The Guitar Channel

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:

Updated G3 2012 Tour Dates - Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather

Here is an updated list of dates for the 2012 G3 tour of Australia and New Zealand featuring Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather.

24 March 2012 Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand

25 March 2012 Logan Campbell Centre, Greenlane Auckland, New Zealand

27 March 2012 Royal Theatre, Canberra, Australia

30 March 2012 Hordern Pavillion, Sydney, Australia

31 March 2012 Palais Theatre, St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia

03 April 2012 Festival Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

05 April 2012 Convention Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

06 April 2012 Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay, Australia

 

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather: G3 Tour 2012

Whoa! A new 2012 G3 Tour is in the works for Australia and New Zealand featiuring Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather(!). They are currently scheduled to perform on April 6th at Australia's Byron Bay Bluesfest. I'll post more details as they become available.

Video: Steve Morse and Joe Satriani with Deep Purple - "Smoke On The Water"

There's a few videos of this floating around; this is probably the best one I've seen. This is Joe Satriani sitting in with Deep Purple on "Smoke On The Water" at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord, CA on 6/25/11. Satch and Steve Morse do some great trading off.

Current Listening

Here's some stuff I've been listening to lately...

 

FRO - The Paisley Album

Harold Davis Jr (aka Fro) is a great funk/fusion player out of New York, and his stuff is super-cool. Sort of a Hendrix-meets-Tribal Tech type of vibe. I'm also digging his Surprise Music EP.

 

 

 

 

Jason Sadites and Marco Minnemann - Behind The Laughter

This is Sadites' contribution to Minnemann's Normalizer 2 project, and it's one of my favorites. Great writing and playing with a heavy Zappa vibe.

 

 

 

 

Stu Hamm - Just Outside of Normal

The bass legend's latest includes guests Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale, and Robert Fripp. Cool stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

David Binney - Graylen Epicenter

Excellent jazz album from the New York-based sax player. Love Wayne Krantz's melodic lines on the title track.

 

 

 

 

Bruce Arnold - The Art of the Blues

Great, adventurous jazz blues record. Arnold's fusion disc Heavy Mental is also cool.

 

 

New Dave Martone album to feature Greg Howe, Joe Satriani, Jennifer Batten, and Billy Sheehan

Canadian guitarist Dave Martone will release his new solo album Clean through Magna Carta Records on October 7th. Featured guests include Greg Howe, Joe Satriani, Jennifer Batten, Billy Sheehan, and Daniel Adair. From the official press release:

    If you thought that Canadian rock started and ended with Rush, Saga or Triumph, think again. Canadian guitar virtuoso, Dave Martone is a force to be reckoned with.

    "I wanted the album to be playable by a 3 piece band, while not relying heavily on studio production techniques. I wanted more of a four-on-the-floor vibe, with very strong melodies, and a more organic texture of sounds."

    All songs feature Daniel Adair of Nickelback on drums. 'Nail Grinder' features a blistering solo from none other than Joe Satriani. 'Hard Wired' features an amazing solo from Greg Howe. For 'Dinky Pinky', Martone wanted a bass player that would kick hard. Billy Sheehan was, of course, the logical choice and he lays down an incredible performance. 'Moron Face' is a heavy riff tune with Jennifer Batten guest soloing.

via Bravewords.com

Final lineup for the London Guitar Show

PRESS RELEASE

The London Guitar Show 2008

The UK’s biggest public guitar show is only one week away and the line-up in nothing short of Stella.

 
With guitar god himself Joe Satriani, rock's premiere virtuoso guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen and arguably the world’s great bass player, Billy Sheehan all performing guitar fans are in for a treat of epic proportions.

 
The final line-up is as follows :

London Guitar Show Main Stage

Saturday 14th June

10.30 Guitar Idol Final

12.00 C3 presents Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Govan & Jamie Humphries

13.30 Billy Sheehan

14.20 Paul Gilbert

15.30 Phil Hilborne

16.20 Yngwie Malmsteen

 

Sunday 15th June

12.00 Joe Satriani

15.00 RD Crusaders

 

Unplugged Acoustic Stage

Saturday 14th June

11.30 The Internationals

12.30 Surianne

13.30 Michael Messer & BJ Cole

14.30 Hot Lips & Chilli Fingers

16.00 Courtney Pine

 

Sunday 15th June

11.40 Musicians Union

12.30 Hot Lips & Chilli Fingers

13.30 Chris Difford & Boo Hewedine

15.00 Big Jim Sullivan

 

There’s also a host of other cool concerts and seminars including Live performances from drumming icons such as Jason Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Chad Smith of The Red Hot Chili Peppers Ray Luzier ( Korn ) and Roy Mayorga ( Stone Sour ). If that’s not enough visitors can chat with Radio One’s Colin Murray in the live seminar theatre and watch live interviews with leading names from the world of production and sound engineering such as Steve Lyon, producer of Depeche Mode and The Cure and Tony Cousins, producer for Robbie Williams and Elton John

 

Literally hundreds of the top brand names in the business will be exhibiting at the show and every conceivable type of guitar and accessory will be all on display under one roof. There will also be a huge display of drums, sound recording technology and acoustic instruments as well, so bring your band mates for the ultimate band day out at a music exhibition.

