Blind Willie Johnson Dark was the Night, Cold was the Ground Cigar Box Guitar

[ThatClassicGreyBox]

You are amazing.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@ThatClassicGreyBox Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy.

[Ultratacker]

Vsauce sent me here:D

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@Ultratacker Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your visit.

[SFO14]

Vsauce!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@SFO14 ??? Thank you for you comment. Enjoy.

[CorneliusMarc]

I like"propiks" much more comfortable and they grip good. KeniLee, love your smooth style. You're an inspiration.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@CorneliusMarc Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. Rather expensive but, I really like the Sammy Shelor picks for playing at home. During performances or while recording, I always use plastic picks. Because they fit tight, they stay on and the longer blades let me dig in deeper to out a big fat tone. But like I tell my students, picks are relatively inexpensive, try different brands, use what feels and works best. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@CorneliusMarc Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. Rather expensive but, I really like the Sammy Shelor picks for playing at home. During performances or while recording, I always use plastic picks. Because they fit tight, they stay on and the longer blades let me dig in deeper to out a big fat tone. But like I tell my students, picks are relatively inexpensive, try different brands, use what feels and works best. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[Aspley1990]

Hi from a Brit in Taiwan,

I notice you use thumb and finger picks. I've never been able to get along with them myself, mostly because I've never put the time into practicing with them. I play a lot of slide and country blues. Could you tell me what you think the advantages of picks are so I could think about whether I want to put the effort into getting used to them.

I love your channel.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@Aspley1990 Thank you for your comment. It is definitely worth the effort to learn how to play with picks. Just like a flatpick, fingerpicks are harder than flesh and deliver a sharp crisp attack to the strings. This creates monster tone. Furthemore, resonator guitars work just like banjos. You need a lot of energy to make them ring effectively. Also, because they potect your fingers, you can dig in deep into the string and produce rolls that are not possible without them. Enjoy.

[Aspley1990]

@KeniLeeBurgess Thanks. I'll give 'em a go again. That's the way with guitar. You try something, you think it's not for you and then later on you end up coming back to it and trying again.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@Aspley1990 Yes, it can be frustrating learning to use them. To make the transistion easier, practice scales or a very easy song you can normally play well. Plastic picks stays on better and have longer blades making it easier to get in. Metal is more comfortable, but tend to slide off over time. Also, metal is a little more noisey on the string. Some players (Earl Scruggs) like to bend the blades to get a different attack angle. Experiment. Enjoy.

[wc4dblues]

GOOD JOB. I really dig that axe!! Blind Willie would like what you've done. With the box,as well as his tune

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@wc4dblues Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. BWJ was truly an inspirational man. The hardships of his life were molehills compared to his mountainous spirit. Enjoy.

[inuitt]

beautiful...

greetings from barcelona

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@inuitt Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[GibsonGuitarestmatt]

brilliant interpretation

ive not seen anyone who can play it exactly the same and probably never will he was amazing.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, BWJ was an amazing performer. My renditions are never based on exact note for note interpretations. Only impressions. It is very difficult to copy an artist. An artist develops their unique approach after years and years of playing. The subtle nuances is what really defines their brilliance. Enjoy.

[electricragtime]

This is beautifully done my friend....and I love the guitar...did you build it yourself????

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. No, I am not a builder, just a player. It was build by James Millinchuk, a local professional builder. I purchased the box off of ebay and he installed the old neck from my rebuilt 1935 National Duolian. Enjoy.

[madmodpo]

Great tone and soul.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy.

[soaringman]

cool guitar and slide and sound

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy.

[endofdays212]

This makes my heart swell with emotion every time I hear you play it. It makes me so proud to be alive at this time in the history of humanity.......You are something else ☼

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Yes, even though presently we are living in tough economical times, they are still pale in comparison to the hardships faced by musicians like Blind Willie Johnson. This is why it is always important to be realistic about your situation and truely learn to have the serenity to accept the things you cannot change and the courage to change the things you can. May your life go well. Enjoy.

[Davesax1965]

Absolutely great stuff. Thanks, Keni Lee !

