Kevin's Guitar Corner - Robben Ford

From time to time I'm going to do some guitar oriented posts about my favorite guitarists out there. There are a million to choose from so in no particular order I'm starting with Robben Ford.

Today's entry is about one of my favorite guitarists as I mentioned above, Robben Ford. I had the opportunity to attend his guitar workshop up in Ojai CA last fall and it was great.

Ojai, for you out-of-towners, is up the coast just north of Santa Barbara CA. Great little town just east of the coast, inland a bit. It's a very artsy community. Great place if just to visit for a day too.

But back to Robben. He talked and played for almost 5 hours and we had a lunch break in between with fellow workshop guitarists in the little town. I've seen him several times over the years, at small clubs in Hollywood and bigger places like House Of Blues. I started following him during his Tom Scott and the LA Express days, back around 1977 after hearing the Tom Scott album Tom Cat which came out in '74. Back when I was teaching guitar in the late 70's, one of the best things I ever did was go to Venture dept store, which was pre-Target, in Tinley Park, Il, where I lived, and they had a cut out bin of vinyl. Robben's solo album The Inside Story was in there for 50¢, and there were about a dozen of them. I bought 10 of them for $5 and kept two of them and handed out 8 of them to my guitar students and said, 'listen and learn'. Best $5 I ever spent on music. It's basically The Yellowjackets as his backup band.

Robben mostly stood up there with his old Telecaster and an old Fender amp and went over jazz changes, chord structures, playing the blues a whole different way. He handed out about 20 pages of stuff to us all on chords, triads, altered scales, a Larry Carlton progression, shuffle blues and major and minor progression. All in all, it was a very good learning day and stuff to keep me busy for quite some time. A lot of the stuff was things I had learned somewhat a long time ago out of Mickey Baker's Jazz Guitar Book, of which Robben went over some, especially the jazz chords. He stressed chords, and how not a lot of people do rhythm or even know a lot of chords these days.

There was a question and answer time where we discussed the stuff he talked about. He talked a little about his history, working with such people as Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and Tom Scott and blues great Charlie Musslewhite, where he got his start playing the blues. He talked about guitars and amps and even other guitarists, and how some people get famous and make a ton of dough for doing very little, and he was referring to The Edge in this particular instance, because he played a bit of a U2 lick to emphasize his point. I'm sure like a lot of jazz and blues musicians who may not make it big on the international scale of things, monetarily speaking, they get a bit peeved at what is out there music wise on the radio compared to what they themselves play. But blues or jazz is a niche market so to speak, and although it's a more highly regarded form in Europe or Japan, it doesn't get the respect or cash flow that Top 40 or whatever Lady Gaga is doing now. But Robben isn't really that bitter. He makes a nice living I'm sure. Plays an awful lot and is well respected by a million guitar players and singers and other musicians. Robben is a very personable guy and there's lots to learn from him. I'm glad he does these things. I'm glad I went. I want to go again the next time he's around.

A few days later he was playing in Studio City down at the Baked Potato club on Cahuenga Blvd. so I went with a friend and it was a great show. He even remembered me from 5 days earlier! The Baked Potato is a really really really small joint but full of music history. All the local greats and studio musicians have played here at one time or another or still do. It's such a small place you're never any further than 10 or maybe 15 feet from the band, and for an electric blues band like Robben Ford's it can get quite loud, but still worth it.

So check out some Robben Ford -

Here he's talking about rhythm, jazz chords and blues from his workshop.
Very informative for you guitarists out there.

Here's a recent tune called Lateral Climb done with his trio. They sure
get a lot of sound out of a 3 piece blues band.
With Toss Panos on drums and Larry Carlton's son, Travis, on bass.
Robben Ford - Toss Panos - Travis Carlton

Some early Robben playing with Tom Scott and the LA Express backing
Joni Mitchell in 1974 on Raised On Robbery. Great tune.

Robben and Larry Carlton doing one of Robben's signature tunes
Talk To Your Daughter

When in town check out the Baked Potato - you'll be glad you did.

Here's a pic of yours truly and Robben from the workshop

Robben Ford’s Wiki page is here:

If you would like to purchase some of Mr. Ford’s fine guitar playing, it can be purchased here:






















Here is the third spectacular Don't Tell Betsy promo for our upcoming video: Collect them all!

