VIDEO: Rick Graham performing ‘Insideout’ live at Toneworld clinic

Rick Graham joined forces with none other than Reb Beach last night for a clinic at the shopToneworld and has posted a great video of him performing ‘Insideout’ from his debut solo CD, check out that tone :

REVIEW: Tom Quayle – Soloing over Dominant 7th Chords lesson package

Tension and release.

One of music’s fundamental concepts that really bonds our emotional ties to it is that fact music flows from sounds of tension to some sort of resolution or release. Most, if not all, genres have an element of this ebb and flow but typically you hear it more commonly in the likes of Blues, Jazz and Fusion.

One of the key chords or harmony that is used to create this sense of tension is the V chord or Dominant chord

In Tom Quayle’s latest lesson package, Tom provides a fantastic detailed insight into the various Dominant 7th chord tensions that commonly arise in Jazz/Fusion contexts, looking at ways to tackle typical functioning, resolving, Dominants such at typical Mixolydian 7ths, Diminished, Altered sounds, Phrygian Dominant etc. as well as the non-functioning dominant sound of Lydian Dominant.

A brilliantly presented 26 page PDF booklet is provided which goes into great depth about the theory behind Dominant 7ths, giving example chord progressions and voicings with example licks and real world song examples.

The booklet concludes with tablature of 20 example lines for you to use in your own playing immediately and, if that wasn’t enough, Tom has recorded 19 minute video lesson in glorious HD video showing you how to play each line at full speed then slowed down for you to digest them fully. There are also 15 (yes, 15!) high quality backing tracks for you to try out the lines as well as your own ideas.

Tom’s lesson packages are of the highest quality and his latest is no exception. Fusion playing is a hot style of playing at the moment so if you are anyway aspiring to include ‘those’ jazzy sounds into your playing be sure to check it out!

‘Soloing Over Dominant 7th Chords‘ is available now from Tom Quayle’s website for $25.00

Here’s a couple of licks that Tom kindly shared to whet your appetite:

GIGS: Eric Johnson to embark on first ever UK tour!

Fantastic news to see that living legend Eric Johnson will be touring the UK for the first time this July:

Eric Johnson, the celebrated American electric guitarist, hailed by Joe Bonamassa as “one of the greatest guitar players of all time”, will embark on his first ever UK tour at the Holmfirth Picturedrome on Friday 5th July. The 5-date tour will showcase material from his current album “Up Close”, and from his rich back catalogue.

Planet Rock will start at ticket pre-sale on Wednesday 7th March, followed by a ticket pre-sale from Ents24 on Thursday 8th March. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday 9th March via the 24 hour box office: 0844 478 0898, www.thegigcartel.com.

The five dates for the UK Tour are:

Holmfirth Picturedrome (Friday 6 July)
Glasgow O2 ABC (Saturday 7 July)
The Sage Gateshead (Sunday 8 July)
Bath Komedia (Monday 9 July)
London Leicester Square Theatre (Tuesday 10 July)

Here’s EJ playing one of my favourite all time songs:

REVIEW: Greg Davies ‘Wanna Play?’

Greg Davies is an upcoming UK guitarist who I became aware of at Monkeyfest 2011, performing a great live set with his band the Greg Davies Project, sharing the bill with the likes of Guthrie Govan, Andy James, Alex Hutchings etc.

Greg’s latest CD ‘Wanna Play?‘, completed in May 2011, is entirely self produced. Taking 18 months of dedicated writing and recording, Greg recorded all 15 tracks at home on his 4 track.

The album begins with the track Hazed, a rockin’ opener that rekindles a sound of a bygone era of instrumental guitar with early Satch vibes. That isn’t to say Greg is a clone, far from it, the catchy melodies here have a unique stamp that is Greg’s own.

As Greg states:

I guess my biggest goal with this album was to reach more than just guitar heads… Write catchyish choruses and simple melodies. Plus I’m no Guthrie so really technical pieces aren’t my bag! Also I have come to realise that it is important to play my way… I was raised on rock music so I shall play it because I love it!!!

The fantastically titled ‘Sludge Mouth‘ lays down a deep nasty riff supporting some of these melodies that Greg mentions, as does the heartfelt and laid-back ‘Missing You‘.

Greg fuses various genre defining sounds on the album, for example the album’s title track, Wanna Play?!, begins with a cool sequenced synth part that continues throughout adding textured layers to this fast showstopping shuffle piece. Fuzzy Duck get its groove on with a great funky riff and My Happy Valley alludes to a classic 80s rock ballad vibe.

An album highlight for me has to be Greg’s cover of the iconic ‘Beat It‘ by Michael Jackson, a song I recall from his live performance at Monkeyfest. The main melody line and riffs are all here as well as a rip roaring guitar solo!

‘Wanna Play?’ will be available on Amazon and iTunes soon until then you can purchase a CD by visiting Greg’s Myspace page or Facebook page and contacting him direct. You can also follow Greg on twitter.

Songs from the album and videos can also be checked out at the Greg Davies Project Reverbnation page.

