|
KEN DIXON AND CRAIG BARTOCK
on Lonely Llama Music
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THE PLUNGERS
on No Sweat Records
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VARIOUS ARTISTS
on Guitar Farm Records
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JULY
AUGUST 2005
MUSIC & RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
ACOUSTIC
AMERICA RECORDS - In order for a meditative
acoustic music to be really great, it should be both relaxing and
ambient. On his 2005 solo CD, Guitar Peace, Nashville-based
guitarist Roger Hudson fills the bill perfectly. On Guitar
Peace Hudson geared the music to be used as calming music to help
his kids unwind before falling asleep, and Hudson’s own words,
“For everyone else, this music can serve a similar purpose in
helping to ease the stresses of adulthood.” Well versed in both
jazz and popular music, Hudson also makes good use of his classical
guitar background and on Guitar Peace he tastefully combines
a wide range of instrumental guitar art forms. It’s been too
long since Hudson’s 1994 CD, Guitarchitecture, so let’s
hope he gets to follow up his great Guitar Peace CD soon. www.rogerhudson.com
ALL
CREATIONS RECORDS - A legend from his days back in the ‘50s
with Duane Eddy and all during the ‘60s doing sessions with everyone
from Frank Sinatra to The Beach Boys, guitarist Al Casey returned
to the limelight with a laid back instrumental tribute to his ‘60s
session work called Al Casey’s Hit List. Working
alongside Casey on this 2004 release is Mark Knopfler band member
Richard Bennett, who grew up one of Casey’s most loyal
fans and students. Commenting on working with a legend such as Casey,
Bennett adds, “It's hard to narrow down Al's body of work to
the most influential, it's vast, but when Al was putting together
the titles to record he was very mindful of picking the big ones and
if he had only played on those songs alone he'd be a legend. That's
not even covering all the Eddy records and thousands upon thousands
of other things. ” Serving up jazzy, low key easy listening instrumental
guitar based tracks such as “These Boots Are Made For Walking”,
“Sloop John B”, “That’s Life” and “Strangers
In The Night”, Casey and Bennett receive fine support from several
player as well as producer / engineer Jack Miller. The CD features
fine liner notes by Bennett and detailed track by track notes by Casey,
whose insights serve as an encyclopedia of ‘60s pop trivia. www.richard-bennett.com
ALLEN
HINDS - A
great tapestry of guitar sounds on which to hang his chops on, Fact
Of The Matter is a fine introduction to the music Allen Hinds.
An all instrumental mixture of rock, country and the ‘quiet storm’
sound of smooth jazz, the eleven track CD features some fine backing
players, who adeptly enhance Hinds’ cutting edge electric guitar
sounds. A good example of just how well Hinds straddles musical genres
can be heard on “Waltz For Tina”, with its tapered, circular
melodic edge that borders on neoclassical rock fusion. Hinds also
proves competent on piano keyboards and numerous other instruments
but its his guitar work that lifts the set to its best moments. www.allenhinds.com
AIX RECORDS - Famous for his breezy smooth jazz records, guitarist
Grant Geissman is featured on a 2004 DVD that captures a fine
in the studio performance with his quintet. The Grant Geismman
Quintet There And Back Again is state of the art dual disc
featuring the ten track DVD, video blue side up and a DVD audio, red
side up. Both are mixed in 5.1 and even in good old stereo, the sound
is crystal clear with the DVD video features the filming of the recording
session, bio, interview and photo gallery. Over the years, Geissman
has worked with everybody from Brian Wilson to Placido Domingo and
this excellent DVD dual disc serves as both fine viewing and listening.
Surf music fans will want to check out another fine AIX Records DVD
release entitled I Get Surround, by The Surf
City All-Star Band. This DVD-Audio / Video package features a
great in the studio jam featuring the original surfer himself, Dean
Torrence, of Jan & Dean, supported by great guitarists including
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Randell Kirsch, Don
Raymond and more including Al Jardine’s son Matt Jardine
on background vocals and percussion. The 13 track CD features
a fine mix of vocal and instrumentals including classics like “The
Little Old Lady From Pasadena” and the surf-rock instro classic
“Apache.” www.aixrecords.com
ARGLEFARGLE - Don’t let the incredibly juvenile looking cover
art of the debut CD from Cayucos, California guitarist Travis Wittmeyer
fool you. Behind the bizarre imagery of his album Checkered
Soda is some incredibly gifted fretboard work. Help from a
pair of bassists and the fine drumming of Mike Daillak, helps
Travis realize his true strength mixing instrumental rock fusion music
with the melodic sensibilities of surf music. As the post-punk inspired
cover art indicates, with Travis looking like a man possessed on the
back tray card, this stuff hits hard and fast, like a tsunami. www.traviswittmeyer.com
BILO TUNES - A tasty album of colorful guitar jazz inspired
by the original Gypsy jazz guitarist, Django Reinhardt, Gypsy
Tendercies is a fine introduction to the craft of Minnesota
guitarist Robert Bell. Playing three of his own Gypsy jazz
guitars, with added accompaniment from Matt Senjem (bass),
Bell swiftly handles both the driving rhythm and guitar solos, skillfully
overdubbing parts. From the liner notes Bell adds, “My interest
in Django has also propelled me to sight-read, study theory, embrace
my voice on the instrument and generally dedicate myself to the guitar.”
A mix of Bell originals and true to life covers of songs made famous
by the songwriting team of Django and his partner Stephane Grappelli,
Gypsy Tendercies seals the deal with a full-bodied sound that
brings Django’s revered Gypsy jazz guitar sound into the now.
www.bellrobert.com
BILL BURKE - Effecting an icy cool, nocturnal minimalist guitar
sound that owes a bit of it’s vision and intensity to pioneers
such as Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn, Maryland-based guitarist Bill
Burke stakes a claim of his own with his 2005 CD Comma.
A new master of the 8-String Warr guitar, Burke makes use of his
talents with some interesting musical moves. The CD sound is further
accentuated by the appearance of guest spots from John Emrich (drums)
and Bruno Nasta (viola). www.billburke.net
BIZARBIZAR - The French have always been masters of musical
drama and strangeness. From the symphonic orchestral magic of film
music king Michel Legrand to the e-music wizardry of Jean Michel Jarre,
the French are constantly coming up with new and amazing sounds. In
2005, perhaps none more so than composer/performer François
Elie Roulin. On his 2005 CD, Parade, Roulin
plunders the realms of Euro orchestral, film and electronic music
and leaves no musical stone unturned. A breathy French female singer
singing orch-rock torch songs in English and some great players assist
Roulin’s otherwise instrumental musical vision including guitarist
Thierry Zerbib and Oliver Emery. Roulin has worked in
the past with Brian Eno who earlier praised him as one of the pioneering
sound painters of the modern age. Roulin’s recording work and
scoring for film and commercials pays off big time on the eclectic
orch-pop enchantment in play on Parade. www.bizarbizar.com
BLUE NOTE RECORDS - Back in 1969—after recording a series
of albums for Blue Note—guitarist Grant Green began recording
a series of instrumentals reflecting his love of the funk and groove
patters of greats like James Brown, The Meters and Sly Stone. In 2005
Blue Note Records has compiled a number of soul-jazz tracks recorded
by Green between 1969-72 for their Original Jam Masters trio
of CD remasters. The music on Ain’t It Funky Now!,
For The Funk Of It and Mellow Madness reflect
Green’s guitar-jazz vision during an era when you could hear
a staggering range of R&B and soul music on the same FM radio
station. Assisted by some of the greatest session cats of the day,
all three Blue Note CDs combine a mix of classic Grant Green covering
James Brown, The Isley Brothers, Kool & The Gang, Herbie Hancock,
Lennon & McCartney, Lalo Schifrin and Green himself. Smokin’,
funky guitar jazz with a tinge of the ‘60s spirit of Wes Montgomery,
Green’s Original Jam Masters is history well worth revisiting.
www.bluenote.com
BOLERO - So-Cal Flamenco maven Armik (pronounced R-méek)
keeps putting out these fantastically impossibly daredevil guitar
albums that each follow an analogous path of guitaristic sounds yet,
his playing is so technically amazing, it kind of haunts back to the
original spirit of flamenco from Spain in the 1800’s or more
like the oud players of his native Persia. This time his on Mar
De Sueños (Sea Of Dreams) his instrumental magic draws
inspiration from geographic memories of French Polynesia, the Mediterranean
island of Ibiza as well as driving up the West coast of California
on the track “Santa Barbara.” Armik makes excellent use
of his various custom made flamenco guitars from Spain and as is per
release, the CD cover art features bright, guitar-flecked imagery.
www.bolero-records.com
BOLT -A power trio centered around the hard hitting sound of
guitarist Heyward Sims and drummer Bill Elliott—later
joined by Geoff Maxey on bass—Bolt cut a four song
EP down in their native South Carolina back in 2001, a full length
album, Circadian Rhythm, released in March of 2003 and they
come back stronger with their most impressive full length CD in 2005.
