Jack Bruce, bassist of rock band Cream, dies aged 71

LONDON – Jack Bruce, a founding member of British psychedelic band Cream, died on Saturday aged 71 after a long battle against liver disease, his family announced.

Although an accomplished songwriter, Bruce was best known as vocalist and bass guitarist alongside Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker in the 1960s supergroup.

“It is with great sadness that we, Jack’s family, announce the passing of our beloved Jack: husband, father, granddad, and all round legend,” said a family statement.

“The world of music will be a poorer place without him but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts.”

Tony Iommi, guitarist with heavy rockers Black Sabbath called Bruce “a major influence in music and an amazing bass player and singer” while Whitesnake’s Bernie Marsden told the BBC that Bruce was “a true legend.”

“That word gets banded about sometimes but Jack Bruce was certainly in that kind of sphere,” he said.

Publicist Claire Singers confirmed that Bruce had died at his home in Suffolk, south east England, on Saturday.

Bruce was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on May 14, 1943 and learned to play the bass in his teens.

He left the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he was studying cello and musical composition, after they banned him from playing jazz.

Cream formed in 1966 and went on to sell 35 million records worldwide before splitting up two years later.

Bruce co-wrote most of the band’s biggest hits, including “Sunshine of Your Love” and “I Feel Free.”

He later worked with Frank Zappa and Lou Reed and was a member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, but suffered health problems after being diagnosed with liver cancer in 2003. He received an organ transplant in the same year.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and More Celebrate Hubert Sumlin in New York

Close to midnight last night at New York's Apollo Theater, Eric Clapton had just finished a thunderous take on classic blues number "Forty Four" when Keith Richards ambled onstage with no introduction. Wearing a dark blazer, long green scarf, fedora and a huge grin, he embraced Clapton and stood center stage to massive applause, delivering a smoky take on Wolf’s "Going Down Slow," a chronicle of a frail man who has savored life’s greatest pleasures. "Man, I've had things that kings and queens will never have," Richards growled. "In fact, they don't even know about them, let alone get ’em. And good times? Mmmm...." He hovered around Clapton and then stood sidestage by the piano while Clapton delivered a throaty verse and then weaved clean-toned solos with young Austin guitarist Gary Clark Jr.

There were many highlights at Howlin for Hubert – a tribute to guitarist Hubert Sumlin, who played in Howlin’ Wolf’s band for decades and passed away on December 4th due to heart failure – but that was the peak. It was Richards’ first major musical appearance since the Rolling Stones last toured five years ago, and he showed little rust. After "Going Down Slow," he sat down and played metallic 12-string slide while singing "Little Red Rooster," and then strapped on a Gibson electric guitar to sing and trade licks with Clapton on "Spoonful." "It’s good to be back," Richards said, peering up to the balcony before breaking into a cackle. "Goddamn, it’s good to be back."

The entire show, which featured all-stars including Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Jimmie Vaughan, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II and Elvis Costello – plus overlooked legends like Wolf’s former bandmates, harmonica player James Cotton, guitarist Jody Williams and saxophonist Eddie Shaw – was one for the history books. The event originated while Sumlin was still alive as a celebration to mark his 80th birthday. It stayed that way; Guest after guest recounted Sumlin’s unfaltering positivity and passion for his instrument. At one point, Toni Ann Mamary, Sumlin’s longtime manager and companion, tearfully recalled Sumlin tellling her, "I’m gonna be there. I don’t care if I play – I’m going to be there." She added, "Can you feel him?"

The night began with a film featuring classic Sumlin performance footage and a recent interview with him, where Sumlin humorously described how he found his own piercing signature sound after Wolf strongly urged him to lose the guitar pick. The stage lights then revealed two massive portraits of Sumlin behind the stage. His sunburst Stratocaster sat on a stand at center stage, with his trademark feathered cap hanging off of it. Clapton emerged – with short, slicked-back hair and wearing a blazer – with Cotton, Sumlin’s old musical partner. Clapton kicked the night off howling an acoustic, stomping "Key to the Highway," complemented by Cotton’s razor-sharp harp fills....

source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/keith-richards-eric-clapton-buddy-guy-and-more-celebrate-hubert-sumlin-in-new-york-20120225

