James Blood Ulmer answers two questions: what are you doing on your guitar and how is your guitar tuned? filmed and edited by Kewulay Kamara & Mory Kamara
James Blood was a real inspiration for me. Once I heard Black Rock I knew he was onto something special. Thanks for sharing about your tunings. I excited to try them out.
After waiting 35 years since I last saw JBU live in London I took my son to see him and his Trio play in London last night. JC120 amp, what looks like the same Black Gibson Byrdland guitar and only a Boss Metal Core ML2 distortion pedal in the line (no Wah Wah this time). What power and creativity. Awesome James many thanks for coming to the UK.
Blood is using open A tuning in at least one instance. He is playing Vestapol, or Sebastopol. Totally legit, so often used in Country and Blues. He is from North Carolina.
What a discovery and revelation, it confirms the tunings that I have read about over the years. I hope there is more film/interview content to come I would love to understand more about these tunings and his music. James Blood Ulmer is still the best concert I have ever been to many many years ago in London. Possibly early 80's. Has he played in the UK since?
I wish I had the courage to change tunings. I play nylon string classical guitar, no cut away. I try to focus on where to notes are by ear. At 80 years old, it’s too late to change, at least for me!
This is excellent, thanks so much man. Been listening for decades, always a serious inspiration (that somehow extends beyond music itself) and I will always wonder how you do it (even though I now finally know the tunings). I wrote a song inspired by Black Rock Music, it is called "Bloodology." Will try to get it on youtube one day and will send a link if I do... Again, much appreciation for this and the music.
...now, how many years have we waiting for this :-)
James Blood was a real inspiration for me. Once I heard Black Rock I knew he was onto something special. Thanks for sharing about your tunings. I excited to try them out.
Always loved his work...used to play those big guitars which is right in front of him.
James Blood has flew over any guitar theoly with some genius of his own.
After waiting 35 years since I last saw JBU live in London I took my son to see him and his Trio play in London last night. JC120 amp, what looks like the same Black Gibson Byrdland guitar and only a Boss Metal Core ML2 distortion pedal in the line (no Wah Wah this time). What power and creativity. Awesome James many thanks for coming to the UK.
Blood is using open A tuning in at least one instance. He is playing Vestapol, or Sebastopol. Totally legit, so often used in Country and Blues. He is from North Carolina.
South Carolina
A Genius..nuff said
cool vid. Happy belated Birthday to James Blood Ulmer!
still love your work!!
Thank you Maestro!
What a discovery and revelation, it confirms the tunings that I have read about over the years. I hope there is more film/interview content to come I would love to understand more about these tunings and his music. James Blood Ulmer is still the best concert I have ever been to many many years ago in London. Possibly early 80's. Has he played in the UK since?
I wish I had the courage to change tunings. I play nylon string classical guitar, no cut away. I try to focus on where to notes are by ear. At 80 years old, it’s too late to change, at least for me!
This is excellent, thanks so much man. Been listening for decades, always a serious inspiration (that somehow extends beyond music itself) and I will always wonder how you do it (even though I now finally know the tunings). I wrote a song inspired by Black Rock Music, it is called "Bloodology." Will try to get it on youtube one day and will send a link if I do... Again, much appreciation for this and the music.
Best video on TH-cam
Why would one need to tune guitars to different tunings? Is there a benifit that the player get from this.
It stops you playing cliches.
What's that music on the background?
serious question: what does "Um-Ba-La" mean?
i tried to look it up, but got nothing
you probably mean `hamdullah`?
He is saying alhamdulilah which means all praise and thanks are due to Allah
Humbala?
Huge fan. Lifetime musician