Official Luthiers Forum!

A group of friends and I went to see Don Ross last night in Ottawa... Serge was among the group.

This was my first experience seeing Don Ross live. I could use a few choice adjectives to describe the event... Mind-blowing, humbling, amazing, fantastic... You get the picture... But nothing I can say can really come close to explaining the experience.

His playing is truly amazing but his personality and stage presence are second to none. He had us all laughing at his stories. He is extremely intelligent (obviously) and is a born story teller. His singing is very very good as well.

Serge actually got to meet up with him after the show but I'll let Serge tell his own story.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to take any pictures. I had forgotten my camera and I hesitated using my camera phone during the performance since no one else was taking pictures...

So a word to the wise. If you ever have a chance to see Don Ross, do it. You'll never regret it, that's for sure.

Cheers,

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Yes, that was a performance and a performer i'll never forget, a humongous talent, just mind blowing to see his different techniques, his many different tunings and acuracy while playing!

A true guitar professional player, a rare talent who mixes Jazz, blues, classic and folk music to create his own touch of magic.

His guitars sounded great with the K and K pick upshe uses. I was curious to know what combos his guitars were made of so at the end of the show, i went and asked him, he said his baritone was made with cocobolo and sitka and the other guitar he had taken backstage was made of padauk and spruce but he invited me to play his baritone and Man, i thought WOW! I TRIED IT!

It was my first time trying a baritone and i seriously think i'm gonna build one for myself!

Don Ross, a down to earth guy with gifted fingers like you wouldn't believe, as Alain said, if you have a chance, go see him and the tickets were cheap!

Wow, guys that sounds like quite an experience. Glad you got to do it.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Ron, try this link and listen to : Afraid to dance!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Don+Ross

Tell me what you think!

Serge

[quote]His playing is truly amazing but his personality and stage presence are second to none. He had us all laughing at his stories. He is extremely intelligent (obviously) and is a born story teller. His singing is very very good as well. [/quote]

Wow This guys sounds like me!

I've seen some of his video he's pretty good!

Billy Dean

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Don Ross's official website is at this URL: http://www.gobyfish.com/

You can purchase his CD's directly off this site as they aren't easy to find in record shops. I hit 3 big record shops in Toronto before I found the one I gave to Lance. If they are tough to find here in Toronto and Don Ross lives in Aurora which is a suburb of Toronto -- I gotta think they aren't easy to find elsewhere.

Also on his site you can buy his Tab and an instructional DVD which is really good.

Alain/Serge glad you enjoyed the show -- he is a treat to see. Serge you were talking about his guitars -- last time I saw him he was playing Beneteau's.

Yes Anthony, Beneteau's it was last night, i think he owns several guitars made by different luthiers right? we didn't talk much since there were many fans waiting for an autograph on his CDs but the guy appeared to be very generous of his time nonetheless. Playing a 100 different tunings, he said he must keep 'em in a notebook and some of them are just incredible to hear! Oh and thanks for the link Anthony, i saved it to my favorites!Serge Poirier38975.7355671296

[QUOTE=Hesh1956]
When you watch Don it is very clear that the guitar needs to be tightly strapped to his body since often no hands are touching the guitar at all [/QUOTE]

It's pretty wild to see all the different techniques he uses to create a sound. His wedding band plays a large part in a few of the tunes... Heavy funk bass style slap harmonics... Let me tell you, this guy will test the neck-joint on any guitar. He's 6'4", 270 lbs.+ and when he holds the guitar tight to his body with one hand and grabs the back of the neck and starts making that thing sound like he's making dives with a whammy bar!!!!! I was sort in shock, to tell the truth

I'm still shaking my head!!!

Alain Desforges38975.9040856482

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Serge when I saw him play he had two Beneteau's one of which was a baritone.

Thanks, Serge. I'll have to wait till I go back to work on Monday. My dial-up is tooooo slow.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Yup, that's exactly what he had with him on stage Anthony!

Ron, you won't regret it!

I saw him play a free concert at Harbourfront in Toronto two years ago. He was great, although his technique is world class he doesn't seem to let that overshadow the music.

The audience was funny - half the people there were fans who were entrance by every note, and half the people were tourists looking for somewhere to sit down for 10 minutes and couldn't care less about the stage. I guess that's what you get at a free concert!

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

Wow! He is an amazing player Serge!
Thanks for the clip.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

My pleasure Dave!