KBR can play!

[bek]

Folks---Just met KBR at a gig he played near me. Very nice guy, even let me play his guitars a little (I got there about an hour early, and it was a very laid-back sort of a place to hang out). He told me why he sets them up the way he does and what he thinks is important to playability and tone production. In truth, you gotta be able to DO it. I doubt I could make the same sounds if I had all his gear. He's a very versatile bluesman, who can slide from his own, intense kind of retro sound into any one of a number of styles whenever he so chooses. He can do dead-on quotes of SRV, Albert Collins and Albert King for as long as he wants, playing their notes and their tones with the greatest of respect. His tone is very fat, but with as much edge as is appropriate for the song. It's really big, thick in a way I've never quite heard before. He builds and sells guitars, on-order or actually selling his own instruments as part of his continual experimenting. If I was in the market I'd have him make me one like his. He makes the most perfect neck and action for blues playing; low enough to be playable, high enough to let the strings "breathe." Highest recommendation.

[rebelern]

Who is KBR?,I've thought it over and over,I cant work it out, good report but who is it?.

Thanks Ernie.

[weelie]

Kenny Blue Ray, a frequent poster here: http://home.earthlink.net/~blueray/

[bek]

KBR is a guy who posts here now and then. Hasn't been around much lately.

[rebelern]

I do know who KBR is,and I checked out his Web Site ages ago,but I just could not remember

Ernie.

[hearmytrain]

Originally Posted by bek

Folks---Just met KBR at a gig he played near me. Very nice guy,

I just did some business with KBR for some Van Zandt pu's and also one of his cds...i only have praise for both his professionalism in doing business, and, also respect him as a hellacious player! highly recommended on both counts!
Brad

[TeleTubby]

I've done some trading/buying/selling with Kenny and it's always a great transaction. I think I've got most of his CDs now and he can play!!! He's got a grip on the "good tone" thing, for sure. I'm just waiting for the chance to get to see him live- soon, KBR? For those of you in that part of CA, I'm pretty certain he's going to be busy gigging the next month, or two- check your local listings.

[tweeddeluxe]

Yeah man, that guy can play. Amazing tonal palette. And a darn nice feller.


Tom

[Bluesgtr20]

KBR is an unbelievable. I love his CD's. His version of voodoo chile w/ Jackie Payne is on of my favorite all time covers.

Hey KBR ever think about doing a DVD for us folks outside of cali can see you play? Let us know

[weelie]

You can get a KBR CD at emusic.com for free via a 2-week trial, as MP3 (& completely legit). I'm a subscriber to the site, and am enjoying it.

[KBR]

emusic.com?? Wheelie?

That is another Rip off of the artist.
As I stated long ago, mp3 still owes me from my 168K
airplays, now JSP (Just sc*ew People records) from, England, are still ripping me off, with thios latest jive trip.

Why not buy the cds from the People that made them, not some middle man, like mp3?
I will never see a cent from any thing mp3, or JSP.

how cheap is it, Wheelie?

KBR

[weelie]

KBR,

Emusic is owned by some major record label. I've had a CD that actually has the emusic.com label on it (Junior Wells: Calling all blues). They do say: "EMusic splits all of the profits from membership fees 50/50 with the label or artist. EMusic is a legitimate downloadable music service that compensates artists and labels for their work, without sacrificing convenience or low-cost."

But I acknowledge the fact that many re-issue and cheap lables don't give anything to the artists. And I think emusic.com only concerns itself with the labels it buys the music from. (The cheap label in question here is JSP.)

I agree, I prefer CDs, and the MP3 & internet is hurting non-top10, real musicians. And of course buying directly from the artist is the best way!

But emusic.com was/is a nice opportunity for myself to get to know new artists I've never heard of nor would buy the records of (they are not available in local stores). The music I've downloaded from the site (maybe 100 records in one month) has been mostly Ska, Zydeco, "world music", swing jazz, Black Top records blues... and George Carlin's entire ouput.

I must add that I absolutely do not download any illegal MP3s (i.e. Kazaa and what have you).

EDIT: The emusic service cost $45 for three months.

[Joe Neri]

Welcome back, Kenny.

For those of you who would like to see as well as hear KBR, he has some instructional videotapes that are quite good. Get to see some of his fine guitars, too. Don't know his URL offhand, but it's easy to find by searching Kenny Blue Ray.

[Brick]

I've picked up quite a few licks from KBR over the last couple of years. So much to learn, so little time. He's turned me on to a bunch of good music too.

[mark676]

....one of my favorite musicians !!!
Great tone and style. I'll have to check out his instructional video. Thanks for the heads up :D

[swijak]

Whether he knows it or not Kenny has helped me greatly with my personal tone quest. He turned me on to Gibson P-94s (that I use in my Chubby Caster) and NOT to be afraid of humbuckers! He also has personally answered email questions on amps and other tone issues. Along with his own playing Kenny has turned me on to some great music like Anson Funderburgh.

When I was not getting the tone I wanted to hear Kenny and Jim Campilongo (another awesome player and sometimes poster on this board) gave me advice that pushed me in the right direction.

So thanks Kenny! (and Jim!)

[Brad]

Not only is Kenny a great player, he is a great human being! I have enjoyed Kenny's Albert King and Freddie King instruction videos along with several of his CD's. His playing and note choice are incredible and his tone and touch are just killer! One of the great's IMHO. As stated above amny time....the man know's tone!

[bek]

Another aspect of KBR I didn't mention is something I rarely see mentioned about anyone: he doesn't overplay. I'll admit my IQ goes down 20 points when I plug in, and I will tend to play too many notes. I'm trying to fight it and have become very aware of the tendency in other people's playing. It's fun, and too easy to do. KBR is a fine minimalist. He plays the song--not the solo-- and that keeps him interesting. Just love his Got Blues! cd.

[mark676]

That's what I admire most about his playing, very melodic and open.
I'm also workin' toward a "less is more" style of playing.

[KBR]

Thanks, Guys

it's a good feeling to have appreciation for one's lifework.
& I was the worst when I started, way back in the early 60's maybe 1961, If I remember right...
Thanks to Bruce (Bek), Brick, Joe, Brad from Tacoma, Swijak, Tweed Deluxe, BluesGtr 20 !, Tele Tubby (Randy), Brad from Atlanta, Mark, and others.

KBR

[Bluesgtr20]

Originally Posted by KBR

Thanks, Guys

it's a good feeling to have appreciation for one's lifework.
& I was the worst when I started, way back in the early 60's maybe 1961, If I remember right...
Thanks to Bruce (Bek), Brick, Joe, Brad from Tacoma, Swijak, Tweed Deluxe, BluesGtr 20 !, Tele Tubby (Randy), Brad from Atlanta, Mark, and others.

KBR

Your welcome pal!!
KBR did you only do one album w/ Jackie Payne? That cat can really sing!!

[KBR]

I did a cd on JSP, In all of my life, which has Jackie Payne on 3 tracks. Then I produced and played Guitar on Jackie's JSP cd, Day in the life of a Bluesman, (I also wrote 10 1/2 songs on that cd, although I ain't a great
writer of stories, Jackie sure made up for it. My Faverite song was Youwrote the Book, a Jazzy Minor samba, I borrowed from a Buddy a Gibson L5 and did some Wes Montgomery stylings on it. It turned out well, IMHO, and was popular in Oakland at some Gigs.
Then we did Soulful Blues, My 12th Cd, this did quite well with about 8 #1's in the Blues Radio market.

Thanks,
If interested in any cds, email me, please.