Gibson Guitar Announces Les Paul Commemorative Events (September 2, 2009)
 Gibson Guitar will celebrate the life and contributions of guitar and audio recording innovator Les Paul during the month of September, 2009, with events connected to the anniversary of Paul's 1953 #1 Billboard Pop Single, "Vaya Con Dios," and the release anniversary of his 2005 album, American Made: World Played. Event details have not yet been announced. Gibson also plans to produce limited edition versions of the Les Paul Studio and Les Paul Standard electric guitars in honor of Les Paul, which could be available to consumers as early as November, 2009. "It is simply impossible to conceive what music would be like today if Les Paul had not lived," says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "During the month of September Gibson will celebrate Les Paul through various promotions and events insuring his legacy lives on. The Les Paul Studio and Les Paul Standard guitar remains the best selling guitar of all time and in honor of Les we will give fans the opportunity to purchase very special limited versions while enjoying numerous features and anecdotes about Les on the Gibson website..." More »
Taylor Guitars Celebrates 35th Anniversary (September 1, 2009)
 Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, California, has announced the introduction of limited edition models in celebration of its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor (who at the time had not yet turned 20), Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer and originally named Westland Music Company, by the end of its inaugural year the company could boast three employees, the production of six instruments, and having overcome several hurdles, including its original facility.
"That place was so bad," says Listug. "The roof leaked like crazy, and whenever it rained, the place flooded. It rained hard the night before we opened [October 15, 1974], so we spent the entire morning of our first day in business trying to get as much water out of there as we could." Bob Taylor recalls the spirit of the company's early days: "When it flooded, we'd take all the sawdust that we'd already swept up, and sprinkle it around the floor to soak up the water. It made the place even more of a pig sty. But it was fun. What did we know? We were just kids. Somehow, we'd skirted having to get real jobs. We didn't have a boss, we were making guitars. What could be better?" More »
Saiichi Sugiyama Talks about the Gibson SG in "The SG Sound" (August 27, 2009)
 Four instruments sit at the head table in the pantheon of solidbody electric guitars that defined and continue to define the sound of rock 'n' roll and related genres: the Fender Stratocaster; the Fender Telecaster; the Gibson Les Paul; and the Gibson SG. Saiichi Sugiyama, in his Modern Guitars column, Vintage, chronicles his relationship with the Gibson SG: " The SG Sound." Says Sugiyama: "Someone told me that Carlos Santana played "Samba Pa Ti" on his early '60s SG Special. The harmonics on my SG sounded, to my ears, not dissimilar despite the obvious P-90 colouring of that tone. Eric Clapton said, when we were doing the research for the Christie's 2004 catalogue, that the March 1968 "Crossroads" on Wheels of Fire was played on his cherry-red 335 - but, to be honest, I am not convinced. To my ears, it sounds like a mahogany guitar – his Firebird or more likely the painted SG known as The Fool."
