The Guitar Channel

Favorite albums of 2009

With another year drawing to a close, the time has come once again to reflect back on all the great music that was released over the past 12 months. Here are my favorite albums of 2009, in no particular order.

 

Wayne Krantz - Krantz Carlock Lefebvre (Review)

An amazing guitar album. Incredible compositions and group improv.

 

Odd Meters - Uncommon Denominator (Review)

Addicting funky jazz from 8-string guitarist Jon Morrow and drummer/vibraphonist Shane Parreco.

 

Holdsworth Pasqua Haslip Wackerman - Blues for Tony

Live 2-disc set culled from the quartet's 2007 European tour. Holdsworth is searing throughout.

OHMphrey - OHMphrey

Cool jam project featuring members of OHM and Umphrey's McGee. Great guitar work from Chris Poland and Jake Cinninger.

 

Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats - Meet The Meatbats

Excellent throwback fusion. Features Jeff Kollman on guitar.

 

Steve Morse Band - Out Standing In Their Field

Finally a new SMB album! Great stuff.

 

Gerald Gradwohl Trio - Sally Beth Roe (Review)

Raw guitar-driven fusion at it's finest.

Other favorites from 2009:

Ed DeGenaro - Less Is Seldom More (Review)
Robby Ameen - Days In The Life
Jon Reshard - Jon Reshard
Oz Noy - Schizophrenic (Review)
Mike Stern - Big Neighborhood
Akira Jimbo - Jimbomba
Adam Nitti - Liminal
Liquid Tension Experiment - Live 2008 Box Set

Current Listening

I've been super busy with work and family stuff, so I haven't had as much time to update the site with reviews, etc, as I'd like. However, a lot of great new music has been released recently, so I wanted to take time out to make a few recommendations.

Robby Ameen - Days In The Life

Awesome jazz and fusion from New York based drummer Ameen. Includes Wayne Krantz on guitar.

 

Gerald Gradwohl Trio - Sally Beth Roe

Great crunchy guitar-driven fusion. Enter to win a copy here! (full review forthcoming)

 

Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats - Meet The Meatbats

Drummer Smith's instrumental side project is pure L.A fusion. Includes Jeff Kollman (Cosmosquad) on guitar.

Oz Noy - Schizophrenic

Great jazz-funk instrumentals with strong melodies. Includes guest Steve Lukather. (review forthcoming)

 

Steve Morse Band - Out Standing In Their Field

Finally a new SMB album! Heavy stuff, in a similar vein to the Southern Steel or Stressfest records. (review forthcoming)

 

Keith Carlock - The Big Picture DVD (2 disc set)

Just got this. I know I know, it's an instructional DVD for drummers. Why am I including it on my guitar site's current "listening" list? Disc 2 features a fantastic 4-song performance/clinic segment by the amazing trio of Wayne Krantz, Tim Lefebvre, and Carlock. After each song, the trio discusses their group improv techniques and cues in-depth. It's better than any interview you've ever read about this band's inner-workings. A must-have for Krantz fans.