Wow! What a nice collection you have! 
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Hey, Toby, welcome to the world of G&L. In spite of your best intentions, I foresee additional purchases in your future.
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After all the years of nudging, you end up with not one but two 
. Belated happy NGsD, Toby.
Thanks David, still not played them properly with so little OM prep time. So hoping for a little noodling, easy as Sunday morning once the dust settles. Heck I am happy just looking at them
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Great lineup
I have an orange G&L custom classic ASAT
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MADMAN’s ROADCASE - HALF YEAR UPDATE.
Well there is about 36 hours before the Blues Immersion Course (BLIM) kicks off in anger. Some of you may have seen the news that I was signing up for it somewhere !
I am not one for using these Learning Logs for recording frequent progress and practice routines. Coming from the old forum I still like to do it Old Skool and the Roadcases were a case of periodic lines in the sand and a showcase of what gear had been bought in between.
So for starters I better clarify there is no new gear, since the ASATS arrived but I did get a Tab Notebook which will be abused over the next six months.
So where exactly am I at the end of June 2024 ? Guess it would be easier to just link my latest diary chapter that summarises what I have been learning, developing and playing.
So rather than reinventing the wheel, here you are …
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Four (The calm before the storm)
So where I can summarise the last six months in a single line, the last four weeks may take a little longer.
So having been accepted onto BLIM, we all got a shed load of prep work, so the last few weeks have been pretty hectic but all good fun.
So apart from listening to countless Blues artists in the Immersion playlists Justin had created, I also went a bit mental on Spotify and literally been listening to every flavour of Blues out there whenever I had the time. Discovered old masters that were new to me, rediscovered artists from the 60s and 70s I’d long forgotten about and founds some fairly new Blues Rock bands to keep the blood pumping ! And on top of that been watching loads of Blues documentaries to feed the beast !
Aside from the audio video history immersion, there have been some recordings, all neatly tied up in the last diary release.
Wrote the lyrics to a Blues that may see the light of day later this year
The Blues Immersion Blues
Well I cant find my Blues, from my head down to my shoes.
Yeah I cant find my Blues, from my head down to my shoes.
Ive never had to struggle, life for me’s been one long cruise.
When the back man plays the Blues, Blues to him comes naturally.
Yeah when the back man plays the Blues, Blues to him comes naturally.
Too much discrimination and those years of slavery.
When the white man plays the Blues, its from his head not from his soul.
Yeah when the white man plays the Blues, its from his head not from his soul.
Coz he’s probably never struggled like them Blues masters of old.
But there’s some that really get it, yeah its like they see the pain.
Yeah there’s some that really get it, yeah they understand the pain.
But I try an try an try, just cant make my Blues the same.
So I’m trying Blues Immersion, deep deep dive its gonna be.
Yeah I’m trying Blues Immersion, a deep deep dive its gonna be.
But I hope that after six months, it will let my Blues soul free.
Yeah I hope that after six months, it will let my Blues soul free.
Got to get my head around Hound Dog Taylor’s Give Me Back My Wig for this one, so may take some time.
The biggest achievement was transcribing, something I have run as far away as possible from over the years I’ve been here. Too hard, too old, life too short yada yada with a big dose of CBA - plenty of Tab online ! But one of the BLIM Prep exercises was to transcribe a 48 bar solo, as this will form an integral part the course. So after all the years of kicking and screaming, I dragged myself up to the PC and over the last few weeks, deciphered the whole piece as best I could. The more I did the easier it got and I kicked myself for not doing it early in my playing journey. So added to the “practice” routines is Justin Transcribing Course, which I think will help with the BLIM lessons.
Another achievements that shows things are eventually coming together, was learning a new Corey Congilio solo last week. Its still needs a lot of polish and I won’t be recording yet but I managed to get the nears two minute solo under my fingers and into my head in about 90 minutes !! The last ones and my acoustic Blues ones have taken weeks and months. Can an old man say stoked ? If he can I was really stoked about that and the transcribing.
So another half year is nearly over and the next half looks pretty exciting. All being well there will be some Madman’s Diary Chapters to chart the journey, so folks in the city can see what happening over the hedge !
Maybe the odd Open Mic appearance depending on slot availability and workload in the coming months. But a big thanks to @Richard_close2u and the JGC OM team for keeping things rolling while I take a sabbatical. A huge thank you to all who posted in Mr Coles’ Applause thread, truly appreciated the warmth of the comments.
So that will do for now, long read but hey what else would you expect.
Take care peeps, keep practicing. keep playing and above all keep rockin !
