Reviews

Jimi Hendrix: Live at Monterey DVD Review

Jimi Hendrix: Live at Monterey DVD Review

Posted November 16, 2010 at 1:00 pm | 2 comments

Review of the Jimi Hendrix Live at Monterey concert that launched the guitarist into the international spotlight.

Posted in: Classic Rock, Reviews, Rock Reviews

The Stratocaster Chronicles: Book Review

The Stratocaster Chronicles: Book Review

Posted November 15, 2010 at 1:00 pm | No comments

I own precisely 29 books. Not much of a library for someone writing a book review. The number, to a book, is 29 because I counted them this morning. Though an avid reader, three years ago I sold, gave away, or abandoned every book I owned that didn’t mean something significant to me. I wanted to travel light when I moved from California to Portugal.

Posted in: Book Reviews, Guitars and Gear, Reviews

Debra Devi at Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 6

Debra Devi at Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 6

Posted November 13, 2010 at 1:00 pm | 2 comments

I’m flying back to the concrete jungle Sunday, so Friday I cram in as much nature as possible, starting with a morning horseback ride and a trip to Glacier National Park. Just us teachers and some guests are going, since the students are woodshedding for their concert Saturday.

Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews

Debra Devi at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 5

Debra Devi at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 5

Posted November 12, 2010 at 1:00 pm | No comments

Every morning on the drive in, I’ve looked longingly at the Lodge’s gorgeous horses, as they mosey around the pasture near the road. This morning I finally get to go for a ride! I haven’t ridden since I was fifteen. I figure it’ll come back to me, like riding a bike.

Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews

Debra Devi at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 4

Debra Devi at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 4

Posted November 11, 2010 at 1:00 pm | 4 comments

I keep seeing this tan guy with a mischievous grin striding purposefully across the lawns at Flathead Lake Lodge. He’s wearing sneakers, shorts and a ratty T-shirt; his bushy reddish hair is stuffed under a backwards baseball cap that doesn’t remotely contain it.

Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews

Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong Review

Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong Review

Posted November 11, 2010 at 12:35 pm | One comment

The majority of musicians in my age bracket and younger are familiar with Louis Armstrong. His popular hits “Hello Dolly” and “What a Wonderful World” topped the radio charts and made him a household name and multiple television appearances kept him in the spotlight throughout the 1960’s. The music and the presentation was light hearted and commercial, but characterizing Armstrong as a Jazz musician during this period of time would honestly be very difficult.

Posted in: Jazz, Jazz Reviews, Reviews

Debra Devi at the Crown of the Continent Festival Day 3

Debra Devi at the Crown of the Continent Festival Day 3

Posted November 10, 2010 at 1:00 pm | 2 comments

Last week it was 100 degrees in Bigfork, and I packed accordingly. This morning it’s 48 degrees. At breakfast, everyone intelligent is wearing flannel shirts and fleece jackets. I’m wearing a thin–but fashionable!–Topshop sweater and the 1980s Michael Jackson-style leather jacket I bought at thrift store for $16. Fashionable isn’t cutting it. I’m freakin’ freezing.

Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews

Debra Devi at Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 2

Debra Devi at Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 2

Posted November 9, 2010 at 1:00 pm | 4 comments

Roving reporter Debra from the band Devi gives us the scoop on the COC Guitar Festival happenings on day 2 of the event.

Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews

Debra Devi at Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 1

Debra Devi at Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival Day 1

Posted November 8, 2010 at 1:04 pm | 4 comments

Here’s a fresh twist on the guitar workshop concept—hold one at a luxury dude ranch in northwestern Montana, and donate proceeds to benefit the environment and music education. And get Pat Metheny to come, would ya?

Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews

VH1 Classic Albums: Rush 2112 and Moving Pictures DVD Review

VH1 Classic Albums: Rush 2112 and Moving Pictures DVD Review

Posted November 8, 2010 at 11:00 am | One comment

Of all the rock bands out there, few deserve to be given the VH1 Classic Albums treatment more than Rush, with their 24 Gold and 14 Platinum records, universally acknowledged instrumental brilliance, and thousands of devoted fans worldwide. The fact that they are finally attaining this kind of popular recognition is surprising to many Rush fans, who for years have seen their idols panned by critics and ignored by the radio.

Posted in: Prog Rock, Prog Rock Reviews, Reviews