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THIS GUN FOR HIRE
If you like what you hear and are interested in my services, feel free to contact me at the e-mail address below.
Hope you enjoy the tunes.
(If you have any questions or comments, contact me at raybeltran@mac.com)

The Happening Place, Portland, OR
Electric Trio with Kenny "Blue" Ray & Rob Talbot 12/2/06:

 "You The One"
"Snatch It Back"

Came across some stuff from a couple of years ago. Light semi-acoustic gig. First gig ever with my buddy Kenny "Blue" Ray and Rob Talbot. No set list, no rehearsal; we just showed up and hit it. It helps when you're playing with a musician of the caliber of Kenny. I'm using my buddy's Silvertone 1432 and a ThunderHarp mic. Kenny's pulling out some mighty fine tone at low volume from a '65 Super Reverb that would soon by mine...

Electric Duo
Crossroads in Salem, OR 5/19/08:

 "How I Miss You"

A number I did at a recent jam with a guitarist named David. This is an original of his, and the first time I had ever heard it, let alone work with him. Kind of rough in spots, but it sure was fun stretching out. I'm using a ThunderHarp mic straight into my Super Reverb.

Calamity Jane's in Dundee, OR
With Kenny "Blue" Ray & Walter Guy 9/8/07:

 "Reconsider"
"Chuck Upside Your Head"


Playing with Kenny "Blue" Ray and Walter Guy guitar/vocals. I don't condone spousal abuse or domestic violence, but I love them lyrics on "Chuck Upside Your Head."

Roadhouse 101 in Lincoln City, OR
With Kenny "Blue" Ray and Robbie Laws 9/14/07:

 "That Did It Baby"
"JuJu Toy"


Did a gig with two great gunslingers, Kenny "Blue" Ray and Robbie Laws guitar/vocals. Love the tunes Robbie does. Especially "That Did It Baby" - I love it when something new gets thrown at you, and it's either sink or swim. I'm sure the argument can be made that "it's just blues...", but you've still got to play within the context of the song. I've never gigged with Robbie before, but was anxious to, as he's one of the NW's great guitar players. Great vocalist. Fun night. My SR, ThunderHarp mics, Kinder AFB+ and Marine Bands.

Tupelo Joe's in Portland, OR
With Kenny "Blue" Ray and Robin Gibbons 8/24/07:

 "Cleo's Back"
"Maudy'"
 "John Lee Hooker" (felt so good, let's do it again. Kenny "Blue" Ray's tribute to Mr. Hooker.)
 "Please Don't Lie To Me"


Here I am with Kenny "Blue" Ray and friends (Robin Gibbons, guitar and vocals, John Beyer drums...). What an incredible musician. I learn something new, in the musical context, every time I get to play with Kenny. On "Maudy" and "John Lee Hooker", he drove the groove so hard and back, that it all just oozed out of him. And there we were, smack dab in he middle of it, and all you could do was be enveloped in groove and tone. It was all blues.

Kenny is all tone. It has to be heard to be believed. He's on the loud side, but it's not the typical loud, piercing "gee-tar" sound. Rather, his tone fills the place. It's his presence in TONE that is everywhere; I don't know if you really call that "loud." It just "is". Economical and sparse, says what he wants to say, and gets out. What's left is that tone, hanging in the air! And as far as knowing how to play alongside harp; he's in a class by himself. He supports, fills, pads, knows what to say when you play. I can count on one hand guitarts I know who understand how to play with harp.


He's a super guy, besides. Laid back and friendly. Has all these great stories of blues giants. Gonna miss playin' with him.


My gear, once again, the '65 Super Reverb I picked up from Kenny. All stock, no tube subs or harp mods. I'm using my usual ThunderHarp Mics. I'm closer to a good sound in my set-up, rounding the sound out with a bit more bass. Didn't have my Kinder AFB+ with me this time, so I was able to work on just getting the amp to sound good without the box. Next gig I'll add the AFB+ again. The sound you hear in these clips are what I am trying to achieve. Fat, full, but articulte, dynamics in volume and "drive", relaxed. Sorta like how Kenny plays guitar, I guess. Struck me how similiar we may be in style of sound, despite different instruments. No, I'm NOT the KBR of harp. I just recognize some similarity in approach I first recognized in my playing about a year ago.