Guitar Luthier John Page and the Story of 016, Part Two (August 20, 2009)
 Modern Guitars columnist John Page continues his photo chronicle of the creation of a new piece of electric guitar functional art in The Story of 016, Part Two. Page, who co-founded the Fender Custom Shop and who has been a leading proponent of how and why the contemporary electric guitar can serve a dual role as both working instrument (functional) and the source of visual pleasure (art), has pursued a career in fine art after leaving Fender, creating a number of successful art gallery-level wood-based sculptures. After a hiatus from guitar building, Page re-entered the field in 2006 with his completely hand-built custom line, the P-1. The Story of 016 discusses how Page's new twist on the P-1 incorporates his love of both finely built custom guitars and fine art. The client who commissioned the 016 asked Page if it could somehow serve as both a high-end guitar and a piece of art. "For me," says Page, "this is the best of all worlds, mix my two great passions, guitars and visual art!" More »
CD Review: "Heavy Days" by Mambo Sons (August 17, 2009)
 Heavy Days, the newest CD from Mambo Sons, is a two-disc collection of songs steeped in the classic blues-rock tradition, but with the Sons’ own flair. They wield a veritable Mambo stew of influences, including early '70s Stones, Mott the Hoople, Free, Cream and countless others. Heavy Days features the kind of music that used to get a lot of airplay and harkens back to the days of the classic double-LP a la Exile on Main Street. The bottom line: This is a collection of great songs that deserves to be heard. Mambo Sons are Tom Guerra on guitars and vocals, Scott Lawson on bass and vocals, and Joe “The Cat” Lemieux on drums and vocals, with very special guest Matt Zeiner providing Hammond, piano, clavinet, and Wurlitzer on several tracks. More »
Guitarist and Inventor Les Paul Passes Away at 94 (August 13, 2009)
 Electric guitar icon Les Paul passed away today, the result of complications of severe pneumonia, at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. He was 94. Born June 9, 1915, as Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin, he later adopted the stage name Les Paul and, in addition to his contributions as a performing artist, played a major role in the development of the solidbody electric guitar, most closely associated with his namesake instrument, the Gibson Les Paul, Gibson Guitar's best selling instrument. The only person with membership in all of the following: the Grammy Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Les Paul enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a recording artist, inventor and innovator, and a performer who, despite arthritis, permanent hearing loss and a heart attack followed by bypass surgery, for over 12 years maintained a twice-weekly performance residence at New York City's Iridium Jazz Club until recently. His 2005 CD, Les Paul & Friends; American Made World Played, was a double-Grammy winner. More »
Steve Vai on Composition and "Where The Wild Things Are" (August 10, 2009)
 September 29, 2009, brings the release of Where The Wild Things Are, live concert material recorded before a sold-out audience at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2007 during Steve Vai's Sound Theories World Tour. The performance footage will be released on DVD and Blu-ray with a music-only CD also available. The 2007 Sound Theories World Tour featured a band Vai called String Theories, comprised of Steve Vai with Bryan Beller (bass), Alex DePue (violin, keyboards), Ann Marie Calhoun (violin, keyboards), Jeremy Colson (drums and percussion), Dave Weiner (guitar and sitar), and Zack Wiesinger (a brief appearance during the show on lap steel and the tour's solo opening act with Zack on electric guitar). Though the tour launched in conjunction with the release of the double-CD Sound Theories I & II, it was a standalone animal featuring a set list of both well known and not so often performed pieces from the Vai catalog, which might account for the upcoming DVD's name, Where The Wild Things Are, that drops the Sound Theories main title connection. On August 7, 2009, I spoke to Steve Vai, technically about the upcoming release of Where The Wild Things Are, but having been an avid listener to Sound Theories I & II and viewer of Visual Sound Theories for the last two years, my main interest was how these three works serve as an argument for the Vai-ability of his catalog as composition. More »
Gibson Guitar Introduces the Zoot Suit SG Electric Guitar (August 7, 2009)
 Though at first glance the look of the Gibson Zoot Suit SG electric guitar might be more reminiscent of '60s era psychedelia than the zoot suits of the '30s and '40s, behind the name are some interesting construction twists certain to garner interest from players and possibly collectors. This new entry from Gibson USA has not started to ship yet, but is expected to carry an MSRP of $1,999 with a likely street price from retailers in the area of $1,199. The instrument comes in six color schemes: Rainbow, Black and Red, Black and Natural, Black and Orange, and Red and Blue. While certainly colorful, it's interesting to note that they are not painted. Instead, the Zoot Suit SG is constructed from a number of laminated birch wood pieces (each approximately .075" thick) dyed with a different color, given two coats of satin nitrocellulose lacquer, then bonded together to form the body and the neck. In addition to the cosmetic effect, Gibson claims that the construction method "...yields maximum sustain and resonance." More »
