Blackstratblues

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Blackstratblues
Background information
Birth name Warren Mendonsa
Born (1979-09-12) 12 September 1979
Bombay, India
Genres Blues
Instrumental Guitar
Rock
Rock & Roll
Pop rock
Occupations Musician
Songwriter
Guitarist
Sound Engineer
Instruments Guitar
Bass Guitar
Fretless Bass
Drum Programming
Keyboards
Software Synthesizers
Years active since 1998
Labels Unsigned
Associated acts Zero
3 Guys & A Girl
Website Official Website
Notable instruments
Fender Stratocaster

Blackstratblues is a solo project of Warren Mendonsa, who is a guitarist, composer and record producer.

Biography and playing history

Early Years: Late 1990s

After picking up the guitar at the age of 5, Mendonsa went on to play rhythm guitar in a few local bands with friends Siddharth Coutto (drums) and Girish 'Bobby' Talwar (rhythm guitar, bass). Sometime around 1997-98, they formed Zero, with Rajeev Talwar on vocals.

With Zero: 1998-2005


Over the years, Zero grew to enjoy nationwide popularity in India. With Warren, Zero released two albums and an EP - Albummed (1999), Hook EP (2002), & Procrastination (2005).

Besides his work in Zero, Warren Mendonsa recorded & released numerous instrumentals - the most popular works being Christmas in July, Spitleaf, & Evil- which enjoyed some fame on online music forums like Gigpad, & Harmony Central. He was also involved in many online collaborations with musicians - most notably Adam Martin, Ed DeGenaro and Zorran Mendonsa - which resulted in a few songs. In late 2004, Mendonsa moved to Auckland, New Zealand, thereby quitting Zero.

During this period, he was also a highly sought-after recording engineer and session guitarist in Bombay, having worked on various film soundtracks, advertising jingles, & other albums.

2005-2007

After moving to Auckland, Warren Mendonsa began to work on solo instrumental material. While visiting India, he reunited with Zero for a few gigs, most notably at the Great Indian Rock Festival 2006.

Nights in Shining Karma

Blackstratblues' debut album, Nights in Shining Karma was released on 18 April 2007 as a free digital-only download.

The album garnered significant appreciation and popularity on online music forums.[1][2][3]

“ In contrast to most instrumental guitar albums, Nights in Shining Karma travels effortlessly between melodic, ethereal and beautiful mood pieces and rocking, up-tempo numbers. Warren Mendonsa navigates through this varying musical landscape with a sure hand and impeccable musical instincts, creating an album both guitarists and casual listeners will find alternately touching, uplifting and energizing.

Eschewing the gymnastic stunts of many high profile solo guitar artists, Mendonsa's stunning technique weaves itself subtly into the musical tapestry of completely realised songs, rather than mere vehicles for a vulgar display of ability.

With golden tones and unassailable taste and touch, Mendonsa echoes Gilmour and Johnson without being derivative of either.

Nights in Shining Karma is surely the 'I'm here!' album from an emerging master.

 ”

Musical Influences & Playing Style

Mendonsa is known for his instantly recognizable, distinctive guitar sound and playing, incorporating immaculate phrasing and abandoning traditional, flashy "guitar hero" techniques, in favour of composing memorable melodies and playing with feel.[4][5]

Equipment used

Guitars

  • 1997 Fender Lone Star Stratocaster, equipped with Suhr ML and SSV Pickups, Tuned to Eb with D'Addario 11-49 strings
  • 1997 Fender Lone Star Stratocaster, equipped with Suhr ML and SSV Pickups, Tuned to E with D'Addario 10-46 strings
  • Fender '62 Hot Rod Stratocaster, equipped with Suhr ML, Tuned to Eb with D'Addario 11-49 strings
  • 2006 Fender Standard Stratocaster (in Sunburst) with Suhr FL pick-ups
  • Gibson '61 Historic Reissue SG
  • Gibson ES-335
  • Charvel So Cal
  • Taylor GS Mini
  • Danelectro 12 string electric
  • Godin Multiac Nylon

Pedals and Effects

Arion SCH-1
RMC Wizard Wah
MXR Carbon Copy
Fulltone Octafuzz II
Line6 Echo Pro
Vemuram Jan Ray
Drybell Vibe Machine
Lexicon MPX-1
Suhr Guitars MiniMix
Suhr Guitars Iso Line-Out Box
Xotic RC Booster (SH edition)
Xotic AC Booster
Lovepedal COT50
Lovepedal Eternity Fuse
Black Cat OD-Fuzz
Maxon SD9
Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe
Roger Mayer Voodoo-1
Fulltone OCD v4
Peterson Strobostomp II
Musicom EFX MkIII+ pedal switcher
Strymon Timeline
Boss FV500L

Amplifier Heads

Marshall JMP 2203 100W modded by Suhr Guitars
Suhr Guitars OD100 Classic+
Suhr Guitars Badger 18
1967 Fender Pro Reverb with Celestion Vintage 30s
Marshall JTM-1 Head

Cabinets

Suhr Guitars Badger 1x12 (Celestion Vintage 30)
Suhr Guitars CAA 2x12 (Warehouse Veteran 30 & ET-65s)
Matamp 2x12 (Celestion G12-65's)
Bogner 4x12 (Celestion Vintage 30's)

Discography

Solo albums

  • Nights in Shining Karma (2007)
  • The New Album (2009)

With Zero

Year Artist Album
2000 Zero Albummed
2002 Zero Hook
2005 Zero Procrastination

External links

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Harmony Central Acapella Forum, 20 April 2007 
  2. ↑ Petrucci Forum, 21 April 2007 
  3. ↑ Harmony Central Acapella Forum, 20 April 2007 
  4. ↑ Gigpad, 30 August 2004 
  5. ↑ Harmony Central Acapella Forum, 20 April 2007 

Further reading

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