Recorded at Club Eclipse in Vancouver, WA
With Walter Guy 8/11/07:

 "How Many More Years"
"Rock Me Baby'"
 "Crosscut Saw" (the exclamations from the audience at the end of this file bust me up...)

Here I am pinch-hitting with the Walter Guy Band. I was asked on short notice to fill in for a missing band member. Walter and I have jammed once before, but this is the first time we've gigged together, so I'm pretty much runnin' & gunnin'. We had a great time - thanks, Walter.

Rhythm section for this evening was drummer John Di Martino and bass player Fred Garner.

Gearheads take note - this is the first real gig with my new rig, a '65 Super Reverb I picked up from my good playin' buddy, Kenny "Blue" Ray. I'm using my usual ThunderHarp Mic and also for the first time, the Kinder AFB+. I'm still trying to dial everything in, but so far, I'm really happy with this combo. I could have been a wee bit louder here and there, but that was me holding back on the harp/mic, not the amp/box, which is plenty loud. No volume controls on the mic(s), as I prefer to "work without a net." It's a real challenge with such a powerful combo, but it's up to the driver to maintain correct volume in response to dynamics through breath control. This is a promising first flight.

Duff's Garage in Portland, Oregon
With Vyasa Dodson & Others 8?/06:

 "Real Gone Lover"
"Blues For A Livin'"
 "Somebody Got To Go"

Here I'm playing through my friend's Sonny Jr. 410 and a ThunderHarp Mic. I'm a bit loud and aggressive on these numbers, due to previous sets being so loud, and not having prior experience with the amp. But hey, that's how jams go. You don't always have time to dial things in. A "jammer" of note on these recordings is Vyasa Dodson of the award-winning band, The Insomniacs. Here he's on guitar and adding some smooth lead vocals to the last number, "Somebody Got To Go."

McMinnville, Oregon, 5?/06:

"I Wanna Love You"

Here I'm playing through my old Silvertone 1433, and a ThunderHarp Mic. Don't remember who the jammers were; never even heard the song before! That's what I like about jams... gotta be on yer toes.

Seattle Superharp Showcase 2005
New Orleans Creole Restaurant, Seattle WA
Backing band is Mike Lynch's "Midnight Movers"

Sorry for the poor sound quality; I had the settings on my MiniDisc recorder all wrong. Anyway, you get the idea:


"Caldonia"
 "Same Old Blues"

A review of the 2-night event can be found HERE

Diablo's Downtown Lounge, Eugene OR
With Eagle Park Slim 3/05:

"Caldonia"

Here is a brief description of who "Eagle Park Slim" is:
"Eagle Park Slim has been a party to the blues for over 50 years. Originating from Eagle Park, Illinois, he started his first band 45 years ago and has played continuously since. He has played with names like Muddy Waters, Little Willie John, Sonny Boy Williamson, Jimmy Reed, Chuck Berry, Percy Mayfield, Tina Turner, Sound Garden, Joe Cocker & Red Hot Chili Peppers."

Electric Duo
With Lawrence Impastato:

Recorded early 2002. Guitarist Laurence Impastato and I got together to do some simple improv jamming at his home studio. I really enjoy making music with Laurence; he's a real sympatheic player, an incredible guitarist. These tracks were unrehearsed, only 1 take. Gear on these two tracks are my Masco ME-18 and 4x8 cab, EV-605/Shure CM mic, no effects.

Jam 1
 Jam 2



The following were recorded live, May 2002 with the Fat Daddy Blues Band.

"Have You Ever Loved A Woman" Laurence Impastato vocals
 "Rockin' Robin"

"I Play the Blues for a Livin'" Ray Beltran vocals
 "Need You So Bad" Ray Beltran vocals