In the spirit of prog-rockers like King Crimson (especially the mid
‘90s KC), Bolt refine their sonic assault on Movement And
Detail. They’ve also been compared to the intense
instrumental guitar sound of modern groups like Trans Am and Don Caballero
while others mention the textured guitar atmospherics of Andy Summers
in The Police. There’s also a strong air of originality behind
the cutting edge instrumental ambush of Movement And Detail. www.boltband2001.com
BOSSY PANTS - Lead guitarist with Jackson Brown since ‘94,
Mark Goldenberg sets a course of his own with a fine foray
into acoustic guitar territory. His colleague Brown, and all sort
of singers and guitarists alike have saying positive things about
the ten track, self titled Mark Goldenberg. Like the evocative
cover art, Goldenberg’s instrumental acoustic guitar magic draws
you in with an appealing web of sounds, best described as a mix of
Michael Hedges and Joe Pass, Egberto Gismonti and Erik Satie. A treat
for acoustic guitar lovers and Goldenberg rarely misses a turn on
an album that gallantly sails a sea of sound. www.markgoldenberg.com
CAPITOL RECORDS - As Capitol Records prepares to release
Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played—the
first album from Les Paul since his 1978 album Chester & Lester—the
label has released Les Paul With Mary Ford: The Best Of The
Capitol Masters: 90th Birthday Edition. A single
disc 2005 reissue with 23 tracks, The Best Of The Capitol Masters:
90th Birthday Edition is actually a reissue of the same sampler
the label released in 1991 to help promote Les’ four CD box set
called The Legend And The Legacy. Why Capitol chose that route
instead of fleshing out a new compilation to help celebrate Paul’s
90th birthday is beyond words. Les’ library of unreleased music
is a veritable gold mine and I’m sure the label could have done
a better job at representing the myriad of guitar sounds and styles
that is Les Paul. That said, the CD does feature great track by track
liner notes by Les himself and two bonus tracks not featured on the
‘91 sampler—”Brazil”, an overdubbed guitar extravaganza
recorded by Les using six guitars in 1948 and “The Case Of The
Missing Les Paulverizer”, from the Les Paul Show. Although most
kids today think Les Paul is just a guitar, they should check out
this historic 90th Birthday Edition reissue that shines a ray
of light on one of the true pioneers of 20th century music. www.redhotred.com
CATCH A RABBIT RECORDS - During his life, guitarist Chris
Michie was part of the S.F. Bay area music scene, going on to
lend his talents backing Link Wray, Boz Scaggs and most notably Van
Morrison. Michie was also gifted solo artist having released his classic
Goyer Golf Suite to positive reviews in 2001. Sadly,
Chris Michie died in 2003, and his posthumous release The Wild
Parrots Of Telegraph Hill follows suit with a fine soundtrack
for the movie of the same name. Michie’s always brilliant playing
is reminiscent of some of Mark Knopfler’s filmscore work and
his deft use of instrumental motifs expertly cross from atmospheric
soundtrack sounds to easy on the ears guitar fusion. Finished just
six weeks before his passing, The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill
is a fine testament to Michie’s remarkable guitar craft.
www.cmichie.com
CHASE MUSIC GROUP - Inspired by his playing a steady gig at
a Brazilian restaurant up in Port Chester, N.Y., guitarist Doug
Munro sounds very Jobim-inspired on Big Boss Bossa Nova.
On his latest on L.A.-based Chase Music Group, Munro changes
direction somewhat here adding, “I know this CD represents a
departure from my recent solo recordings but I wanted to share this
music with you in the hope that you might dig my slightly twisted
take on the bossa nova and samba.” The 53+ minute instrumental
set makes the most of Munro’s great musical imagination and is
a must for anyone who dug some of the more rhythmic instrumental music
from Jobim and Milton Nasciemente. There’s also a cool nuevo
flamenco element in play on one of Munro’s finest CDs yet. A
top instrumental fusion guitarist making waves in the jazz world is
New York guitarist Gil Parris and his 2005 CD on CMG is Live
At The Next Door Cafe. Recorded live in concert with
his band on May 23rd, 2001 in Stamford, CT, the CD sets Parris apart
with some free spirited soloing and driving arrangements. Highlights
on the CD are cool fusion covers of the Bill Withers’ “Ain’t
No Sunshine” and the Jeff Beck meets James Brown sound of the
7+ minute CD closing “Sex Machine”. Parris has backed some
huge names on earlier session work and his hard work is also in evidence
on his 2003 studio album Jam This. www.gilparris.com
/ www.dougmunro.com
CHEFT RECORDS - Tan Sleeve are Forest Hills, NYC-based
singing songwriting multi-instrumentalist duo of Lane Steinberg
and Steve Barry. At their core, a hard rocking duo who
sound equally inspired by the likes of pop icon Harry Nilsson, “Satisfaction”-era
Stones mixed in with an alternative dose of pre-Arthur era
Burt Bacharach and the orch-pop flair of Pet Sounds. Described
by the duo as “a jukebox inside a fortune cookie,” their
2005 CD American Blood is right among the best of their
recent pop releases. www.tansleeve.com
CIRCULAR RECORDS - Fusing a wide range of musical styles—from
Celtic to modern classical and jazz—The Scottish Guitar Quartet
reach a new pinnacle of guitar expertise on their third CD, Landmarks.
It seems like every major city has a guitar trio or quartet to
represent them and hailing from Scotland, SGQ features four gifted
acoustic guitarists and composers—Ged Brockie, Nigel
Clark, Malcolm MacFarlane and Kevin MacKenzie. Combining
original material, improvisational interludes and evocative soundscapes
inspired by the Scottish highlands, the hour long Landmarks
expertly blends well crafted and picturesque acoustic jazz and classical
music. In addition to the three albums with the SGQ, Ged Brockie also
released an excellent solo album in 2005. Recorded in 2001, The
Last View From Mary’s Place features Brockie performing
acoustic and electric guitars in the company of several fine players.
In the spirit of his work with SGQ, Brockie’s solo set is filled
with skillfully performed, easy on the ears instrumental sounds. www.scottishguitarquartet.com
COLLECTABLES - Before JFK had his brains blown out in Dallas,
America was an innocent place, bright at the dawn of the ‘60s.
Nowhere was that American can-do culture spirit better exemplified
than by that classic early ‘60s pop culture phenomenon called
Bye Bye Birdie. Filled with a slew of memorable
pop tunes, the original movie and soundtrack made a huge impact at
the time. As a historical footnote, the movie music was also covered
on 1963 album on Colpix called Bye Bye Birdie, featuring three
major teenage heart-throbs of the early ‘60s—James Darren,
Shelley Fabares and Paul Petersen. In 2005, Collectables
have reissued a 24 track album of the trio’s ‘63 album Bye
Bye Birdie, paired with their other ‘63 album Teenage
Triangle—which includes Darren’s huge hit “Goodbye
Cruel World” and Fabares’ signature tune “Johnny Angel.”
