Greg Howe Premierguitar ‘Fierce Guitar’ Column
March 21, 2009
New Premier Guitar column from Greg Howe called ‘Fierce Guitar’. First article asks ‘What Is Shred?’
Actually, shred is still a term that confuses me. Perhaps I’m missing something. I’m pretty sure it refers to an approach to soloing or lead playing that relies heavily on the use of fast passages. Great! Easy enough (I always do well up to this point). So why, then, do I get strange looks when I point out my favorite shredders? Is there something odd about being a fan of Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker or Niccolò Paganini?
At this point in a conversation, as it becomes apparent that my choices don’t seem to qualify, I usually find myself seeking clarification. After all, the above-mentioned artists certainly fit the definition. And right about at this point, I’ll find myself responding to some remark about guitar exclusivity. I am reminded of my blatant oversight, and respond appropriately with something like, “Ah-ha, now I see the light… the term only applies to guitar playing. Great! I think I’ve got it!”
Okay, so let me make sure I’m clear. Playing fast on the guitar is called ‘shredding’ and playing fast on the piano is called… ‘playing fast?’ ”
Am I really the only one who thinks there’s something odd about this?
No! I totally agree.
Chickenfoot streaming new songs!
March 21, 2009
The ‘supergroup’ Chickenfoot ( Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith) have put up two hotly anticipated songs, ‘Soap On A Rope’ and ‘Down The Drain’, on their website and myspace page.
Sounding pretty darn rockin’ and great to hear Satch in a band context again.
MasterThatMelody! 06 – Guthrie Govan “Waves”
March 12, 2009
New MasterThatMelody looking at the slidey note fest that is “Waves” by Guthrie Govan.
Tom Morello in new band – Street Sweeper
March 11, 2009
Spotted this on Musicradar, following on from his fab solo outing as the Nightwatchman, Tom Morello has teamed up with Boots Riley to form Street Sweeper:
Little is known about Street Sweeper at this point, other than they’ve recorded an album, which Morello describes as “huge steamroller riffs combined with depth, charge, funk.” (From Morello, we’d expect nothing less.)
Sounds awesome, almost like RATM without the anger 
. Will definitely be checking their album out.
Big Screen Bliss – Footloose
March 10, 2009
As I’ve just blogged, members of the Six String Bliss community got together to compile an album of movie related covers. Here’s my contribution, a cover of the classic, tractor driving, high kicking ‘Footloose’ by Kenny Loggins!
Six String Bliss – Big Screen Bliss Album Released!
March 10, 2009
It seems only yesterday that the guys at Six String Bliss were releasing the fab ‘Stay Tuned‘ album and now we have ‘Big Screen Bliss‘ !
First the Bliss community covered some of the most memorable theme songs of the small screen with the album Stay Tuned. We couldn’t stop there! Now we moved on to our big screen debut with the Album Big Screen Bliss where we take on the movie themes you know and love.
The tracks on this album are eclectic to say the least. Represented here are iconic scores (The Magnificent Seven, the James Bond Theme, Gonna Fly Now), nostalgic epics (Top Gun Anthem, Axel F, Footloose) and obscure gems (The Life I Lead). But in all these tracks, you will find passion. There is not a half-hearted effort among these fourteen songs.
If you downloaded Stay Tuned, you will see many familiar faces here. What is amazing to us is the growth in maturity the artists here display. It’s only been 4 months since Stay Tuned, but these guys and gal have made great use of that time. The most important and impressive trait in these tracks is confidence.
There is really only one thank you to be given here. And that is to the Six-String Bliss community.
Thank you.
Check out the podcast and grab a copy of the album.
indabamusic.com Jam with Derek Trucks!
March 10, 2009
Just been catching up on missed Six String Bliss podcasts and in episode 140 Pipes and PT were talking about a rather cool online jam website called indabamusic.com.
Just having a quick browse the site looks well designed and the community very active. The online mixing console looks intriguing too.
They also run regular contests and are currently running a contest to jam with Derek Trucks!:
Now’s your chance to jam with a truly legendary musician! Derek Trucks is widely considered the best guitarist of his generation, along with being a superbly talented songwriter, bandleader, and producer. Derek was playing paying gigs with The Allman Brothers Band and Buddy Guy at the amazingly young age of eleven and by fifteen had formed his own group, The Derek Trucks Band.
In January, the dTb put out their seventh album, Already Free, which debuted at #19 on the Billboard Top 200. A powerful blues-rock disc with eclectic R&B, jazz, and Middle Eastern influences, Already Free was self-produced by Derek at his new home studio in Jacksonville. In addition to the core members of the dTb, the album features collaborations with a close circle of family and friends including Doyle Bramhall II, Oteil Burbridge, Susan Tedeschi, Duane Trucks and more.
The dTb is extending the invitation to you with an opportunity to collaborate on the track “Get What You Deserve” from Already Free. Derek and the band have made the four instrument parts available to the Indaba community. “Sit-in” by replacing an existing instrument part, add an entirely new instrument part, or (if you’re so inclined) you can even remix the song!
Whether you play a screaming guitar duel with Derek, round out the song with a bass line, or add a new beat, The Derek Trucks Band wants to hear what you can bring to the jam! Get involved now and win some amazing gear from Epiphone, Sweetwater, and Shure, along with a chance to meet the dTb backstage at a show!
