The New Modern Criminals Guitar Guide to Cooler Jamming

HOW PLAYING CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS CREATE THAT CERTAIN VOODOO THAT ONLY YOU DO

MARIANNA WITH HER NEW MODERN CRIMINALS

The recently released Marianna with her New Modern Criminals album 39:39 features not only the musical gifts of this talented band of misfits but also showcases their screen appeal with a bonus DVD called "Moving Pictures."

One of the most visually appealing aspects - aside from the overall sensory approach the Criminals utilize - is the tasty selection of guitars the band chose to show off.  The instruments add a nice touch to the overall vibe of the productions and a special mention feels worthy.  There are seven videos that compliment the ten track CD and the results are good on all of them.

Their most obvious "guitar" film features lead singer Marianna Fox posed in a hoosegow stall singing Carter Tutwiler's "I'm Calling it a Crime."  Surrounded by jail bars and hay, the striking Marianna delivers a song of cowgirl weariness as she relays a story of love as unrequited crime, all the while strumming a stunning 1948 custom cherry burst Gibson L-5.  A beautiful guitar in the hands of a beautiful woman is always worthy of a good song.  And the L-5 - Gibson's standard bearing archtop since 1922 as created by master mandolin maker Lloyd Loar - is the "never been bested" example of sheer

Marianna with her 1948 Gibson L-5

American guitar excellence.  The instrument Marianna plays is rich in history as one of the great post war Gibson guitars, when the Kalamazoo company was winding down from their war effort and starting to build great guitars again.  The same L-5 makes another appearance (alongside a lovely 1967 Rickenbacker 4005 semi hollow bass) in the video "I'll Be Around" and it's unusual cherry burst finish (most featured a cremona dark burst) adds a distinctive elegance to the shoot.  The contrasts of country to lounge demonstrate the effects a beautiful instrument can have and the distinctly American feel it lends.

1948 Gibson L-5

Carter Tutwiler must have a feel for the Gibson brand as several other interesting examples show up, in particular when he plays a chambered 1960 Gibson Les Paul with a psychedelic paint job in the song "Tired of the Blues."  What makes the guitar even more unique is the original Super 400 flag inlay in the ebony neck and diamond pattern pearl headstock inlay.  The guitar is a perfect compliment to the Hendrix at Monterey lighting trip and looks and sounds great.  In contrast is bass player Minnie McCartney's dark blue painted Hofner Beatle Bass, bastardized and awesome.  It's the ultimate three piece with John Hammond on a vintage Gretsch jazz kit and the pose of the guitars make for a cool and groovy sight.  With Marianna bathed in blue from start to finish and the psychedelic swirls of the Gibson spotlighted red,  splashes of color burst forward in the most authenticate way.  Hey man, pass it over here!

Carter Tutwiler with a crazy 1960 Les Paul

Carter Tutwiler, Marianna Fox and Minnie McCartney

As Marianna goes from blue to red in the video "Break of Dawn,"  her New Modern Criminals switch up their instruments.  In this musical rocker, Carter jams down on a rosewood Gibson SJ-200, the undisputed King of the Flattops.  This bad boy looks as big as a guitarron and has the bite to match.  Complete with a custom abalone inlay ebony neck and headstock,  this acoustic comes through, both on film and record.  And on the other side of the stage stands bubble blowing Minnie McCartney jamming on a 1968 Hofner Super Beatle Bass.  You rarely see these blonde Hofners with the tortoise binding and boost electronics, which also had the early HOFNER inlay on the headstocks.  She sure likes this brand, but hey... with a name like McCartney....

Marianna Fox and Minnie McCartney

    Perhaps the coolest instruments the New Modern Criminals show off in their litany of music videos is in "Sickeningly Sentimental."  Shot at the famous Dresden Restaurant in Los Angeles and home to jazz stalwarts Marty and Elayne, the Criminals back up Marianna with Carter playing Marty's upright bass, John on the Ludwig and Edie O'Rourke playing Elayne's grand piano.  With steeped history from being played night after night for decades,  these instruments encapsulate the Criminals sound in one fell swoop, proving conclusively that the instrument makes the musician as much as the musician makes the instrument...or something like that.   You know what I mean.

Marianna with her New Modern Criminals

If you can't get the New Modern Criminal 39:39 record with the DVD (it was a limited run of only 1000) then check them out on YouTube.  They're all on there.  Then go get a guitar and start strummin.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Julian Summerly