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[arsajo96]

The voyager´s song... to one millon light year of home.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, it is truly great and amazing to think, that of all the songs available, Blind Willie Johnson's song was chosen to be shot up into space. Stellar!

[blindboyblue]

That is one fat beef bone!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. lol. You know it is very difficult to find the right size bone. It needs to fit your pinky, be thick, and straight enough. If anyone out there makes bones slides, I hope they send me an email because I would be interested. Enjoy.

[JeanPaul1964]

fantastic sound!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[Davesax1965]

Hi KeniLee - another cigar box guitar fan here - this time from England. Sounds great - and that's a great version. Think I'd better start saving - I'm a cigar smoker, so that's one problem solved ! Thanks for some great videos, and all the best to you.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Finding a real large Cigar box, that would allow you to make a full size guitar, is rather tricky. I would suggest visiting your favorite smoke shop, and asking if they are willing to sell a large retail display box. I recently found a large cedar wood Rigoletto box on ebay. I'm not sure if it is vintage. It might be new. Happy Hunting and Happy New Year. Enjoy.

[blueskyearth]

Great version KeniLee your own, and amazing

sound from the guitar!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I've been meaning to work on a more complete rendition of this song. Better melody line, humming, etc. Yes, this guitar has great tone, but of course the secret to this video is, recorded in the bathroom. lol. Can't be those hard tiles for added tone. There has been so many responses about this guitar, I asked the builder, Jimmy to make one for sale. I will post a video with it, and auction it off on ebay sometime after the New Year. Happy Holidays!

[ekserchina]

Is there any way I can get the plans for how to built this kind of a resonator cigar box guitar. Logic says it's not too hard but it would be great help if you could shoot some ideas over. And great playing. thanks

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Well, I'm a player, not a builder. My best suggestion would be to contact a builder like tinyguitars here on Youtube for tips. My friend Jimmy, who built this guitar, is available if you would like him to build one for you. Basically, if you supply all the parts, he will assemble for $500-$600. Enjoy.

[BrotherInfernus]

Oh God. Amazing sound!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[RJ3220]

Thank you very much you've made me very happy today. I love the guitar and the slide.

Keep playing the blues.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. Please feel free to write if you have any questions.

[bottleneckslide]

Hey Kenny, love your stuff. I just acquired a beef leg bone and have it cut and cured, but I still need to cut and polish it. LOL, I dont know if I can make it sound as good as you do however.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Finding that right bone is the trick. Mine is a little large and irregular, but is works okay. What the hell are we talking about here? lol. But seriously, I'm surprised no one yet has tried to manufacture them for sale. If they were nice, I'd be buying.

[NixonMcvicar]

beef bone ?! you're KIDDING ? Excellent, I have friends on Cornwall UK, big beef territory...

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Yes, Mississippi Fred McDowell said he learned slide when a relative fashioned a slide for him out of a piece of bone. Fred uses a shorter ring-like slide. As bone dries, it hardens, and produces a good tone.

[marshmelow]

I love the bone slide Keni...very nice.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. You know I also work as a chef. We order 50 lb. boxes of beef bones to make stock for soup and gravies. I'm always searching for the perfect bone. I don't know of anyone who produces them, but the Folk performer Roy Book Binder has one that someone made for him that is nicely machined. Fred Mcdowell uses a small ring size slide made out of bone also. Hey, if anyone out there know of someone making a good bone slide, hook me up.

[ldylgz]

This reminds me of what my Mother and Father listened to in Texas. It's nice...AND...you play Stella guitars and my name is Stella so I like you even more. ;)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Please visit my page and click on Playlists. The videos are organized for better selection. I lived in San Antonio for 3years while serving in the USAF in the 80's. Texas is a beautiful state. I miss the excellent Mexican food and the large Texas portions. Biscuits,gravy,grits. Can't get stuff like that here on the coast. As for Stella guitars, they sure are getting top dollar on ebay these days. Amazing considering they are really a low end guitar. Stella a rose among the daisies.

[IggyArtist]

Can Resonator guitars be made or bought being made out of wood? If so does the wood change the quality compared to a metal? :)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Yes, there are wood body resonators. Visit National Resophonic. Wood is softer than metal, so the tone is mellow, warm, and sweet. Country Dobro players usually always play wood body Reso.