John Wunsch and the Interlochen Guitar Festival and Workshop (August 4, 2009)
 The name Interlochen has long been synonymous with excellence in the arts and arts education, and the annual Interlochen Guitar Festival and Workshop is no exception. The Workshop is held every summer in August, this year from the 20th to the 22nd, on the storied campus of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Widely known for having one of the world's top high school fine arts programs for younger artists, recently Interlochen has begun offering classes and workshops geared towards adult students through its new College of Creative Arts. When this initiative was presented by current president Jeffrey Kimpton, Academy guitar instructor John Wunsch jumped at the chance to start a weekend-long guitar festival and workshop that would be geared towards the adult student population, as well as to a variety of musical styles. Participants at the Festival and Workshop have the chance to experience the exceptional tradition of excellence that has gained Interlochen its world wide recognition, something that had previously been reserved for high school, and younger, students. More »
Peter Wolf on the Guitar Manufacturing Industry (August 3, 2009)
 In July of 2009, Modern Guitars columnist Peter Wolf announced the launch of his new business, Brandwolf Consulting, LLC, aimed at helping music instrument makers with sales, marketing and related strategic concerns such as branding and distribution. Wolf recently left Paul Reed Smith Guitars where he served as the company's Director of Sales & Marketing from 2004, having previously been the International Sales Manager for PRS since 1997. His business relationship with PRS, however, goes back to 1990 and Wolf's founding of PRS Guitars Germany, a distribution company that imported and distributed high-end guitars and amplifiers to Central European countries. According to a recent press release from Brandwolf Consulting, "Under his direction, PRS Guitars’ export sales increased 10-fold in only 10 years and distributors and dealers in 56 additional countries were appointed and cultivated." While on some levels the driving force behind guitar lutherie and making is a passion for the art and craft, economics plays a significant role in the contined health of the industry. Today's financial climate poses a challenge to how guitar makers and manufacturers go forward, if not an outright threat to whether or not they can. More »
Dr. Brad DeRoche Talks about the Interlochen Arts Camp (July 20, 2009)
 Dr. Brad DeRoche is one of the hardest working guitarists you will ever meet. He is regarded as a world-class classical guitarist who maintains a busy performance schedule of concerts and clinics every year. DeRoche is also one of the most sought after classical guitar educators in the Midwest and he holds teaching positions at Delta College, Central Michigan University and the Interlochen Arts Camp. On top of all of these commitments, DeRoche is the co-owner of the highly successful company, Strings by Mail. Currently teaching in his second season at the Interlochen Arts Camp, DeRoche took time from working with his students to talk to us about the Interlochen experience and the many projects in which he is currently involved. More »
Steve Vai to Release Live Concert Film from Sound Theories Tour (July 17, 2009)
 Guitarist Steve Vai has announced the release of a live concert film (DVD, Blu-ray) and live CD on September 29, 2009. Titled Where The Wild Things Are, the material was recorded before a sold-out audience at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2007 during Vai's Sound Theories world tour. With 20 million units sold worldwide to-date, Where The Wild Things Are represents his 21st solo project over a 30-year career. The two-hour and forty minute set contains both several new tracks and re-orchestrated pieces from his rich catalog and was filmed at the State Theatre because of the venue's lush acoustics and attractive interior. Vai's Sound Theories Tour supported the release of the Sound Theories Vol. I & II CDs featuring Vai and the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra. Volume I presents Vai performing with the orchestra, while Volume II consists of the orchestra playing tunes written by Vai. The orchestral nature of Sound Theories accounts for the presence of two violinists in the touring band's lineup, Alex De Pue and Ann Marie Calhoun, both of whom double on keyboards. The other band members were Jeremy Colson (drums and percussion), Bryan Beller (bass), Dave Weiner (guitar and sitar), and Zack Wiesinger (lap steel). More »
Artist Creates Custom Guitar Sculptures from Recycled License Plates (July 13, 2009)
