Keni Lee in Provincetown Mass. Busking July 2010 Fixin' To Die by Bukka White

[sexypoetry]

i seek pole shift survival group

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@sexypoetry ??? Care to clarify your comment? Thank you for your interest. Happy Holidays. Enjoy.

[sexypoetry]

@KeniLeeBurgess if you google "pole shift" you will soon know as much as i do on that subject...though you may chose to ignore it, for whatever reason, it is up to you really.

[PennaPlanum]

@sexypoetry Stand under a jungle gym (monkey bars) and when the earth's poles shift, right at the apex of the force reach up and hang on the bars with your feet off the ground. Everything will miss you.

[chunter5100]

Well, thank god for that! You are amazing, and I have purchased your CD's ,and they are such a great learning tool!

[chunter5100]

pearls before swine....what can I say?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@chunter5100 Thank you for your comment. A few viewers made comments like this in the past too, but actually this is a great venue to busk. The main reason you don't see people stopping to watch or throw some change is because my friend is standing right in front of me filming. Usually people stop, ask questions, and are rather generous to old Keni Lee. It is legal to busk there with a free permit from the Police. So, street performers are a very common site. Enjoy.

[chunter5100]

@chunter5100 Also Kenny, you are easily one of the best modern bluesmen out there IMHO, you and Lewis Cohen, from England, who actually made a video on youtube for me, breaking down how he does "Aberdeen Mississippi Blues"....

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@chunter5100 Thank you. I greatly appreciate your kind words. I love playing country blues and for me it is especially rewarding to share how to play this style with guitarists who are struggling with the "frustration of learning" the same way I did in the past. My instructional video CDs reproduce the step by step method I discovered that made me feel like I was in control of the creative process. Once you understand the fingerboard of an open tuned guitar, anything seems possible. Enjoy.

[PennaPlanum]

@KeniLeeBurgess GET HIS CDS I got 2 they are great.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@PennaPlanum Thank you for your support. I am glad to hear you are enjoying the CDs.

[mrbangham]

Very, very nice!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@mrbangham Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[shiva8814]

I got a question that I hope doesn't sound stupid. On the guitar you are using I see a metal disk where the resonator is. What is that? Also I am less curious about what the box is but curious enough to ask just the same. So if you would not mind answering those two questions for me I would appreciate ya.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@shiva8814 Thank you for your question. The metal disk is the cover plate that protects the cone underneath from damage. The box is a vintage Dr. Hess fly stray box. These guitar are usually called Cigar box guitars because traditional they were made using discarded cigar boxes. Enjoy.

[customcopy]

Nice sound Keni what are you using for a slide ?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@customcopy Thank you for your comment and question. I am using a slide made from a beef bone by a friend on cigarboxnation. Enjoy.

[stratdelux09]

Keni....where DID you get that guitar! Like it. Great playin too.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@stratdelux09 Thank you for your comment and question. This guitar was built by James Millinchuk, a professional guitar builder in New Hampshire. If you are interested, I can put you in contact with him. You need to collect all the parts (I can help you with this) and send them to Jim. I believe he charges between $400 - $600  to assemble it. Enjoy.

[guitapie1]

i can´t imagine a better way of earn a living, the tambourine-foot is just a fantastic idea, keep on blues man!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@guitapie1 Thank you for your comment. I have to say I enjoy it alot. I am not really making a living at street performance. I got other irons in the fire too. But as for my vacation, it brough in extra money to enjoy some very nice meals. Lobster is a real treat. Enjoy.

[133serge13318]

damn! this just brings out the truer form of your music with this background info!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@133serge13318 Think about the street performers of the past. Who were they? The outcasts of society. The poor, blind, cripple, drifters, snake oil salesman... Certainly not the elite and the toast of the town. What do people think of me sitting on a subway platform playing my guitar for change or a buck? Do they think, I'm homeless or a drug addict? An undiscovered talent? Actually it is not that balck and white. Many people stop to talk and realize a lot more. Enjoy.

[133serge13318]

@KeniLeeBurgess exactly. we have some street performers, and they barely know how to strum a chord.. still they're out all the time. people do pass em by to quickly

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@133serge13318 It is almost a study of human psychology. When I perform, Shake your Money Maker, I call out to the audience and look directly at a certain person and say, Come on baby, shake it one time for me...Come on, don't be shy. Some people start to shaking. Others try to ignore me and quickly turn away. LOL Basically as a street performer, you have the opportunity to call out or confront people directly. All in good fun of course. Enjoy.

[gcharb]

Maybe you'll be in P-town late August when I'm there, it would be cool to see you there!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@gcharb Thank you for your comment. I would love to be there again this year, but it is highly unlikely. I go up there only once a year for a week of vacation. It is a 5 hour car trip and although very reasonably priced, I just ain't got the cash. Enjoy your time there. Get a lobster roll at the Red Shack and some fried dough from the Portuguese bakery. Yum! Enjoy.