 

The London Guitar Show  is part of the UK’s Biggest Music exhibition, The London International Music show. It takes place at www.excel-london.co.uk/,

 

For further information on The London Guitar Show, the London International Music show, latest news and to buy tickets please visit: http://www.londoninternationalmusicshow.com

 

Paul Gilbert clinic tour of Italy

Following his UK tour with Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert will embark on a 12 date clinic tour of Italy. Here are the dates and locations, along with contact info for the venues:

May 26th - Firenze - Modern Music Institute - info: info@mircodimitrio.it
May 27th - Ellera di Corciano (PG) - STIX DRUM CENTER AND MUSIC SCHOOL-PERUGIA. - info:  mmiperugia@gmail.com
May 28th - Mareno di Piave (TV) - Inverness Pub - info:  balliananicola@hotmail.com info@williamdotto.com
May 29th - Albignasego (PD) - Sweet Basil - info: info@sweetbasil.it
May 31st - Bedizzole (BS) - 3X  - info:misolidio.snc@libero.it
June 1st - Parma - Modern Music Institute - info: mmi.parma@gmail.com
June 2nd - Sansepolcro (AR) - Tedamis - info: info@tedamis.it
June 3rd - La Spezia - Centro Culturale Dialma Ruggiero - info:  gianluca.cagnoli@libero.it
June 4th - Montegranaro (AP) - Modern Music Institute - info:  mmimontegranaro@libero.it
June 5th - Roccaforzata (TA) - Go West Saloon - info: ciccionigro@libero.it
June 6th - S. Maria a Vico (CE) - Associazione Fa Re Musica - info:  info@ciromanna.com
June 8th - Milano - Guitar Day - info: guitarday@hotmail.it

Joe Satriani to headline the London Guitar Show

Joe Satriani will be headlining the London Guitar Show main stage (part of the London International Music Show) on Sunday June 15th. This is confirmed, and is already posted on the shows website. Also, Paul Gilbert will be playing the main stage on Saturday June 14th. Kudos to Mark McGuigan for spotting this news.

Joe Satriani Guitar Center Sessions tour

Following the release of his new album Professor Satchafunkilus And The Musterion Of Rock on April 1st, Joe Satriani will embark on an 11-city Guitar Center Sessions clinic tour. Dates and locations are below. The clinics will feature question-and-answer segments, autograph signings, and live performances by Satriani.

April 01 - Natick (Boston), MA
April 02 - Manhattan, NY
April 03 - Plymouth Meeting (Philly), PA
April 04 - Rockville (DC), MD
April 05 - Chicago, IL
April 06 - Englewood (Denver), CO
April 07 - Phoenix, AZ
April 08 - Hollywood, CA
April 09 - San Francisco, CA
April 10 - Clackamas (Portland), OR
April 11 - Seattle, WA

via Truth In Shredding

Joe Satriani set to release 13th solo album

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

JOE SATRIANI SET TO RELEASE 13TH SOLO ALBUM

WORLDWIDE TOUR PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

ALBUM SET FOR RELEASE ON APRIL 1, 2008

Over the course of his illustrious career, JOE SATRIANI has achieved legendary success with his 12 solo albums and 3 platinum DVD’s selling more than 10 million units worldwide.  On April 1, 2008, SATRIANI is set to continue his brand of electric education for the masses with the release of his 13th solo album entitled Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock (Sony/BMG).  Following the albums release, SATRIANI will embark on a worldwide tour, kicking off April 30th in Lisbon, Portugal before hitting the European market, Australia, South America and finally returning to the U.S. in the fall of ‘08.

Professor Satchafunkilus was produced through the creative envisioning of SATRIANI and John Cuniberti; guiding the musical talents of longtime drummer/percussionist Jeff Campitelli and reknowned bassist Matt Bissonette.  A special addition to the album’s artist list is Joe’s own son, ZZ Satriani, playing the tenor sax.

Track Listing for Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock:

1.Musterion
2.Overdriver
3.I Just Wanna Rock
4.Professor Satchafunkilus
5.Revelation
6.Come On Baby
7.Out of the Sunrise
8.Diddle-y-a-doo-dat
9.Asik Vaysel
10.Andalusia

Over the last two decades, SATRIANI has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Of his 12 solo albums 2 went platinum and 4 gold with 15 Grammy nominations between them. This year Joe is nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song "Always With Me, Always With You" from his album, Satriani LIVE!

Last year marked the 20th Anniversary of his groundbreaking album, Surfing with the Alien and was commemorated with new expanded edition in a meticulously restored two-disc set including the newly re-mastered album and a previously never-before-seen live show filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1988.

Click here for info about Joe Satriani's May UK tour featuring special guest Paul Gilbert -

http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/kennedy_street/joe_satriani.htm

Click here for the online edition of this announcement -

http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/kennedy_street/joe_satriani_album.htm

For further information about Joe Satriani's UK tour please contact Peter Noble at Noble PR: Noble PR Ltd, Tel. 020 7272 7772, email: peter@noblepr.co.uk,

Joe Satriani UK tour dates with Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert will open for Joe Satriani on a series of UK tour dates in May of next year. Dates and locations of the tour are below. Kudos to Truth In Shredding for spotting this news.

Monday 12th May 2008 Birmingham Symphony Hall
Tuesday 13th May 2008 Newcastle City Hall
Wednesday 14th May 2008 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 15th May 2008 Manchester ApollO
Saturday 17th May 2008 Bristol Colston Hall
Sunday 18th May 2008 Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
Monday 19th May 2008 Cardiff St. David’s Hall
Tuesday 20th May 2008 London Hammersmith Apollo
Wednesday 21st May 2008 Nottingham Royal Centre (no Gilbert at this show)