The Guitar Channel

New Wayne Krantz Album Sampler

Soundcloud teaser of Wayne Krantz's upcoming 2012 album for Abstract Logix. The amazing lineup includes Yasushi Miura (Electronica), Vinnie Colaiuta (Drums), Anton Fig (Drums), Keith Carlock (Drums), Charlie Drayton (Drums), Nate Wood (Drums), Jeremy Stacey (drums), Kenny Wolleson (drums) , David Binney (saxophone), Paul Stacey (slide guitar), Tal Wilkenfeld (Bass), Pino Palladino (Bass), John Patitucci (Bass), Owen Biddle (bass), James Genus (Bass), John Beasley (Keys), Henry Hey (Keys), and Gabriela Anders (vocals).

Wayne Krantz New Album 2012 (Abstract Logix) by abstractlogix.

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.

Oz Noy's "Twisted Blues Volume 1" to be released November 19th

PRESS RELEASE

New York based plectorist extraordinaire Oz Noy makes his Abstract Logix debut with Twisted Blues, his most eclectic album to date that displays his signature guitar sounds as well as for the first time showcases his profound love of blues, featuring Chris Layton and Reese Wynans of the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughn Band.

Oz is a chopsmeister of the highest order with a wealth of weapons in his trick bag. A master manipulator of tones and effects, he can deftly switch from lacerating single note work to Leslie-imbued organ stylings (a la Charlie Hunter) to jaw-dropping wah-wah-inflected lines…sometimes within the same song (as he does so nonchalantly on the scintillating title track). And while he emigrated to New York City in 1996 from his native Israel, you’d swear he had a lengthy stopover in New Orleans by the sound of his authentic second line groover “Oh Really” featuring Allen Toussaint and his interpretation of The Meters’ funk anthem, “Cissy Strut.”

There’s a touch of Stevie Ray Vaughan in his shuffling “Whole Tone Blues” and the tough “Steroids,” and he brings a Hendrix-meets-Ry Cooder sensibility to his luminous ballad “You Are The State” with the help of Eric Johnson on second guitar. A fan of Thelonious Monk, Oz turns in highly impressionistic versions of the floating “Light Blue” and the chops-busting “Trinkle Tinkle,” the latter performed with unrelenting aggression as an uptempo Texas shuffle. And he strikes a calming accord on the soulful, “Two Centers,” which may remind SRV fans of Stevie’s “Riviera Paradise.” Like the title of a great Wes Montgomery album on Riverside from 1961, this stellar outing features So Much Guitar!

Twisted Blues which was recorded in one part in Austin featured the legendary Eric Johnson on guitar, Chris Layton on drums, Roscoe Beck on bass, Reese Wynans on the organ. The New York Sessions featured the amazing Vinnie Colaiuta and Anton Fig on drums, Will Lee on Bass, John Medeski and Jerry Z on organ, Allen Toussaint on the piano and Ralph McDonald on percussion. a stellar line up!

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Oz Noy - Twisted Blues Volume 1 (Abstract Logix)

Release date: November 19th, 2011

Tracklisting:

1. Twisted Blues
2. Oh Really?
3. You Are The State
4. Whole Tone Blues
5. Cissy Strut
6. Light Blue
7. Steroids
8. Two Centers
9. Trinkle Tinkle

Tal Wilkenfeld to headline Wesfest 5 on Feb 28th

PRESS RELEASE

YOUNG BASS PHENOM TAL WILKENFELD TO HEADLINE
WESFEST 5 CONCERT AT THE ROXY ON FEB 28

PLAYING WITH
VINNIE COLAIUTA, OZ NOY, JOHN BEASLEY

Twenty-three year old bass phenomenon Tal Wilkenfeld, one of the fastest rising stars in the world of bass and music today, will headline WesFest 5: A Concert to Benefit the Wes Wehmiller Endowed Scholarship at Berklee College Of Music at The Roxy in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010.   Playing new music written for her upcoming album, Tal will be accompanied by the best-of-the-best musicians Vinnie Colaiuta, Oz Noy, and John Beasley.
 
Tal Wilkenfeld was the answer to the immediate global buzz question “Who’s that girl?” in Eric Clapton’s 2007 Crossroads Festival which aired on PBS.  Tal impressed audiences with a memorable solo on guitar god Jeff Beck’s Blow by Blow classic, “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers!”  Jeff Beck, not one given to effusive praise, said this about his bassist Tal "How does one describe an astonishing talent? The answer is: you don't. You listen and watch, as 45,000 people did in Chicago at the Crossroads Festival 2007. To see all those blues fanatics and guitar freaks go berserk halfway through her solo left me emotional. The word proud is barely adequate."
 
The scholarship fund honors Wes Wehmiller (1971-2005), a Berklee graduate (’92) and highly accomplished bassist who died of thyroid cancer. Established by his family and friends, the Wes Wehmiller Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to a continuing student at Berklee.

The event will feature four additional acts: John Montagna (solo); Joe Brooks; the WesFest All-Stars; Danny Mo and the Exciters, and 2009 Wehmiller winner Justin Schornstein with Zappa Plays Zappa band drummer Joe Travers.
 
