The Guitar Channel

Favorite Releases of 2011

While pondering my favorite music releases of 2011, I was struck by two things; the abundance of originality and depth in the "my cup of tea" genre, and Geez Louise were there a lot of live albums this year. There were also some great DVDs, which is why I'm referring to this as a favorite "releases" list instead of an "album" list as I have in the past. So here they are - my favorite releases of 2011 in no particular order:

 

Abstract Logix Live! - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 (CD / DVD) [CD Review]

Amazing live CD and DVD releases chronicling the 2010 New Universe Music Festival. Includes great performances by John McLaughlin, Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, and others. I was honored to help contribute to the DVD by conducting the backstage interviews which appear on disc 2.

Brett Garsed - Dark Matter [Review]

Fantastic writing and playing. Shows a stronger prog influence than Garsed’s earlier work. Bassist Ric Fierabracci make a big impact here as well.

Chris Taylor - Nocturnal [Review / Interview]

Taylor’s remarkable debut seamlessly blends modern jazz and electronica influences in one of the year’s most original and engaging releases. The all-star line up includes Ric Fierabracci, Steve Tavaglione, Dave Weckl, and other heavyweights.

Oz Noy - Twisted Blues Volume 1

Noy’s latest showcases his quirky originality and tones in a context that’s more bluesy than his previous work. Love the writing on this one.

The Aristocrats [Guthrie Govan Interview]

Killer heavy fusion album with Guthrie Govan on guitar, Bryan Beller on bass, and Marco Minnemann on drums. A great platform for Govan’s overall talents.

Derek Sherinian - Oceana

Awesome prog-fusion disc that may be Sherinian’s best solo release yet. Has a throwback 70s Jeff Beck vibe at times. Guests include Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, and Joe Bonamassa.

Allen Hinds - Monkeys and Slides

Great writing and lines from one of the west coast’s coolest fusion guitarists. Includes two burning live tracks. Features Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Babko, and Dennis Hamm among others.

Bryan Beller - Wednesday Night Live

Killer live disc featuring a single set recorded at the Baked Potato, plus two additional tracks from other performances. Includes great contributions from Mike Keneally.

Other favorites from 2011:

Gerald Gradwohl Group - ABQ Live and Raw
Jeff Richman & Chatterbox - The Line Up [Interview]
Bryan Baker, Bob van Luijt & Sebastiaan Cornelissen - 011 Amsterdam
John Escreet - The Age We Live In
Johnny Hiland - All Fired Up
CAB - Live on Sunset
Human Element
Gannin Arnold - Five World Class Drummers DVD
Rudder - Live at Rockwell Music Hall NYC DVD (Not one note of guitar on this, but the band and DVD are super cool.)

See Also:

Favorite Albums of 2010
Favorite Albums of 2009
Favorite Albums of 2008
Favorite Albums of 2007
Favorite Albums of 2006

Current Listening (and Viewing)

Here is some of the great new music I've been digging lately.

 

The Aristocrats

Incredible rock fusion disc with Guthrie Govan on guitar, Bryan Beller on bass, and Marco Minnemann on drums. Killer writing, tones and playing.

Oz Noy - Twisted Blues Volume 1

Noy's bluesiest album to date has an amazing lineup that includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Eric Johnson, and other heavyweights. Noy's playing and tones are amazing. Releasing November 19th.

Derek Sherinian - Oceana

Arguably Sherinian's best solo album yet. Has a similar vibe to his 1999 debut, with strong shades of Jeff Beck's early fusion work. As always, the prog keyboard maestro brings along an impressive cast. Includes Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Stevens, and others.

Jeff Richman & Chatterbox - The Line Up

Richman returns with Chatterbox for more jammy west coast jazz. Has a looser vibe than his solo releases.

Jarle H. Olsen - Quadrasonic

Super intricate prog metal with insane chops. Includes Alex Argento on keys.

Abstract Logix Live - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD

I may be a bit biased here since I conducted the interviews for this 2-DVD set, but this is a killer collection of live jazz rock fusion. A great documentation of Abstract Logix's groundbreaking 2010 festival. Includes John McLaughlin (with Zakir Hussain), Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, Human Element, Ranjit Barot, and others.

Derek Sherinian releases new solo album 'Oceana'

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release, London, England -

Derek Sherinian's new solo album 'Oceana' is released Monday September 5th by the Music Theories Recordings label via the Mascot Label Group.

If this were the 1970's, the heyday of such keyboard titans as Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Jon Lord, Sherinian would be among that elite circle of players who were superstars back in the day when such talent was not only appreciated, but celebrated in popular music. This is, however, 2011, and in this age, Derek Sherinian is the premiere rock keyboardist of his generation, a member of the supergroup Black Country Communion, a former member of Dream Theater, and a solo artist in his own right.

Sherinian has played keyboards with artists including Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen and KISS. In addition to being a former member of Dream Theater, Sherinian was also a member of the prog rock band Platypus, and the founder of the progressive fusion metal band Planet X.

'Oceana' is mixed by legendary drummer Simon Phillips (whose drumming credits include Toto, The Who, Jeff Beck, 10CC, Roxy Music). Phillips also plays drums on the entire album.

