Listen To:


Selected MP3s of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, and classic easy listening from the original vinyl.

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Guitars & All That Jazz was a radio station that webcast via Live365 for 11 years, ending in June 2011. The playlist consisted of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, early rock 'n' roll, lounge music and classic easy listening.

I hope to share some of this music with you via this blog. Most of it will be taken from the original vinyl (LPs and 45s) , cassettes and the occasional commercially unavailable CD.

Here's hoping you'll find something to enjoy. Please note files are available only for a limited time.

I urge you to purchase the digital version of the albums featured, either on CD or via download, wherever possible.

Listen to the Music
There are now two music streams. Click the appropriate player to the right.
1. Guitars & All That Jazz: Five hours of the best in jazz, guitars and other instrumental gems. New songs are added weekly.
2. Tiki Shores: Music to sweep you away to a tropical isle, a South American dance floor or a bossa nova on the beach at Rio. About 4.5 hours of classic exotica music, Latin rhythms and bossa nova.
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Friday, February 01, 2013

Mickey McGivern - Ring of the Twelve String Guitar


Guitarist Mickey McGivern, born in the eastern Ontario community of Pembroke, was one of Canada's busiest session musicians in the country field during the 1960s and 70s, recording for the RCA Victor, Quality and low-budget Arc labels. He also released several albums under his own name on Arc, including Ring of the Twelve String Guitar.

This album probably dates from the mid-60s, seeing how it includes a version of Walk Right In, which was a huge hit for the Rooftop Singers in 1963. Although the song was originally a country blues recorded in 1929 by Cannon's Jug Stompers (Gus Cannon, the leader of the group, was the composer), not many people were familiar with it before the Rooftop Singers waxed it.

Mickey McGivern's version is available below.

Walk Right In



McGivern still lives in the Pembroke area and in 2011 celebrated his 80th birthday. The Pembroke Observer newspaper covered the celebration at an area tavern and included a brief video. Check it out. Be warned, however, that the sound quality is less than ideal.

Here's another brief performance video of McGivern from YouTube, date and place unknown, although it's obviously of relatively recent vintage.



2 comments:

  1. I knew Mickey and nothing ever surprised me when it came to his playing.Greatest guitarist I ever knew.

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  2. Thanks for your comment. The only thing that disappoints me about this LP is the poor recording quality. The Arc label was notorious for its cheap pressings.

    ReplyDelete