And remember, nothing says Christmas more that buying Don't Tell Betsy's brand new single, "The Way I Do". Only give it to family members and those friends you cherish most…then give it to everyone else. (but don’t give it to them first!)

And here is another multi-million dollar promo. True, most of the money was spent on alcohol, but we did spend it.



If you'd like to own this song, it be available below.














And on I-tunes

Download "The Way I Do" from iTunes:

The Way I Do

Don't Tell Betsy

Promo #6



Promo #5

The British Place 2011 Calendar

If you like this kind of stuff, why not become a follower? It's free! Just click the "Follow" button down the right hand side of the screen and it will magically let you know about all new additions to the site.



Now, this is something everyone can get into. Pretty girls who play rock and roll. And a whole year’s worth of them!!! This calendar is put out by The British Place. It’s a recording studio and rehearsal space. Check out their website and see what they’re all about and what they have to offer. And check out the girls who have recorded there!
(There is also information on how to buy this heirloom quality souvenir of the upcoming year)

http://www.thatbritishplace.com/rehearsals/calendar/

And here is Neil Sedaka to tell us all about it. And the TBP girls are even cooler than the ones in this video. Can you imagine!!!




Why should we, here at Don’t Tell Betsy give a shit about this particular recording studio, you ask? There is are two very good reasons. One, it looks like a great place to record, but even more important!....Our very own Carissa is Miss December!!
We, the band, would like to take this opportunity to state that Carissa has been an absolute delight since joining our motley, arthritic crew. Her voice and dedication have added new life to the group. (and boy can we use new life!) Plus, thanks to this calendar, we now get to do unspeakable things to her likeness for a whole 31 days at the end of next year! Buy one yourself. 

Calendar Girl - Stars – It’s a pretty good song. Not nearly as good as December on the TPB calendar, but what is?


Here is the third Don't Tell Betsy spectacular promo for our upcoming video: Collect them!


Plus!! Don't Tell Betsy's brand new single, "The Way I Do". Give it a listen.



If you'd like to own this song, it be available below.














And on I-tunes

Download "The Way I Do" from iTunes:

The Way I Do

Don't Tell Betsy

Shabby Road Studios - The "She Already Knows" sessions #4

Grab the wife and someone else’s kids. (you wouldn’t want your own exposed to this kind of crap.) Shabby Road Studios is back with a vengeance. We’ve got new pics and our first video promo. We even had the lovely Lauren (Kevin's daughter) join us to photograph and film this epic in the making.
We’ve dedicated literally years, taking exhaustive media studies courses and personal hygiene improvement classes, in intense preparation for this exalted day. Enjoy.



Heineken is the one beer Ellis has when he's only having one. Therefore, Ellis has never had a Heineken.



This is what it would look like if Shabby Road Studios was sinking.



This is what every dad fears his daughter is doing every time he turns his head.



Why is everyone laughing and why are my pants suddenly soggy?




"If that asshole doesn't tune that guitar soon, I'm going to take it off him and El Kabong his fucking skull in.



"Nobody asked me if I wanted to sit on the stairs. What is this, Jews have to stand night?"



"Shit, I've got to puke but there's something seriously fucked about this toilet."



"Don't worry, that pill we gave her is safe, unless of course her head starts to melt."

OUR FIRST PROMO VIDEO!!
We spent thousands on this. We sure hope you like it.



And this is the very song, that this video is talking about. Though the video the video is talking about isn't done yet. That's why we only have a promo.



If you'd like to own this song, it be available below.














And on I-tunes

Download "The Way I Do" from iTunes:

The Way I Do

Don't Tell Betsy

Shabby Road Studios - The "She Already Knows" Sessions #4

Tonight Shabby Roads Studios will be buzzing with the deafening sound of rock and roll magic. Yes, Don’t Tell Betsy is back at it and going deaf had never felt so good. Here are some riveting pics from our last session. Avert your cowardly eyes if you can’t take raw creativity at its most primal as it bubbles and explodes from the volcano of really good. Be prepared! This song is headed straight for you at the speed of massive rock.



Carissa tells the band, that when she first came to California, she made a living performing prostate exams on the L.A. Lakers.



Big D. always gets a little peckish when he smells the blood of an Englishman.



It took many months of intensive and expensive peripheral vision re-training but both Darrell and Ellis can now appear to be looking directly forwards but they’re really staring at Carissa’s ass.