I’m almost embarrassed to say I’m old enough to
remember this stuff, but looking back I can still say, these songs
made a major impact on American culture back in those young and innocent
days. www.oldies.com
CRESCENT RECORDS - A fine collection of Beatles music recorded
in 2003, Fab 4 On 6 features Oregon-based guitarist
Don Latarski performing fourteen Beatles classics for acoustic
guitar. From the liner notes, Latarski adds, “Much has been written
about the music of The Beatles. My background runs to blues and jazz
and these are the styles that color my interpretations.” Excellent
sounding, the CD features Latarski performing on a Goodall Aloha model,
modified to allow for heavy strings, and tuned to what’s commonly
called the baritone range. Guitarists and music lovers alike will
tune into Latarski’s mellow and relaxing Beatles tribute for
acoustic guitar. www.crescentrecords.com
DGM / INNER KNOT - According to the press release, “in
late 2003, the original studio master tapes of the album were discovered
in a tape archive. The combination of the first generation master
tapes, improved technology for analog tape playback/transfer and high
bit rate digital encoding of the music provides an edition that is
as close as it is possible to get, on a standard compact disc, to
the sound the musicians heard in the studio and approved at the time
of the album’s completion.” The albums we’re talking
about are the first two albums from King Crimson—In
The Court Of The Crimson King and In The Wake Of Poseidon.
Released during that fabled ‘69/70 period, these albums need
very little in the way of explanation, except to say that in the post-Beatles
world of progressive rock, these were the two main albums that ushered
in a whole new dimension in 20th Century music. The combination of
guitarist Robert Fripp and singer / bassist Greg Lake made
a most formidable team, and while it sadly only lasted for these first
two King Crimson albums, it speaks volumes when it comes to decoding
both Fripp and Lake’s future musical achievements. Both albums
have, no doubt been bought and re-bought by long time fans and with
good reason. The music on these albums hasn’t aged a bit. These
definitive edition 2005 CD remasters on DGM proves that if anything,
both sound better now than they did 35 years ago, and how many albums
can you say that about! www.disciplineglobalmobile.com
ECM RECORDS - For his second instrumental album on ECM, Louisiana
born violinist Michael Galasso has chosen a remarkable musical
cast of characters to assist him. High on the list is Norwegian fusion
guitar icon and long time ECM artist Terje Rypdal. Although
he grew up on a diet of blues, Cajun, zydeco and even Bach, on the
2005 release of High Lines, Galasso sounds
equally inspired by the minimalist magic of John Cage and dramatist
Robert Wilson as well as Middle Eastern intrigue. Commenting on his
working with guitarist Rypdal, Galasso adds, “To me, these pieces
start to go into a direction that’s completely new, with this
combination of my various violin approaches and Terje’s individuality.”
Galasso’s love of bizarre sonic extremes pays off well on High
Lines and Rypdal’s uniquely thrilling approach to electric
guitar maneuvers keeps proceedings close to the edge. www.ecmrecords.com
EMI RECORDS - Over in London, EMI keep their reissue roster at
full volume with a 2005 double CD reissue from Gerry & The
Pacemakers entitled The Very Best Of. In
1962 Gerry and the Pacemakers were signed by manager Brian Epstein
as his second group after The Beatles. They were the second Liverpool
group to chart but the first to reach No.1 and the first act ever
to top the UK chart with their initial 3 singles. This collection
features number 1’s, top 40 hits as well as B sides and rarities.
Gerry and the Pacemakers will never be forgotten and 'You'll Never
Walk Alone', has remained the anthem of the crowds at Liverpool Football
Club. Also out in 2005 on EMI is Herman's Hermits - The Very
Best Of. A comprehensive 2CD collection, the cool A’s
& B’s theme here feature all Herman's Hermits UK hits and
B sides along with album / EP and rare tracks. A massively popular
60's beat combo, the Hermits were commercially only a couple of rungs
below the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Huge in both the U.S. and
the U.K., Bobby Vee is feted by EMI with Take Good Care
Of My Baby/Recording Session. Both albums are packed
with great Bobby Vee hits and Rock & Roll standards. Vee’s
huge hits include “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Sharing
You” and “Run To Him” as well as “Will You Love
Me Tomorrow,” “Raining In My Heart” and “Please
Don't Ask About Barbara.” Also on EMI by PJ Proby is I
Am P J Proby / P J Proby. Both albums featured here
show P J Proby to be a highly talented singer, varying styles from
Rock and Roll to classic ballads. Showcasing another great EMI act
during the ‘60s, the 2005 reissue of The Hollies -
Hollies / Would You Believe features the Hollies' 2nd and
3rd albums released in 1965 and 1966 respectively. Hollies
features original songs and covers of “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,”
“You Must Believe In Me” and “Down The Line.”
Would You Believe features one of their great singles, “I
Can't Let Go,” with “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “I
Am A Rock” and “Take Your Time.” www.emicatalogue.com
EMI / VIRGIN - Reassembled to restore the original set list of
the 1978 concert, the 2005 double CD set Stage by David
Bowie, is given a dusting off by EMI Records. Originally recorded
by Bowie producer Tony Visconti as he would a studio album
by close miking the band for maximum separation between the instruments
with full natural reverb, the end result translates brilliantly on
EMI’s 2005 Stage CD remaster. In addition to the set’s
revised sequencing, Stage also adds in two unreleased Bowie
tracks, “Stay” and “Be My Wife.” Visconti has
proven over the years to be Bowie’s finest producer and in-sync
co-writer and for Stage he has also prepared a new DVD-A version
featuring 5.1 with the new sequence, DTS 5.1 with the new sequence,
PCM new stereo with the new sequence and PCM old stereo mix with original
RCA Records vinyl sequence and photo gallery. EMI / Virgin can also
take a bow for their simultaneous 2005 reissue of Bowie’s 1974
double live album David Live: David Bowie At The Tower Philadelphia,
which likewise goes the distance with a stereo and DVD-A version,
with unreleased tracks, great artwork and liner notes from Tony Visconti.
www.davidbowie.com
EAGLE
VISION - Ian Anderson has a million stories to tell about the
life and times of the group known as Jethro Tull, and the 2005 CD/DVD
release of Nothing Is Easy: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 is
the perfect opportunity for him reflects on his band’s historic
performance at the Isle Of Wight music festival in 1970. A few months
prior to the August 30th, 1970 show, the lineup of Anderson, Martin
Barre (guitar), Clive Bunker (drums) and Glenn Cornick
(bass) had released their ground-breaking Aqualung Lp and
fittingly, their 2005 Eagle DVD captures live video performances of
“My God”, “Nothing Is Easy”, and a couple tracks
from the band’s ‘68 debut This Was. Set against the
tumultuous background and crazy goings on at the 1970 festival, Tull’s
performance is brilliant and was expertly filmed to say the least.
In addition to Tull’s video performance, the DVD features a most
amazing, extensive interview with Ian Anderson, who eloquently recalls
with startling acumen, the entire three day festival and Tull’s
amazing part in it. In addition to the DVD performance, Eagle has
also released a companion CD set of the performance, which features
additional live tracks from Benefit, not featured live on the
DVD, yet which like the DVD, also benefits from written liner notes
by Anderson. www.eaglerockent.com
ESTRUS RECORDS - Citing huge influences like Booker T. & The
MG’s, The Meters and Jimmy Smith, Iowa based quartet The Diplomats
Of Solid Sound get it right on their 2005 CD for Estrus, entitled
Destination...Get Down. The twelve track CD features
solid mix of R&B and ‘60s influences and the combination
of the organ work of Nate “Count” Basinger (on Hammond
B-3) and the Cropper-esque guitar work of Doug Roberson really
is reminiscent of those greast, instrumental Stax recordings from
the heyday of the ‘60s. The group really lives up to their self-proclaimed
title Ambassadors Of Instrumental Soul. www.thediplomats.org
FINLAY CAT RECORDS - Based out in Scotland, guitarist William
Barbero is only 26 yet he’s already gaining acclaim for his
17 track, 2005 instrumental guitar CD Espedair Street.