 Cary, North Carolina, resident Peter Geiger has found a way to unite two of his passions, cars and music, by creating actual-sized guitar sculptures that incorporate old automobile license plates. A long time guitar aficionado and car enthusiast, artistic inspiration struck during a home jam session when Geiger's eyes fell on his own old plates hanging on the wall. Combining elements of both wood and metalworking, Geiger now creates his guitar sculptures for custom orders. Each piece is unique and customers can choose the style and license plates that suit them. "Sometimes people say, 'I live in Texas and I'm moving to Louisiana. Can you make a guitar with these?'" says Geiger, and he transforms them into a piece of visual art that has special meaning to the customer. "Others" he continues, "bring me their license plates and say, 'Here, I don't need them, you use them. Make something special." More »
Taylor Guitars Responds to 'United Breaks Guitars' (July 11, 2009)
 United Airlines may have reason to sing the blues, but if they are, it's unlikely they're playing Taylor guitars. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Carroll's viral YouTube video "United Breaks Guitars" (close to two million views as of this writing), tells the story of his guitar's mishandling by United Airline employees and the indifference with which his claim for compensation from United was met. A well-produced and engaging musical rant, the tale's told with humor while giving voice to a scenario often recounted in the guitar community. Though in 2003 the American Federation of Musicians and the Transportation Security Administration produced an agreement whereby guitars would be considered carry-on luggage, there are restrictions on the size of the case and situations in which airline baggage handlers still come into contact with instruments destined for the cargo hold or passenger compartment. Carroll's unfortunate experience occurred in 2008 when he and his band, Sons of Maxwell, flew from Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada) to Omaha, Nebraska, via United Airlines. More »
Sugiyama Asks: Why Do People Buy Expensive Guitars? (July 10, 2009)
 The less than upbeat state of the world's economies doesn't seem to have dampened the widespread interest in vintage guitars; the buying and selling, maybe, the interest, no. For those with the fever who find their guitar budget tightening, Modern Guitars magazine columnist Saiichi Sugiyama reminds us that some vintage instruments have an allure often overshadowed by concerns about investment potential: they play well, sound great, and the ugly ducklings in the category might be a bargain. In his latest article, "Why Do People Buy Expensive Guitars?", Sugiyama chronicles a shopping expedition in a well-stocked Tokyo guitar store where he meets two old Gibson electrics, one with a broken neck repair, the other a botched converion attempt, and both completely refinished and lacking original parts. Old, yes, collectible, no, but each had a unique charm. More »
Many Mourn the Passing of George Fullerton (July 9, 2009)
 George William Fullerton passed way on July 4, 2009, at the age of 86 in, coincidentally, Fullerton, California, where he had been a long time resident. His association with the Fender company, its founder, Leo Fender, and the birth and development of the company's two most noted offspring, the Telecaster and Stratocaster, will forever be remembered by everyone with a passion for the electric guitar and its history. Fullerton joined forces with Leo Fender and what was then the Fender Electric Instrument Company in 1948 and soon served a pivotal role in the creation of the Telecaster and Stratocaster, instruments that shaped the subsequent history of both popular music (and in a very real sense, popular culture) and the electric guitar. More »
|
George Benson Interview
by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
 Forty-five years after releasing his debut album The New Boss Guitar, jazz guitarist George Benson is still going strong. With the upcoming August 25, 2009, release date set for his latest studio album Songs And Stories, the ten-time Grammy winner pays tribute to some of his favorite songwriters and composers. Featuring an all-star line up that includes bassist Marcus Miller, guitarists Lee Ritenour and Toninho Horta, saxophonists Tom Scott and Gerald Albright, among others, Benson and company come together to produce an album that is not only a tribute to great songwriters, it is also a reflection of more than four decades of experience by one of jazz's greatest instrumentalists and vocalists. The tracks on the album are a mixture of re-interpretations of classic tunes, such as Christopher Cross' "Sailing" and James Taylor's "Don't Let Me be Lonely Tonight," alongside new songs written by some of the music industry's greatest songsmiths. The track "Family Reunion" was penned by Ron Templeton, who wrote Benson's worldwide hit song "Give Me the Night" from the guitarist's 1976 smash hit album Breezin'. Songwriter Bill Withers came out of retirement to write the track "A Telephone Call Away," which is one of the album's finest lyrical and instrumental moments. Other songwriters who made contributions to Songs and Stories include Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Donny Hathaway and several others...