Steve Lukather collaborates with Sherinian on 'Mulholland', 'Euphoria' and 'Seven Sins', while former Planet X guitarist Tony MacAlpine performs on 'Five Elements' and 'Mercury 7'. Steve Stevens is featured on 'Ghost Runner' and the title track, while Black Country Communion band-mate Joe Bonamassa performs on 'I Heard That'. Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake) performs on 'El Camino Diablo', and Jimmy Johnson plays bass on all tracks with the exception of 'Ghost Runner' and 'Oceana', which both feature Tony Franklin.

Favouring a guitar heavy rock based approach to fusion ala Jeff Beck, Sherinian's music creates a certain energy that comes through the recordings, setting him apart from other jazz fusion artists.  His music also appeals to fans of technical heavy metal. Thanks to his relentless touring schedule with a wide range of well-known artists, Sherinian easily adapts to ever changing musical genres, while always maintaining his signature style.

Click here to download hi res photos and read the full press release announcement - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/dereksherinian/oceana.htm.

Current Listening

Some of the stuff I've been listening to / watching lately...

Charlie Hunter - Public Domain

Completely solo guitar album in which Hunter performs classic songs that are all in the public domain (and all chosen by his Grandfather!). Amazing stuff. "Danny Boy" alone is worth the price of admission.

Tetsuo Sakurai - Vital World (Review)

Awesome heavy fusion album with Greg Howe on guitar, and Dennis Chambers on drums. Incredible playing from everyone.

Tomo Fujita - Pure

Great jazz/blues album from the Berklee faculty member. Includes Will Lee, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie and Steve Jordan.

Black Country Communion

Killer super-group rock album with Joe Bonamassa on guitar, Glenn Hughes on bass and vocals, Derek Sherinian on keys, and Jason Bonham on drums.

Dann Glenn - Eleven Eleven Orchestra

Eclectic fusion album with cool writing. Bassist Jeff Berlin guests on one track.

Chad Wackerman Trio - Hits Live DVD

Excellent live-in-the-studio style DVD from Chad Wackerman's Trio. Includes Mike Miller on guitar and Doug Linn on bass. Can't get enough of this one.

 

 

 

 

Planet X tour dates with Tony MacAlpine

Saw this on Truth in Shredding: Planet X have scheduled the following European tour dates for the coming fall. Band members include founders Derek Sherinian on keys and Virgil Donati on drums, Planet X alum Tony MacAlpine back on guitar, and new bassist Doug Shreeve.

September
26 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands
27 - Weert, Netherlands
28 - London, UK
29 - Paris, France

October
1 - Lubeck, Germany
2 - Aschaffenburg, Germany
3 - Cologne, Germany
4 - Lorsch, Germany
5 - Munich, Germany
5 - Vienna, Austria
7 - Basel, Switzerland
9 - Poland
10 - Poland 

New Derek Sherinian album coming soon

Prog-fusion keyboardist Derek Sherinian has a new album on the way entitled Molecular Heinosity. As is always the case with Sherinian's albums, he has an impressive lineup of guests on the disc. Guitarists Zakk Wylde, Brett Garsed, Rusty Cooley, and Taka Minamino all make appearances, along with bassists Tony Franklin and Jimmy Johnson, and drummers Virgil Donati and Brian Tichy. Check out Sherinian's MySpace page for sound clips.

Release dates are as follows: 

Japan - February 25th
Taiwan - March 1st
Germany, Austria, Switzerland - March 20th
Europe - March 23rd
North America - March 24th

More Alex Machacek gigs with Sipe and Fountain

Guitarist Alex Machacek will be playing some more live dates with drummer Jeff Sipe and bassist Neal Fountain (the same trio responsible for the excellent Official Triangle Sessions release from Abstract Logix). Dates and locations for these and other upcoming Machacek gigs are posted below.

Machacek/Fountain/Sipe
Alex Machacek - guitar
Neal Fountain - bass
Jeff Sipe - drums

Oct. 9th, 2008 @ Five Spot - 9 PM
1123 Euclid Ave, Atlanta, Georgia 30307

Oct 10th, 2008 @ Loki Festival - 3 PM
112 Watagnee Tr., Horse Shoe, North Carolina 28742

Oct 10th, 2008 @ The Bohemian - 10 PM
2B Stone Avenue, Greenville, South Carolina 29609

Virgil Donati Band
Oct. 11th, 2008 @ Baked Potato - 9.30/11.30 PM
3787 Cahuenga Blvd West, Studio City, California 91604

Virgil Donati - drums
Matt Rhode - keys
Rufus Philpot - bass
Alex Machacek - guitar

Planet X
Virgil Donati - drums
Derek Sherinian - keys
Rufus Philpot - bass
Alex Machacek - guitar

Nov.6 /7/8, 2008 @ Athina Live
Athens/Greece

Nov. 14th, 2008 @ Jivan Festival
Yerevan/Armenia

Planet X European tour dates with Alex Machacek

I heard about some upcoming Planet X tour dates a couple of weeks ago, but the info was unconfirmed at that time. Now keyboardist Derek Sherinian has confirmed the dates (which were originally posted on drummer Virgil Donati's site), and revealed that Alex Machacek will be playing guitar (not Brett Garsed as many had speculated), and Rufus Philpot will play bass. Here are the dates:

