"Hello Mary Lou"- belated Hello from your glorious continent

[abel]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is doing well.
I have been away and when through some challenging times, loosing my dear brother last June.
Besides being a great human being, he was one of the best drummers I have seen play.
In the very early 60s, about a year or 2 after Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" was released, ny brother in a few hours mastered
the 5/4 complex drum solo with amazing comfort, just like a 4/4.
He's been missed deeply by all family members and friends from all over the country.

Last November 1st, I thought of all of you European friends at large and particularly the British group when
we landed in Heathrow UK before leaving on a cruise from Southampton to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The majority of the passengers were British and over 50.
It's funny that when I asked them about Cliff and the Shadows, most of them would answer "That was my dad's time".
It sure made feel older than I really am.

After being absent for some time, I decided to record a new live take version of my previous Hello Mary Lou, but with my Q3HD
(suggested by Didier).
No connection, the live sound of the P.A and my JC120 amp is captured by the 2 built in X/Y pattern cond. mics.
The sound is much better I think.
Hope you like it.



Blessings,
Abel

[Didier]

Hi Abel,

Glad to see and hear you back after these difficult times.

Didier

[Stratpicker]

Hello Abel
So glad to see you back here after a very hard-to-bear year.
A very energetic post and great playing -as always.
I enjoyed it very much,
Best regards
ian

[JimN]

Great to hear from you again, Abel.

I'll give the track a listen when I'm at home on my own computer...

[rogera]

Lovely to hear from you again Abel and with a terrific (and energetic!) soundfile.

Most enjoyable m

[Mikey]

A great rendition Abel.
Am I right in thinking that "Hello Mary Lou" was written by the late Gene Pitney or am I thinking of something similar?

[Stratpicker]

Mikey
It was indeed written by Gene Pitney.
Ian

[AC30Alan]

Great picking, Abel. I was very impressed (and a little disappointed!) by your interpretation. Let me explain.
While I respect the efforts of everyone who "nails' the original, I am always looking for a fresh approach … which you have in bucket loads. However, as the James Burton bit was approaching I was actually looking forward to see how you would handle that. (I wrestle with it because my band does the song in G)
But, instead of copying James' version, you did a great solo of your own device (excellent). So, I still wonder what you would have sounded like doing the "original" JB solo. I can only imagine.
Abel, you are a top-class guitarist! I look forward to your next sound file.
Keep 'em coming.
Regards, Alan

[abel]

Hi all,

It's heart warming to be comforted by people who have experienced the same affliction.
I guess for all of us, the music is part of what keeps us going.
Bless you.

I got 2 early Christmas presents this year:

1. An Electro-Harmonix B9 Organ machine pedal that simulates 9 different types of organs with Modulation, Click and eventual mix with
the dry sound. I used to play Jimmy Smith's most accessible organ licks on my guitar, but with this excellent unit, it should sound more
realistic. I will record a piece of his soon to show you how good the pedal sounds.
I was lucky enough to have seen and met Jimmy Smith at the Catalina Bar & Grill in L.A. just a few months before he passed away.

2. I also won a 2009 black & white and Maple neck Mexican Fender Strat in a raffle at Joe's Great American Bar & Grill where I often go to watch
some good Rockabilly bands. The guitar sounds surprisingly good and is signed by 6 guitar players I've never heard of:
- Mark McKendrick - John English - Yuri Shishkov - John Cruz - Todd Krauss - Denis Galuska

Now I'll share with you my plan for the near future (God willing):

I plan to retire from work next November (God willing), after that, I hope to do what I love most, playing guitar.
I am going to start practicing seriously as I have a couple of offers from Big L.A. Bands. The problem is that many of the professional guitarists here are overwhelmingly good, and for me to get to a decent / acceptable level, I need to really work hard at playing flawlessly to even be considered for a spot as they hardly tolerate mistakes in gigs.
That of course is only My plan and as we know full well, God has his own with full veto / override power.

I'll keep you posted.

Blessings and thanks again,
Abel

[bazmusicman]

Hi Abel,
I may be wrong but I think the six guitarists that you havn't heard of are in fact custom guitar builders for Fender.

Best regards,
Baz.