WHEN: Sunday, February 28 - Doors open at 7:00 PM
WHERE: The Roxy - 9009 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
COST:  Advance tickets:   $35/pair or $20 (before Feb 25) or $30/door
Buy at:  http://www.weswehmiller.net/wesfest5

Five Peace Band Live album!

Now available from Abstract Logix:

Master pianist Chick Corea and guitar legend John McLaughlin have formed their first group together since playing with Miles Davis 40 years ago: The Five Peace Band. Meet the all-star lineup : Kenny Garrett on saxophone, Christian McBride on bass, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums

On the new double-album FIVE PEACE BAND LIVE, hear these artists re-imagine electric jazz tune by tune in their intimate, overwhelming stage show.

Album is NOT available in stores - ONLY on the Five Peace Band tour. Don’t miss the chance to see five legends on stage at once.

BONUS - album includes guest Herbie Hancock sitting in on the classic “In a Silent Way.”

Review: Jeff Beck - Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's

Iconic guitarist Jeff Beck played a string of 6 shows at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London in late November of 2007. Beck's band for these gigs included the always-amazing Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Jason Rebello on keys, and on bass - one of most impressive young players to hit the jazz fusion scene in years; Tal Winkenfeld. The shows were recorded, and the resulting release, Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's (Eagle Records), features what Beck considers to be the best versions of the various songs. It's a fantastic collection of tracks that just happens to be one of the best fusion releases of 2008.

One of the many strengths of this album is the band itself. This is the same group that caused quite a stir at the 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival. I was lucky enough to be in attendance that day, and like many others, was eager to hear more from Beck's great band. Now we finally have the chance.

The set list on Live at Ronnie Scott's spans Beck's entire career. After opening with his signature tune "Beck's Bolero," the band dives head-long into jazz fusion territory with Mahavishnu's "Eternity's Breath," followed by the Billy Cobham classic "Stratus." Right from the outset, it's clear that Beck's unique style is a key driving force for the entire band. Beck rarely plays a melody the same way twice. Instead, he fearlessly throws himself into the songs, seemingly with a "Let's see what happens when I do this" mentality. This approach lends itself to some great group improvisation. If you're going to hang in there as a member of Beck's band, you clearly have to be a great listener.

One of the album's high points is the Blow By Blow classic "Cause We've Ended As Lovers," thanks in large part to a stellar Tal Wilkenfeld bass solo. The 22-year-old Wilkenfeld made a big splash with her 2007 solo album Transformation, which featured no less a guitarist than Wayne Krantz (who rarely does sideman work anymore). I have no doubt we'll be hearing lots of great work from Wilkenfeld for years to come. Vinnie Colaiuta fans need to pick up this album as well. There are tons of great Colaiuta moments here, such as the minute-plus solo he peels off at the end of "Blast From The East," before leading into one of Beck's fusion standards - "Led Boots." Jason Rebello is also rock-solid throughout; check out his high-energy piano solo on "Space Boogie." Killer stuff.

The reggae influenced "Behind the Veil" has never been one of my favorite Beck tunes, until I heard this version. The entire band is in top form on this song, and Beck turns in his most energetic solo on the album. The band's dynamic take on the Beatles opus "A Day In The Life" is another example where everyone shines.

Live at Ronnie Scott's is loaded with great examples of Beck's trademark touch and expressiveness. Beck hasn't used a pick in years, preferring instead the more personal touch of his bare fingers. Actually, I read somewhere that he gave up on picks because he kept dropping them onstage anyway. Regardless of his motivation, the dynamics he can pull out of a guitar using only his bare hands is stunning. The best example is probably the album's closer "Where Were You." The original Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop version of the beautiful ballad has for years had guitarists the world over asking, "How does he do that?" This live version will invoke a similar response, I'm sure.

Beck was at the forefront of the early jazz fusion movement in the 1970s. Live at Ronnie Scott's demonstrates not only the continuing relevance of the genre, but also Beck's continuing importance to it. Any new release from Beck is a welcome treat - but sixteen live tracks with a killer band? That's a must-have album.

Jeff Beck - Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's (Eagle Records)

Personnel:
Jeff Beck - Guitar
Tal Wilkenfeld - Bass
Jason Rebello - Keyboards
Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums

Tracklisting:
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. Angels (Footsteps)
11. Scatterbrain
12. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Brush With The Blues
13. Space Boogie
14. Big Block
15. A Day In The Life
16. Where Were You

Rich

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Jeff Beck 2009 Australian tour dates

Saw this on i heart guitar:  Early next year, Jeff Beck will tour Australia for the first time since 1977. Joining Beck for these shows will be
Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Tal Wilkenfeld – bass, and David Sancious - keyboards. Here are the dates and locations:

23 Jan- Challenge Stadium, WA

25 Jan- Thebarton Theatre, SA

26 Jan- Palais Theatre, VIC

29 Jan- Brisbane Convention Centre, QLD

30 Jan -Enmore Theatre, NSW

Beck's new album Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's will be released Nov 25th.

Upcoming Jeff Beck shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

Jeff Beck will play 6 shows in 5 days at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London from Nov 27th through Dec 1st. Joining Beck for this rare run of shows will be Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Tal Wilkenfeld on bass, and Jason Rebello on keys. This is the same band that played with Beck at the Crossroads Guitar Festival this past July.