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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
 Posted - 05/10/2005 : 12:02:44
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fb.net's own OldManinaCoffeeCan is as graciously as a
kindly old gentleman as overeagerly as a crazed puppy sharing
this review of the Friday May 6, 2005 Joshua Black Wilkins
show deep in the heart of Nashville. If you didn't already know,
Catholic guitar guru Rich Gilbert plays in Joshua's band,
sometimes with his bottle of beer and doing some karate chop chop chop.
I found Joshua at the bar 15 minutes before his 11 p.m. show
at Layla©ˆs Bluegrass Inn down on Lower Broad, just a few
doors down from Tootsie©ˆs Orchid Lounge, Robert©ˆs Western
World and other noted honky-tonks. I got us a couple of beers,
Joshua a shot of whiskey, me a scotch and water, and I
picked his brain concerning his music while he waited for the
other band to get off the stage. Joshua, who is scheduling
summer shows, told me he is very excited about getting
Rich Gilbert and someone else (whose name escapes me)
as producers of his new album, which is set to
be recorded this fall. He has plenty of new songs to record
and also wants to re-do some of the tunes from "17 & Shelby"
and "Hellbent & Brokenhearted," he said.
Rich seems to have taken the role of musical step-father,
if you will, to this self-described Alt Country Bastard,
no disrespect to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins intended. What a
lucky break for Joshua! But you know he must deserve it:
if Rich "Duke of Guitars" Gilbert thinks enough of your
music to invest his time, energy and reputation on you,
you must be good.
After a couple of quick cigarettes, it was time for Joshua
to plug in and turn on and for me to move on down
to the front corner barstool, 'bout 10 feet from the stage.
Joshua had emailed me earlier in the afternoon to tell me
about the show and let me know that "Rich would be
on high octane." I immediately begin making plans to attend.
Lucky for me it was the late show, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., otherwise
I would have been detained at my daughter©ˆs elementary
school carnival and fundraiser, and it really would have been
difficult for me to sneak out. I tried to get (in this order) my wife,
my beautiful neighbor, my brother, and one of my golfing buddies
to go with me, but each had their own excuses. So, what the fuck,
I went by myself.
Joshua, Rich and the boys opened up hot and smoked all night long.
Three fuckin©ˆ glorious hours of righteous music. The highlights
were Joshua©ˆs vocals which, as usual, were enhanced by his genuine
emotions that he willingly dishes up on every song, and
Rich©ˆs guitar playing. My favorites from the evening were
"Suckerpunch," "Devil in a Black Dress," and "Hungup, Hungover,
and Hungout to Dry," all from "17th & Shelby" and "You
don©ˆt want to be my gal", "In my time of dying,", "Hellbent
and Brokenhearted," "Barbed Wire," "I don©ˆt give a damn" and
"Down by the Waterside", all from "Hellbent and Brokenhearted."
My personal highlight was Joshua closing with my request of
"All my Friends are Druggies and Drunkards" (I hope I got
this title right). This is the song in which he incorporates
"Amazing Grace" and "House of the Rising Sun" and to which
Rich contributes an appropriate lead guitar.
Speaking of Rich "Duke of Fender and Sho-Bud" Gilbert, that son of
a bitch was on high octane. Wearing a black Western shirt
that had royal flushes on each side of his chest, he looked cool
as shit jammin©ˆ out on his Fender. He stepped out front usually
two to three times on each song, and made the tourists shut
the fuck up and take notice. Rich let it all hang out. Well, maybe
not all of it, but a pretty good portion of it anyway.
Early in the evening he used his Pepsi can to play a little slide on
his Fender and later his used his Shiner Bock bottle. He even did a
little karate kicking, but not near enough as far as I was concerned.
Each solo brought hearty hoots, hollers and primeval screams (the
"Black Francis" ones were mine) from those lucky enough to have found
their way into this smoke-filled, hole-in-the-wall, real life, honest
to goodness honky-tonk. There were quite a few of us locals in the crowd,
but for the most part the room was full of really happy tourists.
brought to you in association with Rich, the Can and Joshua |
Edited by - fbc on 05/14/2005 07:13:28 |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 12:08:29
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Thanks for remembering us, Richard. Your namesake
Catholic is wearing a cool shirt, but you are, too.
Now will someone give Surfer Rosa some smelling salts!
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 12:25:54
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I've gotta give credit where credit is due, you should have seen the first draft (incomprehensible),
and without the pictures (very unsightly)!
THIS REVIEW AND THREAD WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE INDISPENSABLE EDITING OF
FB.NET'S RESIDENT LITERARY GENIUS, Kathryn, AND THE CREATIVITY AND TECHNICAL PRECISION OF
FB.NET'S fbc!
[Thanks guys, well done!]
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Edited by - OldManInaCoffeeCan on 05/10/2005 12:36:43 |
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Surfer Rosa
> Teenager of the Year <
4209 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 14:20:00
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OldMan you are a wonderful thing. Thank you so much for this.
I'll be back once I've calmed down and after my cold shower.
