Guitar Noize

My week of Tweets 28/06/09 - 05/07/09

2009-07-05T22:25:42Z

RT @g4guitar: Are you a GUITAR TEACHER? Join our social network for teachers http://g4network.ning.com/

Forrest Lee Jr playing country through a Bugera 333XL head and 4x12 cab! http://bit.ly/nKhyh

Guitar Endorsements, the list http://bit.ly/jtoyE

RT @LearnHowGuitar: Rock School heading to Portsmouth, England - http://www.rockschools-uk.com/

Vox Night Train demo http://bit.ly/k44zv

Jennifer Batten interview tribute highlights michael jacksons role in her stardom. http://bit.ly/9gM9g

Teaser trailer of the Ozzy Osbourne movie “Wreckage Of My Past” http://www.wreckageofmypast.com/teaser.html

Joe Knaggs leaves PRS to pursue his own artistic endeavor, he was director of R&D and Private Stock http://bit.ly/2zH4o

RT @premierguitar: Parker Introduces the DF842 Adam Dutkiewicz & the DF824 Vernon Reid http://bit.ly/jLfht

Steve Jackson interviewed about his collection and shop http://su.pr/30ZrSB (@rareguitars)

Mayones/Blackhawk guitar competition results - http://su.pr/8lrnf5 I’m not even in the top 10. No surprises there then!

RT @GuitarBreak: Dave Kilminster & Guthrie Govan @ Pistoia Blues festival today… http://tinyurl.com/ly6mnl

Also appearing at Pistoia Blues festival: Kaki King, Derek Trucks, Larry Carlton, Taj Mahal & Chickenfoot! http://bit.ly/UWaHm

RT @greghoweguitar: COME AND GET IT! http://bit.ly/7KLan

RT @guitarlifestyle: Guthrie Govan playing solo acoustic: http://bit.ly/6y6P0 - holy crap!

Free eBook - Taming High Gain Distortion http://su.pr/2vHNgF

Orianthi to play at Michael Jackson memorial http://bit.ly/fILpC Santana helped her gain publicity, but this will surely make her a star.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

5 for the weekend 1979

2009-07-03T11:43:00Z

Watermelon in Easter Hay (Frank Zappa ‘Joe’s Garage’)

Frank released an incredible four albums in 1979, I think! This marks a very purple patch for the genius of Frank. This is definitely my very favourite album ever made. My number one. And it has been since I first got immersed in it many years ago. Erm… it’s quite deep but basically by Watermelon Joe is pretty depressed and “imagines his last imaginary guitar solo”. Frank pulls one of the most chilling pieces you’ll ever hear out of his hat closing out the story in true style. This is just genius.

Rat Tomago (Frank Zappa ‘Sheik Yerbouti’)

Welcome to goosebump city!! This is a live solo outtake from the classic Frank tune The Torture Never Stops off the 76 album Zoot Allures. The band absolutely rock here, Bozzio really knew how to work with Frank in the solo sections and they just rip it up for 5 gloriously spellbinding minutes. There’s not a single chord change in the whole thing and yet it’s totally captivating start to finish. The album closes with Yo Mama… one of the finest chilling moments ever. I get teary eyed every time I hear that too.

Somebody Get Me a Doctor (Van Halen ‘II’)

Personally, I have grown to like this album more than the first Van Halen record. The songs are better, the band is sloppier, the egos are bigger but I dunno… it just has so much character! Spanish Fly proved Edward could fret and tap without all that high gain but for me it’s the amazing riff on Somebody Get Me a Doctor that did it. This was one riff I absolutely had to know.

Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd ‘The Wall’)

Some of you will be thinking “about time!!” for the Floyd. I liked Wish You Were Here and Animals but in terms of inspiring guitar it has to be The Wall where it hits you in the chest. The solos on Numb are just sublime… without these a whole lot of stuff would never have happened!!

Girls Got Rhythm (AC/DC ‘Highway to Hell’)

Awwww man I miss the Bon Scott DC! It’s always right on the edge… you expect the band to fall over with the excitement of it all at any moment. I couldn’t really decide which track on this album to pick so settled on this track which is always so much fun and possibly one the best rock songs ever recorded!

There we are. 1979. There were at least another 10 recordings that didn’t make it. I hope you’ll check out some of these if you’re not familiar with them. They really have been life changing for me and still inspire the hell out of me!! It’s been a joy to listen to these again to write this post.

…

Apology:

OK, I admit I’ve blundered… I don’t know how but somehow I missed some of my absolute fave albums these last few weeks… I really can’t ignore these tracks so…

1977 Race With Devil On Spanish Highway (Al Di Meoly ‘Elegant Gypsy’)

Holy smoke Batman Al Di is on fire on this record!! His playing throughout the entire album is tremendous. Quite how he did it with that Les Paul and such a clean tone I’ll never quite work out. It was surely just played really, really, really loud!! The outro solo is completely magical!! Actually, anything from Al Di’s first four or five solo records is worth checking out. Malmsteen must have been going out of his mind trying to learn this stuff in 77!!

1978 Egyptian Danza (Al Di Meola ‘Casino’)

I absolutely ADORE Egyptian Danza. I warm up with this pretty much everyday. I must have driven my neighbours nuts by know. The interaction between Al Di, Anthony Jackson and Steve Gadd in the riff is just beautiful.

