It's taken a while to grow on me but I now really like the latest Manic's single International Blue. I learned to play it last night (most of it anyway) and the guitar part is quite interesting, I like the melodic bits.
This Radio X session track is different from the single and album version and sounds good with nice use of flanger/chorus on the guitar. Maybe a BOSS BF-2, I know he's used them in the past?
It looks like JDB's 1990 Les Paul Custom and it's aged nicely. There's still a little bit of rock n roll left in the mainstream, just about.
https://youtu.be/sAK1XG35C7Y
Comments
“I think there’s a certain naive energy and widescreen melancholia on the song that is reflected through the whole album. It’s a good representation of the almost ‘Generation Terrorists’ energy that we’ve got. It’s a bit like a new ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, but set in Nice rather than Japan.
“There’s still a lot of 1970’s Bowie, ‘Station To Station’ kinda stuff, which has been a big influence. But it’s still obsessed with melody.”
I'd never have taken up the guitar without JDB, I think one day I'll end up with a White Gibson LPC, I've got the Epiphone version at the minute.
The Manics might leave it a few years, but this isn't their last album.
I think JDB is a severely underrated guitarist.. he hasn't really shown his full ability on albums for a long time. Not saying that's necessarily a bad thing, as manics these days are not such a guitar driven band and everything he does play fits perfectly.
Was chatting to him a few years ago talking about bands and things, he was into Russian Circles at the time and other quite thrashy/widdly things. I'd be quite interested to hear a solo project from him that is exactly what he *wants* to do, rather than fan/label/movie/Nicky dictated stuff.
Id love to see him doing one indulging his soft spot for the heavier side of things.
JDB is an awesome guitar player and just as good a singer.
And now I want an LP Custom again...
and the good songs have only been good compared to the rest of the album... They've also gone down the overproduced route.. some of the demo's & b-sides on the last set of albums have actually been really good.
Where were you standing? I was right in the middle. It sounded good to me, you could hear JDB's guitar clearly. But perhaps oomphness is sacrificed for clarity - and to protect our aging ear drums? I wear ear plugs at loud gigs - last night they were not needed. I'm not convinced they needed two additional guitarists.
Clarity wise, couldn't fault it, great sound.. just not so much the sound they usually have.
Still an enjoyable evening. And yeah.. three guitarists not needed..
What's JDB using for amps on this tour? The Radio X clip doesn't sound like a loud valve amp to me.
No idea, couldn't see from the floor, or whether he was using pedals. He had a nice vibe type effect going on when playing a sunburst strat. The Guild T Bird was a surprise.