The Guitar Channel

New Wayne Krantz album details

Abstract Logix's recording label will be releasing Krantz Carlock Lefebvre this summer. It will be guitarist Wayne Krantz's first studio album in many years, and the first to feature his long-time trio mates Keith Carlock (drums) and Tim Lefebvre (bass). The label has just posted a great article with more info on the album (including details on some vocal tracks and acoustic parts).

Wayne Krantz: Krantz Carlock Lefebvre

UPDATE: The album will be released on August 16th, and can be pre-ordered now at Abstract Logix.

Release date announced for Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats debut

The debut album from Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats will be released in stores and on iTunes on September 15th through Warrior Records. The funky instrumental fusion band features Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot) on drums, Jeff Kollman (Cosmosquad) on guitar, Ed Roth on keys, and Kevin Chown on bass. The album, entitled Meet the Meatbats, is now available for pre-order in a number of different packages through the Warrior Records website.

Pre-order Meet the Meatbats

CAB to re-release Live at The Baked Potato Double CD

Fusion uber-group CAB will re-release their 2006 album Live at The Baked Potato next month. This excellent 2-CD set includes all of the bands staples, plus a killer version of Billy Cobham's "Stratus." The lineup on this release includes band mainstays Bunny Brunel on bass, Tony MacAlpine on guitar, and Virgil Donati on drums, with David Hirshfelder playing keyboards. I've had this one for awhile now; definitely worth picking up if you want to hear some great live jazz fusion.

CAB: Live at The Baked Potato

via No Treble

Modern Guitars reviews new Mike Stern album

Vince Lewis has written a nice review of Mike Stern's upcoming album Big Neighborhood for Modern Guitars Magazine. The album is scheduled for release on August 11th, and includes guests Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Medeski Martin and Wood, and many others.

Modern Guitars Magazine Review: Mike Stern - Big Neighborhood

Dream Theater covers the Dixie Dregs classic "Odyssey"

Dream Theater has released a killer version of "Odyssey" by the Dixie Dregs as the third of what will be six bonus tracks leading up to the release of their new album Black Clouds & Silver Linings, coming 6/23/09 (They are releasing one bonus track per week for six weeks). I'm a huge Dregs-head, and "Odyssey" is an absolute classic (written by Steve Morse when he was 17 years old as I recall). The following Roadrunner Records page has a link to download the track on iTunes, plus a short video of Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy talking about "Odyssey" and the Dregs.

Download Dream Theater's version of "Odyssey"

New Oz Noy album to be released this summer

Oz Noy's new album Schizophrenic is complete, and will be released this summer on Magnatude Records. Exact release dates coming soon. Guests include Will Lee, Anton Fig, Keith Carlock, Dave Weckl, Steve Lukather, Ricky Peterson, Chris Palmer, & Shai Bachar.

See also: my review of Oz Noy's last album - Fuzzy

Hazey Jane album featuring Michael Landau now available

Michael Landau, one of my all time favorite guitarists, has a band with his wife Karen called Hazey Jane. They've just released a new album entitled Holy Ghost. From the samples I've heard, the material sounds somewhat like their previous vocal band Stolen Fish. Very cool stuff; imagine Landau's unique chordal stylings in a folk-rock or alternative setting and you'll get the idea. Great vocals by Karen as well. Definitely worth checking out.

Hazey Jane - Holy Ghost

Carl Verheyen releases new instructional DVD

Carl Verheyen has just released his latest instructional DVD Forward Motion: Advancing On The Electric Guitar. Quoting from the item description:

"Learn the secrets behind Carl's unique style, including creative ways to develop lines, a fresh perspective on bending and vibrato, and a modern intervallic approach to building chords. Running time: 101 Minutes

Special Features:
iPod Ready Files
In-depth gear tour that breaks down Carl's signature sound
Bonus footage featuring alternate takes and additional band performances"

Purchase via Carl Verheyen's online store

Current Listening

LOTS of great fusion stuff has come out recently. Here are some of my favorite recent acquisitions I'm currently working my way through. I'll be reviewing some or most of these as soon as I can...

Ed DeGenaro - Less Is Seldom More

Great follow-up to Dog House. Features tons of great players including Marco Minnemann, Dave Weckl, Ric Fierabracci, and Ray Gomez.

Adam Nitti - Liminal

Fantastic driving fusion... includes guitarists Shane Theriot, Marco Sfogli, Phil Keaggy, and Tom Quayle

One Spirit - Go For It!

Latest recording from guitarist Richard Hallebeek's band. Great jazz fusion with a Tribal Tech vibe.

Lyle Workman - Harmonic Crusader

Great guitar album from the L.A. studio veteran. Features a cavalcade of greats - Vinnie Colaiuta, Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Babko, Simon Phillps, Gary Novak, and on and on.

