Here I am backstage with Warren Haynes at the Park West in Chicago. Check out my feature in the current issue of Premier Guitar and look for a video lesson/interview soon.
Backstage with Warren Haynes
May 19th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink
Been Such A Long Time…
May 13th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink
I know, I haven’t been very good at keeping up with things here. But hey, I have a good excuse.
Recently, my wife and I found out we will be expecting our second child in November. All the excitement and preparation has begun and we are currently working on our man-to-man defensive skills.
On the PG front, it seems like the train never stops. Our June issue, with my feature on Warren Haynes, should be online next week and I will make sure to post a link here as well. Warren has been one of my favorite guitar players for a long time and it was really great to get a chance to talk to him about his new album, vintage guitars, and developing your sound. Speaking of Warren, I am headed to Chicago on Monday to shoot a video interview with him to go along with the article. I know, my job sucks.
Another recent highlight was a trip that some of my colleagues and I made to Chicago to pay homage to the greatest Canadian power trio around, Rush. We met up with Scott, Alex’s tech, and he gave us a great tour of Alex’s rig and we even got to watch soundcheck. Hearing “Spirit of Radio” to you and 25 of your closest friends is a bucket list-type experience. Cross that one off.
As it finally starts to feel like summer, well at least it did yesterday, I am really looking forward to seeing some live music and hanging out with the Mrs. and the boy. I also have some gigage coming up this summer and for those of you interested in that, you can follow me on Twitter or FB to keep up.
One last thing, if you haven’t checked out GuitarSquid. Do it. Now.
If you made it this far, congrats. Here is that Rush Rig Rundown
Buddy Guy’s Amp Settings
March 28th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink
Everything up except for the bass.
Joe Bonamassa Interview
March 18th, 2011 § 1 comment § permalink
A few weeks ago I had the chance to sit down with Joe Bonamassa and talk about his new album, Dust Bowl. This was a new type of video for PG. The focus was squarely on the new album with Joe demonstrating some sections with a few of his 20+ guitars he lugs around the country on his never-ending tour.
And yes, this is a REAL ’59 Les Paul
How to Play Like Wayne Shorter in a Few Easy Steps
February 18th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink
Around 8:52 p.m. Nearly half an hour into the show, it’s clear that this band isn’t going to stop collectively improvising until it takes its bows. There are few outright solos; just grooving groupthink. This is all right, as a loose logic has begun to emerge. Think of it like this:
- Wayne Shorter plays a loose, ambling melody
- Danilo Perez (or John Patitucci) establishes a countermelody
- We segue into completely unrelated new territory, and a new groove
- Seven minutes later, you realize it’s morphed into something completely different
- A stray, unexpected Brian Blade cymbal crash begins an intense climax
- There’s a denouement, and some meandering about
- Surprise! There’s that melody fragment again
- Nebulous territory as everyone tries to figure out how to get to the next tune
- Lather, rinse, repeat
via npr.org
See, jazz is easy.