The Guitar Channel

Chad Wackerman's "Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations" Now Available for Pre-Order

Drummer/composer Chad Wackerman's new disc Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations is now available for preorder through Abstract Logix. The album begins shipping on February 15th. From the ABLX website:

"Four masters of musical improvisation collaborate on the latest release from esteemed drummer Chad Wackerman. Known for his work with Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth and James Taylor, Wackerman blurs the line between composed and improvised pieces on Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations. The featured musicians: guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, bassist Jimmy Johnson and keyboard player Jim Cox, have all developed a unique musical telepathy with Wackerman over decades, which is allowed to shine on this inventive, adventurous CD.

Ranging from atmospheric to edgy, the music on Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations showcases four creative musicians at the height of their musical powers. Wackerman has structured the CD so that the interplay between the performers is ever-present. Many of the improvised pieces sound like fully formed compositions, while the written pieces provide ample opportunities for spontaneous flow.

Wackerman’s history with these musicians goes back a long way. He has been playing with Jim Cox since their first gig together in 1979, backing trombonist Bill Watrous. Thanks to Peter Erskine, Wackerman met and started working with Jimmy Johnson in the early 1980’s, a continuing collaboration that both cherish. Wackerman began touring and recording with Allan Holdsworth in 1982, beginning with Holdworth’s well known Road Games release. Listen to the sparks fly as these musical bonds deepen on this incredible new CD."

Chad Wackerman - Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations

1. Glass Lullaby
2. A New Day
3. Bent Bayou
4. Star Gazing
5. Edith Street
6. The Fifth
7. Waterways
8. The Billows
9. Monsieur Vintage
10. Rapid Eeye Movement
11. Brain Funk
12. A Spontaneous Story
13. Two For Ya
14. Invisible

Allan Holdsworth to perform with Zappa Plays Zappa

NEWS FLASH: Allan Holdsworth will be performing with Zappa Playa Zappa at the following two shows next month in Southern California.

Feb 14, 2012 at 07:00 PM  House of Blues - Anaheim, CA (Tickets)

Feb 19, 2012 at 07:00 PM Canyon Club -  Agoura Hills, CA (Tickets)

Video: Gary Husband - Dirty and Beautiful Album Story

Gary Husband discusses his new album Dirty and Beautiful Volume 2 coming February 21st from Abstract Logix. Guests include Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, Mike Stern, and Robin Trower among others.

Winter NAMM 2012: Final Wrap-Up

Day Three, Saturday, was my final day at NAMM this year. It's also the day I saw what proved to be my favorite gear of the entire show - the Yamaha THR stereo practice amps. Rated at 10watts, the THRs utilize amp-modeling and built-in effects to generate a wide variety of tones that all sound awesome. The two models, the THR5 and THR10, are essentially the same, though the THR10 offers a few more amp models and the ability the save up to 5 user presets. I played through one of the THR10s with a Yamaha SBG, and was blown away by the thick, tube-like tone, and the validity of the built-in effects. Other features include a USB post, and bundled Cubase software for home recording. Plus, they just look cool. Pricing appears to be in the $300-$500 range. I think I need to have one.

Saturday was also loaded with numerous celebrities and monster players. Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani,  Steve Morse and many other big-name musicians made appearances, causing foot-traffic jams at nearly every turn. I had a great time watching Dean Brown play at the MI booth, Matt Garrison jamming with Hadrian Feraud, Carl Verheyen and Steve Trovato tearing it up at LSL, and several other on-floor performances. I also met one of my fusion heros, violin legend Jerry Goodman (he looks ornery in the picture I took, but he couldn't have been a nicer guy).

Saturday night I was lucky enough to attend the epic Ernie Ball 50th Anniversary party - an amazing way to cap off a great trip (more on this all-star event later). All-in-all, it was another fantastic NAMM show packed with cool gear and incredible players. Look for my full photo gallery soon.

