Posted October 13, 2011 at 12:49 pm | No comments
Boston jazz guitarist, and Berklee Associate Professor, John Stein is back with his third album as a leader since 2008. With his previous two releases, Encounterpoint and Raisin’ The Roof, garnering him a wide array of attention from across the jazz guitar community, Stein brings together an all-star cast for his third album in as many years. Accompanied by bassist John Lockwood, drummer Zé Eduardo Nazario (known to many as the Brazilian Elvin Jones) and newcomer, Jake Sherman on acoustic piano and Hammond orgran, Stein has not only gathered a quartet of world-class individuals for this record, but a group that knows how to gel as an ensemble, which contributes highly to the overall success of the album.
Posted in: Jazz Reviews, Reviews
Posted October 3, 2011 at 3:57 pm | No comments
I had initially thought to start this review with a statement that George Benson needs no introduction to the reader, but after receiving blank stares when I mentioned this recording to a few of my university guitar students, I have reconsidered that thought.
George Benson is a true chameleon, but mostly one of the finest jazz guitarists of all time. His masterful interpretation of pop tunes and jazz standards has long been a source of inspiration to aspiring musicians.
Posted in: Jazz Reviews, Reviews
Posted September 23, 2011 at 6:49 am | No comments
It’s a hot September night near the banks of the Chesapeake Bay in Stevensville, Maryland, home of Paul Reed Smith Guitars that launched their 5th year of Experience PRS with some fancy bluegrass licks by mandolin aficionado Ricky Skaggs and the staggering guitar master, Cody Kilby. We’ve been coming to Experience PRS trade shows since they started in 2007 and the PRS family of dealers, distributors, employees, endorsees and birds and moons enthusiasts have never been let down.
Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews
Posted September 21, 2011 at 10:12 am | No comments
The ‘70s saw Tommy Keene do a stint as drummer in Blue Steel, a band that also featured Nils Lofgren’s brother Michael. He changed to guitar for a convincing jaunt with The Razz. He’s been churning out quality solo albums since the early ‘80s, adding to an impressive discography of timeless rock and roll, heavy laden with guitar oriented chordal arrangements and tasteful melodies.
Posted in: Reviews, Rock Reviews
Posted September 19, 2011 at 10:45 am | No comments
This summer, a sublime set of jazz wafted out the door of the Parisian corner café, Dus des Lombard, one of the finest jazz cafés in the city. The club can be found in the heart of Les Marais (The Marsh), surrounded by art galleries, bistros, clothiers and the sputtering of errant motorbikes passing along the Boulevard Sebastopol.
Posted in: Concert Reviews, Guitar News, Jazz Reviews, Reviews
Posted August 30, 2011 at 8:58 am | No comments
Arizona classical guitarist Brad Richter just released American Landscapes a week or two ago, and it is already one of my favorite collections of mood setting songs. These pieces, which are mostly meditations on outdoor landscapes that speak to Brad, are perfect for that; they are incredibly detailed and meticulous in their composition and adventurous in their use of new and interesting techniques, so seriously music-minded people have a lot to chew on and digest. If heard just in passing by the casual music fan, however, they just sound incredibly pleasing to the ear.
Posted in: Classical Reviews, Guitar News, Reviews
Posted August 19, 2011 at 3:17 pm | 4 comments
After being plagued by numerous title changes, delays in production, editing, and release dates, Director Renny Harlin’s long awaited motion picture, 5 Days Of Warhas finally received an exclusive limited theatrical USA release on August 19, 2011, in New York City and Washington, D.C..
Posted in: DVD Reviews, Reviews
Posted August 17, 2011 at 4:31 pm | No comments
Alice Cooper Superstar made his presence known in New Jersey when he thrilled a packed hall at the Mayo Center in Morristown. Alice’s faithful arrived in full force, and in full make-up, enjoying songs from his 30 plus year career.
Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews
Posted August 15, 2011 at 3:16 pm | No comments
Rory Gallagher’s second solo release, Deuce, keeps the same blues trio format but brings about a whole new Rory. Recorded at Tangerine Studios in London, this album is distinctly grungier and more soulful. Gallagher’s guitar tone is much richer and layered many times to create different textures and sonorities.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Reviews
Posted August 14, 2011 at 2:37 pm | No comments
Rory Gallagher’s third solo recording, Blueprint,, takes us back to a format heard on the famed Irish guitarist’s first release, featuring Lou Martin on keys. The resulting sound is a blend of his previous two albums, combining an experimental attitude and sound with powerful melodies of different styles to achieve a wholly more mature, and refined musicianship.
Posted in: Blues Reviews, Reviews