Read »
Ace Frehley Interview
by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
 Ace Frehley is a patient man. After releasing his fourth solo studio album, Trouble Walkin', Frehley became musically sidetracked with other projects including the KISS "Unplugged" concert and several highly successful reunion tours with the hottest band in the land. As the second of these reunion tours came to a close, Frehley decided to shift his creative focus back to his solo career and began writing, producing and recording his highly anticipated new album Anomaly. Anomaly features Frehley originals and one cover of Sweet's classic song "Fox on the Run." With long-time bandmate Anton Fig on drums, the songs feature hard-driving grooves and catchy guitar riffs that have become a staple of Frehley's work, both as a solo artist and with KISS. Set for release on September 15, 2009, the new CD is Frehley's fifth solo release and first since 1989...
Read »
Sonny Landreth Interview
by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
 Born in Mississippi and raised in the cultural Mecca of Southern Louisiana, slide guitarist Sonny Landreth seemed destined to be a musical talent from a very early age. Growing up surrounded by the jazz, second line and R&B of New Orleans, the Delta blues of his home state, the exciting rock 'n' roll music being heard on the nation's radio stations, and local Zydeco bands, has led Landreth to become a diverse musician solidly grounded in the blues music that he loves. His multi-fingered approach to the slide, where he mixes fretted notes behind the slide that he keeps on his pinky finger, has redefined the public's perception of what a slide guitar player can accomplish. Though he is a virtuosic guitarist and performer, Landreth is also an accomplished songwriter whose writing adds a new dimension of musicality to his guitar artistry...
Read »
Vinnie Moore Interview
by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
 Vinnie Moore has long since established himself as one of the leading rock guitarists of his generation. After impressing Mike Varney of Shrapnel records at the age of twelve, Moore was chosen to showcase his guitar talent on a national Pepsi commercial which brought him his first widespread exposure as a guitarist to watch out for. Since then Moore has found success as both a leader, including his vastly popular first album Mind's Eye featuring Tony MacAlpine on keys, and as a sideman in such bands as U.F.O., Vicious Rumors and as a member of Alice Cooper's band. With over twenty-five years in the business, Moore continues to steadily release new material and perform to sold out houses all over the world. Moore's latest CD To the Core showcases the guitarist's advanced melodic approach, his lightening fast chops and ability as a modern rock songwriter. The album also showcases the many different styles and genres of music that have influenced Moore over the years. Moore's writing and soloing melds elements of rock, blues, jazz-fusion and metal to form a musical style that can only be described as Vinnie Moore...
Read »
James Burton Interview
by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
 To say that guitarist James Burton is busy would be a gross understatement. With his 70th birthday right around the corner, the Louisiana native shows no sign of slowing down. After a highly successful career as both a leader and a sideman spanning more than 50 years, most guitarists would be looking forward to hanging up the axe and enjoying some time off, but not Burton. Having recently returned from performing in Holland with the TCB band, he's busy preparing for the upcoming James Burton International Guitar Festival that takes place in Shreveport, Louisiana, August 21 - 23. The annual festival, which began in 2005, helps support Burton's charity effort, The James Burton Foundation, and features a Who's Who of the guitar world and a special concert by the "Wild Man of the Telecaster" himself on Saturday night. This year's festival will feature added excitement as Burton and company hope to break the world record for the most guitarists playing the same song at the same time. While breaking the record will be an enjoyable experience for both Burton and those participating, it will more importantly bring nationwide attention to the wonderful work he and his foundation are doing. As of this interview, more than 4,000 children have received free guitars and instruction through the work of Burton's charity...
Read »
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) Inteview
by Rick Landers.
 During the 1970s, Martin Barre’s gritty guitar work helped propel Jethro Tull up the charts with now classic tracks such as “Aqualung,” “Bungle in the Jungle,” “Cross-Eyed Mary,” and “Locomotive Breath.” While his riffs on “Aqualung” echoed vocalist Ian Anderson’s broken-luck lyrics, they also convulsively shoved the song into the dark cavities of our minds. Anderson’s dramatic on-stage antics and huffing flute work would have overshadowed most guitarists, but with uncanny precision, Barre always knew when to weave in and out and when to pounce. Guitar Player readers voted Barre’s playing on “Aqualung” as one of the top guitar solos of all time. Later, a Guitar World reader poll would rank it as the 25th Greatest Guitar Solo. But, to better appreciate Barre's musical senses and guitar talents it's valuable to listen to several albums, including Martin's fine solo work. No one trick pony, Martin Barre knows how to musically frame and drive a lyric by loading up with a heavy hitting lead or a more delicately nuanced riff...
