Ed DeGenaro - Less Is Seldom More
Simon C.F. Yu - Exotic Species
Jeff Beck - Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's
Liquid Tension Experiment - Chicago, IL 6/25/08
OHM guitarist Chris Poland appeared on the Black Night Meditations radio show on WSCA 106.1 FM in Portsmouth, NH earlier the week. The interview can now be heard online at the following location:
Black Night Meditations: Chris Poland Interview
Umphrey's McGee is one of my favorite bands from the jam-band scene. The reason I dig these guys, is they often venture into prog and fusion territory; they don't dwell on modal-jams as some bands in the genre tend to do. I saw Umphrey's live in Chicago a couple of years ago and was blown away. Their new album Mantis is getting a lot of attention in the prog-rock community. As a token of their appreciation, the band has released a free prog "sampler" showcasing some of their more "proggy" moments onstage. Here's the info, straight from the horses mouth:
"In the two months since the release of Mantis, we've been overwhelmed with the attention and appreciation from the progressive rock community. We admire the rich tradition that the community has, and the respect they have for many of the same artists that have had a lasting influence on us as well. We've been privileged to share the stage with such heroes as Adrian Belew, Mike Keneally and Stanley Jordan in recent years
Our latest album "Mantis" has been touted as our most progressive
studio album, and we are very proud of how it turned out. We were
glad to take the time and flesh out our compositional approach on
Mantis, and wound up with an album that stretched our songwriting and
playing to levels we hadn't been able to produce in the studio before.
While we enjoyed the experience of taking our time in the studio, much
of the Umphrey's McGee experience happens on-stage where we live 120+
nights a year. The challenge of reproducing some of our demanding
compositions live while leaving room for both loose and structured
improvisation brings out the best in us, and we encourage you to come
and experience it with us.
We wanted to let you know that Jake, Kris and Joel have embarked on a
new project, OHMphrey (http://myspace.com/ohmphrey), with OHM's Chris
Poland and Robertino Pagliari. This project is rooted in progressive
improvisation, and will release an album and support it with a few
west coast shows. Furthermore, another improvisational fusion side
project of ours, Kick the McGee, is thrilled to be teaming up with
Morglbl from France for a show in Chicago @ Martyrs' on 5/20.
As a token of our appreciation, we're offering a free digital sampler
of the "proggier" side of Umphrey's McGee to the progressive rock
community, though it's really a little bit of everything to help
provide context of the grander scheme of who we are as a band. In
this sampler, you'll find a heavy-dose of prog-metal in Wizard Burial
Ground, while a slice of the improvisation and instrumental dexterity
that UM is well known for resides inside Higgins. An electric
re-working of Safety In Numbers' acoustic End of the Road is a band
favorite, and to give you a taste of some our our playing with special
guests you'll hear Adrian Belew lending his guitar to King Crimson's
Red and Mike Keneally stopping by for some extended on-stage antics
and guitar pyrotechnics on Ringo. We’ve also included a bonus video
of “Out of Order” from our PBS Soundstage performance.
Umphrey's McGee - Prog Sampler track list
1) Rocker part II (10.28.08)
2) Wizard Burial Ground (12.30.08)
3) Higgins (12.29.07)
4) End of the Road (2.17.08)
5) Search 4 (2.12.08)
6) Red (3.17.07 with Adrian Belew)
7) The Fussy Dutchman (12.30.04)
8) Ringo (2.12.08 with Mike Keneally)
To download, visit: http://tinyurl.com/umsampler
This will deposit the FREE download in your basket from our download
site UMLive.net (run by Livedownloads.com). Registration at
UMLive.net is free and required to complete the process. We'll keep
this posted for the next 2 weeks, until April 17th, so grab it while
it's hot.
To those who've checked out our albums and/or shows, and to those who
are helping spread the word (and we encourage you to spread this
around), we appreciate your support. Thanks for your continued
interest in Umphrey's McGee, we hope to see you all on the road some
time soon!"
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
Speaking of OHM, here's a great video that just went up from a Tone Merchants gig this past February. This is "Joog In Da Boot."
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)
Gagliararchives has just posted an mp3 of the interview they conducted with OHM's Chris Poland on 1/31/09.
Jerry Erickson! Jerry has won a signed copy of OHM's Circus of Sound album. Thank you to all who entered the contest. I hope to do more giveaways in the future.
Congratulations Jerry!
Reminder: All entries for the signed copy of OHM's Circus of Sound giveaway must be received no later than today. I will announce the winner tomorrow. Contest details are here. Good luck!
