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:

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:

Andy James’ first explosive package for jamtrackcentral.com is now available for all

The breathtakingly talented Andy James joins the ranks of the Jam Track Central guitar wizard army with this debut series of mind blowing Metal jams. Andy James Custom Metal Series One is packed with more licks than you could ever dream of ever trying to shake a stick at!

The package contains a wealth of content including 5 full length mp4 video’s of Andy playing live in the Jam Track Central studio, 5 audio tracks of the solos, 5 backing tracks of the actual performance, 5 long extended backing tracks and 5 totally accurate transcriptions in notation and TAB format. Andy has also written up some notes for you to look over when tackling the tracks with your own improvisations!

This package is an absolute must for all fans of metal!

To see what’s in store for your fingers and ears check out the promo video and prepared to be AMAZED:

The Package is available for £19.99 and features:

5 full length solo tracks in MP3
5 full length backing tracks in MP3
5 extended jam tracks in MP3
5 full length video performances in MP4
Completely accurate TAB in PDF and Powertab format for each track
Notes from Andy on each track

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

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

Standout tracks: Beat It, Fuzzy Duck

UK Release Date: Available NOW
 
 

The last drunk has ambled home to bed, the bartender is waiting to clear the tables, but you just have to jam one more tune. What are you going to play?

We think the mighty Guthrie Govan has the answers, and we recorded him playing five stunning solos with a chilled small-hours vibe. The five tracks cover a range of sophisticated soul, blues and relaxed funk styles, perfect for your next date in a smoky New York club!

These tracks have been created by some of the greatest musicians available too, including Paul Harvey on Guitar/Bass, Lyndon J Connah on Keys/Bass and Marc Parnell on Drums and Percussion. A real feast of incredible talent with admirable CV’s!
This audio only series comes with the full length solo track, a solo backing track, an extended jam track and full Tab for each amazing improvised solo.

Take this opportunity to listen and learn from one of the finest guitar improvisers in the world!

Package includes:

5 full length solo tracks in MP3
5 solo backing tracks in MP3
5 extended jam tracks in MP3
Completely accurate TAB in PDF and Powertab format

Available NOW from jamtrackcentral.com for just £13.99

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’:

Martin Miller is one of the most exciting young fusion players around at the moment. With this in mind, we are proud to have him join the JTC artist roster and we can now announce his debut package has officially arrived.
This package contains three outstanding rock/fusion tracks and comes with shortened solo tracks, extended jam tracks, full length hi-res videos of each track being played by Martin and, of course, completely accurate TAB.

Have you noticed our new slogan…’the no.1 in guitar improvisation’? Well, Martin really sums this up. He tackles these three original jam tracks with mind blowing improvised runs and he has included some notes to help you improvise over these great jam tracks too.

3 Full Hi Quality Videos in MP4
3 Solo Tracks in MP3
3 Extended Jam Tracks in MP3
Completely Accurate TAB in PDF and Powertab Format
Hints and Tips From Martin

Here’s a taster of what is on offer:

TAB available here.