Amazingly, Barbero plays everything on the CD, which was recorded
in Italy and Scotland. Well versed in both guitar performance and
harmony, Barbero cites all kinds of players as influences including
shredders like Van Halen and Satriani as well as sophisticated blues
and rock players like Clapton, Gilmour and Eric Johnson. Barbero also
pays tribute to hot jazz guitar icon Django Reinhardt on a cover of
“Djangology.” The CD is well recorded and establishes Barbero
as a player of fine taste and expertise. www.williambarbero.com
GREG JONES MUSIC -Much like the impressive cover art of his CD,
Ohio-based guitarist Greg Jones musters enough fire power for
a solid lift off on his 2005 CD String Theory. Assisted by
drummer Kevin McDonald, Jones proves masterful on guitars,
bass and synth sequencing. While the all instrumental eleven track
CD borders on hard rock and shred metal, there’s plenty of fine
progressive rock edges to make it of interest across the board. Citing
influences as diverse as Dream Theater/Liquid Tension Experiment,
Spock's Beard, Dixie Dregs, Kansas and Yes, the inventive Jones is
currently hard at work adding the final touches to his first ever
vocal album. www.gregjonesmusic.com
GUITAR FARM - There’s
so many great guitarists and other players on Guitar Farm that
it’s hard to know where to begin! Subititled A Tribute
To Northern California Guitar Players, the twelve track
CD features the music of guitarist and album producer Steve Woolverton.
Joined by ace fretboard masters including Stef Burns, Jim
Ziegler, Tommy Castro, Dave Jenkins (from Pablo
Cruise), the great Steve Morse, Pat Thrall, Peppino
d’Agostino, Mike Varney and many more, Guitar Farm
is an all instrumental excursion into the heart of rock fusion
and the music performed here is up to snuff. Woolverton also excels
on guitar here and concerning this adventurous guitar project he adds,
“I wanted the opportunity to put together the amazing talent
that has come from the Northern California triangle, from Sacramento
to San Jose to Santa Rosa. There must be magic in the water to continually
produce such talented musicians in one area.” Track by track
listings give the complete run-down on all the players taking part
on Guitar Farm, with Woolverton adding, “I hope to have
the opportunity to take Guitar Farm live, showcasing the best
of these musicians. I am working on Guitar Farm 2 and have
more incredible musicians lined up.” email: Woolvertunes@mindspring.com
HEARTDANCE MUSIC - On his third solo album, Midwest Dreams
guitarist Jerry Krahn crafts some contemporary jazz guitar
sounds while remaining loyal to his arch top guitar and swing roots.
Superb easy listening jazz guitar instrumentals, the 14 track Midwest
Dreams combines several Krahn originals with a mix of classics
including the Jerry Fuller tearjerker “Over You” and a solo
guitar cover of the Django Reinhardt favorite “Nuages” (Clouds).
Backed by key players, Krahn keeps the tradition of tastefully played
guitar jazz alive on Midwest Dreams. www.jerrykrahn.com
HIGHER OCTAVE - On their 2005 CD for Higher Octave, American
/ English, smooth jazzers Acoustic Alchemy combine
their staple jazzy sound with the varied sounds of reggae, disco and
the grooves of Motown soul. Featuring eleven tracks, American /
English features the trademark AA twin guitars sound of Miles
Gilderdale (steel string / electric guitar) and the band’s
co-founder Greg Carmichael (nylon string guitar). Commenting
on their latest CD, Gilderdale adds, “Our signature is two guitars,
but from there we have jazz tracks, reggae tracks, salsa tracks, and
all forms of rock and pop. We tend to be a musical travelogue.”
A good description of the band’s transatlantic membership, American
/ English is quality confirmation of a band now entering their
twentieth year of music making. www.higheroctave.com
HOLLYWOOD RECORDS - Working alongside fellow geniuses like Wendy
Carlos and Rachel Elkind back in the late ‘60s, e-music pioneer
Robert Moog can just about take credit of single handedly inventing
the moog synthesizer. A self-titled original film soundtrack for the
film Moog, the 2005 double CD set on Hollywood
Records pairs one CD of all new Moog-flecked new music from the
like of Stereolab, Meat Beat Manifesto, Bernie Worrell
& Bootsy Collins along with track from Jean-Jacques Perrey
& Luke Vibert and one from The Moog Cookbook. The second
half of the double CD set head back in time to the ‘70s and ‘80s
for eight classic rock tracks highlighted by some mean moog work from
top flight innovators Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes,
Devo, Gary Numan, They Might Be Giants and more.
The subject matter of the double CD set and the September 2005 Moog
movie, Bob Moog extols the virtues of the project adding, “This
CD covers and amazing range of music. To me, this CD is a tribute
to all the musicians who have used Moog instruments to express their
musical visions.” www.moogmovie.com
HYPNOTIC RECORDS - A master from the ‘90s acid jazz movement,
and a guitarist whose current music as Asphalt Jungle is the
sonic equivalent of a New York City subway ride, Brian Tarquin
strikes again with the 2005 CD release of Enjoy This Trip.
The follow up to their critically acclaimed 2002 album Electro
Avenue, Tarquin and his partner Chris Ingram, team for
another masterpiece of funk and groove electronica bustling with the
big beat sound of drum and bass. One part Run DMC—occasional
rap-inspired breakbeats and all—and another the Art Of Noise—Gregorian
chants and all—Tarquin succinctly taps into a new music form
that could truly be defined as the noise of art. Entertaining listening
for those who might appreciate Jeff Beck’s sort of metallic,
intense synchronicity, Tarquin’s music comes across as a soundtrack
catalog of sounds, veering from realm to realm with a startling rush.
www.asphaltjungle.com
INSIDE OUT MUSIC - The guitarist in Genesis who played on album
classics such as Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound,
Steve Hackett is also a top classical guitarist and he
takes it to the next level on his 2005 CD Metamorpheus.
Featuring Steve’s nylon string guitar backed by the symphonic
classical strains of The Underworld Orchestra, Metamorpheus
is actually Hackett’s fifth classical project and is the natural
successor to his 1997 CD, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A
truly multi-faceted musician, Hackett’s 2004 album on
Inside Out Music, To Watch The Storms, was a rocked out prog-rock
affair. And while the neoclassical arrangements from Hackett and Roger
King make Metamorpheus a completely different type of album,
it’s a tasteful, elegant set that rightly underscores Hackett’s
unique and challenging approach as one of the guitar world’s
most diverse and gifted artists. www.insideoutmusic.com
LANDSLIDE RECORDS - Called a ‘multi-media threat’, Webb
Wilder says of his band, ‘we play both kinds of music, Rock
and Roll.” Produced by longtime Wilder cohort, R.S. Field,
About Time captures Wilder in full flight backed
up by his current touring band, The Nashvegans: George Bradfute
(guitars), Tom Comet (bass) and Los Straitjackets drummer
Jimmy Lester. As the CD proves, Wilder is a master at mixing
sounds, songs and threads of British pop, rockabilly, country, blues
and the freedom and emotion of soul music. Commenting on the eclectic
pop-rock styles on About Time, Wilder adds, “We don’t
just give people music. We give them some humor and entertainment.
