I'm getting ready to tackle day two of the 2012 Winter NAMM show, but before I do, here is some of the coolest stuff I saw on day one. Carvin recently announced their new line of Allan Holdsworth HH Series guitars, and these were easily some of the best instruments I saw all day. These things feel rock solid, yet are surprisingly light due to their chambered, semi-hollow bodies. The set-necks are super smooth, making for easy access to the upper frets. The Carvin rep told me that Holdsworth came down to the factory the day the first prototype was complete, and loved it so much he took it home and used it exclusively on his next string of live dates. FYI - The man himself is scheduled to appear at the Carvin booth on Saturday.
I also found the EVH Wolfgang line to be quite impressive. The Wolfgang Custom model I tried out was built like an absolute tank. In contrast to the Holdsworth Carvins, this thing weighed a metric ton, and had a similar feel to a Yamaha SBG IMO. The guitar has a loud sound that projects when you play it unplugged; a good sign. Definitely a rock-solid axe.
The Orange OPC has been around awhile, but I checked one out yesterday for the first time and was really blown away. This cool piece of gear is essentially a computer and amp rolled into one unit. It's loaded with amp modeling and multi-track recording software, a DVD burner, USB and video outputs, the works. It can be used as regular amp if you like, though all of the sounds are produced through the amp emulation settings, courtesy of the built-in AmpliTube 3 application. Easily one of the hippest home studio solutions I've yet seen.
I arrived in Southern California yesterday for the NAMM show, and after a looong travel day headed up to the Baked Potato to catch CAB's first set. Their lineup for this gig included band founder Bunny Brunel on bass, Alex Machacek on guitar, Dennis Hamm on keys, Virgil Donati on drums, and special guest Jeff Grossberg on harmonica. Machacek (who was filling in for CAB's regular guitarist Tony MacAlpine) was particularly impressive; his outside lines and whammy inflections added a cool dimension to the band. Another treat was hearing Grossberg sit in on harmonica for a burning take on Brunel's "Ivanhoe." This guy was amazing! I consider CAB to be one of the best of the modern fusion bands, and it was great to finally see them live after admiring them from afar for so long. Follow the link below for my photos of the gig.
"Forget About It" from the forthcoming Polcat album featuring Chris Poland on guitar, Frank Catalano on sax, Sean O'Bryan Smith on bass, and Jim Gifford on drums.
Legendary 70s prog-rock band Brand X is reforming after a 15 year hiatus for a 2012 US tour with John Goodsall on guitar, Percy Jones on bass, David Sancious on keys, and Ronnie Ciago on drums. Stay tuned for more details. Many thanks to Anil Prasad for this exciting news!
UPDATE 4/11/12: Per John Goodsall, the summer tour has been temporarily postponed. I'll post more info as it becomes available.
Flying Colors, the spectacular new virtuoso prog/pop/rock band, featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater) and guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple),will release their eponymous debutalbum in the UK on Monday March 26th, followed by a US release on Tuesday March 27th.
Released by Music Theories Recordings,the debut album includes the talents of Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (lead guitar). "The album has bits and pieces of what you'd expect from each of us,” says Portnoy. “The sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for everyone involved." Click here to read the full web press release and download hi res photos - www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/mascot/flyingcolors.htm.
The formation of Flying Colors began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who, in becoming a band, have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music.
Mike Portnoy was the co-founding member and drummer for one of the world’s biggest prog metal bands “Dream Theater”. Neal Morse is the co-founding member of the prog rock band Spock’s Beard and is currently the prog rock supergroup “Transatlantic”. David LaRue plays bass for the Dixie Dregs and has also worked with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Steve Morse has been playing lead guitar for Deep Purple for the last 16 years. Founder and leader of “Alpha Rev”, Casey McPherson, has enjoyed major success in the US with multiple hits including the song “New Morning”.
"It was quite an experience,” recalls Dave LaRue. “The band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, and then re-arranged. Ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" The album is filled with trial and triumph. It's been an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."
Sampler from Gary Husband's upcoming album Dirty & Beautiful Volume 2. Release date - February 21st 2012. Guests include Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, Mike Stern, and Robin Trower among others.
Drummer Chad Wackerman's forthcoming album Dreams, Nightmares and Improvisations will include Allan Holdsworh on guitar, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Jim Cox on keys (the same lineup Wackerman used on his 1991 solo debut Forty Reasons). The release date has not yet been announced, but the band will be playing special CD launch shows at The Baked Potato in Studio City, CA on February 16th and 17th. Stay tuned for more details.