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You’ve made a lot of progress over the last 6 months, Toby. With your dedication, commitment & application, the next 6 months is going to be even better. Happy I’ve got a front row seat to watch you progress through the BLIM course and to steal your licks.
Toby @TheMadman_tobyjenner
I think you are right in having only periodic LL to report progress.
I am not a BLIMer but the more I hear about it, the more it seems a lot of dedication is going to be required and it is going to be time consuming.
Michael
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Great read and update, Toby! You’ve come a long way in the past half year, especially the last few weeks. It’s great to see how dedicated and motivated you are with regards to the Blues. 
I’m so much looking forward to this!
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Hi Toby, I have to say that you have an impressive list of past recordings. I have been trying to read your learning log from the beginning ( it has taken me a couple of days), so this is my second viewing of this list. Of course any list this impressive deserves an encore (EDIT: upon further reflection, I realized that this list had to be updated since Dec. 2021).Your organizational prowess has inspired me over the last 2 years in JG. I have tried to mimic your organization and practice tips in a small way.
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Hi Toby, based on all your LL entries, I would say you are one of the better prepared members of the BLIM. This just gives you a chance to do like Eric Clapton or SRV and totally immerse yourself in the old blues music and artists, that provides the foundational understanding and inspiration for truly great improvisation in the blues.
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Thanks for the read Steve, there are another 12 recording to add from January this years and some others in the pipeline related to the BLIM course. The organisational side of things stem from my working life but they can be applied to all manner of things in life. Mapping them out is one thing, sticking to the plan is another but I have been more focused on certain things over the last couple of years and that seems to be paying dividends with the Blues course and for now I am 100% committed to that. As for practice tips and advice, I just try to help folk avoid some of the mistakes I made back in the day and save them a lot of heart ache !
Anyway, I appreciate the feedback. You’re doing ok yourself, so just keep doing what you are doing as you’re progressing well.
Cheers
Toby
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Well for those who have been around long enough, it’s December so it is time for me to publish my updated recording Catalogue for 2024. My first recording on the old forum was way back in April 2014, which means I have been posting my efforts for over a decade, man how time flies ! I gave up counting how many there have been a few years back but each year I publish an updated list of the “work” I’ve shared with the folks here.
There are a few categories that have not been populated this year and the OM appearances have been few and far between. In fact I thought it had been a lean year which has been very heavily focused on The Blues Immersion Course.
In fact I’ve just spotted some early BLIM Unit 0 preparation recordings on Souncdloud but no need to muddy the waters, as they could be a spoiler for Class 2 !!
So it was only when I sat down today to update the listing, did I see how much has been captured and there are still a few marked Private on YouTube that won’t be seeing the light of day any time soon.
There is unlikely to be any new recordings until the New Year, when I hope to get out an end of course Blues Diary Update and The British Blues Posse are hoping to lay some tracks down, once we’ve recovered from the last Unit.
So busy year, lots achieved and more to be done !!
Cheers
Toby
====================================================================
2024 UPDATES of THE MADMAN’S RECORDING CATALOGUE
====================================================================
Guitar Challenges/Learning Log Updates
No new entries in 2024
New Section JG Live and Clubs
No new entries in 2024
The Madman’s New Diaries Series
No new entries in 2024
The Madman’s Diaries OM Footnotes - Justin Guitar Community Open Mics
A Compilation of JGC OM Dry Run rehearsals
April OM 23 - Madman’s Diaries OM 23 Footnotes - Peace Is Free & The Rambler Final Dry Run
https://youtu.be/4-5jn0J54Vc
July OM 25 - Madman’s Diaries OM 25 Footnotes - Don’t Come Lookin OBS Dry Run 20/07/24
https://youtu.be/_b1bte8OeO4
July OM 25 - Madman’s Diaries OM 25 Footnotes - Masters Of War OBS Dry Run 20/07/24
https://youtu.be/XCogxvcAKUQ
The Madman’s Blues Diaries Series
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Four - DHE The Vamp
https://youtu.be/Ohy_rdE1H0E
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Four - In Hale Take II 17C
https://youtu.be/ZKtpl483rRw
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Four - Steady Thumb Blues
https://youtu.be/aAUnNh5zKXI
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Four - Tears From Above CC Slow Blues
https://youtu.be/V93FFeIXrJc
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Four = Tripin Stumblin 'arder Than It Looks
https://youtu.be/6T_j4OpRgVc
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Four - BLIM Unit 0 Recording 08C
https://youtu.be/GI53zT2a05U
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = LM # 1
https://youtu.be/h70tptLPFmA
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = LM # 2