“Fuck, I can’t remember where I left my teeth?”



“Owww! Something in my purse just bit me.”



Things are going well till Darrell espies something he’s never been able to sing…Musical notes.



Nothing cracks Big D. up more than being shitfaced drunk at 8:30 in the morning.



Kevin is in trouble. He’s overdosed on his Viagra and his fist is trying to mate with his face.



“Ellis, you’re tripping again. There aren’t any brain eating leprechauns living inside your headphones. Just put them on.”



The boys put together a sophisticated pastry tribute to their lead singer.



Carissa continues to collect vital and conclusive evidence in her massive sexual harassment suit.



Kevin celebrates doing a number five. That’s two 2’s and a 1.



After five killer spliffs, the boys take rip off their clothes and perform “The Lifecycle of the Earth Worm” to a recording of “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”.


Plus!! Don't Tell Betsy's brand new single, "The Way I Do". Give it a listen.



If you'd like to own this song, it be available below.














And on I-tunes

Download "The Way I Do" from iTunes:

The Way I Do

Don't Tell Betsy

Shabby Road Studios - The "She Already Knows" Sessions #2

The Shabby Road Studios mob is back and recording a new song. They’ll be back at Sanctuary Entertainment to record the vocals in about two weeks but for now it’s balls to the wall rock & roll hell as they lay down their steamin’ tracks to “She Already Knows”. And just like on our last single, you are their for every painful, unentertaining second of it, because that’s jut how we treat our fans.
So buckle up, turn on, tune out, change your oil regularly and prepare for the musical ride of your young lives.



“How can something that large even form up your nose?”



Kevin demonstrates how he plans to get lonely sailors to come into our gigs.



Kevin and Ellis in fervent prayer. “Please Lord, let this pot before us be better than that really shitty last batch.”



“Dear Big D., could I buy some of that wild, wonderful, luxuriant hair off of you? Or perhaps I could just stand under it for a night and remember what once was? Signed an anonymous bandmate.”



Kevin tries to play it cool, but Carissa knows it’s only a matter of time before his double dose of Viagra kicks in.



“So I said to the custom’s officer, ‘How the hell should I know how five pounds of suspicious white powder got up my rectum?’”



So I said to the physician , “Longer than four hours? I thought the ad said longer than four inches!”



The band’s legal council strictly forbade me from posting any of the 237 captions I came up with for this picture.



“Dear mom, you were right. I never should have come to Hollywood. I just hope that one day I can summon up the courage to poison their Polygrip and come home.”




Finally….Ellis made a poo-poo!

Plus!! Don't Tell Betsy's brand new single, "The Way I Do". Give it a listen.



If you'd like to own this song, it be available below.

The Fab Faux@The Orpheum Theater-Review by Kevin O'Neil

I went to see The Fab Faux Oct 23 at the Orpheum Theater here in Los Angeles. I've heard about them for years. If you like the Beatles (and who doesn't?) and haven't seen the Fab Faux, make a point to check them out next time they are through your town. As it turns out they will be back at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles around this time next year. Go, you will not be disappointed.

The band is made up of music vets, with Will Lee (from David Letterman's band) on bass & vocals, who has incidentally played with all the Beatles. Jimmy Vivino (Conan O'Brien's bandleader) on guitar, vocals and he doubles up keyboards as well. Other members include Rich Pagano on drums who is a fabulous singer as well. Frank Agnello on guitar, vocals and electronic gadgetry. And Jack Petruzelli on keyboards, vocals and guitars and really anything else.

In addition to the band they also had a two piece string section, dubbed the Creme Tangerine Strings with a violin and cellist and the Hogshead Horns, a veteran horn section made up of former Blood, Sweat & Tears, and SNL alumni rounding out the sound. Also on hand was a harp player they brought out for Eleanor Rigby. She also played auto harp on another tune on Sgt Peppers.

This band does not really do copies of Beatles music like say a normal tribute band does with each member playing the part of John, Paul, George or Ringo. They all play or sing whichever song suits their ability best. Sometimes the drummer sings a John song, sometimes the keyboardist sings a Paul song or Jimmy Vivino in fact sang a Ringo song. It doesn't matter. What matters is the interpretation and the musicmanship. They do spot on recreations of the songs and in this concert they they did the complete Revolver and Sargent Pepper's albums. What a treat that was and from two different eras of the Fab Four's repertoire. Will Lee was just fun to watch and he is so over the top excited to play this music as it was so obvious by the good time he was having, dancing around, jumping, running around and behind the stage during the songs. Don't get me wrong, the others had a great time too, and they all played and sang wonderfully.

