Posted June 2, 2011 at 5:54 am | No comments
With teachers like Johnny Smith and Jim Hall, Bill Frisell has always had one foot in the Jazz world. The other was free to explore countless other genres and styles including fusion, fingerstyle, and even progressive folk. He also has a penchant for ample sonic manipulation, including eccentric effects and loops. That’s why his new album, Sign Of Life: Music For 858 Quartet, is such a far departure. In this instance, he creates melodies and arrangements by exploiting his bluegrass and folk chops, inducing an engrossing vibe and sound.
Posted in: Jazz Reviews, Reviews
Posted June 1, 2011 at 5:45 am | No comments
The members of Cloud Cult definitely brought their ‘A’ game to the Black Cat this past Saturday for a memorable, high-energy show. With a set list culled largely from their latest two releases, 2008’s Feel Good Ghosts and their most recent album, 2010’s Light Chasers, this is definitely a band that lives in the present.
Posted in: Reviews, Rock Reviews
Posted May 29, 2011 at 11:12 am | 2 comments
William Rory Gallagher, known by most simply as Rory Gallagher (pronounced “Gal-uh-her”), was born on March 2nd, 1948 in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland to Daniel and Monica Gallagher. Rory spent most of his young days in Cork, Ireland, where his family moved after the birth of his younger brother Donal Gallagher. Both brothers went to the North Monastery School in Cork.
Posted in: Classic Rock, Guitar Hero Series
Posted May 26, 2011 at 7:17 am | No comments
Four years ago, ex-Yes singer Jon Anderson needed inspiration. This being the age of information, he figured the Internet was the best way to go about getting the inspiration he needed, so he released this plea on his website: “Musicians Wanted… Send me your music, just one minute of it will do.” The ensuing barrage of musical ideas did exactly what Jon wanted it to. He now had a body of material to write and sing to, along with a great community of musicians willing to work with him.
Posted in: Reviews, Rock Reviews
Posted May 25, 2011 at 3:22 pm | No comments
The line of guitar fanatics waiting to enter The Bitter End on May 11 for the final show of Eric Johnson’s three-night stand stretched two blocks down Bleecker Street. As we filed in to the narrow, wood-paneled room billed as New York’s Oldest Rock Club, flashes popped while fans jostled to snap pics of Eric’s setup – a pair of Fender Vibroverbs, two Marshalls and a simple flat pedal board with a scratched-up Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, a Boss digital delay, a Crybaby wah and amp switches.
Posted in: Concert Reviews, Reviews
Posted May 22, 2011 at 10:09 am | 7 comments
When it was announced that Producers Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay had optioned the best-selling novel, I Am Number Four for a big budget screen adaptation, my main cause for excitement emanated from the news that, venerable film composer, Trevor Rabin, renowned for his esteemed artistry and scores for Armageddon, Remember The Titans, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, National Treasure 1 and 2, Enemy Of The State, Con Air and many more Hollywood celluloid jewels, would be crafting the film’s score.
Posted in: Instrumental Reviews, Reviews
Posted May 22, 2011 at 9:53 am | One comment
This monster of an effects pedal features 21 different filter sweeps, and each is completely customizable. The Frequency knob sets the center frequency of whichever sweep is selected, which can range from super-low and bassy to bright and brittle. The Sweep Range knob controls both the direction of the sweep (up or down) and how wide of a frequency range it covers. The Speed knob controls both the speed of the sweep’s attack and decay. On the left side of 12 o’clock, the Speed knob controls the attack and decay together, but on the right of 12 o’clock, the attack stays on the fastest setting and the knob only controls the decay.
Posted in: Gear Reviews, Reviews
Posted May 22, 2011 at 9:38 am | One comment
Ever since his days as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist, Zakk Wylde has long been a purveyor of heavy riffage and ripping shred guitar solos. With the exception of his 1996 solo acoustic album, Book of Shadows , he hasn’t had much of a chance to show off his lighter side. But with Black Label Society’s latest release, Song Remains Not the Same , Zakk Wylde decided to get tender.
Posted in: Reviews, Rock Reviews
Posted May 22, 2011 at 9:25 am | 2 comments
Everybody and their mother want to learn how to play guitar. The problem is, people often take lessons and either have too much thrown at them, or they get bored because their teacher has them playing out of a Mel Bay book that seems to be designed to bore people to death. eMedia Guitar Method V.5 seeks to give prospective guitar learners a way to learn at their own pace while keeping it interesting. Intended for beginners ranging from “I’ve never seen a guitar before” to “I know a couple easy songs,” Guitar Method is thorough and customizable, and it has some incredibly useful features.
Posted in: Instructional Book Reviews, Reviews
Posted May 21, 2011 at 9:15 am | No comments
The Desert and the City is the first release for guitarist Mike Rood. He began his study of guitar at age 8 with lessons from family friend John Patitucci. Rood also studied at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York. There he learned from guitarists Vic Juris and Adam Rogers.
Posted in: Jazz Reviews, Reviews