[133serge13318]

i wish we had town musicians like you Keni!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@133serge13318 Thank you for your comment. I wish there were more towns like Provincetown, Mass. that welcome street performers. I go to the Police station and get a yearly permit. No problems. Just play and enjoy. Even in my own home town during a yearly Antique Show held downtown, they will not let me perform. I was told they do no want to encourage that stuff. I guess I ain't no Senator's son. LOL Enjoy.

[133serge13318]

@KeniLeeBurgess

oh wow i didnt knew it was like that!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@133serge13318 Yes civil rights are clearly legislated. The freedom of free speech and the right to assemble require a permit. Most people learn about their rights in school but never put them to the test. As for performing on the NYC subway platforms the governing body, MTA states it is legal. Unfortunately many Police offiers are not clear about the law. They will write a ticket and force you to leave. These tickets get routinely thrown out of court, but by then the damage is already done.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@133serge13318 The Mayor of NYC, Bloomberg stated we are a nation of laws. This is what protects our freedoms. What ever happened to God given rights...inalienable rights. Ya, lets give more power to politicians and judges. I don't think you can legislate a perfect nation. People need to wake up. They need to put their rights to the test. Thanks for listening.

[sugarcanegray]

Brilliant stuff Kenny, you've got such a, effortless and authentic style, great voice, love it. Keep up the good work amigo!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@sugarcanegray Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. When I began playing guitar, I originally tried to play like other musicians. It never worked. Years ago, I took a big "backward step" and started learning again from the very beginning. I studied music theory and learned how to apply it. My new knowledge opened up many avenues for experimentation. My instructional video CDs are a recreation of my step by step process. Enjoy.

[sugarcanegray]

@KeniLeeBurgess

Any plans tro release another music CD? Still loving the last one.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@sugarcanegray Yes there are plans, but it all comes down to money for studio time, royalties, printing costs. I would like to record a CD less produced. More like a live street performance with backup. Simple drum kit and harmonica. I am also working on a new series of lessons for Old time traditional Gospel guitar. I would like to have a music CD to accompany the lessons too. Hiring my Gospel vocalist requires funds too. Thanks for asking. I am glad to hear you are enjoying my Good & Evil CD.

[potluckpicker]

Cool seeing P-town again after 38 yrs., truth is I just plain enjoyed the tune. Thanks for the vid. Don

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@potluckpicker Thank you Don for your comment. P-town is wonderful place. You should consider making a pilgrimage again before another 38 years go by. LOL Ya, nothing like a good Bukka tune. Enjoy

[guywolff]

Ken have you ever met Tim Dicky out there . He has been in the Jug Band in PTown for decades .. We had bands together in the 60's up there as kids .. Great clip .. Yours Guy

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@guywolff Thank you for your comment Guy. No, I have never met Tim Dicky. I only go out there for a week once a year, so there is not much time to soak in and meet the locals. Although, as you know, Ptown is definitely a good musician's hangout. Enjoy.

[WILLARDJ]

de man deserves a tip,,,keni,really a super video.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@WILLARDJ Thank you WillardJ for your continued interest and encouragement. Enjoy.

[woodcutter610328]

Thanks for the video! I wish I was sittin on that park bench next to ya. Peace.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@woodcutter610328 Thank you for your comment. Ya, you can get yourself a nice lobster roll sandwich just down the street at the "Red Shack" and have a delicious lunch alfresco too. Enjoy.

[bluesrul]

loved it great job

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@bluesrul Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy.

[smashygadge]

lovely keni,lovely song lovely location ,really liked the video.and well lovely looking way of life .thanks for posting.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@smashygadge Thank you for your comment. Provincetown, Mass. is a wonderful place to vacation. Stay at an inexpensive Bed and Breakfast, eat lobster and Portuguese fried dough, bring your dog down to the beach to play fetch during low tide, and sip a few cold cocktails. What more can you ask? Enjoy.

[fourty5mag]

Hey Keni Lee, That was some cool tunes!!! And a neat place to play!! Now if you could just learn to sing!! LOL!!! Just Kidin!!! You got it!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@fourty5mag Thank you for your comment. To be honest, I feel my voice can certainly use some deeper study too. In my own defense though, this video was shot after many days of performing. Projecting correctly without amplification is an art in itself. I played 5 times during the week. An average of 5 to 6 hours each time. I averaged a little less than $20 per hour and sold 10 CDs. It is a great venue to busk. You go to the Police station to get a permit. No problems. Enjoy. 

[fourty5mag]

@KeniLeeBurgess Have fun, make people happy, and make money doing it!!! Can't get no better than that!!! :-)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@fourty5mag Thank you for your response. Yes, definitely a busker's vacation spot. Enjoy.

[thead4]

That is some mean cigar box

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@thead4 Thank you for your comment. The builder, James Millinchuk is a professional who has built guitars for performers like Sting and Bruce Springsteen. For many years now, he has been rebuilding and repairing my vintage resonator guitars. Recently he started building resonator CBGs. From this experience, he has developed a good understanding of how to build a CBG with exceptional tone and volume. If you collect the parts, he will assembly it for a very reasonable price. Enjoy.