[Tomás F. Calvo]

I think Jim’s right it does sound like a clavichord, possibly an unfretted clavichord. We had that LP in my house too, my mom loved it, both the Lulu song and the movie. I think she was a bit infatuated with Sidney Poitier…

[Tomás F. Calvo]

I think there are quite a few of us that want to see it. It should be a good movie, and it seems that Paul green lighted it as there are several people with connections to him that would never do it if he didn’t approve.  I feel June 18 might be a better release date, but I guess they’re aiming for the big July 4th prize.

[Tomás F. Calvo]

I agree with Jim, and it should be noted that the Beatles all refinished their guitars after they sanded them down. Paul’s Rick went back to the factory where it got a full refurbish, though left in natural color.

That being said, I know from my own experience that guitars sound better with time. I have a 1960 Gibson ES 330 (essentially a Casino) and the tone is much better than my 2007 Casino, both with untouched finishes. My classical guitar which I got new from 150 yo old rosewood has improved its tone in the 5 or so years I’ve had it. Maybe the lacquer needs settling in too?

Personally, I like the “silk” finishes better, it does feel like the tone can breathe, but no tone difference notice really. What it may do is influence the way I play and hence dramatically influence tone, since our fingers are the biggest determination of tone, right?

[Tomás F. Calvo]

Thanks Howard. In re-reading what I wrote, it seems I was a bit harsh on Kacey Musgraves, but it’s not her I’m criticizing, it’s the producers/label since I don’t think she has much control over her finished product.  Most of these artists, including those in the studio, work their butts off to produce what the label asks for.

Jacki and Jung, it’s interesting that you mention the 90’s, because having freshly landed in LA in the 90’s playing in clubs at the time, I remember they almost shut down the Grammys all together because of the dreadful viewership and MTV was dominating the awards shows back then, still do mostly.

[Tomás F. Calvo]

I second that thought Jacki! I am always in awe of their videos. They could have a film-making career in Hollywierd if they were not so damn good at making music. Not that I recommend that for them, they’re perfect where they are. It’s easy to think that they have access to something that we don’t and that’s why they do such great videos, but they do it with the same things that we could have at our disposal. It’s really amazing.

Thank you!

[Tomás F. Calvo]

That’s interesting Jung. Though it might be on point to note that Beethoven went deaf by 28 years old, producing masterpieces while almost completely deaf.  I think it was being arranged for Beethoven (20 years old at the time) to take lessons from Mozart before he died at 35. Bach was born about 100 years earlier, at a time with much cruder instruments (and different tuning for different instruments and scales) and he completely revolutionized music.

Personally, I feel closer to grumpy ol’ Beethoven’s music, and feel a connection between him and John Lennon.

[Tomás F. Calvo]

If I may jump in, that was a precise and fantastic response by Mona.

I have used the term “talented” to describe the MonaLisa Twins, and I will continue to do so if I don’t offend, but I agree with Mona’s definition of talent, it’s 90% hard work. However, when the “natural aptitude (what you’re good at)” + interest matches in a person, that is what fuels the arduous learning process, which otherwise is very hard to endure. Another key element is the proper instruction from an early age. This I know well, because I had crummy music instructors as a kid, which I had to unlearn, and then spend a lifetime re-learning. It’s clear that Rudi was/is a fantastic instructor (on top of everything else) and set them on the right track off the bat. The advantage of doing this as twins vs sisters is the age, as the age difference in sisters would be more pronounced in the early ages, creating more of a gap to overcome. You can have some or all the ingredients, but you have to put them together with skill.

In all creative endeavors, there is a craft element and an art element. If a carpenter is making a chair, he has to learn how to use the tools, understand the materials and their strength, to make a chair that someone can sit on. Only then can he start to make it pretty, into an art form. Music is no different.