https://youtu.be/JFslpift1eM
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = LM # 3
https://youtu.be/XuyL6_CxtHk
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = Sweet Home Chicago
https://youtu.be/1TeLwRrAa_E
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = Scruffy Eric @ Crossroads Slough Attack
https://youtu.be/NXvcrtVTfaA
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = BUAB 90% Tempo
https://youtu.be/LmQc7YSkPlA
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = TIGer Intro 80% Tempo
https://youtu.be/WWa2J95KyNU
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Five = Who Took My Damn Keys
https://youtu.be/liZvNrYLfU0
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Six = Swampy and The Madman (BLIM Challenge # 2)
https://youtu.be/iNUY_RtrC1E
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Six = Slow Burn Impro Solo
https://youtu.be/d-eAh8k542A
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Six = Slower Burn II
https://youtu.be/3ZU8O8r_LpU
The Madman’s Diaries - The Blues Chapters - Chapter Six = Aint Sad For Long
https://youtu.be/wDAdmdzhobU
Last Updated 19tH December 2024
CLICK TO RUN
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Toby,
Great end of the year recap! Such a great way to see all your hard work this year layed out in one spot. I might have to copy you in my LL 
Looking forward to your end of BLIM updates and especially these 
Would be amazing to hear all the BBPers in the same track! I hope you guys get to do it 
All the best to you in the new year 
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As always, I’ve enjoyed your recordings, be it studio, live OM or BLIM-related plus the inimitable diary entries, Toby.
Keep on rocking in the free world, my friend!
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Interesting to hear how your year has gone and it is very clear that BLIM has been a very large part of it.
All the best for 2025
Michael
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Hi Toby,
A decade 
Cheers to the next one
Greetings and keep on playing 
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Great recap Toby. Its been another big year mate. Lots of Blues which is always a good thing.
Have a great Xmas mate.
Cheers, Shane
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THE MADMAN’s END OF YEAR REVIEW AND WHAT COMES NEXT
Well despite the recent stock take, I thought I would go back and see where I was a year ago, as its been one hell of a roller coaster ride for sure.
I’d almost forgotten that this time 12 months ago I was still going through my review of Grades 1 to 3, to see what I’d missed since the Old BC and IMs got turfed out the door and all these “grades” got dropped on the scene.
Good to know that by February I was back on a Blues footing, with the focus on Blues Soloing, Acoustic Blues, Folk Fingerstyle and some toe dipping into Hard Rock Rhythm and British Metal !!
Then the buzz of BLIM started to fester and by June I’d signed up with loads of doubts and zero self belief. Naturally the intense work load was such that Acoustic Blues, Folk Fingerstyle and the Hard Rock Rhythm and British Metal all took a back seat, while I dove into the Deep Blue Waters !
Since the start of BLIM and periodically through the intervening months, I kept folks in the main Community updated on progress and released three Chapters of the Madman’s Blues Diaries, so no need to repeat all that here but I hope at some point to get an end of term summary recorded. Watch this space, as I have my plate full !!
Then the gap between those updates and now was summarised a few weeks back, so now its just a case of mapping out the plans for 2025.
And for a change on day one its pretty much job done. No surprises that there is a shed load of BLIM consolidation, over lapping with similar areas I can now go back to, especially as I am not getting inundated with new material every month. It may look a lot and it will still be a big chunk of time each day but it fits my schedule and there are so many overlapping areas, much of it is complimentary, which makes a change
So the complete package looks like this :
The core daily components expanded for clarity :
The middle panel is a more in depth break down of some of the core components and additional material
And the 3rd panel is a helicopter view to keep me honest and the building blocks of the new plan ! The last few items being aide memoirs for later in the year !!
So yet again its going to be one hell of a busy year !!
Finally, one of the biggest pluses this year in signing up for BLIM, was what I see as accelerated learning. I have absorbed things quicker and been able to learn things in days that used to take weeks and some times months to get my head and fingers around. That on its own has been a real confidence boost and means I am now looking at anything saying, if I work at it, I can do that. Where as in the past its been, can’t do that move on to something else !!
Big call out the my #BBP collaborators, as it has certainly been their support and encouragement that has engendered that mind set. So huge thanks guys !
And also another huge thanks to those individuals out there who have been with me over the years and kept me going, you will know who you are. 
Right on that note, time for a brew ! 
Cheers Peeps
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I must admit that every year I am looking for this spreadsheet of madness! (It is fascinating how different people approach structure and learning.)
Keep us posted with your progress sir and a happy new year!
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