tour du jour (the Danish weeks)

So, Ireland went off w/out a hitch! Four shows, 110 fans, mega good times. Now, the band is in Denmark.

We do pretty well here for being outsiders. Our last CD, "With All Due Respect" was released over here and with two previous tours, we're starting to make a name for ourselves. One telling moment was last night, when we played a new song, "Rosie", which we've recorded for our next album (and thus has not been released yet), and some audience members already know the words! How could this be?? After the show, I spoke with a coulple of folks, who told me that they knew "Rosie" from seeing us play it on the CBS Early Show last month - they streamed it on the web. Awesome!!

I'm hoping that someone from Framus Guitars will drive up from Germany to see me. Framus are made in Germany, but I believe they're located too far south to just cruise up to Denmark for a night. Still, it'd be cool to show them their guitars in action...

Alrighty, gotta close so I can make the bus for the next stop. No rain!!

Bob

Now in Ireland

I just landed in Dublin with the Young Dubs! We’re here for a couple of days before commencing our Irish tour. It was actually sunny today. Hope that lasts! Anyway, just accidentally slept all day cuz of a sleepless flight from LA, so I’d better get out and have some fish and chips and stout!

Tour’s Going Well!

Just letting y’all know I’m doing OK out here. The Young Dubs are in full effect! 16 appearances, 6 flights, and 2 more shows to go.

Here’s my idea of quality "me" time:

Getting some sleep WHILE talking with those back home!

Gonna post some pics in the Young Dubliners blog real soon. C U Laters!

- Bob

Here’s to Healy

Sad to hear about the passing of Jeff Healy... had the pleasure to see him play in Denmark last year. Being blind, he taught himself to play the guitar laying flat in his lap - awesomely! It was great to watch him up close, and his talent will be missed.

Do I have everything???

Going away with the Young Dubliners... for three back-to-back tours! Spent today packing lots of clean (not for long) clothes, duct-taping my well worn equipment case (about 7 layers), eating a home cooked meal for the last time in a while. Now I think I'm ready. Do I have everything?? Enough guitar picks? Razors? 7 weeks is a long time. It's tough enough just remember all of our songs, now personal stuff? Can't I just buy new socks everyday instead, and throw my olds away?

Just watched a little vid of the Foo Fighters live to get inspired. OK, think I'm ready...

Some new sounds to sample

So, here it is, well into 2008. Time for some fresh music on my space!! I kept my solo number, Multnomah, up and also added some selections that I've sessioned on, and a song from my band I was with prior to the Young Dubliners. Here are some credits and liner notes:

"Alibi" - this is the first track on the debut album by Jason Whitton, "Thriftstore Cowboy". It was produced by Jon Mattox and Sebastian Sheehan; I played atmospheric electric guitar, something I thought brought out the haunting melody as the song climaxed - sort of like a steel guitar on the moon.

"Gold Driver" - before the Young Dubliners, I spent 7 years playing clubs and pubs up and down So Cal with the Cram Brothers Band. This song is from our only CD release, "SuperCaliberOfEcstacyAsAliceDosedUs." Even though our style was pretty heavy, this one captured our alt-country side, with a chicken-pickin' solo by yours truly. Listen close to the lyrics - our singer Chris Cram wrote mostly all biographical songs...

"These Are The Things" - last December, Young Dubliner's violinist Chas Waltz produced a collection on demos by this fantastic singer/songwriter, Jeff Aeling. I got to play a fun variety of rhythm guitars on this track, and the solo is truly inspired - written mostly by Jeff humming it to me, it's simple yet very musical.

"Say What You Will" - another from the Jeff Aeling sessions, a nice soulful ballad with a melancholy lilt. I got to play only acoustic on this one. Although my heart is with the electric guitar, the acoustic actually feels like a "true" instrument... very expressive...

Hopefully Jeff's music will see a release on CD sometime this year. The Cram Brother's CD was an indie release, so if you ask one of us, we may still have some copies left in the backs of our cars. And Jason Whitton's CD is available from Bright Orange Records, online at iTunes and CD Baby.

All the Best,

Bobby