From the opening notes of Taxman right on through Revolver it was as though you might've been there at some point listening the Beatles go through their set, but in this 5 piece interpretive way. Imagine five part harmony Eleanor Rigby done live. One of my favorite songs on Revolver, And Your Bird Can Sing with it's doubled harmony guitar was just great to hear live along with the 3 part harmony vocals. There were things you'd never think to hear in a concert as many times the musicians had to double up on instruments, or little additional things like triangle, bells, whistles, snapping their fingers, etc. You never think about how many parts were recorded in a Beatles tune until you actually watch a band try and put them all in live. I've never seen a band change guitars as many times as this one did. They really kept their guitar techs busy every song.

They took a break between Revolver so you could stretch, get a beer, or a t-shirt in the great looking lobby of the Orpheum. This was the first time I'd been to the Orpheum and it's a grand old theater and it was recently remodeled in the last few years, and I highly recommend going to see a show there. The sound is great from anywhere in the room and it wasn't overpowering either. The band then returned to the stage with the opening chords to Sgt Pepper's to which everyone just loved. They powered on through Sgt Peppers until striking the last chord on A Day In The Life, to which Jimmy Vivino set his guitar down on the floor in front of the amp letting it feedback.

For the encore they did a 6 song set, which included songs like Money, & Ticket To Ride. Jack Petruzelli came out and sang an emotional Oh Darling, which really put it over the top. I think only Mr. McCartney himself does it better and not by much. They ended with a great version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps featuring Jimmy Vivino on guitar solos and as a special bonus at the end, the original acoustic guitar demo version of George Harrison's was dubbed into it while Jimmy played searing Eric Clapton like solos over it.

Like they say, they are not a cover band, they perform the songs part perfect and dig deep into the music to recreate all the parts live, even if they were multi-layered, or overdubbed to great lengths as the later Beatles stuff was often done. You may hear things you never heard before on record or even thought couldn't be recreated but they are. Out of a score from 1 - 10, I give it a 12.

Check out their website - The Fab Faux

Check out their wiki page - The Fab Faux Wiki

Neato video of I Am A Walrus on Letterman's show

Neato video of While My Guitar Gently Weeps

PLUS!! There's this neat video by OK Go - called Last Leaf. Animated entirely on TOAST! Yes Toast! Some may say, "can you animate on toast?" to which the answer is "Why yes, you can animate on toast!"

Plus!!  Plus!!!  Don't Tell Betsy's brand new single, "The Way I Do".  Give it a listen.



If you'd like to own this song, it be available below.

Shabby Road Studios Presents!!! Don't Tell Betsy - The Way I Do

The moment everyone has been waiting for! No, Radio Vickers hasn’t stopped drooling over bands no one has ever heard of. The other thing. The actual band the site is named after thing. Don’t Tell Betsy’s brand new song with its brand new singer is finally ready for its brand new world premiere.

So with absolutely no further ado, here is the song that’s been on the tips of everyone’s ears. Ladies and gentlemen, “The Way I Do.”

But first, it’s time to formally introduce the band you’ve been following and come to love in glorious pictures, captioned by ultra-super-amazing professional comedy writers. (How do they do it?)
So here is Don’t Tell Betsy, in no apparent order. (you can tell that because we’re starting with the drummer)


Ellis is on drums, when he’s not praying for more hair.


Big D. is on bass, when he’s not terrifying Japanese cities and towns.


Kevin is on guitars, when he’s not wishing that he’d never heard of the Buffalo Bills.


Darrell is on the couch and has no plans of getting up.


And Carissa is on vocals, when she’s not scouring the want ads for better looking bands.


Also thanks to Mr. Barry Fasman and Sanctuary Entertainment for his guidance on recording the vocals and putting up with us.


And very special thanks to Daniel K. for his mixing genius and additional instruments.

Oh yeah, and here’s the song. Hope you really likee.



GREAT NEWS!!!
You can buy this brand new, sparkling gem of a tune below! What could be simpler?















And should you be a total Don't Tell Betsy completist, here's our other song for sale at bargain, bargain prices.