Read »
Paul Mahon (The Answer) Interview
by Brian D. Holland.
 Though some rock fans might still be in the dark about this, and they've certainly got to be an isolated and diminutive bunch, The Answer is the hard-rocking foursome out of County Down, Ireland. The group has been touring the globe over the past year opening for AC/DC on the Black Ice Tour. By definition alone, one might think that a label as bold as The Answer is a reference to something that's the real deal, or the actual solution to something. If you're wondering if that's the case in this situation, many rock fans seem to think so. The truth is, and it's not exactly a news flash, authentic hard-rock bands aren't what they used to be in numbers. Sure, there are a few around, the paradigm being the above mentioned tour headliner. But, not many young bands possess the invigorating power and surging force that Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Humble Pie, and others exerted back in the '70s. It's unfortunate, because a prevailing thirst still exists for that particular style. AC/DC and their mega sold out tour is evidence of it...
Read »
Pete Huttlinger Interview
by Rick Landers.
 On May 3, 2009, fingerstyle guitarist Pete Huttlinger and the lovely LeAnn Rimes shared the stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., as part of the 2009 Kennedy Center Spring Gala presentation, A Celebration of Women in the Arts. Pete and LeAnn have performed together before with Pete's guitar work a perfect complement to the singers vocals, much like Pete's work during the '90s with the late John Denver and with many more of the world's finest troubadours. But, one thing that sets Pete apart from the crowd is his strong work ethic and precise professional focus. Although born in Washington, D.C., early on after his father passed away his mother moved the family to California. Soon enough, Pete would discover the world of guitars and practice, study and perform his way to a solid music career. After high school, he moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music where he graduated cum laude in 1984. He and a friend would plant themselves on Beantown street corners to make some loot and gain some streetwise insights into...
Read »
Jorma Kaukonen Interview
by Rick Landers.
 When we saw that famed guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady of Hot Tuna were headed to the Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia, we knew it wasn't an opportunity to miss. Rarely does Modern Guitars get a chance to catch up with musicians who have performed together and stoked a full steam of friendship for 50 years. Since the early ‘60s, Jorma and Jack have shared their love of music and experienced the spirited upheaval of rock stardom as members of Jefferson Airplane, the group that featured vocalist Grace Slick who belted out the rock classic, “Somebody to Love,” and melodically droned the phantasmagorical reverence of “White Rabbit.” It was the age of psychedelia and as much as drugs pierced the veil of the status quo, the music itself was mind altering with Jefferson Airplane searing hot in the klieg lights of the moment...
Read »
Chuck Loeb Interview
by Michael Shea.
 Chuck Loeb grew up in Nyack, NY, a suburb of New York City and at the age of 11, decided music was what he wanted to do with his life. After teaching himself guitar and playing in local bands for several years, his talent was so evident that, before he graduated from high school, he was studying with jazz guitar legend Jim Hall. After high school, he attended Berklee College of Music for two years before heading to New York City to work as a sideman for a number of jazz artists. In 1979, when he was 23 years old, Chuck joined the Stan Getz band, where he was able to hone his skills as a musician, performer, composer, and musical director. During this period, Chuck met and married Carmen Cuesta, a singer-songwriter from Madrid, Spain...Chuck currently records for Heads Up International. Modern Guitars talked to Chuck just before the March 24, 2009, release of his latest recording, Between 2 Worlds...
Read »
Vieux Farka Touré Interview
by Rick Landers.
 Mali-born guitarist Vieux Farka Touré's musical inclinations come naturally. His father, Ali Farka Touré (1939 - 2006), was an internationally acclaimed musician who weaved together the complex rhythms and traditional style of Malian music with American blues, and was listed at the 76 spot on Rolling Stone's compilation of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Though his father urged him to join the military, Vieux discovered that he both loved and had a talent for music. It was to become his passion. Recognizing and valuing his son's talents, Ali asked his friend and legendary African kora player, Toumani Diabaté, to professionally mentor his son. The die was caste and Vieux Farka Touré began to make his mark in his native Mali and soon his name was on foreign tongues who were captivated by the young musician and spread the word worldwide...
