Strange Phenomena Jacket

Here it is in all its glory, the jacket cover for my newest release, "Strange Phenomena." It was designed by my friend Phil, the proprieter of Kore Creative, one of the most inovative advertising/design companies in the world and located in England. I like it; It looks a little mysterious (perfect considering the title) and for once it isn't a big photo of me! Soon to be released so be on the lookout.

NAMM 2008

Spent January 17th through the 20th working at the NAMM show in Anaheim. I was demonstrating at the KTS/Xotic booth. KTS was showing their new tremolo blocks and saddles and Xotic, their guitars and brand new BB Plus pre-amp. A bunch of people came by to hang out and check out the new stuff; here I am with Andy Timmons (ex: Danger Danger) and Vinnie Moore (UFO). A lot of noise but it is always good to catch up with old friends and new gear.

My take on the gear shown: Vintage (type) guitars, effects and amps are in as well as seven and eight string basses. Kind of funny I thought, bassists are going for more and guitarists are shooting for less. Low watt amps are the rage now and everything for guitar is labeled as new-old, new-vintage and/or relic. Bass is over the top, meaning loud, long and strung with nothing less than seven strings. Bassists must be going through the stage guitarists went through in the 80's which tells me that within the next ten years vintage (type) basses will be back in style (meaning four stringed) and guitar will be back to shred (yikes). As usual, Drums are the same.

Shichigosan

Shi-Chi-Go-San - The Shi-Chi-Go-San festival is celebrated on November 15th in Japan. Shi-Chi-Go-San literally means 7-5-3. You celebrate when your kids turn each of these ages (actually girls at 3 and 7 and boys at 3 and 5). They (and you) get dressed up and go to the Shinto shrine and ask for a long and prosperous life and whatnot. Sort of a Shinto version of a Christening I suppose. Anyway, we found a Shinto Shrine here in Los Angeles and went down. Melissa enjoyed getting dressed up but had ants in her pants sitting around inside the Shrine.

Shi-Chi-Go-San Link

Turmeric and Apple Vinegar Soy Milk!

Hmm.. I couldn't resist buying and drinking this one: Turmeric and Apple Vinegar Soy Milk! And I love the quote up on top, it says; "Drinking is work too!." You see, turmeric is supposed to be good for your liver and as Japanese men are expected to go out drinking with their workmates every night, somebody came up with this idea for a soy drink. I actually like it. Turmeric is also supposed to have something in it that cancer doesn't like as well. I'm not sure if it is true but I have heard that Indians have less occurrences of certain cancers because of the turmeric in curries. Now that I think of it, soy products are also supposed to inhibit certain cancers as well. And apple vinegar is good for lowering cholesterol and all sorts of things. Hey, this the ultimate drink for you!


Link:
Turmeric and Cancer
Soy and Cancer
Apple Vinegar

G&L Poster

Guitar maker G&L has made me the poster boy for their ASAT Classic Bluesboy model. The Japanese distributor asked me last year to perform at a concert in Tokyo using a G&L guitar. I had never played one before so I didn't know what to expect. When I received the guitar, I was pleasantly surprised and have become a fan as well as user of the ASAT model. I've always liked Telecasters but this one may be even better. It has a great tone and is easy to play. I use it on several cuts on my upcoming CD.

-CJ