[IggyArtist]

Thanks I'll be sure to check that out :)

[pcanderson50]

That was sooo well done. Blind Willie's slide work is probably the most heartfelt of all the old timers. I'm sure he'd of been proud. Do you have the 'how to' for this tune on any of your lessons?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I feel that Mr. Willie Johnson's life was fulled with so much adversity, he was the Blues. He opened his mouth, and instead of drowning in a sea of pain and suffering, sang with a spirit that transcended this world.

If you listen to the original recording, it is clear that Mr. Johnson was in a deep spiritual place. My version is an improvisational rendition based on countless listenings. I have no tab. I would suggest, some deep listening, and open D exploration.

[H0LL0WBELLY]

the tone is to DIE for-brilliant!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. This guitar does have a great tone, but I'll let you in on a little secret. I shot this video in my bathroom. There is nothing like hard tiles to pounce back the sound.

[PLEEUZ]

How cool is this. Man that was fantastic!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Please visit my page.

[Pobubba]

How did you make the CBG where did you get the resonator? sounds great.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. The resonator is from an old 1931 National Style O that I no longer own. My friend, Jimmy who is a professional guitar builder, took parts he had left over from other past renovations of mine and put it together using my ebay find cigar box.

[inikokir]

great sound, i dig it,

but your missing a few notes that distinguish the song, but hell,

i cant do any better

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Ya, I know it is not an accurate version, but most of my songs are not note for note. I like to listen to songs, get inspired by the basic melody line, and then create my own arrangements using my own approach. Over time, I continuously, change the song, adding and deleting parts to create an arrangement I feel sounds good. I'll give the original a new listen, and see if I can find the notes you are talking about. Thanks again for stopping by.

[inikokir]

good deal,

good approach,

guitar has a rich deep sound, i think i was sweating when i listened to that this song,

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment.

[bluegrasslives2]

I liked that piece on that square box, you need to try some cornmeal gravey poured over some homefried potatoes!!keep up the good work!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Can you tell me how to make corn meal gravy? I would love to try some.

[bluegrasslives2]

Take iron skillet put about six or eight tablespoons of bacon grease or regular lard and get it hot then sprinkle about three tablespoons of self rising meal in and stir until it is saturated with grease , keep stirring until it starts to brown, have a quart of milk ready and pour it in ,all the while keep stirring until it thickens up as thick as buttermilk or yogurt, put it on freash fried potatoes!!!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for telling me how to make this. I'm going to give it a try, and I'll get back to you. Thanks again.

[bluegrasslives2]

I forgot to tell you, dont use the whole quart of milk, just about a little over half!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. I'm going to make this at work. I don't make bacon very often; usually only when I'm making quiche. I also thought to make the roux, I'd saute some onion in the bacon fat, and let them carmalize first before browning the cornmeal. I'll let you know how it comes out. Now, I'm getting hungry. :)

[downhill240]

Lovely piece Keni!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[kokoro86]

Sheesh...Way to swell my already bloated favourites collection!

Ah, who am I kiddin? Keep em comin!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you.

[theprinceofwoodford]

Fantastic as ever, did you construct that guitar yourself?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. No, this guitar was built by my friend, Jimmy using old parts from my 1935 National guitar that he restored.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. You know, I can't say I'm not into technology because Youtube and my computer have provided me with new friends, hours of fun and endless opportunities, but there must have been some good thing too in those old simplier times. Like loud resonator guitars! Enjoy.

[natureswhey]

Hey Keni, stil waiting for my cd..don't worry thats Canada Post for ya..we wouldn't have it any other way.

Is that a real Ham bone your using? It sure looks like it in the video?

Regards

Kevin

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you Kevin. Sorry to hear that your CD is delayed. I'm sure it will arrive soon. If it doesn't please contact me on ebay. The post has been delayed because of the large volume of after holiday returns. Actually, that is a beef bone. It is a little large. I'm looking to find some veal bones next. Finding the perfect bone is turning out to be a lot harder than finding the perfect bottle.