Good & Evil / The Gospel and Blues Connection / Cigar Box Guitar

[amazingtrainreck]

nice performances. great commentary! -Washboard Jackson(Trainreck)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@amazingtrainreck Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your encouragement. Enjoy

[kdwilent]

Mr Burgess! YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD! I'm Rev KM Williams ,and I have been performing both blues and Gospel all my life. Blues ask questions about life and Gospel gives you the answers! It is not God vs The Devil! It is two similar expressions of human life! May the good Lord bless you and your career!

[RevDelbert]

I think the buskers who do gospel blues on the streets are there to take the gospel to those who would not normally darken the doorway of a church in a language in which they can relate; and I certainly would not begrudge any of them if they should make a few bucks in the process! After all, most churches do not expect their pastors to work for free. Keep on preachin' the gospel and playin' the blues, bro!! Oh, would you be willing to take an apprentice who's a pretty good harp player?

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@RevDelbert Thank you for your comment. I believe regardless of your religious beliefs, it is important to encourage others to aspire to make positive choices and seek a better relationship with their fellow man. It is my hope that my performances help others to put an end to their greed, anger, and ignorance. Keep the Faith. Sorry about the delayed reponse. I just returned from a 15 day trip to China. Happy Hoildays. Enjoy, Keni Lee

[MrRandomWritings]

Very well put Keni - of course way back in early England the folk minstrels went around spreading news and infomation through their songs. Actually when I was a teenager there was a Gospel Church a few miles away from us and they ran a free bus collecting the congregation - we used to jump on board and go along on a Friday night for a good old sing-song!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@MrRandomWritings Thank you for your comment and sharing. I was raised by my Mother in the Baptist church and went to Vacation Bible school as a boy. We sang dozens of songs and also played kazoo. Actually, I have been a Buddhist since 1990, but I still retain a relationship with Jesus. Putting religious dogma aside, I think there are more similarities than differences between the various religious paths. Good is simply Good. Different people need to get together to see this. Keep your Faith

[ijitdunn]

The poodle went off to get his harmonica, the groove was calling to him! Nice historical analysis and presentation. 5/5 *!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@ijitdunn Thank you for your comment. Usually he pulls his harpoon out of his dirty blue bandanna. LOL Just trying to keep it real and stay safe on that solid middle ground. Enjoy.

[getyourtruth]

Lucky Onyx !!! :-)

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Lucky me too. Thank you. Enjoy.

[getyourtruth]

the white doggie melts me, just stare at it, it's living its life like animals do, no human trouble thing, see

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. My dog, Onyx is well cared for now. When he was one year old he lived in a local shelter for three months before I rescued him. He certainly lives his life now like he does not have a care in the world. LOL Enjoy.

[hernandrix]

thanks for make that 'this train'' come to our lives in these days , oh man you re and a real blues player, thanks for let us know that standarts ...wow

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Keep the Faith.

[RumbleGuts2112]

Hi Keni

Way back then they were starving and the lucky ones got some coin. I cant even imagine how tough their lives must have been. Persecuted for been black and also forced to play with religous overtones. I would have loved to be sitting in Robert Johnsons house or Miss Cottons of a night when they were playing their stuff rather than crowd pleasing blues.

You play really good Keni and i'm so happy that you are not mainstream.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. You certainly bring up a good point about playing for yourself and playing for the public. I would assume, what is left to us today via old 78 rpm recordings is only a small sampling of those early artist's musical tastes. Enjoy.

[lennybruce8]

keni, raise the ideas and broaden peoples sight. i liked the transition. nice nice.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Well, sometimes you can keep your mouth shut and sometime you have to say something. I use windows movie maker to create my videos. Enjoy.

