Show notes
In Episode 16 of Tone Chasers & String Benders: The 1,000 Guitarist Odyssey, the boys travel from Scottish alternative rock to Chicago blues, Greenwich Village folk, Western swing, and the surf-rock revolution. Five more guitarists, five more stories, and enough tangents to keep the Doctor's prescription pad fully occupied.
This week's five guitarists:
Norman Blake – No, not the acoustic flatpicker from last week! This Norman Blake helped put Teenage Fanclub on the map. The guys explore Bandwagonesque, discover the wonderfully noisy "Satan," revisit "Alcoholiday," and wonder whether a band called Teenage Fanclub should consider changing its name after nearly four decades. Plus, a fascinating detour into the history of Heritage guitars and the old Gibson factory in Kalamazoo.
Mike Bloomfield – One of America's great electric blues guitarists gets the attention he deserves. From the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Electric Flag to Super Session with Al Kooper, the Doctor celebrates Bloomfield's extraordinary tone, relentless lead playing, and enormous influence. There's a little confusion over the recordings, but no confusion about the man's talent.
David Blue – From the Greenwich Village folk scene comes a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose story leads the boys into the orbit of Bob Dylan, the folk revival, and the curious musical landscape of the 1960s. Another discovery in an increasingly unpredictable alphabetical adventure.
Noel Boggs – Time for some Western swing! The legendary steel guitarist takes the show into the world of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, where the guys explore "Steel Guitar Rag," the mysteries of early electric steel guitar, and the musicians who helped give country music its distinctive twang.
Bob Bogle – The Ventures bring us back to the electric guitar, with the Fender Jazzmaster, the unmistakable sound of instrumental surf rock, and a discussion of the band's enduring influence. "Walk, Don't Run," "Pipeline," and a little guitar detective work make for a fitting finish.
And along the way? Barney Goes Postal makes an unexpected appearance. The Doctor introduces the virtues of the STFU hat. Heritage guitars get a history lesson. Bloomfield threatens to play lead guitar indefinitely. The boys get lost in steel-guitar territory, revisit the Ventures' sound, and nearly disappear down a Duke Ellington rabbit hole.
Another five down. 920 guitarists to go!
It's guitars, recordings, stories, and the weird places they lead.
Hosted by Chaz Charles and Dr. Porifera Glund.
1,000 legendary guitarists. A fiver at a time.
Only on the Boneless Podcasting Network.