Simon C.F.Yu - Exotic Species (review)

Eccentric mash-up of eastern and western styles. Includes guest David "Fuze" Fiuczynski.

Sebastiaan Cornelissen - U-Turn

Just got an early copy of this new Abstract Logix Label release. Fantastic fusion recording from the drummer of the One Spirit band. The incredible lineup includes Alex Machacek, Richard Hallebeek, Gary Husband, Scott Kinsey, Gary Willis, Hadrien Feraud, Tom Kennedy, Jimmy Earl, and many others.

New Steve Morse Band album slated for release this September

Great news for my fellow Steve Morse fans! Bassist Dave LaRue is reporting the new Steve Morse Band album (featuring LaRue on bass, and Van Romaine on drums) is complete, and scheduled for a possible September release. LaRue also says "We hope to do dates around the time of the release." Personally, I'm a huge Morse fan and can't wait to hear the new stuff. Stay tuned!

Bass Legend BILLY SHEEHAN Releases Third Solo Album on Mascot Records U.S.A

PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 15, 2009) – Legendary Bass Master Bill Sheehan has released his much anticipated third solo album entitled “Holy Cow!” on Mascot Records U.S.A. April 14^th, 2009. The albums tracks showcase Sheehan’s immense talents as both a singer/songwriter and instrumentalist. 

Billy Sheehan’s new release HOLY COW will has three mystery bonus tracks added only for the U.S.A. album version. These three exclusive tracks on the disc cannot be found anywhere else.

 

Sheehan pulled in top-notch arsenal with guest performances by Billy Gibbons on “A Lit’l Bit’l Do It To Ya Ev’ry Time”, Paul Gilbert (who played with Sheehan in Mr Big) on “Dynamic Exhilarator”, Dug Pinnick (Kings-X) on the song “Turning Point” as well as Ray Luzier on drums and shred master Tony MacAlpine.

Sheehan continues to stretch the boundaries of the bass guitar while showcasing his immense talent as a guitarist (Baritone 12 string and 6 string guitars) and singer.  Look for a Billy Sheehan solo tour to promote this album in the very near future.      

"Holy Cow" track listing:

01. In A Week Or Two (I'll Give It Back To You)
02. Dynamic Exhilarator
03. A Lit'l Bit'l Do It To 'Ya Ev'ry Time
04. A Bloodless Casualty
05. Make It To Another Day (I Keep Rolling On My Way)
06. Another Broken Promise
07. Just Another Humanoid
08. Turning Point
09. Two People Can Keep A Secret (If One Of Them Is Dead)
10. Theme From An Imaginary Science Fiction
11. Cell Towers

12. ?

13. ?

14. ?

 

For more information go to www.billysheehan.com or www.myspace.com/billysheehan

Liquid Tension Experiment Live 2008 - Limited Edition Boxset available for pre-order

Saw this in a few places including Truth in Shredding: Liquid Tension Experiment (John Petrucci - guitar, Mike Portnoy - drums, Jordan Rudess - keyboards, Tony Levin - bass and Chapman Stick) is releasing a massive $130 CD/DVD boxset of live material from their 2008 reunion tour. Here are the details as posted on the Ytsejam Records order page:

The LTE Box Set is the ultimate souvenir of Liquid Tension Experiment's 10th Anniversary Reunion Tour.
Included in this deluxe package is both the NYC and LA shows in their entirety (on both CD and DVD), as well as the Liquid Trio Experiment 2 CD and two items that are exclusive to this set and will not be available separately: Live In LA on Blu Ray disc and a bonus CD of all of the improv jams from the other LTE 2008 shows.

THIS DELUXE BOX SET IS LIMITED EDITION AND ONLY AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS!!!
THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE PRESSING DONE AND ONCE THEY ARE GONE, THEY ARE GONE FOREVER!!!
DON'T REGRET MISSING OUT ON THIS GREAT COLLECTOR'S ITEM!

Box Set Includes:

    * LTE Live In NYC (2 CD)
    * LTE Live In NYC (1 DVD)
    * LTE Live In LA (2 CD)
    * LTE Live In LA (1 DVD)
    * LTE Live In LA (1 Blu-ray) Available only in the boxset
    * LTE Bonus Disc (1 CD) Available only in the boxset
    * Liquid Trio Experiment - When the Water Breaks: Live In Chicago (1 CD)
    * 24 Page Booklet

THIS IS A PRE-ORDER, ORDERS ARE EXPECTED TO START SHIPPING JUNE 1ST.

