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Showing posts from July, 2015

Interview:--> Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy)

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"The second time around is never the same." ~ Eric Bell ~ Directly responsible for the rise and popularity of Thin Lizzy , not to mention coining the name for the band, guitarist Eric Bell will forever be remembered. From his joyous barn-raising guitar crankage on  "The Rocker" ...to his definitive gentle and anthemic bar-bellowing "Whiskey In The Jar" ...the "vagabond rocker" who provided the guitar fuel was loved and admired by fans and peers alike. But after Thin Lizzy's fantastic 3rd album  "Vagabonds Of The Western World"  (1973)... Eric , who was struggling with personal demons I won't rehash, simply walked away. For the longest time I had simply lost track of Eric Bell , until stumbling upon a wonderful little gem... "Lonely Nights In London" that he had recorded in 2010.  Always a big fan, I was really fortunate to catch up with Eric and talk about the music. ERIC BELL INTERVIEW  -  JULY 2015

Interview:--> Byron Berline (Quintessential Bluegrass Fiddler)

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"How country do you want this?"   ~ Byron Berline ~ So you pick up an instrument and there's just no telling where it might lead.  The sound of the fiddle can quickly fill your chest with joy from a thousand endless summers...and just as quickly break your heart with tears from a thousand goodbyes.  All from a single draw on the bow. Byron Berline is a homespun memory-sparker.  Sure, he can "Orange Blossom" the bejeezus out of your ears all day long.  That's a bluegrass given.  And if you want, he can saw off an elbow-bending solo that demands you either hang on or fall off.  He does it.  But even better are the beautiful fills Byron lends to a song...adding just the necessary shine without changing the intent.  Sounds easy...but it ain't.  From Bill Monroe to The Rolling Stones ... Byron Berline has padded his resume quite nicely.  He's a solid definition of a cool fiddler breeze.  And he has led a pretty extraordinary life. BYRON BER