Clueless Newbie Questions, Karaokeing recordings. Options

[nickdaum]

My current hard and soft:
Mac G5 dual
M-Audio FireWire Solo
GarageBand
Audacity

I'm not a professional musician and don't intend to be. I just want to start singing and playing guitar Blues on my own as a retirement hobby.
Instead of using loops for the drums and bass backing I would like to use actual recordings of my favorite musicians as karaokes. Is it possible to remove both voice and guitar from a recording? If so how?

Secondary question, a little off topic: I need to buy an electric guitar, not too expensive, possiblly second hand.
As a matter of fact I'll stick to a slow tempo, like Blues does, so I don't need a "fast" guitar. I don't care about the look or the shape since I find them all ugly whether Strato or LesPaul or whatever. I don't care about accessing the highest treble notes.
I care only usability and sound.

What are the specs I should put on my list? Any brand you would recommend?

TIA

Nick

[nickdaum]

Hi Ron

I'll give a try at SlowDowner as you suggest.

The MIDI concept seems interesting. It's new to me. I don't have any MIDI device besides my Mac. However you can play MIDI files with audio apps.

My favorite musicians are John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, T-Bone Walker, Luther Johnson, Pinetop Perkins, Champion Jack Dupree, Howlin' Wolf, Big Bill Broonzy, Jimmy Cotton, Johnny Copeland, Lightnin' Hopkins, to name a few and there a some specific songs I would like to play. Do you think I could find the MIDI files and where?

Thanks for the guitar recommendations. The only gimmicks I need are the instrument and a mike. I have a FireWire Solo and an excellent sound system.
BTW: a Mac + iTunes (when it doesn't mess around) + a FireWire Solo (or any other product of the line) = a super HIFI output, the best I ever plugged on my amplifier. I delivers the best analog sound I know.

If I had to purchase a sound system today I would go for some studio amplified speakers. But that's another story since what I have is almost perfect

Back to guitars. If I may ask you more questions:
* It's unclear for me how a guitar should be more fit for rock, blues or folk, etc. I understand when it comes to metal but is it absolutely relevant? Since I want to play just plain blues, are there guitars that will do the job really better and some that are not fit.
* I read you should chose rather double mikes rather than simple ones. I suppose the quality is important too, so how to know about it?
* What about brands like Ibanez, Yamaha, Gretsch or Cort?

Nick