Image via Wikipedia It appears that the Philippine’s top alternative music station NU 107 has decided to change over to a pop format. If true, one of the country’s major blues radio show — Crossroads, hosted by Captain Eddie — will vanish from local airways. Local musicians are shocked by the announcement, especially since the [...]
Continue reading Manila Blues Radio Takes A Hit
Blues fans in Bangkok are looking forward to a night of special blues this Saturday, 30 October, billed as the Bangkok Blues Fest. To be held at the Prachachuen Pub, the event will feature several local professional and semi-professional Thai blues bands, as well as a band from Japan and a guest artist from Malaysia. [...]
Continue reading Countdown to Bangkok Blues Fest – October 30
Alicia
I look forward to see photos out from the fest. I am sure it’s such a happy event.
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Laura
I heard that Bangkok Blues Fest is really a great event that lots of people there is enjoying. Thanks for sharing the information…
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WHAT: The International Blues and Slack Key Guitar Festival on Saipan and Guam… Four Concerts,Three Nights, Two Islands, One Island Chain Under a Groove WHEN: Friday November 5, 7:30pm in Guam at The Mermaid Tavern andGrille, downtown Hagatna… “Johnny Paniolo & Hula Blues” Saturday, November 6, 7:30pm in Saipan at Wild Bill’s Bar & Grill, [...]
Continue reading Micronesia Blues Society Presents 3-Night Blues Fest — November 5-7
22 October 2010 — Eric Clapton has confirmed concerts in Singapore and Hong Kong in Febrary 2011. His band members will be long-time touring partners: Steve Gadd (drums), Willie Weeks (bass), Chris Stainton (keyboards) along with Michelle John and Sharon White as backing vocalists. Tickets for both concerts went on sale just this week. On [...]
Continue reading Eric Clapton To Hold Concerts in Singapore and Hong Kong — February 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 October 2010 — The Rollin’ Sixers, self-defined as a Hard Stoner Blues Rock band, has been plying the blues trail in Malaysia for five years. With its first single now getting some prominent airplay on local radio, the group was featured today in an online review by The Star’s entertainment reporter, N. [...]
Continue reading Rollin’ Sixers Score Major Review
By John Walden, 12 October 2010 — IT IS OFTEN SAID that the center for guitar manufacture in the Philippines is the island of Cebu. Well, that is not entirely accurate. Most of the Pinoy guitar factories are actually situated on the adjacent island of Mactan, which is connected to Cebu by two road bridges. [...]
Continue reading Guitar Building in the Philippines
Joric Maglanque
Nice article! Good to see that Cebu/Mactan continues to proudly wave their flag in the country’s guitar building industry. Good job, John.
Not on Mactan but in Cebu island proper there is also master craftsman Junx Muana who builds custom and vintage-style instruments using the highest quality imported woods (German spruce top, East Indian rosewood) as well as local woods (according to your specs). They have international clients as well as local professional players all over the Philippines (including many from GAS-capital Manila). The name of his company is Harana, phone 032 2313414, located in 12b Sanson Rd., Lahug, Cebu City 6000
Tom Colvin
Thanks for yr comment, Joric. For everyone’s info, Joric will be performing blues at the upcoming Cebu Guitar Fest 2010 at the end of November. More information about that will be forthcoming.
Tomcat
Joric, thanks also for reporting the bug in our comment system. It happened to me also, the same error message, even though the comment actually reached WordPress for approval. I hope the problem is sorted out now. I will see at the next click of a button.
pong caballero
now, i have to agree with joric. after waiting for 6 months, my custom om45 homage(vintage) arrived fresh from the dream factory of efren “junx” muana. during the long 6 months of waiting (actually thats super quick for a very ornate custom built guitar), i was continually updated with the plans, choices of wood and construction development through internet. so literaly, i have “experinced” the construction of my guitar from conception to its birth. and when i got hold of that guitar, it doesnt fell short of astounding me, the level of craftsmanship is really inspiring, and the way he interpreted my specifications into an artistic “luthiers” point of view. all i can say is.. amazing!
.. and oh! did i forget to say that it has a tone that has rendered my other guitars dormant?
dante
a little history on harana guitars by junx muana
http://www.dispatchmagonline.com/gear/harana-travel-guitars-from-cebu/
Websites
http://haranaguitars.multiply.com/
http://www.facebook.com/junxmuana
Ralph
ga obra sad mo ug lefthanded guitars?para sa mga lefthanded?my available ron sa inyo?
John Walden
They can build you whatever you want in a guitar! “left handed” no problem… All of the factories make such instruments.
Oscillating tool
Rosewood “professional” acoustic instruments cost only 15,000 Pesos (about $340 USD)??Unbelivable!!
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John Walden
There are some great hand crafted guitars, and other stringed instruments… Available in the Republic of the Philippines.
Many lutiers there are true craftsmen, who have learned their art from their fathers or grandfathers.
Because the cost of living is low in the Philippines,and the remuneration for craftsmen is also less than in the west, it is still possible to purchase a splendid hand crafted musical instrument at what in Europe or the USA seems to be a VERY low price.
Cebu, and the island of Mactan in particular is a great place to visit, perhaps for a holiday….
And while there, to buy a superior musical instrument… Or to order something custom made.
John “Whiteboy” Walden
Now back in the depths of the English countryside.
SINGAPORE, 11 October 2010 — The management of the Crazy Elephant bar in Singapore makes a habit of hiring an expat frontman for its house band, with contract running for three months. Australian bluesman Greg Nunan takes the helm this week. Nunan sings, plays guitar and writes songs. Nunan was born on a farm, honed [...]
Continue reading Aussie Greg Nunan Fronts Crazy Elephant House Band
Dave Willis
The Crazy Elephant is a must for all those who like improvised music and for those who want to ‘have a blow’!
Greg leads each evening superbly to get the best out of his band and any sitting-in musicians. He organises these into appropriately balanced impromptu bands to provide lots of variety.
It’s all very relaxed.
Thanks Greg for letting me play my ‘New Orleans Jazz’ clarinet!
Cheers,
Dave
+97150 220 2405
Thomas Colvin
Dave, you are certainly correct about the Crazy Elephant. It may, in fact, be the best bar in Asia for blues musicians wishing to “sit in.” It’s certainly the best known.
Between the 10th and the 19th of October, 2010, Indonesia will witness an explosion of blues that will literally touch the music community nation-wide. The focal point is the 3rd annual Jakarta International Blues Festival on 15-16 October. But the blues rumblings stretch well beyond that. First, a little background. To the surprise of many [...]
Continue reading Counting Down to the Jakarta International Blues Festival
On October 24, Singaporean bar Timbre will host a special Blues Summit, featuring local blues bands Skunk Jive, Chicken Shack Revival, Blues Train and Blues Virus, capped off with an open jam hosted by old-time blues stalwart Segar. I personally know the work of three of all of these bands and can testify that all [...]
Continue reading Blues Summit: October 24 at Timbre, Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 October, 2010 — Kuala Lumpur’s top jazz club No Black Tie held its first week-long Blues Celebration in July 2010, which was covered by TheStarOnline’s music writer N. Rama Lohan. Proprietress Evelyn Hii promises more: “Blues is the beginning of jazz and No Black Tie hopes to create a certain revival of [...]
Continue reading No Black Tie Embraces The Blues
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Laura, and 
Alicia are discussing. 
One word sums it up: TRAGIC!
All is not lost however. Its sister station based in Cebu City has taken the responsibility of ensuring that rock music will remain on air. It doesn’t have a pure-Blues program but does play classic rock/blues rock songs especially on weekends. Visit online at http://www.nu107cebu.com