That being said, the part of “Personally, I am not a huge believer in talent.” I take it as humble modesty. Like Michael said, there are plenty of people that work very hard year after year and don’t get anywhere near the success of the Twins. I’ve seen this first hand in people in the music and film industry. I know I could work at it for several lifetimes, even if I was granted a twin, I couldn’t get near what MLT produces. From Mona and Lisa’s perspective, all they have is hard work, and do the best they can. They can’t be like “hey, out of my way, I’ve got talent!” Proof is in the pudding, and I don’t mean those sugarless Christmas cookies.

[u]Here’s an anecdote[/u]: In a panel of musicians talking about The Beatles, I think this was for the 50th anniversary of the Ed Sullivan show, one of them said how they had been inspired by them and even now, with all the success this musician had, he would still every now and then try to do a Beatles song, and in his words “we would go into the studio and realize we are not The Beatles”. What he meant is that the Beatles are deceptively difficult to do, and you may think you can do it… until you try. This coming from top musicians. There was an album that came out a couple of years ago “The Art of Paul McCartney”, is was all covers of Paul’s songs by huge stars (Dylan, Brian Wilson, Roger Daltrey, etc.) and personally, it’s painful. I heard it once and couldn’t listen to it again. As a contrast I’m listening -yet again- to the twins cover of “If I Fell” and it’s heaven.

So, to summarize, I hope I can tell anybody that will listen that the MonaLisa Twins are Incredibly Talented and by this I mean that they achieve what others can only dream of, which only comes after years of hard work and unwavering dedication, if it ever comes at all.

Mona, If I knew how to say it I’d say it for you: you have an understanding of rhythm that very few possess. I know this didn’t come from the end of a wand or in a chromosome.

[Tomás F. Calvo]

I have to say that I love the Duo Sessions. It’s great and shows that talent doesn’t need big budgets, which is nice, but not necessary. 😉

[Tomás F. Calvo]

“Are you saying that songs in the public domain can be partially re-copyrighted by an artist making a marginal change and thereby making it their own?” 

Yes, labels do that all the time. Theoretically, they are placing a copyright on the modified part, not the original version. It’s a way to cash in on royalties where there wouldn’t be a payment otherwise. Sometimes it’s blatant (like WB and the Happy Birthday song) and other times it’s just to collect more on the sale of CDs. Truth is that with their greed, they created the huge piracy there’s now.

Now, if the Twins get an established (AKA major studio star) to release one of their songs, then they’d be cashing in on those royalties. Easier said than done, but that was McCartney’s idea when he was writing songs for Peter & Gordon and Mary Hopkins.

[Tomás F. Calvo]

Hi Jung, yes, it seems to be 2 “dueling” classical guitars with nylon strings. Again, incredible skill completely underrated.

[Tomás F. Calvo]

Wow, once a month? I’m lucky if I get to them at the 6 month mark, by then they are sounding really dull, especially the acoustics.

Thanks Tommy!

[Tomás F. Calvo]

Hi Stephen, that’s very nice, that you gave your Gibson away, not sure I could part with one of mine… The guitar you got is very close to the Country Gent, I like it. I really like the flat wounds I got for mine, as they have a sweeter sound and are easier on the fingers too. I got very light gauge (10s) but you can get them in any gauge. Here’s a link to them on Amazon if you’re interested.

D’Addario ECG23 Chromes Flat Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Hoping this helps!

[Tomás F. Calvo]

Much harder, I missed 2, and that’s  guessing right on a couple others. I found myself singing the songs in my head fast before the answers started. Can’t believe I missed “Lighting” when I play that song all the time.

[Tomás F. Calvo]

Miguelito, tocayo…

Edwin = Edwin, no complications there. Though it is a “new” addition to the list of accepted names. Yes, in Argentina you must have your kids names from a list, no deviation. When I was in school the letter “w” was not part of the Spanish alphabet, if you can believe that. Now it is, and they’ve removed the “Ch” which used to be a Spanish letter. Crazy world…

[Tomás F. Calvo]

And you may find yourself
In another part of the world
And you may find yourself
Behind the wheel of a large bus
With beautiful music
And you may ask yourself, well
How did I get here?

And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large bus?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful bus!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful music!

😉

Once in a Lifetime…