Fixin' To Die by Bukka White Bottleneck Slide Blues Guitar Cover / Republic Guitar

[eastercoal]

Bravo!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@eastercoal Thank you.

[JamieOue]

ahhh...yes...now I'm lean waaaay towards the tricone.great playing again. Love Bukka....PLAY IT GOOD NOW!!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@JamieOue Thank you. Ya, you will be happy with the Republic Tricone. It definitely got yolume and tone. Enjoy.

[BlindTom61]

Don't have to scream or yell. Robert didn't. You sound perfect, like you should, very real. Props for sure... :- )

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. You know how it is...sometimes you just got to Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out. Enjoy.

[surfinbernard77]

Wow! This is really good!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[Essexswamper]

wow. Great cover, and I can't believe Republic guitars offer such authentic tone in their guitars for relatively little money (compared to trying to get classic electric guitar tones). Many thanks for posting.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Please visit the Republic Guitars site. They offer a good quality resonator guitar for a very reasonable price. Great customer service and set up is included. Considering a National Resophonic guitar starts at $1800, you can't go wrong. Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[sawabojo]

nice one.....well played there very good feel !!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy.

[coldiane]

It's serendipity, I tell ya. In 1970 I heard a version of Leadbelly's "Fixin' to Die" performed on 12 string slide on a compilation album. I lost the record and it remained the only song from my past that I couldn't find. During the search I ran into your site on the net. Great! You don't need to change a thing! Anyway, last night I found the version I'd been looking for, by Dave Ray. It's as beautiful as I remember it. Now I have two favorite versions of Bukka White's song. Thanks Keni Lee!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, seek and you shall find. I am glad I could be there for you. Enjoy.

[MrMudneck]

keni! work on that voice more. Louder! scream and holler them blues with all the feel you got. get angry thats what son and patton and all them fellas did

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Yes. Many times playing at home for the camera, it is too easy to remain attached and not fully express oneself. When I busk, I start off self-conscious, but as I continue to perform I lose myself in the song.  Then it all just happens. Thank you for your suggestion. Enjoy.

[RedAllison]

This ol Memphian sure appreciates that!!! Thank you for keeping it pure sir. You are a credit to that instrument and it's legacy. God Bless.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments. I will send you a video from my recent vacation to Tennessee. It contains clips of Memphis. A must visit place for all Blues fans. Enjoy.

[ponchatwmac]

Supper playing, great song

Resodziadzu

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[torrellthaburt]

you have quite the collection of guitars id like to see a video of you talking about and displaying your whole collection

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Maybe in the future I will get to that. Please visit Frank at .republicguitars. to see the models he has available. Enjoy.

[aHorribleMess]

Yeah... you sold me a Republic. Thanks. I've been playing an old bent neck guitar for a while. I didn't want to buy a new mass produced resonator, and I don't know enough of what to look for or what to pay for vintage, so Republics kind of work out great.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Good choice. Frank at Republic Guitars makes a good quality guitar at a very reasonable price. If you are looking for higher end or vintage, then your starting price is certainly going to be well over a $1000. In my opinion, there is no better reasonably priced resonator guitar on the market today that is superior in tone and construction quality. Enjoy.

[TheBalvis]

Keni you are awsome!!!your tunes are always great,thank you for doin' what you're doin'!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I'm glad you are enjoying the Keni Lee Experience. lol. Are you Experienced? lol. Enjoy.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Enjoy.

[jamescaptainfarrell]

Blow me down, this is awesome, never heard that tuning before. The sliding is not bad but the notes in between, damn. I can definitely see the banjo influence in your picking style. I wish I spent my 7 years playing 3 finger instead of clawhammer. I find these sort of rythms kick my ass. However I'm greatful that when I'm musically uninspired I'm one click away from inspiration and watching your vids make me want to play.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. The tuning is just Open G DGDgbd, tuned down a whole step to Open F CFCfac. I discovered as I continue to strengthen my vocal skills and express the melody line better, it makes it easier to find the notes on the guitar. Enjoy

[lesourn]

Very atmospheric . The black and white movie gives a great retro feeling to this. You have a warm relaxed performance style and total instrumental control. KeniLee I would pay to see you play and

thanks again for a great show.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I used Windows Movie Maker to produce this video. Keeping a steady rhythm without slowing down or speeding up too much can be tricky. You can be emotionally envolved, but you can't always let it effect your physical body. Personally, I find what is going on internally, to be a bigger challenge than what is going on externally. Sorry, some deep stuff here. lol. Thanks for the encouragement. Enjoy.

[joyce55]

one more thing: what's the name of the sleeping pet? he/she so "bluesy"

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. That is my dog, Onyx (named after the stone). This was his name when I rescued him from the shelter. He has his winter coat, so his hair is too overgrown. I caught him sleeping with his head on my foot rest. Enjoy.