More pics from NAMM 2012:

Winter NAMM 2012: Day One

I'm getting ready to tackle day two of the 2012 Winter NAMM show, but before I do, here is some of the coolest stuff I saw on day one. Carvin recently announced their new line of Allan Holdsworth HH Series guitars, and these were easily some of the best instruments I saw all day. These things feel rock solid, yet are surprisingly light due to their chambered, semi-hollow bodies. The set-necks are super smooth, making for easy access to the upper frets. The Carvin rep told me that Holdsworth came down to the factory the day the first prototype was complete, and loved it so much he took it home and used it exclusively on his next string of live dates. FYI - The man himself is scheduled to appear at the Carvin booth on Saturday.

I also found the EVH Wolfgang line to be quite impressive. The Wolfgang Custom model I tried out was built like an absolute tank. In contrast to the Holdsworth Carvins, this thing weighed a metric ton, and had a similar feel to a Yamaha SBG IMO. The guitar has a loud sound that projects when you play it unplugged; a good sign. Definitely a rock-solid axe.

The Orange OPC has been around awhile, but I checked one out yesterday for the first time and was really blown away. This cool piece of gear is essentially a computer and amp rolled into one unit. It's loaded with amp modeling and multi-track recording software, a DVD burner, USB and video outputs, the works. It can be used as regular amp if you like, though all of the sounds are produced through the amp emulation settings, courtesy of the built-in AmpliTube 3 application. Easily one of the hippest home studio solutions I've yet seen.

More pics from NAMM 2012 Day One:

 

Gary Husband "Dirty & Beautiful Volume 2" Sampler

Gary Husband Dirty and Beautiful Vol 2 Sampler by abstractlogix.

Sampler from Gary Husband's upcoming album Dirty & Beautiful Volume 2. Release date - February 21st 2012. Guests include Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, Mike Stern, and Robin Trower among others.

New Chad Wackerman Album To Feature Allan Holdsworth

Drummer Chad Wackerman's forthcoming album Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations will include Allan Holdsworh on guitar, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Jim Cox on keys (the same lineup Wackerman used on his 1991 solo debut Forty Reasons). The release date has not yet been announced, but the band will be playing special CD launch shows at The Baked Potato in Studio City, CA on February 16th and 17th. Stay tuned for more details.

Gary Husband's "Dirty & Beautiful Vol 2" (featuring Allan Holdsworth, Alex Machacek, Wayne Krantz, and others) Now Available For Pre-Order

Jazz fusion multi-instrumentalist Gary Husband's latest album Dirty & Beautiful Volume 2 will be released on February 21st 2012, and is now available for pre-order. Similarly to his 2010 release Dirty & Beautiful Volume 1, the new disc includes an assortment of special guests including Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, Mike Stern, Robin Trower, and others. See full tracklisting below.

Pre-Order: Gary Husband - Dirty & Beautiful Volume 2

Tracklisting:

1. IF THE ANIMALS HAD GUNS TOO (featuring Ray Russell)
2. ROLLING SEVENS (featuring Mike Stern)
3. NEW BLUES, OLD BRUISE (featuring Sean Freeman)
4. EAST RIVER JAM (featuring Wayne Krantz)
5. FRED 2011 (featuring Allan Holdsworth and Jan Hammer)
6. RAIN (featuring Neal Taylor)
7. LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BROTHERS (featuring Alex Machacek)
8. FUGUIE
9. SULLEY (featuring John McLaughlin and Mark King)
10. ENGLAND GREEN (featuring Jimmy Herring)
11. YESTERNOW - EPILOGUE (featuring Robin Tower)

Updated Allan Holdsworth 2012 Tour Dates

Here is the current list of Allan Holdsworth's tour dates for 2012.