[davensonya]

So you're saying you got "Born To Kill" written on one side of your helmet and a peace sign on the other?!?!!!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

LOL. No, that would be two extremist positions. It is more like a percentage. If you held a fifty-fifty viewpoint like that, there would be no movement. No change. We tend to gravitate closer to one side, further away from the other. They are interelated. Whatever position you take, it is important to be opened minded and realize your opinion is based on the contrasted ideas. The lines are not so clear in reality. If you think you are good, it is because you think someone else is bad. Enjoy

[KeniLeeBurgess]

No one would be willing to die for a cause unless they fully believed in it's movement. So, warriors on both sides of the line have simular beliefs. They are really not opposed to each other, they just think they are right and the other side is wrong. Physical aggression is not the way to search for truth. It is just a means to kill those you think are different. Light and darkness are a pair, like the foot before and behind in walking. All is one. Enjoy.

[jimendo45qf]

Wow Keni. I love building these little CBGs but when you play them I get really inspired to spend more time just playing, awesome job as usual.... Can't wait to hear what you have for us next.... I really do home you get more time in the studio soon. Thanks again - Jim

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you Jim. You did a very nice job building this model. It sits comfortablely, has a lovely vintage style bound neck, low; easy on the fingers action and a nice tone. Beautiful functional Folk Art. Currently, I have 4 projects in the works; the documentary, an animation video, a professional music video with the Old Blues Trio, and a CBG track for an upcoming cigarboxnation compulation CD. Enjoy.

[LittleBoyBlue75]

Man, thanks for your seriously interesting insight into the 'blues/church' dilemma. In my opinion, all music is 'divine' whether you are a religious man or not. It's all about delivery and the sincerity with which it it delivered. If we are using star wars terminology here, the music is true if you sing from your soul (jedi). If you imitate with no element of yourself, then Darth is your master.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Bob Brozman, the number one influence in my musical studies, told me, that learning to play guitar makes you a better person. (If you approach practice correctly, you discover not only how to improve your external skills, but also how to realistically deal with your internal struggles.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

When the inside is clear and the outside clear, all that remains is pure music. Although, I mainly play cover tunes, when I'm playing the expression is all me. Sometimes I'm happy and compassionate. Sometimes I'm angry and abusive. You can't hold it in. You have to find healthy ways to resolve and release it. Enjoy.

[ipodjunkie5]

I really enjoyed hearing your perspective on such things,I agree completely.I play gospel in my church on sunday and wendsday night,and then play blues the next day.That was also great pickin! Good job!

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, the wheel spins best if it is balanced and doesn't get bent out of shape. Enjoy.

[m1ck57]

brilliant nicely done great music

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[miaches65]

how true

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[pathious1]

"Short life but immortal in death" Yeah! So true... =-D

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[FloydBeaumont]

True words and well spoken, KeniLee!

Reminds me of this line "If I go to church on Sunday and cabaret all day Monday, ain't nobody's business if I do".

Many blues AND gospel tunes touch me and set off something vibrating inside. I wouldn't let anyone tell me what I'm supposed to like or condemn...

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for adding your comment. Yes, another great lyric to illustrate my point. Freedom and tolerance go hand in hand. Enjoy.

[Mikezepw]

Excellent video. Great music and nice way to show that we live in a Dialectic World.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Enjoy.

[ZEDZOR2]

Yeh this reminds me of how the hawian players would play gospel on a sunday and hawian during the week and then the transition to slide blues.Cool video Keni Lee nice concept.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. I would assume you will find this dilemma everywhere and across all cultures. Enjoy.

[631959]

Way to keep it in the middle of the road Kenni.Another one of your great video's.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you. Your statement paints an interesting perspective. As you stand in the middle of the road trying to encourage greater unity (from opposing sides) you are actually in the most dangerous place. Chances of getting run over from both directions is greater. LOL. Every picture tells a story. Enjoy.

[suuzzee5]

Most excellent video... loved the way you let the songs make your point... VERY well done and an excellent message! Suze

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your kind comment. Enjoy.

[deadlypictures]

totally agree with you...what key are you playing in this train? thanks

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Both songs are completely the same. (Key of G) G-D-g Low to high. (strings A,D,g from a medium pack of strings) Enjoy.

[mizzissippiblues]

great video 5*****

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment and rating. Enjoy.

[rasmichael]

Words of tolerance and wisdom. Good job.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, being open minded, considerate, and respectful of other's rights. Enjoy.