LIVE IN NYC
1. Acid Rain (9:25)
2. Kindred Spirits (8:00)
3. Biaxident (7:39)
4. Freedom of Speech (9:00)
5. Improv Jam #1 (8:10)
6. Another Dimension (10:51)
7. State of Grace (6:20)
8. Universal Mind (9:36)
--
9. When the Water Breaks (16:49)
10. Improv Jam #2 (11:31)
11. Rhapsody in Blue (13:49)
12. Osmosis (3:43)
13. Paradigm Shift (9:31)

LIVE IN LA
1. Acid Rain (10:43)
2. Kindred Spirits (7:53)
3. Biaxident (7:34)
4. Freedom of Speech (8:54)
5. Improv Jam #1 (8:21)
6. Another Dimension (10:31)
7. State of Grace (6:00)
8. Universal Mind part 1 (3:36)
9. Keyboard Solo (5:19)
10. Universal Mind part 2 (3:46)
--
11. When the Water Breaks (17:52)
12. Improv Jam #2 (13:03)
13. Rhapsody in Blue (13:34)
14. Osmosis (5:52)
15. Paradigm Shift (9:17)

WHEN THE KEYBOARD BREAKS: LIVE IN CHICAGO
1. Universal Mind (When the Keyboard Broke) (2:21)
2. The Chicago Blue & Noodle Factory (7:03)
3. Fade Away or Keep Going? (5:03)
4. The Haunted Keyboard (9:34)
5. Close Encounters of the Liquid Kind (15:13)
6. Ten Minute Warning (5:55)
7. That 'Ol Broken Down Keyboard Blues (6:34)
8. Liquid Anthrax (4:55)
9. That's All Folks! (2:12)

LTE BONUS DISC
1. NYC (Early Show) Improv Jam #1 (6:54)
2. NYC (Early Show) Improv Jam #2 (7:41)
3. NEARfest Improv Jam #1 (3:42)
4. NEARfest Improv Jam #2 (5:43)
5. Chicago Improv Jam #1 (7:58)
6. San Francisco Improv Jam #1 (10:41)
7. San Francisco Improv Jam #2 (13:17)

Pre-order the Liquid Tension Experiment Live 2008 - Limited Edition Boxset

Greg Howe "Introspection" backing tracks now available

Greg Howe has just released a backing tracks-only version of his great album Introspection. It features the same songs that appear on the regular album, minus the lead guitar parts. Howe also released a transcription book for Introspection last year.

The backing tracks can be downloaded from both Amazon and iTunes.

Current Listening

Here's some cool stuff I've been listening to lately:

Akira Jimbo - Jimbomba

Awesome fusion from the Japanese drummer. Features Michael Landau on guitar.

Carl Verheyen - Trading 8s

Verheyen's latest has him trading solos with some of his favorite players. Guests include Robben Ford, Scott Henderson, Steve Morse, Joe Bonamassa, Albert Lee, and others.

Mateus Starling - Kairos

Eccentric jazz fusion from the Brazilian Berklee grad. Lots of crazy outside lines.

Dojo - Studiojo

Awesome power trio fusion. Look for my review soon.

John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension - Live @ Belgrade DVD

OK, technically I'm watching this as well as listening. Filmed during the summer of 2008 in Belgrade, it's the first full-length McLaughlin concert ever officially released on DVD. Great stuff.

OHMPhrey reveals cover art, tracklisting, and samples

OHMPhrey now has a MySpace page with samples from their upcoming self-titled album (releasing May 19th). This cool-sounding project features OHM members Chris Poland (guitar) and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari (bass), joining forces with Umphrey's McGee members Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), and Kris Myers (drums). The samples sound awesome!

OHMPhrey (Magna Carta)

Tracklisting:

1. Someone Said You Were Dead
2. The Girl From Chi Town
3. Denny's By The Jail
4. Ice Cream
5. Lake Shore Drive
6. Not Afraid Of The Dark
7. Shrooms 'n Cheese
8. What's The Word, Thunderbird

Alex Machacek Trio to play Japan

Following his Japanese gigs with UKZ this June, Alex Machacek will play the following shows in Japan with his own trio (Marco Minnemann - drums, Kai Eckhardt - bass):

June 13th - Tokyo @ STB139
June 14th - Koriyama @ HipShot
June 15th - Sendai @ Enn
June 17th - Osaka @ Jack Lion
June 18th - Nagoya @ Bottom Line

In other news, Alex is interviewed in the May 2009 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine, and appears on Sebastiaan Cornelissen's upcoming album UTurn (soon to be released through Abstract Logix).

Win a copy of Jeff Beck's new "Live at Ronnie Scott's" DVD!