DONATI/HOLDSWORTH BAND
with
Virgil Donati drums
Allan Holdsworth guitar
Dennis Hamm keyboards
Jimmy Haslip bass

January 20 - Anaheim, CA (Sheraton Park Hotel)
SABIAN Night at The NAMM Show
www.sabian.com

January 22 - Studio City, Los Angeles, CA (Baked Potato)
www.thebakedpotato.com

USA TOUR DATES 2012
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH
with
Jimmy Haslip bass
Virgil Donati drums

January 13 - San Diego, CA (Brick By Brick)
www.brickbybrick.com

January 14 - Whittier, CA (Community Theater Whittier)
www.calprog.com
Opening band: MoeTar

January 16 - Phoenix, AZ (Rhythm Room)
www.rhythmroom.com

*March 11 - Sellersville, PA** (Sellersville Theater)
www.st94.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 12 - Annapolis, MD (Ram's Head Tavern)
www.ramsheadtavern.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 14 - Newton, NJ (The Newton Theater)
www.TheNewtonTheatre.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 15 - New York, NY (The Iridium)
www.theiridium.com

March 16 - New York, NY (The Iridium)
www.theiridium.com

March 17 - New York, NY (The Iridium)
www.theiridium.com

March 20 - Teaneck, NJ (Mexicali Live)
www.mexicalilive.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 21 - Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse)
www.iheg.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 22 - Boston, MA (Johnny D's)
www.johnnyds.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 23 - Norfolk, CT (The Infinity Hall)
www.infinityhall.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 24 - Schenectady, NY (The Van Dyck)
www.vandycklounge.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 27 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Cosmo Music)
www.cosmomusic.ca
Opening band: MARBIN

March 28 - Buffalo, NY (The Tralf Music Hall)
www.tralfmusichall.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 30 - Dayton, OH (Gilly's Jazz)
www.gillysjazz.com
Opening band: MARBIN

March 31 - Detroit, MI (The Jazz Cafe)
www.jazzcafedetroit.com
Opening band: MARBIN

April 1 - Chicago, IL (Martyr's)
www.martyrslive.com
Opening band: MARBIN

April 3 - Milwaukee, WI (The Shank Hall)
www.shankhall.com
Opening band: MARBIN

April 8 - San Juan Capistrano, CA (The Coach House)
www.thecoachhouse.com

Few more USA/Canada shows and band and/or individual clinics to be announced soon.

AH EUROPEAN TOUR 2012
(opening act: Jeff Aug)

May 15 - Kassel, Germany (Schlachthof)
www.schlachthof-kassel.de

May 16 - Amstelveen, Nethrlands (P60)
www.p60.nl

May 17 - Leverkusen, Germany (Scala)
www.scala-leverkusen.de

May 18 - Tilburg, Netherland (Paradox)
www.paradoxtilburg.nl

May 19 - Paris, France (Sunset SunsideJazz Club)
www.sunset-sunside.com

May 21 - Karlsruhe, Germany (Tollhaus)
www.tollhaus.de

May 23 - Milano, Italy (La Salumeria della Musica)
www.lasalumeriadellamusica.com

May 24 - Basel, Switzerland (Grand Casino)
www.grandcasinobasel.com

May 25 - Zurich, Switzerland (Jazz Klub Moods)
www.moods.ch

Several more shows and band and/or individual clinics clinics to be announced soon, between May 4 and May 28.

Video: Allan Holdsworth - More Footage from Houston, TX 11/15/11

Another clip from Allan Holdsworth's Nov 15th show in Houston TX. With Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Ronald Bruner Jr. on drums.

Videos: Allan Holdsworth - Live in Texas 11/15/11

Three videos of Allan Holdsworth in Houston Tx on November 15, 2011. With Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Ronald Bruner Jr. on drums.

Video: Allan Holdsworth and Virgil Donati - Live in India

The video is a bit shaky but it's still pretty cool. This is Allan Holdsworth (Guitar), Virgil Donati (Drums), Anthony Crawford (Bass) and Austin Peralta (Keyboards) live in India on 11/3/11.