Album Tracklisting

1. Hazed
2. Bulletproof
3. Sludge Mouth
4. Missing You
5. Our Day
6. Wanna Play?!
7. Snowsong
8. My Happy Valley
9. Jimi Mix
10. Good Times
11. Beat It
12. My Sunday Sofa
13. What’s The Problem?
14. Fuzzy Duck
15. Dreaming

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For Fans Of: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John 5

Standout tracks: Beat It, Fuzzy Duck

UK Release Date: Available NOW
 
 

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ALBUMS: Rory Gallagher 40th Anniversary The First Six Solo Albums Re-Issued and Re-Mastered

Sony Music in association with Capo Records and Legacy are proud to re-issue the first six original Rory Gallagher albums in chronological release date order – “Rory Gallagher” (1971), “Deuce” (1971), “Live! In Europe” (1972), “Blueprint” (1973), “Tattoo” (1973) and “Irish Tour ’74” (1974). These six seminal re-issued albums celebrate 40 years since the birth of Rory’s solo career.

Read the official press announcement here – http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/sonymusic/rorygallagher.htm


Rory Gallagher was a musician like no other. He was, and still is, one of the world’s greatest guitarists, singer/songwriters and live showmen. His guitar playing is an inspiration to some of today’s hottest guitarists including Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Brian May, Johnny Marr, and The Edge.

“The man who changed my musical life was Rory Gallagher, I picked up a guitar because of him.” – Johnny Marr

Each of the six milestone albums were released during Rory’s most prolific years (1971-74), when he recorded and produced them in the short space of three years. The albums are re-released in digipack form, with newly restored original cover art. The audio has been re-mastered from the original ¼” inch tapes, true to how Rory intended it to sound. Each album includes exclusive sleeve notes personally written by Rory’s brother and former tour manager “Donal Gallagher”, journalist “Roy Hollingworth”, and legendary rock photographer “Mick Rock”.

and here’s Mr Gallagher playing the classic ‘Tattoo’d Lady’:

VIDEO: Van Halen new Album, Tour and intimate gig at Cafe Wha?

Well it’s all official now, the mighty Van Halen will be releasing a new album this year as well as touring the US after months of “will they, won’t they”?

The new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, will be released in the US on February 7th with the first single from the album, “Tattoo“, and its video debuting simultaneously on January 10th.

Last night they played an intimate gig at the infamous Cafe Wha? in New York. Playing some classics as well as the new song ‘She’s The Woman’.

Cafe Wha? Setlist

You Really Got Me
Runnin With THhe Devil
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Everybody Wants Some
She’s The Woman
Dance The Night Away
Panama
Hot For Teacher
Ice Cream Man
Ain’t Talkin Bout Love
Jump

Beautiful Girls
Unchained

Already some footage is appearing on the inter webs, check out these vids of Diamond Dave talking about Lady Ga Ga, footage of the new song ‘She’s The Woman’ and a little snippet of DLR on acoustic playing ‘Ice Cream Man’:

REVIEW: Jonas Tamas ‘Timeless Hour’ with guests Brett Garsed, Mattias Eklundh, Andy James and many more!

Hungarian guitar maestro Jonas Tamas has just released his second album Timeless Hour through Steve Vai’s Favoured Nations label.

A culmination of two years work Timeless Hour follows on from Jonas’ successful debut album Sharp Guitars From A Flat Planet and features guest appearances from some of the world’s top players, including the likes of Brett Garsed, Andy James, Mattias Eklundh and the legendary Troy Stetina.

The album’s opening track Rule Of Thumb, quickly sets the scene and vibe for the album with its progtastic sequenced arpeggiated keyboard intro theme, heavy riffs and melodic guitar.

The pace and sonic palette is varied though with the fantastically exotic sounding The Unbreakable, the lovely laid back piano intro and uplifting harmony guitar parts of Chance and acoustic piece Space Walk.

There is obviously some outstanding guitar technical playing on display here which helps build the intensity and excitement of the music but Jonas has a great melodic sense and touch in his playing too, as can be heard on an another album favourite of mine, Farewell, which as an added bonus also features a sublime guest solo from the mighty Brett Garsed!

In fact the quality of guests Jonas has invited to play on this album speaks volumes. Their contributions fit and compliment each song very well. Especially the combination of the phenomenal Andy James and keyboardist Sergey Boykov on Borderline.

Not only did Jonas mix and produce the album but, excluding the guest solos, the entire album, guitars, keyboards, bass and drums were all played and programmed by Jonas, which is an impressive feat in itself! My only personal gripe is with the sound of the programmed drums, which for me sit a little too far back in the mix. A little big bigger and splashier and the album would sound even more epic.

An eclectic mix of stunning modern guitar work that fuses elements of Rock, Fusion, Prog and Metal Timeless Hour will appeal to lovers of intense modern instrumental guitar music.

Check out Jonas’ Facebook page for audio previews and much more.

The album is available now worldwide from CD Baby and iTunes.

Album Tracklisting

1. Rules Of Thumb (featuring Marcel Coenen)
2. Debate (featuring Mattias IA Eklundh)
3. All Night Pass
4. The Unbreakable (featuring Mischa Mang, Troy Stetina and Thorsten Koehne)
5. Chance
6. Platinum
7. Farewell (featuring Brett Garsed)
8. Borderline (featuring Andy James and Mats Haugen)
9. Spacewalk
10. My Mind Is Up

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For Fans Of: Dream Theater, Marco Sfogli, Andy James

Standout tracks: The Unbreakable, Farewell

UK Release Date: Available NOW
 
 

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Jonas has recently been added to the impressive roster at jamtrackcentral.com, check out this video of him playing Zenith from his first album Sharp Guitars From A Flat Planet:

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