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 17:16:30
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Rooling Stone should hire you for a feature!!
That's a lovely Fender!! |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2005 : 21:26:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Surfer Rosa
OldMan you are a wonderful thing. Thank you so much for this.
I'll be back once I've calmed down and after my cold shower.
My pleasure...can't wait 'til next time.
And Rosa, you're right about Joshua, look at that son of a bitch singing in the first picture at the end of the review, he's like that the entire time he's performing. His songs are so genuine and emotional and he sings them with such passion, it's as if he's taking a scapel and slicing open his chest, cranking open his rib cage, and ripping out his pumping heart along with his blood and guts, so that he can offer them up with every song that he sings. Listen to "In my time of dying", "Barbed Wire" and "Down by the waterside" at the link below and look at that picture of him singing and imagine all of that live and right in front of you......pretty intense shit...and when he sings "Down by the Waterside" live with Rich playing that haunting, driving guitar, you would swear he's killing her right there before your very eyes.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/jbwilkins
And, Hey Carl, thanks for the props, but it would be pretty hard to fuckup a review of either The Man or that Alt Country Bastard! I'll get my chance at The Man when he tours for Honeycomb and I can't wait to catch some more of Joshua's shows.
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Edited by - OldManInaCoffeeCan on 05/10/2005 21:43:22 |
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *
Austria
1036 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 00:08:22
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rich has a cool shirt on....
I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band |
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Surfer Rosa
> Teenager of the Year <
4209 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 04:35:35
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| OldMan your description of Joshua live in that last post of yours has me needing a cold shower all over again. There wasn't any mention of a European tour by any small miracle of a chance was there? |
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blackboots24
- FB Fan -
7 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 09:50:04
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Hi all. joshua here. Thanks so much to oldman for the review of the show. I'm real glad everyone is such a rich Gilbert fan enough to what to know who he is working with outside of the catholics. We are trying to line up some road dates and would love to do a European run this year (surfer Rosa, take a shower). Check up on my site for those things. But, tonight, we ahve been asked to play the Bluegrass Again, from 8-12, tomorrow, we will be in Huntsville Alabama at Humphrey's Bar. If any on you want to see the show at a GREAT venue in Nashville, travel down next Thursday to The Mercy Lounge where we will get it on following Jody Evans (from Nashville Star fame). see you all soon.
www.joshuablackwilkins.com
joshua black wilkins |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 09:55:51
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A European run, sure. But don't forget us North America-types who
aren't near Nashville. I know a great place in Burlington, Vt., where
the Catholics used to play. Ask Rich about Higher Ground, it's up and
running again and you guys should play there soon.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 13:20:54
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quote:
Originally posted by OldManInaCoffeeCan
I've gotta give credit where credit is due..
and nice review, Oldman.
6 pack of pepsi later and i'm starting to get the hang of this improv shit.
England awaits and expects 'Black Wilkins' |
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Surfer Rosa
> Teenager of the Year <
4209 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 13:22:43
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| Yes it does. Very much so. |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2005 : 15:40:02
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Make sure you're showered and fresh and ready, Surfer.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *
Austria
1036 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 00:11:50
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EUROPEAN TOUR ?? GREAT !!!! DON'T FORGET TO STOP IN VIENNA !!!
SEE YA AND RICH !
(btw, if you need an opening act, try to bring Souled American with you! they are looking for shows, of what I heard)
I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band |
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kelladwella
= Cult of Ray =
Germany
729 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 14:51:57
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| And on your way from England to Vienna, you could make a stop in Berlin! Now that would be cool! Think about it... |
Edited by - kelladwella on 05/12/2005 14:52:49 |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2005 : 22:29:20
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Can you guess what sound Rich is making here? How 'bout you Guitar Man?
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 12:20:09
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Don't hold out on us, OldMan. Post all those Rich
pix you've got. Especially if Mr. Wilkins is in them.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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PixieSteve
> Teenager of the Year <
Poland
4698 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 14:50:23
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"dowwww"
 Oh let it linger |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 18:23:28
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| Ruch is tuning his guitar! :) Or he's doing a dive-bomb with the tuning key! ;) |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 21:02:55
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Hey Carl, 'splain dive-bombing...cause he sure wasn't tuning...de-tuning yeah, tuning no,...by the way, that ain't the only way he modified his sound. He also played above the frets, right by the tuning keys, stretched out the strings and got a steel guitar sound...fuckin' mouth dropping, put ya beer down and check 'em out guitar playing...If it wasn't for that damn digital camera I was using I could show you a picture of it...next time I'm goin' get me an 'ole fashion SLR, these digitals blow...miss too many good shots...
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 21:21:22
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| Dive bombing is a whammy bar term, y'know, for that straight down 'Wowwwnnrn!!' noise. Did he use a drum stick that night? :) |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 22:13:22
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Not being a Guitar Man I had to reflect on that term, Dive-Bombing, and upon further reflection, I do believe you're right Carl, Rich was Dive-Bombing...And, no, he didn't break out the drum stick, ala Los Angeles as once described to me by fbc...But, at the Family Wash, back on April 7th, on Joshua's song "You think I'm Gone", Rich took his right hand, his picking hand, and covered the strings and did some wild vibrating which produced a rich, deep vibrato on the bass strings of his Fender, and again not being a Guitar Man you must forgive my ignorance of appropriate terms, but it was outta sight...reminiscent of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire", if you know what I mean...