I’ve always like that pre-rock time when everybody had to be
a song and dance man. They all had to tell jokes and sing and do something
else too. Wilder more than lives up to his credo: “Work hard,
rock hard, sleep hard, eat hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need
‘em.” www.webbwilder.com
LAVA RECORDS - The Porcupine Tree group of guitarist Steve
Wilson, Richard Barbieri (keyboards), Colin Edwin (bass)
and Gavin Harrison (drums) have has been making great CDs for
well on for the past ten years and with their 2005 CD Deadwing
they hit new heights. Tastefully mixing nascent Pink Floyd and
King Crimson as influences, Wilson is nonpareil and fittingly current
KC guitarist Adrian Belew lends his guitar talents on three
Deadwing tracks. Cutting edge sounds in the spirit of contemporary
groups like Mars Volta, Sigur Ros and Radiohead, Wilson & Co.
retain their progressive stature on an album that spans a vast musical
terrain. www.lavarecords.com
LONELY LLAMA MUSIC- Indy pop pro Ken Dixon returned
for his latest CD in 2005. The thirteen track Phanta Morgana
is infused the great pop spirit of the early ‘70s and the entire
CD spotlights top musicianship of Dixon and his musical cohort, guitarist
Craig Bartock, who worked so well with Heart on their 2004
CD. Though not obvious in his uplifting music, Dixon also offers track
by track Biblical references in the CD booklet, which also include
credits and lyrics. As far as pop goes, there's a goldmine of catchy,
memorable melodies and arrangements here including the title track
and the sequel, "Phanta Morgana Revisited" as well as the
pop classic "Fish Out Of Water" and the socially satirical
"We're All Doomed." The guitar work and the studio sound
of Phanta Morgana is a testament to the musical expertise of
both Dixon and Bartock. www.kendixonmusic.com
LUCID MOON CHILD - Guitarist Dave Halverson released a
2005 CD with his group Trance Lucid and its clearly his best
group effort yet. Dark and intense, the six track, 20+ minute The
Colours Of Darkness is outstanding guitar based fusion for
the new millennium. Halverson shines on electric and acoustic guitars,
keyboards and guitar synth while receiving top flight support from
both Terry Lee (drums) and Bill Noertker (bass). Halverson
released a fine solo album of minimalist avant gard electric guitar
soundscapes, yet on this third Trance Lucid album he gets back to
what he does best, which is playing intelligent instrumental jazz
with a rock fusion edge. Fusion fans and New Age rockers should check
out The Colours Of Darkness. www.trancelucid.com
MAD CITY RECORDS - You can tell from the second track here, a
fuzzed out Davie Allan style cover of “Experiment In Terror”
that these guys have one foot in the ‘60s and other right now.
Funny enough, the quartet, featuring guitarists D. Ernie Conner
and Dave Benton, hail from Madison Wisconsin. File under
Surf Noir from America’s heartland, complete with disturbing
cover art. madcity@execpc.com
MAX GOLDSTON - Growing up in Ibiza and Spain, Max Goldston
has enjoyed a colorful life and in 2005 the U.S.-based guitarist
puts his talents to good use on his latest CD project called Western
Age. Citing influences like Michael Hedges, J.J. Cale
and Acoustic Alchemy, Goldston masterfully sets the sound stage with
nine evocative acoustic guitar instrumentals that crisscross jazzy
folk sounds with a New Age vibe. Overall, Western Age reveals
a unique depth of appealing musical ideas that translates quite well
to the acoustic guitar medium. www.mxclodswesternage.com
METRO BLUE -You can find out what British guitar gods like Peter
Green and George Harrison were listening to back in the ‘50 on
a 2005 CD from blue icon Elmore James. Fleetwood Mac really
came alive digging Elmore’s musical spirit on early albums like
English Rose and who can forget George Harrison’s Elmore
comment on “For You Blue.” Skiffle flavored blues at it’s
finest, James was the master of the 12 bar swing blues and Metro Blue
taps into his mid ‘50s sides cut for Chicago based Modern Records
with Elmore James: The Best Of The Modern Years.
In addition to his classic blues originals, James was a hot guitar
player, inventing a whole new language with his blues licks and his
hot group features an early appearance from Ike Turner, on
both guitar and piano. Great liner notes and discography info. Other
2005 Metro Blue Best Of The Modern Years remasters include
compilations from Johnny “Guitar” Watson and T-Bone
Walker: The Best Of The Black & White and Imperial Years.
www.bluenote.com
MUSE EEK RECORDINGS - An intriguing CD that mixes electric processed
guitar with flute, clarinet, percussion, bass and cello, Spooky
Actions: Early Music is a 2004 album from Bruce Arnold
and wind player John Gunther. Neoclassical and Gregorian-flavored
instrumental chamber music featuring electric guitar and wind instruments
proves a novel idea and with a twist, Arnold’s processed guitar
creates the perfect atmospheric backdrop for Gunther to soar while
the pair receive expert help from Kirk Driscoll (drums) and
Mike Richmond (bass, cello). Touching on music dating back
to the 2nd century BC, the music is amazing and puts an entirely new
twist on the improvisational aspects of early and modern classical
music. Another cool CD on Muse Eek, Two Guys From South Dakota
teams Arnold’s guitar with guitarist Mike Miller.
A jazzy date—completely different from Arnold’s Spooky Actions
set—Two Guys From South Dakota is a 2005 CD on Muse-Eek
featuring two guitarists serving up light-hearted jams on jazz classics
like “Giant Steps” and “All The Things You Are.”
Either way, Arnold proves an amazing guitarist and these two CDs—while
completely different—offers a good indication of his uncanny
diversity. www.muse-eek.com
MUSIC VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS - It’s just amazing to watch a young
Steve Winwood playing guitar, keyboards and singing with the
first version of The Spencer Davis Group. Eight tracks caught
live in ‘66 on a Finnish TV show makes their 2005 DVD release
on MVD Gimme Some Lovin’ Live 1966 an archival treat.
Several of the group’s early hits including “I’m A
Man” and “Gimme Some Lovin’ (written by Winwood) and
bunch of soul-searching blues rockers. Clearly the focal point of
the early SDG sound, Winwood’s voice, organ and guitar playing
is in top form and it was tough, but Spencer and the guys manage to
keep pace with and harness Winwood’s incredibly gifted musicianship.
Perhaps the best example of Winwood’s work with Spencer Davis,
the DVD also features some funny, room full of smoke interviews with
the band with Winwood as well as a documentary of the band the the
album they made just after Winwood left for Traffic, fittingly called
“With Their New Face On.” Essential viewing for ‘60s
rock fans. www.musicvideodistributors.com
NO SWEAT RECORDS - Endorsed by the Surf Party of America, The
Plungers rock out on their 2005 CD Surf Americana.
Featuring no less than three guitarists, the group combines dual
lead guitars, rhythm guitar, bass, Fender bass VI, baritone guitar
and drums. Jazzed by the vintage surf/instro sounds of The Ventures
and Link Wray and the sounds of modern groups such as the euro-centrics
of Laika & The Cosmonauts and the Americana pluck of Okie guitar
great Terry “Buffalo” Ware, the Plungers’ 2005 Surf
Americana album might be their best yet. As always, ‘acoustic
guitars and keyboards are strictly forbidden.’ www.theplungersband.com
NOISE PRO - Buffalo
native Ron LoCurto grew up on a diet of jazz, classical and rock music
and he combines them to great effect on his 2005 CD Pattern
Seeking Primates. From complex Zappa-inspired fusion
to a more urbane inner city vibe that cuts hard and fast, LoCurto
displays some mighty impressive guitar procedures. In addition to
his fondness for world beat sounds, LoCurto also turns to his rock
side on the jazzy, fuzzed out Hendrix styled wah-wah groove of the
lead off track “Super Bad.” Further comparisons to masters
like John McLaughlin and even Satriani are quite valid as LoCurto
rips through his fretboard with compelling precision. Also featuring
Jack Kulp (bass) and John Bacon, Jr. (drums), Pattern
Seeking Primates is well recorded and boasts excellent cover art,
even for a CD. www.ronlocurto.com
NOW
HEAR THIS RECORDINGS - Rockin’ out down under, Aussie guitarist
Kim Humphreys is one of the finest exponents of ‘60s style guitar
instrumental music alive today. On Big Twang Theory Humphreys
demonstrates a fondness for the sound of The Shadows and The Ventures.