Eric Clapton Guitar Settings - The Woman Sound

Eric Clapton has used many guitar settings in a career that goes across several decades but people are still fascinated by the sound that people call the "woman" tone. If you don't know what that means listen to the Cream track, "Sunshine Of Your Love" that features the guitar solo starting with the melody of "Blue Moon" by Rodgers and Hart. With none of the modern technological stuff available to him in the nineteen sixties, Eric just set his guitar and his amp according to his taste and played. Some of what you hear on record is more to do with what happens as the music is recorded than with the sound Clapton set out to make. Eric Clapton always played with the volume at full tilt and the tone was at a very low setting. The use of the wah-wah pedal and heavy gauge strings also contributed alot to the sound. Eric Clapton emerged with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers in the sixties playing a 1960 Les Paul Standard guitar. His amp was 1962 Marshall forty-five watt 2x12 combination. He fought with producers and engineers to be allowed to play at concert volume in the studio. This was unheard of at that time. When he played with Cream, Clapton played a 1964 Gibson Les Paul SG. He chose 100 watt Marshall heads and 4x12 cabinets. He was also one of the pioneers of the wah-wah pedal. It was with this guitar and amp that he produced his famous "woman" tone. Do not forget Eric's Marshall amps were extremely overdriven and this was another major contributor to his sound. You can buy pedals that are supposed to duplicate Eric Clapton's guitar settings but you can be more "authentic" by setting the guitar and amp yourself. Because Eric has mostly been seen playing Fender Stratocasters for some years, we will stick with setting a Strat to try to get that "woman tone". But remember that Eric was not playing a Strat when he was with Cream so you will need to be creative to get the sound out of your guitar. You will be using the neck pickup. You need to turn down the second and third volume control knobs to get a fairly muddy tone. From here you need to use your ear to compare your sound with one of Eric Clapton's records. As far as your amplifier goes, set your bass to around seven and the middle at five. The treble should be set at five. These suggestions are only meant to be a rough guide to start off in the right direction to achieving a tone that you may not have the equipment to duplicate one hundred per cent. Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales. Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/article/373964-1-eric-clapton-guitar-settings-the-woman-sound/

Live Music in Austin: Where and when to go

Austin, Texas is well known for its music. In fact, Austin is considered to be the "live music capital of the world." Austin is host to the famous Austin City Limits festival and South by Southwest festival, just to name a few of the local music events. If you've never experienced Austin's jam packed music scene and you're not sure where to start, here are a few places to try. No matter what your music taste is, Austin has something to offer for everyone.

1. Antone's

Antone's is one of the best destinations for live music in the city. There are blues acts playing each and every night at this venue including legends like Joe Ely and Jimmy Vaughan. Open since 1975, it began as a blues club and has now launched into country and rock music. It's been host to some major acts such as Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello and B.B. King. Antone's is located at 213 W. 5th Street.

2. Stubb's Bar-B-Q

Stubb's Bar-B-Q is one of the most well known restaurants and live music venues in Austin. There's a small indoor music stage and a large outdoor stage in addition to the restaurant. Indie and alternative rock are the name of the game at Stubb's with acts such as Cake, the Year Yeah Yeahs and Imogen Heap making recent appearances. If you decide to go to Stubb's make sure to get there early because the venue can get packed quickly! Stubb's is located at 801 Red River Street.

3. Continental Club

This venue has been around since 1957 and has evolved from a burlesque club to a great live music venue. The Continental Club specializes in swing, rockabilly, country and retro roots music. It features many great local acts but is also a stop for some major talent. It's located at 1315 S. Congress Avenue.

4. Momo's

If you're looking for a more intimate venue to listen to eclectic live acts, look no further than Momo's. It's located on 618 W. 6th Street and you can hear anything from R&B to swing to folk to pop music. To visit, you'll have to go to the second floor - it's located right above Katz's Deli. You can choose from sitting at the bar or right in front of the stage. There's also a deck where you can enjoy the night sky while listening to music.

5. Bass Concert Hall

Located on the University of Texas Campus, the Bass Concert Hall is home to dozens of symphonies and dance performances each year. You can also find large musical acts performing here like Seal, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor. It's located at 23rd Street and Robert Dedman Drive.

6. Lucky Lounge

This chic downtown club has many different seating options to give the audience a varied listening experience. There is standing room near the stage, bar stools, lounge chairs and a raised area behind the bar. There are also pool tables available. The booking agent for this club has great taste in local bands and features a variety of different genres of music.

This list just scratches the surface of what is available in Austin. Whether you're just visiting or are a local looking for more exposure to the music scene, you can start with any of these venues.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin realtor and Westlake Hills realtor can be found on the net.

Article Source:
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/550387-1-live-music-in-austin-where-and-when-to-go/