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 22:28:40
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| I'm not sure, I'll have to listen to Ring Of Fire again. Does he use a slide much? I'm just wondering, because he plays pedal steel on some of the albums, dos'nt he?! Thanks for tht info, by the way OMIACC!! |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2005 : 22:46:29
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Oh yeah, Rich plays his pedal steel "Sho-Bud" Pro I with Joshua quite a bit...but, as you can imagine, or better yet, as you have seen for yourselves, he does some slide on his Fender as well, e.g., his Pepsi can and his Shiner Bock bottle...
Hey Carl, fbc and all you other Guitar Men, check this shit out...The Duke's getting ready to rumble!!!!
By the way, just exactly what are his weapons of choice, as seen here?
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 04:35:00
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Oh my God Oldman, you've been holding out on me.
two amazing pics of Rich, not to the eye of some, but to a guitar nerd like me... sweet!
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 04:44:19
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quote:
Originally posted by OldManInaCoffeeCan
Rich took his right hand, his picking hand, and covered the strings and did some wild vibrating which produced a rich, deep vibrato on the bass strings of his Fender...
The sounds you can produce Rich, away from the conventional plectrum is both fascinating and amazing. I remember seeing Jeff Buckley, he used to play notes with the tip of his index finger on the string instead of strumming, making a beautiful and very subtle sound.
(The very first song I learnt to play was 'Peggy Sue'. My dad got me to hit the strings with the palm of my hand instead of using a pic, that way, I got beat aswell as rhythm) |
Edited by - fbc on 05/14/2005 04:44:56 |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 04:52:59
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Yeah Carl that looks exactly like Rich's Guitar, but I must defer to you, fbc, and other six-string aficionados...
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 05:04:27
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quote:
Originally posted by fbc
The sounds you can produce Rich, away from the conventional plectrum is both fascinating and amazing. I remember seeing Jeff Buckley, he used to play notes with the tip of his index finger on the string instead of strumming, making a beautiful and very subtle sound.
(The very first song I learnt to play was 'Peggy Sue'. My dad got me to hit the strings with the palm of my hand instead of using a pic, that way, I got beat aswell as rhythm)
Hey Guitar Man.
Have you, Carl, or others here, ever seen Rich play with his left hand, above the frets, up by the tuning keys, stretching the strings up there and getting a pedal steel sound. I talked to my brother-in-law about it and he said those Fenders are some of the few guitars that allow such technique, something about there being more distance between the first fret and the tuning keys, more so than other guitars (maybe?). He's a picker and he said he would show me next time I'm at his house.
Oh, and sorry about holding out on you there. I guess I'd better check my stash a little more closely...
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 07:05:41
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Can't say I have Rich, so I'll say I haven't. I wish I had the opportunity you have over there in Nashville, being able to study the Duke. There's just too much to take in when I've seen the Catholics play, I never had the time to watch and learn from Rich as much as I should have (staring in awe at Frank Black, in the same building as me)
And the pics, ha!
guitar nerd moi (hey that's French, does that make me smart) wants to see pedals and picks |
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OldManInaCoffeeCan
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1467 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 07:48:34
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I hear you fbc, how in the hell can you not be oblivious to all but The Man when you're in his presence...
And yeah, seeing Rich play in these small, intimate settings is a real treat...I really am disappointed in missing so many of Rich's guitar tricks with that stupid digital camera, gotta get a SLR.
Oh yeah, I may get the pleasure of a 3rd helping of Rich & Joshua this Thursday night, and if I do I'll be sure to get some more pictures to share with you guys.
Hey, speaking of studying Rich's guitar playing, did you know he is available to give lessons. Now wouldn't that be just cool as shit, hang out and learn how to play guitar with a Catholic, The Duke of Fender.
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Edited by - OldManInaCoffeeCan on 05/14/2005 07:55:29 |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 12:10:32
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Does he only give lessons in the greater Nashville
area?
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 12:28:38
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I'm hoping he can find the time to make that dvd of his.
Imagine him as your guitar tutor. Some little lad will look him up in say 20 years and not know who the fuck he is, just that old guy who plays some mean guitar.
And Oldman, his fender will still be sounding as sweet as ever.
The Duke of Fender, how fitting. |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 12:46:57
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Oh yeah, forgot to say...
these reviews oldman are some good shit for any biography, especially that of a Catholic |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 13:06:02
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| I've never seen Rich Gilbert live. He certainly seems to be quite a versatile guitarist! |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2005 : 13:11:35
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versatile in playing and in movement.
Carl, sorry friend, but you've missed out on one of the greatest musicians i've ever witnessed.
I got my fingers crossed thoughfor ya, for the future. |
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Rich Gilbert at the Bluegrass Inn