November 6th, 7th, 8th, 2008 - Athina Live - Athens, Greece
November 14th, 2008 - Jivan Festival - Yerevan, Armenia

Review: Chris Buck - Progasaurus

LA-based session musician Chris Buck has brought together some of the biggest names in prog-fusion for his new album Progasaurus (Early Boy Records). A largely vocal album (there is one instrumental), Progasaurus has elements that will appeal to both old-school and new-school progressive rock fans. One look at the album's personnel should give you a clue about what you are in for - Derek Sherinian (Planet X, Billy Idol) plays keyboards, the drumming duties are split between Virgil Donati (Planet X, Devil's Slingshot, CAB) and Brian Tichy (Derek Sherinian, Billy Idol), and Brett Garsed (Uncle Moe's Space Ranch, Dirty Martini, Planet X) plays guitar on every track except "Kanines," which features Allan Holdsworth. Buck wrote the majority of the tracks (there is one cover), handles all bass and vocals, and plays some rhythm guitar. 

One would assume a strong Planet X-vibe would be present on Progasaurus, given the musicians Buck has enlisted here. There's certainly some truth to that, but Buck's writing and vocals is the X-factor (so to speak) that keeps the album from being a Planet X clone. As a vocalist, Buck has a definite Brad Delp-meets-Steve Walsh quality. This, coupled with his writing style, adds a certain classic rock/'70s prog flavor to the proceedings. Buck is also a great bass player, but surprisingly he only takes two solos on the album. Songwriting is obviously Buck's main focus on this project, but after hearing his great slap-solo on the album's second track "Imprint," I was hoping his bass work would be more prominently-featured than it ultimately is. That said, this is a prog-rock album after all, and as such there are some pretty complex parts in these songs for every instrument, including the bass. 

Stylistically, Progasaurus features lots of heavy doubled riffs, odd time signatures,  and crazy solos. In other words, this material is right up Derek Sherinian's alley. His contributions have a huge impact here. The solos he takes on the final two tracks, "Progasaurus," and "Inside/Outside," are particularly impressive. Donati and Tichy turn in great performances as well, especially on the odd time stuff.

Also, this album is further proof that Brett Garsed is one of the top guitarists on the rock/fusion scene today. One of Garsed's great strengths is his chameleon-like ability to fit in perfectly in any musical situation. For example - compare and contrast his subtle slide work on the ballad "La Mere En Douler," with his complex lines on "Imprint," or his bluesy inflections on the straight-up rocker "The Gator." Who else but Garsed could wear all these hats so convincingly? To me, his range as a player is at least as impressive as his signature hybrid-picking technique. Garsed stands out on numerous other songs as well, including "Inside/Outside," the instrumental title track, and the Jimi Hendrix cover "Up From The Skies."

Another player on Progasaurus that is sure to generate some interest is, of course, Allan Holdsworth. "Kanines" is the only track the legendary guitarist appears on, but any output from this icon is a welcome treat, and he does not disappoint here. Holdsworth takes two great solos on this tune - first, in the very interesting main solo section over alternating segments of 7/4 and 5/4, and again at the end over the song's primary 4/4 groove. As always, his tone is gorgeous, his phrases are strong, and his fast runs are baffling.

Buck definitely knows what he's doing when it come to writing this type of material. While any prog fan would enjoy these songs, regardless of who was playing on them, the fact that Progasaurus features such an impressive group of musicians really sweetens the pot.

Chris Buck - Progasaurus (Early Boy Records)

Tracklisting:
1. One Squared
2. Imprint
3. La Mere En Douler
4. Kanines
5. Ende Von Tagen
6. Up From The Skies
7. The Gator
8. Progasaurus
9. Inside/Outside

Rich

List all reviews

Derek Sherinian interview with Guitar World

Keyboardist Derek Sherinian discusses the many great guitarists he's worked with in a new interview for Guitar World. In it, Sherinian talks about recording with Allan Holdsworth, Al DiMeola, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Lukather, and others. The piece includes some interesting quotes from Holdsworth as well.

Derek Sherinian Guitar World interview

Derek Sherinian and Virgil Donati interview with Ozprog.com

The Australian prog rock/metal news site Ozprog.com has an interview up with keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Virgil Donati. They discuss their new Planet X album "Quantum", which features Allan Holdsworth and Brett Garsed on guitars.

Link

Release dates for new Planet X album announced

The following release dates have been announced for the new Planet X album 'Quantum':

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: May 18th, 2007
Rest of Europe: May 21st, 2007
North America: May 22nd, 2007
Japan - TBA


Planet X is keyboardist Derek Sherinian's awesome prog-fusion band. This much-anticipated new album features a lineup of Brett Garsed & Allan Holdsworth on guitar, Rufus Philpot & Jimmy Johnson on bass, Virgil Donati on drums, and Sherinian on keys.

Link