The Guitar Channel is giving away two copies of the new Jeff Beck DVD Performing This Week…Live at Ronnie Scott’s. (Two?!? That's right... 2.) From the official press release - "Filmed over the course of several gigs at the famed Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in 2007, Performing This Week…(CD released November 25) features a compilation of material spanning Beck’s genre-jumping career. From Rock to Jazz to Blues, with some Boogie and Beatles to boot, this was a week that positively rocked the intimate London club. His band includes Tal Wilkenfeld (bass), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), and Jason Rebello (keyboards). Joss Stone, Imogen Heap, and Eric Clapton also made special appearances, complementing Beck’s wild guitar work with their diverse vocal approaches." The DVD (which will be released March 31st) also includes interviews with Beck and his band.

The DVDs I have for this giveaway are standard all-region NTSC discs (they are not Blu-Rays). You want one? Simply send an email to guitarchannelcontest@gmail.com with the subject Jeff Beck DVD Giveaway. On Monday April 6th, I will choose 2 entries at random and announce the winners on the site. One entry per person please; past Guitar Channel contest winners are not eligible (gotta spread the love man!) Many thanks to Universal Music Group for making this giveaway possible. Good Luck!

OHM and OHMPhrey live dates

Chris Poland's fusion trio OHM is currently preparing material for a new album, and have scheduled the following live dates:

April 9 - The Baked Potato (Studio City, CA)
May 9 - Alva's Showroom (San Pedro, CA)

OHMPhrey news!
Also, the album Chris and Pag from OHM recorded with Umphrey's McGee members Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), and Kris Myers (drums) this past January will be released on May 19th through Magna Carta Records. The band is called OHMPHrey, and the following gigs have been booked to showcase the project:

May 14 - The Roxy (West Hollywood, CA) 
May 15 - SoHo (Santa Barbara, CA)
May 16 - Winston's (San Diego, CA)

New Ed DeGenaro album coming soon

Fretless-guitar master Ed DeGenaro's new album Less is Seldom More will be released in a couple of weeks. Check out Ed's MySpace page for a couple of samples from the new disc, one of which is great version of the Robben Ford tune "The Brothers."

Eagle Rock Entertainment to Release JEFF BECK ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

PRESS RELEASE

~Performing This Week…Live At Ronnie Scott’s Goes Visual March 31~

On March 31, Eagle Rock Entertainment, through it’s Eagle Vision subsidiary, will release Jeff Beck Performing This Week…Live at Ronnie Scott’s on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Filmed over the course of several gigs at the famed Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in 2007, Performing This Week…(CD released November 25) features a compilation of material spanning Beck’s genre-jumping career. From Rock to Jazz to Blues, with some Boogie and Beatles to boot, this was a week that positively rocked the intimate London club. His band includes Tal Wilkenfeld (bass), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), and Jason Rebello (keyboards). Joss Stone, Imogen Heap, and Eric Clapton also made special appearances, complementing Beck’s wild guitar work with their diverse vocal approaches.
 
"This was a great week. Playing in such an intimate club with my friends and my amazing band…. What more could a musician want."    - Jeff Beck

These DVDs are the first to be approved by the man himself. They are stocked with not just a conglomerate of great performance picks, but stellar bonus material. A rare in-depth interview features Beck talking about his experience at Ronnie Scott’s, as well as giving the floor to his band members for some interview time. The Blu-Ray also includes an exclusive 7-track rockabilly set with the Big Town Playboys.
 
Eagle Rock Entertainment develops, acquires and produces music programming for a wide range of notable and high profile artists, which the company distributes on a worldwide basis. Eagle Rock Entertainment, Eagle Vision and Eagle Eye Media are wholly owned divisions of Eagle Rock Group, LTD.

For more information regarding this and other Eagle Rock Entertainment releases, contact Carol Kaye at Carol@Kayosproductions.com.
 
Track listing:
1.) Beck’s Bolero
2.) Eternity’s Breath
3.) Stratus
4.) Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers
5.) Behind The Veil
6.) You Never Know
7.) Nadia
8.) Blast From The East
9.) Led Boots
10.) Angel (Footsteps)
11.) People Get Ready – with Joss Stone
12.) Scatterbrain
13.) Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Brush With The Blues
14.) Space Boogie
15.) Blanket – with Imogen Heap
16.) Big Block
17.) A Day In The Life
18.) Little Brown Bird – with Eric Clapton
19.) You Need Love – with Eric Clapton
20.) Rollin’ And Tumblin’ – with Imogen Heap
21.) Where Were You
 
Blu-Ray Bonus Tracks:
1.) Race With The Devil
2.) Crazy Legs
3.) Train Kept A Rollin’
4.) My Baby Left Me
5.) Matchbox
6.) Baby Blue
7.) Honky Tonk / Beck Interview on Rockabilly set

 

Amazon Pre-order: http://tinyurl.com/JeffBeckBuyLink