There’s even a flamenco-surf cover of the Armik classic
“Mercedes”. Filled mostly with Humphreys originals, the
CD kicks off with a hillbilly-metal cover of the Kinks’
classic “You Really Got Me” and, in addition to the Armik
cover, he also covers Davie Allan (“Gunslinger”)
and puts a new spin on the instro classic “Nutrocker”. Kim
receives great support from several players including Chris Perry
(bass) and producer John Roy and the CD sound and artwork
are both excellent. If you take your guitar instrumental and surf-rock
a little on the heavy side, you’ll get a bang from Humphreys’
big twangy guitar. email: kimhumphreys@optushome.com.au
OUTER GREEN RECORDS - Influenced by both the folk guitar sounds
of Bob Dylan and James Taylor as well as instrumentalists like Chet
Atkins and Leo Kottke, Maine-based guitarist Jim Gallant combines
both folk and jazz guitar sounds on his third solo CD River
Watch. A gifted acoustic guitarist, Gallant’s
fretboard work is both rhythmic and tuneful, and while clearly falling
into the Americana instrumental music genre, there’s plenty of
well played original acoustic playing to keep both folk and jazz guitar
buffs on the edge of their seats. www.jimgallant.com
PATRICK DECOSTE - A cool little CD filled with all kinds of instrumental
guitar wizardry, Inside The Unsaid is a good
introduction to Boston-based guitarist Patrick DeCoste. From
funky fusion and blues to a tastefully executed prog-rock sound, the
nine track CD features Decoste on electric and acoustic guitars backed
up by keyboards, rhythm section and horn section. Compared to Eric
Johnson, Vai and Satch and praised by top players like Gary Hoey,
Decoste’s wide ranging approach to melody and rhythm offers something
for all fans of instrumental guitar music. www.decosteonline.com
PEGHEAD PRODUCTIONS - Based in the Netherlands, guitarist Eltjo
Haselhoff is somewhat of a renaissance man. A Ph.D in physics,
a black belt in karate, a cartoonist and a guitar builder and inlay
artist, Haselhoff is also an excellent guitarist who talent is featured
on his 2005 CD, simply entitled Fingerstyle Guitar Solos.
Implementing his Taylor and Ovation acoustic guitars, Haselhoff
displays a uniquely Dutch touch in his instrumental guitar art yet
there’s also a nod and a wink to other great acoustic players
including Leo Kottke and Tommy Emmanuel, who is the subject of a dedication
in Eltjo’s song “Tap Your Foot!” After a few spins,
it’s clear that Haselhoff’s fine fretboard skills are well
complimented by his noteworthy compositions. www.eltjohaselhoff.com
PETROGLYPH RECORDS - New Mexico-based Petroglyph Records
tests the waters with a batch of 2005 releases including a couple
of divergent instrumental guitar based CDs. Crisol from
Chilean guitarist Antonio Restucci expertly merges musical
elements from Spain, South America, India and The Middle East. Recorded
in Barcelona and Santiago—and mixed in New Mexico—Restucci’s
acoustic music mixes the spirit of New Age music with a hint of Latin
and Flamenco, while his jazzy Pat Metheny influence balances out the
groove. Another 2005 CD on Petroglyph, Ultrablues,
from guitarist Emilio Garcia is quite a different album
from the Restucci CD. Backed up by a tight group, Garcia sounds greatly
influenced by fusion kings like Satriani and Morse, adding an interesting
twist. With their wealth of sounds from a diverse roster of artists,
Petroglyph is proving to be a great source of musical sounds from
the artistically liberated country of Chile. www.petroglyphrecords.com
POLYDOR - Not having Mike Pinder on the front cover of
the Moody Blues Gold CD is akin to leaving off
John Lennon off the cover of Anthology. It was Pinder who founded
the band, naming the band he and Ray Thomas founded after the Duke
Ellington piece and his love of the blues during post-war England.
With his songwriting and keyboard work, Pinder built a dynasty that
till today has been reaping the fruits of Mike’s original vision
back in 1964. Anyway the new Moody Blues Gold double
CD set is broken into the two halves of music—with and without
Pinder—and the selections are pretty obvious. Including only
two Pinder tracks, emotionally complex ones and two of his least ‘cosmic’,
and of course, nothing from the pre-Hayward years, Gold is
the best bet yet for neophytes and those who want to forget Mike even
existed. www.mikepinder.com
RAFI LEVY MUSIC - An L.A. transplant by way of Israel, guitarist
Rafi Levy released a very cool guitar CD late in 2005. Titled
Desert Cruising - In A Dub State Of Mind, the
eleven track CD features a range of improv-style guitar instrumentals
that veer into all kind of genres including Latin and Middle Eastern
sounding music. With titles like “Sand Surfing”, “Zion”
and “Asian Princess In Dubland”, there’s an exotic
style underway and Levy receive support from some fine players. Funk,
Drum & Bass and Reggae fusion are just some of the genre’s
Levy expertly taps into on his guitar safari. www.rafilevymusic.com
REEL McCOY MUSIC - Twenty, count ‘em, 20 tracks of reverb
soaked instrumental madness drives the big beat on the third CD from
So-Cal surf-rockers The Breakaways. A 2005 CD release, Time
Surfin’ hits hard and fast and with clockwork precision,
the quintet—featuring the guitar work of Craig Skelly and
Ed Riojas—kick starts a new surf-rock revival for the
new millennium. Nothing too heavy or hard to swallow here, just solid
playing on vintage Fender gear and a bonafide love of the rolling
surf. Those listeners who dig the mid ‘60s sound of The Sandals
and The Ventures will enjoy the pure surf-rock sounds on Time Surfin’.
www.thebreakaways.com
RELAX WITH SWANN - One of the most rewarding New Age CD releases
of the 2004/2005 season is Seasons Of Tranquility from
keyboardist Buffalo N.Y. native Ken Kaufman. Label head Kathleen
Swann is in the forefront of musical therapy and relaxation techniques
and as far as soothing, relaxing music to unwind with, it doesn’t
get any better than Seasons Of Tranquility. An accomplished
keyboardist, Kaufman has produced pop songs and has scored music for
film and TV and he now adds to his resume with the sublime sounding
meditative glory of Seasons Of Tranquility. www.relaxwithswann.com
RIGHT ABOUT CHI - Smooth jazz with enough criss-crossings of New
Age and jazz rock to classify it as genre busting, Mindwalk
make music for the body and the mind. The group’s strong point
is Richy Stano’s abilities on guitar as well as his fine
songwriting and arranging. There’s kind of a ‘60s sound
deep in the groove of their recent CD, called Tu and
Stano underscores that with a his own Wes inspired rockin’ version
of “Eleanor Rigby”, rearranged here as a fusion date titled
“I Got ‘cho Elly Rigby Right About Chi.” As many versions
of the song as I’ve heard, Mindwalk’s version is one of
best instrumentals of it ever. Mindwalk seals the deal with a truly
innovative cover of yet another Beatles epic “I Want You”
which he calls, “She’s So Unbelievably Heavy She Has Her
Own Area Code.” Adept on his Klein Custom electric guitar and
acoustic guitar, Stano receives fine backup from Mindwalk cohorts
Ali Che’ree (bass), Richard Hilton (keyboard efx),
Pete Chmielewski (drums) and others. Tu is a full blown
Smooth Jazz-Rock set worth a listen. www.cdbaby.com/cd/mindwalk
RIVERBOAT RECORDS - He started playing Hawaiian lap steel guitar
when he was three years old and gave his first major concert at four.
At age forty, India’s Debashish Bhattacharya further established
himself as one of the top slide guitarists with his 2005 CD, 3:
Calcutta Slide Guitar. Named after a trinity of guitars
Debashish designed himself, 3: Calcutta Slide Guitar is an
intriguing 75 minute instrumental album of Indian-flavored guitar
sounds. So far, Debashish has designed over nineteen slide guitars
with his reputation furthered by numerous live shows and best-selling
albums including a collaboration with fellow slide ace Bob Brozman
entitled Mahima. Describing his music he adds, “I don’t
call my music classical. There was a time when raga was a private
affair; only the rich had access. This is the Internet age. Music
reaches everyone and I want everyone to experience raga. I also want
to experience them!” Putting a new face on a venerable, spiritual
musical genre, Debashish brings the thousand year old tradition
of Indian music well into the future with the superbly crafted 3:
Calcutta Slide Guitar. www.worldisc.net
ROCKET RACKET RECORDS - Like a blast from the past: ‘68-74,
when Badfinger, Emmett Rhodes and Stackridge were releasing classic
pop music, The Squires Of The Subterrain keep the pop tang
on ten with their 2004 CD Strawberries On Sunday.