[joyce55]

I knew You were a great person.........now I'm sure, give a kiss to Onyx for me, I will soon send you some picture of my bunch of inspiring "4legs fellows". I've tried the CFCFAC tuning doing this gig.........I came up to something new too.......even with an acoustic 6 string, it works anyway. Ear from you soon; Claudio

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you Claudio. Yes, I like the lower tunings because they are easier on my voice. Open tunings work well on regular acoustic guitars, although you might need heavier strings in the lower tunings to get the correct string tension for the slide. Enjoy.

[christiansonr1971]

Fine playing. I am a new subscriber from Atlanta, I enjoy all your songs. I am a lefty, having trouble finding decent priced resonators/dobros, can you help? I am a truck driver, so I could travel to purchase, if needed. Thanks

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for the kind words. My friend, Frank at Republic Guitars makes a left handed Tricone. Also, if you decide to purchase remember to tell him, Keni Lee sent you. He will include a free copy of my Series 1 instructional video CD, Bottleneck Blues Guitar. Enjoy and Keep on Truckin!

[christiansonr1971]

Thank you, I'll check into that. Keep those great videos coming, enjoy them a lot.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Enjoy.

[joyce55]

Hi Keni, can you suggest me where to find the lyrics of this song? Useless to say that you've performed it "so swampy"........waiting for you to answer me, thank you for your great job, Claudio

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you Claudio. I usually learn the lyrics off the original recording. If I can't understand them, I use google and search by the song's name or the artist's name. Many times, no one is sure what the lyrics are because the recording is of poor quality. If I can't find them, I make them up, so they fit into the song's story line. Be creative. Enjoy.

[joyce55]

.........the most simple and "artist" way to develope the performance. Thanks for the advice, anyway the author is Bukka White.....right?

[crystalsowner]

great song

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[flactemnad]

Great get on that deal with Republic Guitars.  Congrats!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. For a very reasonable price, you can't get a better quality resonator guitar than one from Republic. In addition, I believe my Series 1 CD will help build a firm foundation and supply endless ideas for study. Make sure you check out their totally original creation, the Parlor size resonator guitar. The wooden body Minolian and steel body Resolian. Great little guitars. Remember, tell them Keni Lee sent you! Enjoy.

[lcsgze]

Love the drive and swampy mood of this.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. In my head, I keep hearing Bukka's original version, that sounds like it is 75 percent washboard. I tried to simulate that rhythm. Enjoy.

[marshmelow]

sweet song Keni, I think you need to do this when the weather warms in long island city for the film.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Sure, sounds like a good addition.

[davensonya]

Nice Stompin Board!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. lol. Well, some fool put down carpet over the hard wood floors. Actually, I should be wearing my boots. lol. These wing tips just don't cut thru. Enjoy.

[bluescollarband]

Real nice Keni . Thanks.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[blindboyblue]

Top stuff!! Like using this tuning myself.

I see you commented earlier you thought this could do with some washboard. I'd think some hittin the bones would sound better but really, it's excellent as is. gonna fav for sure.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Yes, the lower open tunings work well. Bones certainly would be cool. On Bukka's original version, he played with a washboard player. I believe it was Washboard Sam. Eventually I wouldn't mind playing in a band. Vocalist, harmonica, percussion, and upright bass. I enjoy playing solo, but I also enjoy the new direction songs go, when you play with other musicians. Enjoy.

[Helmholtz53]

what? no drums?back to my dayjob!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Yes, I agree. This song is screaming percussion. I think a simple washboard with a tin cup and a wooden block would do the trick, but what the hell, there is a lot of room for a whole kit. Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[psychodelicdragon]

awesome awesome great tunes slide and all :):)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for the kind words. Enjoy.

[robocat66]

Truly awesome.....

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[KarloR27]

Nice love the fingerpicking and slide work in the tuning and the guitar. I've tried open F before it's lovely.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I guess if I slap on a set of TransAtlantic cables I might be able to step down further to E. That would sound really interesting against a guitar in Vestapol tuning Key of E. Gotta try that. Enjoy.

[KarloR27]

Actually I did try that months ago and I didn't use it for long but it sounded like the normal open e tuning I think to me. But yeah definatley try that out keni I'd love to hear it. All the best.

[mizzissippiblues]

just watched the David Holt vid and very impressed ! Will you use split screen editing to play washboard and guitar?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

lol. Unfortunately, my software is not up for that challenge. I have a friend who is a drummer. I'm planning to talk him into it. If that doesn't work, I guess you will be hearing the stylings of Washboard Bill Helferich. Enjoy.

[mizzissippiblues]

always enjoy your playing KeniLee 5*****

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. What this song really needs is Washboard! I'm slowly getting all the parts together. I got a vintage Zinc King Lingerie model washboard and a tin cup. All I still need is a wooden block, an old belt to make a strap to hang it on my neck and some thimbles. I'm trying to build a David Holt style washboard. See this video: David Holt and the Lightning Bolts: Washboard

[bluegitsy]

sounds great must try that tuning

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Tuning down low like a baritone guitar works great on Resonators. You may need to use heavier strings to avoid overly slack strings. I'm using .059 - .016