After Chris Poland and Pag from OHM played at the Eminence booth at NAMM, they signed and gave away several copies of their latest album Circus of Sound. A very cool move on their part. I was lucky enough to not only see the guys play, but I got one of the signed CDs as well. As cool an item as this is to have, I've decided to give it away on the site since I already own this awesome album. So, If you would like to enter to win a signed copy of OHM's Circus of Sound, send an email to guitarchannelcontest@gmail.com with the subject OHM CD Giveaway. The contest runs from this moment through February 5th. On February 6th I will choose one email at random, and announce the winner on the site. One entry per person, please. Good luck!
Here are several videos I shot of Chris Poland and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari (from OHM) at the Eminence booth at NAMM.
Crossroads
Mr. Brown
Where's My Hat
Saturday was my longest and last day at the NAMM show. I played some great guitars, and met some great musicians including John Czajkowski from Hectic Watermelon, and keyboardist T Lavitz. I also saw two awesome performances at the Eminence Speakers booth - Chris Poland and Pag from OHM, followed by Greg Howe. Later that night, I saw Allan Holdsworth play at Alva's (I'll post about that in more detail tomorrow). Overall, it was an awesome trip, but it feels great to be home. I've been busy since coming back; I just finished uploading and organizing my pics. Check them out:
Winter 2009 NAMM show photo album
See also: my photos from last year's NAMM show
Chris Poland's heavy fusion trio OHM has added another SoCal show during NAMM week (check here for the previously announced dates). They will be playing on a double bill with George Lynch's band at Tone Merchants in Orange County, CA on Saturday Jan 17th. Richie Kotzen was originally slated to play that night, but had to cancel unexpectedly. Tickets are $25; show starts at 8pm. Call or email Tone Merchants for reservations - 1-714-288-9583 or noel@tonemerchants.com.
2008 was another great year for jazz rock fusion progressive whateveryoucallit guitar music. Here are my favorite albums of the year, in order of their release.
Fantastic Holdsworthian fusion. Great acoustic/electric tones.
John McLaughlin - Floating Point (Review)
Western jazz fusion played with Eastern musicians. McLaughlin's best album in years.
Greg Howe - Sound Proof (Review)
Outstanding writing and playing. True heavy fusion.
Alex Machacek/Jeff Sipe/Neal Fountain - The Official Triangle Sessions (LIVE)
An Abstract Logix exclusive. Awesome live recording featuring tracks from the Improvision album.
OHM - Circus of Sound (Review)
Highly creative heavy fusion from Chris Poland and co.
Jimmy Herring - Lifeboat (Review)
Remarkable writing and playing. My favorite album of the year.
Jeff Beck - Performing this week...Live at Ronnie Scott's
Great live album featuring all of Beck's classics. Look for my review soon.
Other favorites from 2008:
Paul Gilbert - Silence Followed by a Deafening Roar (Review)
Charlie Hunter - Baboon Strength
Mike Miller Quintet - World Goes Round
McCoy Tyner - Guitars
Claude Pauly - Mind Meets Matter
Tadashi Goto - Innervisions
CAB - Theatre De Marionnettes
Chris Poland and Robert Pagliari of OHM will make the following appearances on Saturday Jan 17th at the NAMM show in Anaheim:
Yamaha Guitars signing - 1:00 p.m.
Eminence Speakers performance demo and signing - 3:30 p.m. (booth number 4334 in Hall C)
Here are some upcoming OHM shows as well:
Jan. 14 - The Baked Potato - Studio City, CA (two sets)
Jan. 24 - Club Red - Tempe, AZ (w/ Kofi Baker's CREAM tribute)
Feb. 07 - Tone Merchants - Orange, CA
Feb. 21 - Alva's Showroom - San Pedro, CA
Also, in 2009 watch for a new project featuring Poland and Pag along with Jake Cinninger (guitar), Kris Myers (drums), and Joel Cummins (keyboards) of UMPHREY'S MCGEE. Details on this release from Magna Carta Records will be made available soon.
Kudos to Laurie for spotting this: MetalJazz has a quick interview up with Chris Poland from OHM.
MetalJazz: Chris Poland interview
See also: my review of OHM's latest disc Circus of Sound.
Guitarist Chris Poland from the fusion trio OHM will be interviewed on MaximumThreshold.net tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST. You can listen live on the web site and interact with Poland in the chatroom.
UPDATE 10/10/08: Grab an MP3 of the interview here.
This is OHM playing "Where's My Hat" at Brick by Brick in San Diego, California, September 20, 2008.
Circus of Sound (Tone Center) is the latest release from the SoCal-based instrumental power trio OHM. The core of the band has always been ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland and bassist Robertino "Pag" Pagliari;
two highly original players whose styles are instantly recognizable.