Featuring pop tunesmith Christopher Earl and co-producer
Pete Miller, the dozen track CD sounds pretty darn good, along
the lines of early solo McCartney and the above mentioned Mr. Rhodes.
The Squires clearly know their way around a pop hook and prove it
with Strawberries On Sunday. www.squiresofthesubterrain.com
ROLLTOP MUSIC - San Diego based guitarist Tim Coffman continues
cranking out rockin’ instrumental guitar CDs and his latest is
the 2005 release Music From Beach Boulevard. While
his ten track masterpiece clearly falls into the instro guitar realm,
Coffman skillfully blurs the borders of surf-rock and beach blues
while he also keeps things moving with the Polynesian flavors of the
ukelele and Hawaiian steel. For his latest album Coffman is ably assisted
by some great players including steel guitarist Gary Brandin (from
The Vanduras) and Oahu local Gordon Freitas (on Hawaiian guitar).
Anyone who enjoys So-Cal guitar groups The Ventures and The Sandals
will find much to enjoy here too. www.rolltopmusic.com
SRO ENTERTAINMENT - Forget the fact that his father, Jerry Lewis,
is probably the greatest comedian of the 20th century. That said,
singer/drummer/guitarist Gary Lewis recorded enough top ten
hits in the ‘60s to make him a bonafide pop culture icon in his
own right. His recent video on Kultur—entitled Gary
Lewis & The Playboys: Pop Legends Live!—features
numerous pop classic Lewis and his group made famous. While these
aren’t the original videos from the ‘60s, the recently recorded,
expertly filmed in concert eleven track DVD features recorded interviews
with Lewis, who explains the genesis of many of the songs here. A
fine singer, Lewis has also matured into a fine guitarist and his
band features a cross-section of fine rock and pop players who clearly
enjoy playing along with Lewis on AM radio favorites like “Everybody
Loves A Clown”, “This Diamond Ring”, “She’s
Just My Style” and more. Kultur keeps the spirit of the ‘60s
alive with an equally intriguing Pop Legends Live! in concert
DVDs from ‘60s pop icons The Association. www.kultur.com
SANCTUARY - Released in 2005 as both a double DVD set and a double
CD set on Sanctuary Records, Born To Boogie sets
the story straight behind the glam-rock phenomenon known as T.
Rex. Originally directed by Beatles great Ringo Starr,
this first ever Born To Boogie DVD offers a rare look at T.
Rex in concert, spotlighting two performances from London on March
18, 1972. Live in concert, T. Rex leader and guitarist Marc Bolan
was a sight to behold, Les Paul guitar in hand, strutting across
the stage, rockin out on classics like “Bang A Gong (Get It On)”,
“Telegram Sam” and much more. In addition to the ‘72
London shows, the best bits here include live in the studio video
clips of Bolan with Ringo on drums and Elton John on piano and a fine
documentary conducted by Bolan’s son Rolan Bolan. The
younger Bolan eagerly pursues his dad’s legacy with intriguing
in the studio interviews with various T. Rex cohorts including long
time producer Tony Visconti, who extensive memory of working
with T. Rex is still sharp as a tack. Clocking in at five and a half
hours, the DVD of Born To Boogie offers a fascinating look
back to the hazy daze of ‘70s glam-rock.
SHRAPNEL RECORDS - Leslie West could sing the Yellow Pages
and it would sound like the blues, but don’t tell him that! Back
in the ‘60s and ‘70s, West helped redefine the blues as
rock and with cohort in Mountain, Felix Pappalardi. On his 2005 CD
for Shrapnel, Got Blooze, West teams with the
great Aynsley Dunbar on drums and reprises the success he had
with his 2003 Shrapnel CD, Blues To Die For. Also on hand are
bassist Tim Bogert and Kevin Curry (rhythm guitar).
Kicking off the CD with a rockin’ uptempo version of “Baby
Please Don’t Go,” West assumes a rock outlaw stance, blowing
out the amps with covers of a slow blusey “I Can’t Quit
You”, “Politician”, “House Of The Rising Sun”
and a downright scary version of the Leiber-Stoller chestnut “Riot
In Cell Block #9.” Got Blooze truly lives up to it’s
blooze-rock tribute namesake with a fine cover of the 1969 Free
classic “Walk In My Shadow.” Special credits to photographer
Chris Marksbury, who’s photography really enhances the
CD artwork. Check out Marksbury’s website for info on his new
CD. www.mountaintheband.com
/ www.chrismarksbury.com
SOULFOOD - Back in 2001, guitarist Billy McLaughlin released
an album with DJ Free, under their group name Soulfood, called
Guitar Meditations. Shortly afterwards, Billy
was diagnosed with an incurable neuromuscular disease that crippled
his left hand, putting an end to his recording career. Four years
later, Soulfood Music has taken McLaughlin’s last three unreleased
recordings and formed the basis for a new Soulfood album called Guitar
Meditations Volume II. Organized by Free, this 12 track
CD features McLaughlin’s music along with new added tracks from
several guitarists Dan Schwartz and Ron Cohen. Commenting
on the 2005 release McLaughlin comments, "When the label asked
me to record another CD I told them about my situation. A few days
later I called them back and said I had an idea about my unreleased
work. I suggested that we work with one of my former students who
is really connected to my music and to the artform of fingerstyle
guitar, Dan Schwartz. I knew he could provide some complimentary tracks
and they also wanted to feature Ron Cohen. While I am terribly sad
about not being able to play anymore, it makes me really happy that
these last three tracks can finally be heard. I loved playing guitar
so much. The first two cuts on this CD really show that. I'd say the
whole project lands on the upbeat side of the meditation landscape.
You wouldn't have to be into meditation to enjoy this music."
A wonderful compliment and tribute to Billy McLaughlin’s original
guitar vision, Guitar Meditations II is an outstanding collection
of acoustic guitar magic, boasting substance to match its style. Guitar
Meditations II is great music for meditation or just marveling
and the wonders of the acoustic guitar. www.soulfoodmusic.com
STEVE FUNK - A mix of light-jazz mixed flavored with evocative
Latin and Brazilian samba jazz sounds, Café Siesta
is a tasty solo instrumental guitar CD flavored with some fine
intimate musical moods. Also embracing low key neoclassical guitar
sounds tempered with a fondness for Erik Satie, Steve Funk’s
work on nylon, steel, 12 string, mandolin and electric bass is exemplary
here. A showcase for his guitar work—with backing on flutes,
bongo, cello, electric bass and castanets—the eleven track CD
is certainly among the breeziest, most whimsical solo guitar albums
of the year. In addition to his solo sounds, the Oregon-based Funk
also performs a variety of Latin and world-music styles with his wind,
string and percussion instruments group, Voxanova. www.voxanova.com
STEVEN KALAS - In the words of Las Vegas based singer-songwriter
Steven Kalas, “Songwriting is the most authentic voice
I possess. You don’t have to agree with what I say in a song,
but you damn well better believe that I believe it.” Described
as a mix between Jerry Garcia, Cat Stevens and Paul Simon, Kalas exhibits
some fine songwriting and singing on his 2005 self-produced CD, Finally
Here. Backed by his group, Paper Cymbal—including guitarist
Dale Braun—Kalas skirts the borders of folk-rock and adult
pop with finesse. www.stevenkalas.com
SUNDAZED - Back in the ‘60s Capitol Records was one
of the best country music labels. In addition to releasing albums
from Buck Owens & The Buckaroos and Glenn Campbell, Capitol also
released some great instrumental albums including three titles reissued
by Sundazed in 2005. Part of the Sundazed The Guitars That
Won The West! series, Corn Pickin’ & Slick Slidin’
features a dozen tracks by two of the best guitarists of all
time, James Burton and Ralph Mooney. With Burton on
Telecaster and Mooney on pedal steel, the album—first released
in 1966—features an instrumental blend of then current country
and pop hits highlighted by Burton’s memorable title track, “Corn
Pickin.” Also on Sundazed, Country Music’s Two Guitar
Greats, from Merle Travis and Joe Maphis
tackles a dozen Travis and Maphis originals as well as covers
of Bill Monroe and Chet Atkins. Originally released in 1964, the CD
adds in new liner notes as well as the original liner notes written
by Chet Atkins. Lastly from Sundazed, Steel Guitar by
pedal steel guitar wizard Speedy West was made 50 years ago,
yet his guitar playing and songwriting has rarely been equaled. Among
the many fine players appearing with West here are guitarists Billy
Strange and Jimmy Bryant as well as bassist Cliffie
Stone, who also penned the original album liner notes. Although
West passed away in 2003, his legacy lives in the grooves of Steel
Guitar. Once again, Sundazed has done a great job reissuing some
long lost instrumental guitar treasures from the well of American
music history. www.sundazed.com
SUPER 8 RECORDINGS - Over in England Heist released a pop
treat with A Shoekeeper Will Not Appear. Clearly
enamored with the suave European film sounds of Michel Legrand and
Francis Lai as well as pop smarts of Pink Floyd and ABBA, the group
exhibit some fine British pop smarts along the way. The multi-talented
Mike Targett (on vocals, keys, guitars and more) is
backed by fine players including Allison Thomson on backing
vocals and zither. Heist pull off their appealing concept with sizzle
and pizzazz. www.super8recordings.com
SURF CITY - In
the words of Longboard Ranch founder Bruce Duncan, “You’d
think we were trying to be The Ventures or something!” and that’s
just what surf-rock disciples will feel after they hear the second
full length CD from these California instro rockers. After hearing
their dedicated sound, it’s obvious these five guys share a wealth
of experiences. According to the band’s other guitarist, Loyd
Davis, “I liked “Foot Patter” by The Fireballs,
but also dug Duane Eddy and Link Wray. In 1959 I started hearing of
a new guitar hero from Orange County named “Dick Dale”.
