most Stupid Decisions and Embarrassing Moments,” (should that ever become a TV Reality Show) and I am glad my private life is not splattered all over TMZ and the tabloids.

We all need someone, or some thing, that we can believe in. Bill Withers said “we all need somebody to lean on”. What we really need is an anchor in our lives that will be consistent, trustworthy and forever loyal. For me, I rely on God, family and music. I believe those are good priorities to have. Getting a dog is not a bad idea either.

The truth is… everyone hates to be lied to. For Tigers sake I hope the truth comes out (whatever it is) so we can all recover from yet another human being acting imperfectly human.

Time usually heals all wounds and this too will pass…

Check out this early recording of Jonny Lang’s “Lie to Me”. The song is also featured on Jonny’s new release “Live at the Ryman“. If you love gritty blues from an artist turning toward contemporary gospel, then I recommend the new CD release highly.