The Guitar Channel

Favorite albums of 2006

This has been a great year for new guitar music. Since the year is coming to a close, I thought I would look back at my favorite discs of 2006.

Alex Machacek - [SIC]
One of the most compelling, original CD's I've heard in a long time, let alone this year.

Hugh Ferguson - A.D.D.
Great tones and writing in the Holdsworth vein.

The Michael Landau Group - Live
Great double-CD set of live Landau. Covers all facets of his musicality.

El Grupo - Live
Steve Lukather side project, similar to his Dove's Of Fire band. Awesome live set of crunchy fusion. Technically, this disc was first available in 2005 at El Grupo shows only, but I believe it was first officially "released" this year.

Paul Gilbert - Get Out Of My Yard
Gilbert's first instrumental album. It's the one you've been waiting for.

Guthrie Govan - Erotic Cakes
Debut solo album from the amazing UK guitarist. Stunning chops.

 

Steve Weingart - Dark Blue Dream
Sophomore solo release from keyboardist Weingart. Features Frank Gambale on guitar. Look for my review of this disc soon.

Hectic Watermelon - The Great American Road Trip
Wild prog-fusion from the San Diego-based trio. Sounds like a cross between Zappa and the Dregs.

Want to check out these discs? Follow one of these links:

Rich

Hectic Watermelon CD release concert with Jerry Goodman

San Diego-based prog-fusion band Hectic Watermelon will be playing a CD release concert at San Diego State University on Dec 14th, with special guest Jerry Goodman on violin. Goodman played on Hectic Watermelon's recently released album "The Great American Road Trip". If you haven't heard this album yet, you'll definitely want to check it out. The writing is great - similar to the Dixie Dregs, only more progressive, and guitarist John Czajkowski is a great player.
You can pick up the album at these locations:

Abstract Logix
Abstrtact Logix Digital Downloads
Amazon
iTunes