Read »
Tony McManus Interview
by Rick Landers.
 Although Tony McManus clearly has a reputation as a leading Celtic guitarist, the ancient roots of the music itself are somewhat nebulous. Strains can be found originating in Ireland and Scotland, as well as other unexpected places such as Portugal. Whatever the origins, the music found its way to America and infiltrated the melodic intentions of Appalachian musicians, as well as gained popularity around the world. Irish born McManus delights in the sparkling guitar tunings of the genre and his league of world-wide fans grows with each new album. He taught himself guitar at an early age and after ending his academic pursuits he could be found as a session guitarist in Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1996, Tony released his self-titled debut album on the Greentrax Recordings label. Next up was his Pourquoi Quebec that drew international attention. His reputation began to soar when Nashville’s Compass Records issued his Ceol More CD that featured arrangements of Charles Mingus’s jazz classic “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”...
Read »
JJ Grey Interview
by Brian D. Holland.
 It's easily understood that inspiration drives the music of JJ Grey & MOFRO, as influence radiates from it in an interesting and colorful manner. Though much of it is surrounded in a raw yet contemporary swamp rock ambiance, it possesses elements of southern rock, soul, R&B, folk, gospel, blues, and especially funk. The music parallels the lyrical image flawlessly in setting, emotion and significance. JJ Grey paints a picture of the rural South, especially the Florida backwoods, where images of alligators and cypress amid swampy terrain effortlessly come to mind. He grew up in and around Jacksonville, Florida, close to the wetland areas he sings about, and close to the Orange and Lochloosa Lakes as well. The rugged wetland environment comes to life in songs like "Florida," "Lochloosa," and "Turpentine," and haunting stories of poverty and misfortune ("Country Ghetto," "Ten Thousand Islands," and "Brighter Days") sit contently among songs of hope and affection ("Orange Blossoms," "A Woman," and "The Truth") in all four of the band's CDs. It's even very Southern Gothic at times, especially in the lyrical content of "The Devil You Know" and "Tragic." Via first and secondhand experiences of their narrator, the tales depict life's ambiguous and complex situations in a genuine and practical manner...
Read »
Martin Taylor Interview
by Rick Landers.
 During his performance at the Inter-American Series of Concerts, Lectures and Films in Washington, D.C., in October 2008, Scottish guitarist Martin Taylor kept the show rolling with solo jazz guitar tunes that were technically complex, yet stylishly smooth and nuanced. Inspired since childhood by gypsy jazz legend Django Rheinhardt and his Quintette du Hot Club of France, jazz guitar has been the staple of Martin’s repertoire.He began playing guitar at the ripe old age of eight in his father’s jazz band and would later leave school at 15 to become a professional musician. A chance meeting with Django’s Hot Club violinist, Stephane Grappelli, eventually led to an invitation for Martin to join the group. Martin would grow as an artist under the wing of Grappelli and his guitar prowess blossomed while he gathered acclaim as one of the best jazz guitarists in the world. Taylor’s musical accomplishments have been recognized by many and have included...
Read »
Joey Molland (Badfinger) Interview
by Rick Landers.
 When Badfinger's first record was released rumors ran amok that the Beatles were the artists behind the songs and that the Fab Four had playfully renamed themselves to see if the album would do well without the Beatles magic to help lift it up the charts. This wasn't a far fetched notion. The album, Magic Christian Music, was released in 1970 on the Beatles' Apple label and the harmonies and style captured the pop spunk of Paul McCartney's work. In fact, McCartney penned the group's first U.S. charted hit, "Come and Get It." Badfinger would enjoy all the spoils of fame, but would also suffer through a litany of stereotypical rock 'n' roll collapses from bad management, financial entanglements, legal disputes, poor record sales and the tragic suicides of Peter Ham (vocalist, guitar, keyboards) and...
Read »
|
