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Day Seventy Seven (Year Four)

Swung by the local bookstore tonight in search of the new issue of Guitar World.  It's an anniversary issue for Nirvana's In Utero, out 20 years this year.  They didn't have it in stock yet, but they did have the new issues of Guitar Techniques and Acoustic Guitar.  The new issue of AG has a cover story on Jason Isbell's latest record, Southeastern, that came out back in June.  It was a record that I was really looking forward to this summer, and also one that got at least somewhat lost in the shuffle of an impending move.  Reading the cover story got me to pull out the record again, and it's one of those albums that feels like an old friend, even after only a few spins.  Isbell's songwriting was great when he was with the Drive By Truckers, and his first few solo records kept that up, but this latest one ups the ante.

In that spirit, and still thinking about learning cover songs and finding an open mic, I found the chords for two of his songs, one called "Stockholm" that comes from the new record, and one from his 2007 release, Sirens Of The Ditch, called "Dress Blues."  They're both great songs that share some similarities in their chord progressions.  It made them easier to learn, for sure, and I worked them both over pretty well during tonight's time in the studio.  Next step involved there?  Getting more comfortable with my vocals.

Other stuff I worked on tonight included the Guitar Aerobics lick of the day (lick #3 of week 2), and as per usual this week, a little bit more lead guitar stuff from a GW DVD booklet.

All told, it was another really good day that, if I'm completely honest, could have used a bit more time in the studio than I gave it.  So many opportunities to get better.  I need to try and take full advantage of each and every one of them.

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