I remember buying a copy of “Let’s Go Trippin” sometime
in 1961.” Releasing their 22 track CD Surfin’ Out
West in 2002, Longboard Ranch follows suit with the
2005 release of Longboard Ranch Rides Again! A tasty
mix of Duncan and Davis guitar rockers, the 25 all instrumental CD
rocks up a storm and is nicely tempered with nostalgic covers of instro
favorites like “Apache”, “The Savage” and a set
closing cover of the Miles Corbin classic “Spanish Blue.”
Duncan adds, “I want to shout from the rooftop how totally stoked
I am to be part of this group of killer musicians.” Visions of
surfers riding their long boards spring to life upon hearing this
classic album of vintage West Coast surf-rock instrumentals. www.longboardranch.com
UMG - Universal Music continues to resource material from
the archives for a number of reissue packages and their 2005 Gold
series is the best way for the novice to experience the greatness
of rock music. Among the latest, Cream Gold is a double
CD set on Polydor / Chronicles that examines the greatest of Jack
Bruce, Ginger Baker, Eric “Slowhand” Clapton
and producer Felix Pappalardi live and in the studio. The
In The Studio half features 21 Cream classics including the rarity
“Anyone For Tennis”, while the Live half of Cream Gold
features a number of their live extended jams like “N.S.U.”,
“Toad” and “Sunshine Of Your Love.” A sixteen
page booklet excellent photos, up to date liner notes (mentioning
their 2005 comeback concerts) and discography information. Also from
Geffen / Chronicles, The Mamas & The Papas Gold compiles
thirty two tracks from five different M + P albums including classic
albums like If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears (1966)
and Deliver (1967). Other recent Gold
series releases on Universal include titles from The Moody
Blues, Bob Marley, Aerosmith, Tom Jones,
ABBA and Kiss. www.universalchronicles.com
If you still have visions of Paul McCartney playing “Drive
My Car” at the 2005 Super Bowl then maybe you’d agree that
Big Bang Theory proves it’s point that ‘60s rock from
England is still the benchmark among the greatest 20th Century musical
breakthroughs. Rockin’ since the ‘72 Styx debut,
singer-guitarist Tommy Shaw and company are once again in fine
form throughout the 14 track stadium rock tribute to the music greats.
Included on this 2005 UMG CD are Styx versions of classics
from The Beatles (“I Am The Walrus”), The Who (“I Can
See For Miles”), Blind Faith, Procol Harum, CSN&Y, Lovin’
Spoonful, Jethro Tull, Jimi Hendrix, The Pretty Things, Willie Dixon,
Ray Charles, Humble Pie and more. Regardless of what you think of
tribute albums, Styx make it real on their self-styled tribute to
classic rock. Also guesting on the CD is Chuck Berry keyboardist Johnnie
Johnson. www.styxworld.com
UNIVERSAL - From Sweden, the group commonly referred to as The
Soundtrack Of Our Lives, (TSOOL) combine for some high and mighty
post-psych sounds flavored with the energy, rage and bombast of punk
pop. Commenting on making what may be their best yet with the 2005
CD release Origin Vol. II on Universal, singer Ebbot
Lundberg adds, “Yeah, I really think we did. It’s magical.
There’s so many tracks that I’m really happy about.”
Commenting on a possible follow up lead guitarist Ian Persen relates,
“We had 18 songs at one point on the album, then we just decided
to have 12. There’s gonna be this Phase II.” With Origin
Vol II TSOOL come off like Sweden’s U2, while the bizarre
CD art work is excellent as well. www.universalrecords.com
VOLCANIC RECORDINGS - A great new pop CD worth checking out is
the self-titled 2003 CD release from Seattle-based Tiny Volcano.
A fine pop quartet featuring lead guitarist Jon Ecklund and
singer songwriter Scott McPherson, the band have been favorable
compared to greats like The Wondermints, Jellyfish, XTC, Crowded House
and Owsley and on this recent CD they don’t disappoint. Fifteen
hook-laden songs linked together in a highly listenable order, Tiny
Volcano is the top of the pops. www.tinyvolcano.com
WSM - Does anybody remember the ‘80s? Or even want to? John
Lennon was shot dead, MTV had all but decimated the collective musical
imagination, America was literally caught with their pants down by
the CD revolution taking place in Japan and Europe, and the internet
was a pipe dream more than ten years off in the distance. Right in
the middle of the decade from hell, Live Aid took place
on July 13, 1985. A worthy humanitarian effort organized by Bob Geldof
and MC’d by the late great Bill Graham to help bring attention
to mass starvation taking place in Africa, the transatlantic Live
Aid concert event took place on that fateful date in both
London and Philadelphia and was broadcast on live TV. Taking part
in the festivities at Wembley and RFK stadium were some of the biggest
names in rock history including Paul McCartney, The Who, Eric Clapton,
Neil Young, Elton John, Crosby Stills & Nash, Cliff Richard, Bob
Dylan, Dire Straits and hundreds more. Despite those bloated corporate
rock years and the import CD ripoffs of that trying decade and the
groups who dared not fill the void in those harrowing post-Lennon,
MTV years, the WSM four DVD Live Aid comes off in 2005 as kind
of a revelation. Watching a revitalized Brian Wilson lead The Beach
Boys through their four track set here is the unexpected delight,
while the 10+ hour LA box set also features several videos
including a documentary entitled “Food and Trucks and Rock ‘n’
Roll” helps sets the Live Aid story straight. www.liveaiddvd.net
ZTT -U.K. singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl tragically died
in an accident in Mexico on December 19, 2000 her musical passion
lives in the grooves of a 2005 CD reissue of her 1994 pop music masterpiece
Titanic Days. Remastered while adding a bunch
of unreleased cuts, the 23 track double CD is now enhanced with detailed
liner notes and lyrics and a second disc filled with remixes, live
tracks and studio rarities. Released on the avant gard ZTT label,
home of The Art Of Noise, Titanic Days still sparkles and still
exemplifies the finest musical spirit of classic ‘90s pop. www.kirstymaccoll.com
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed
in www.mwe3.com and 20th Century Guitar. Send to CD Reviews Editor
Robert Silverstein, P.O. Box 630249, Little Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
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