I was perusing You-tube and found this clip of REK from Austin City Limits. Looks like ole Robert Earl is playing a sunburst SJ. I know he has played both an OM and a C-10. I really like his songs, his stage presence and he's got a kickin' band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RArZGbD9k-M

It's actually called a 'squat' that Collings only made a few of.

REK is playing tonight in Portland and tomorrow night in Seattle...I was hoping to get up and see him, but I won't be able to make it...

Check it out if you can...

Kia Manuia,

Dale

A "squat"...very interesting. It almost looks more like a J-200 shape...slightly larger than the J-185 shaped SJ.

Any more details about that one Dale?

Thanks.

dave

Wow! Thanks for posting the clip.
I've been looking for a good shot of one of these guitars for a while now. One showed up on ebay a few years ago, but the pics were rather poor.

So this thing is a 17" version of the SJ then?

I want one!!

Hen's teeth are more common. Like the brazilian 12 string jumbo at Mass Street a couple years back. Ain't any more. But a good SJ will do fine until the ice man comes.

Now that is interesting, I just linked straight to the video and was watching and wondering to myself what model Collings that is.

This video proves anyone can make it as long as you know how to write.His stage presence is nothing special and either is his voice.

It's all about the song - especially if the singer wrote it. A guy named Dylan comes to mind. I find that if I like the writting, the singer can grow on me.

quote:

Originally posted by GutenAbend:
This video proves anyone can make it as long as you know how to write.His stage presence is nothing special and either is his voice.

Not trying to be argumentative but if you ever have a chance to hear REK live, you will see he definitely has "it". The crowds love him and sing almost every song word for word.

This fall, I saw him in Atlanta play the same song while it was just him and his C-10 on stage. He nailed the intro riff and kept the energy going. Not bad for a solo.

He's the real deal.

While my musical interests lie elsewhere these days, I have huge admiration for Keen. Great, distinctive songwriter, and a shrewd observer of the humor of the human condition. And while his voice itself is maybe just OK, he is, IMHO, a great singer of his own songs: evokes deep feeling and pathos. Cheers!

B

First off, I'm a big fan of REK...I enjoy his songwriting, his band, his voice, and probably most of all, his authenticity of why he's doing what he's doing...it appears as he loves it and there is no better reason.

Wait, there were some great singers on American Idol...yeah, they were singing songs they didn't write...getting expensive coaching for their performance(s)....not playing an instrument of any kind, let alone a Collings....And, they were on TV!!! Whew...they were awesome...I mean, they suck @#$$!#$&

REK writes songs that come from his heart...listen to Kris Kristoferson's newer CD...It's rough...just his voice and his guitar...and a few background sounds (air conditioner, etc...), but it is fantastic. He is a true singer/songwriter ...and relays the words and music that comes from that magical place in the heart and brain that is hard to explain...and then, shares it with others.

I hope that is what I do with my music. It comes from that magical, inspirational, place that you can't find on a map...it's played every time like it's the first and the last performance....it has meaning on many different levels...and if you like to play it, it feeds the source. And, if the listeners like it, it is more rewarding than anything money can buy.

Music is special...protect it...share it....enjoy it!


REK is kick-ass!

Kia Manuia,

Dale