Several drummers have played with OHM through the years, and three of
them (that's right, three of them) appear on Circus of Sound - Joel Taylor, Frank Briggs, and the band's longest tenured drummer Kofi Baker.
OHM could best be classified as "heavy fusion," but their sound and style are unlike any other band in that genre. Yes there's distorted guitars and heavy riffs - but the unique styles of Poland and Pagliari, and more importantly the band's writing, give OHM a very distinctive flavor. Poland is one of fusion's truly great guitar players; silky-smooth runs and a liberal approach to bending are the hallmarks of his style, and this new album will not be a disappointment to his fans. Circus of Sound seems to have more guitar solos per square inch than any of OHM's previous releases. Pagliari plays a six-string fretless bass, often employing a wah-wah to accent his lines, and is just as responsible for the band's unique sound as Poland is.
Traditionally, OHM has had a stripped-down sound. The minimal use of overdubbing has given their past studio albums OHM (2004) and Amino Acid Flashback (2005) a live feel at times (the band also released Live On KPFK 90.7 FM in 2004 which actually was recorded live). Circus of Sound is a change of direction in this regard. A lush recording full of layered guitars and harmonies, Circus of Sound is OHM's richest-sounding album to date. The material is a change of pace as well. Overall, the writing seems less eccentric than it's been in the past. While the band's signature off-kilter sensibilities are still present here, on the whole the compositions are more approachable than they've been on OHM's previous releases. Songs such as "Fun House," "Abracadabra," and "Steps From Home" are among the most melodic, "tuneful" pieces OHM has ever recorded. There's some complex, tight arrangements on Circus of Sound also. The point-counterpoint middle section of the fantastic title track is a good example. "System of a Clown" is another great song with a deep, layered arrangement. Drummer Joel Taylor take a nice solo on this track as well.
As "out there" as OHM's music can sometimes be, there's often a strong undercurrent of blues in their songs. This is largely due to Poland's input, and the new album has many great examples - on tracks like "The Shortest Straw" and "You Don't Know," he peels off plenty of wicked-fast blues runs that leave you either shaking your head, or reaching for the rewind button for another listen. The funky "Mr. Brown" is another tune with a heavy blues vibe. It's also one of the best tracks on the album. Pagliari in particular sounds great on this song.
Circus of Sound is OHM's most ambitious album yet, and it succeeds on every level. It's a more expansive production than anything they have released in the past (more guitar parts, more solos, more players, etc), and it's one of the best heavy fusion releases of the year so far.
OHM - Circus of Sound (Tone Center)
Tracklisting:
1. Fun House
2. System of a Clown
3. Photograph
4. Circus of Sound
5. Point Omega
6. Abracadabra
7. The Shortest Straw
8. The Black Hand
9. You Don't Know
10. Steps From Home
11. Mr. Brown
12. DD214
13. Leap of Faith
14. Pan's Plan
Personnel:
Chris Poland - Guitar
Robertino Pagliari - Bass
Joel Taylor - Drums on tracks 1-3
Frank Briggs - Drums on tracks 4-7
Kofi Baker - Drums on tracks 8-14
Chris Poland and Robbie Pagliari from OHM will discuss the band's new album Circus of Sound on the Bitches Brew radio show in Australia tomorrow at 8pm (Australian Eastern Standard time). You can stream the show from the PBS 106.7 FM website. Look for my review of Circus of Sound soon.
UPDATE 9/20/08: Listen to an mp3 of this interview here.
Steve Morse Band: Stand Up
I've been revisiting this one lately. My favorite Steve Morse Band album. Worth it for "English Rancher" and "Golden Quest" alone. Guests include Eric Johnson, Albert Lee, and Peter Frampton.
Tony Williams New Lifetime: Lifetime: The Collection
Contains the Believe It and Million Dollar Legs albums, both of which feature Allan Holdsworth. Classic stuff. Every fusion fan needs to own Believe It.
Michael Landau: Live
This came out a few years ago, but I keep going back to it. A truly awesome guitar album.
OHMphrey: OHMphrey
Awesome prog-jam-fusion collaboration featuring members of Umphrey's McGee and OHM.
John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension: Live At Belgrade DVD
Great footage of a great band. Highly recommended.
Jimmy Herring: Lifeboat
Herring's first solo album is one of the best jazz releases of 2008.
Greg Howe: Sound Proof
Howe's latest is fantastic. Great grooves and awesome jazzy shredding.
Alex Machacek, Jeff Sipe, Matthew Garrison: Improvision
Incredible writing and playing. A remarkable album.