There… hopefully the damage done is repaired!! Al Di forgive me!!

Have a good weekend folks!!
Pauly.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Shaman JPM Standard

2009-07-03T05:09:34Z

The Shaman JPM Standard is a deceptive name as it suggests that there may be a custom or pro version with a higher spec, in fact it is the only guitar currently available from Shaman Guitars and the features are far from standard. The deep set neck construction of the Canadian Hard Maple neck comes with either a Rosewood or Maple fingerboard with Abalone inlays and has a 460mm double acting trust rod is installed. The mahogany body is available with either a Flame Maple or Quilted Maple top and in a variety of colour finishes: Trans Black Sunburst, Cherry Sunburst, Old Natural, Ocean Blue Sunburst, Vintage Tobacco Sunburst, Trans Purple Sunburst and Vintage 2-Tone Sunburst. The input jack is situated on the rear of the guitar using traditional Fender style hardware, not a bad idea but I wonder how comfortable that would be. Shaman Custom Locking System machineheads feature a 1/19 gear ratio for fine and smooth tuning, which eliminates the need for a locking nut that can deaden sustain and the tuners have staggered heights to eliminate the need for string trees. The Wilkinson WVS50IIK vibrato system features a steel base plate, push-in arm and ‘locked-down’ stainless steel saddle for perfect ‘return to zero’ performance coupled with the Shaman Custom Nut which ensures crystal clear tones and sustain.

The Shaman Custom Alumitone® pickups are made in the U.S.A. by Lace and are designed to provide a hotter output than traditional pickups. You may have seen back in February that I featured the Lace Helix Guitar which also featured Lace’s very cool looking Alumitone pickups and it is great to see another guitar builder using these pickups because they give the guitar a much more unique look and they sound great, just check out this video from PremierGuitar.com.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Spiral Electric Guitar

2009-07-02T01:39:46Z

Well this is certainly one for the Crazy Guitar Designs pile, not to mention ugly, unusable and well, not real. Yes this is a 3D render rather than an actual instrument if you hadn’t already guessed and not something I imagine will be going into production anytime soon. For starters it seems to have SynthAxe style equidistant frets which unlike the SynthAxe simply won’t work, so major design flaw there. Secondly the upper fret access is non-existant due to the ridiculous horns and what about the distance between the pickups?! It is visually stunning with its Alien Vs Predator mixture of red LED lights and shiny black curves but practical it is not. But that is because this guitar was not designed by a luthier but rather an artist called Steven Almond.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Inky Hollow custom painted instruments

2009-07-01T21:44:39Z

I had never heard of Inky Hollow until this years LIMS show when Music Radar featured a couple of their new guitar designs. Custom graphics on guitars were all the rage back in the 80’s and are suddenly having a bit of a revival. Inky Hollow’s Tom Shepherd will actually paint just about any instrument but his guitars do really stand out. All the artworks on the guitars are commissioned therefore each individual job is slightly different and the time needed for each one isn’t really known until Tom has all the necessary information but he does have a rough price guide starting from £400 for a front only, solid colour back and sides.

Inky Hollow are based in Swansea, Wales so really this is only going to be relevant to people in the UK but if you have ever had an idea for a custom paint job on your guitar like say having Thundercats painted onto your Ibanez why not give Tom a shout!

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Electro-Harmonix announce the 22 Calibre Power Amp

2009-07-01T01:50:10Z

The 22 Caliber is a versatile 22-watt guitar head that fits in the palm of your hand. Just plug it into any 4-, 8- or 16-ohm speaker, and you’ll get a big, sweet musical sound.

Crank the 22 Caliber’s volume, and it’ll go into overdrive - like a vintage amp with a single volume control. Flip on the Bright switch to add some bite and definition.

It’s not just a guitar head; it’s a shrunken head, with all good voodoo.

Interesting product from Electro-Harmonix, all you need is an overdrive pedal to add a bit more gain and you’re all set!

For more info check out the Electro Harmonix site.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Albert King & Stevie Ray Vaughan In Session remastered

2009-06-30T21:30:09Z

Imagine two of the greatest blues guitar players in history in a room together jamming each others tracks and old blues classics. Put Albert King, one of the most influential blues guitarist/vocalists of all time and Stevie Ray Vaughan, probably THE most influential and talented blues guitarists/vocalists of all time together with a band and press record, surely you can’t fail to capture something magical. Well they did, and it is.

This album was recorded live for television on December 6, 1983, at CHCH-TV studios in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and origin ally released as an album in August 17, 1999. This album is notable as this is the only known recording of Stevie Ray Vaughan and his idol Albert King together. Initially King wasn’t going to do the show as he didn’t know who Stevie Ray Vaughan was. He didn’t realize that Stevie Ray Vaughan was actually ‘little Stevie’, the ‘skinny kid’ that he let sit in when King played in Texas.

The album opens with the classic track “Call It Stormy Monday” with Albert King’s singing solo lines, just on the edge of breakup and in this case coloured with a bit of Phaser, and unmistakeable smokey vocals. Stevie Ray seems to shy away from playing at first but begins to play some tasteful quiet licks after Albert says to him “I can’t hear you”. He certainly seems to enjoy hearing Stevie Ray play, and starts to chuckle when his guitar finally starts to cut through the band. The great thing about this album is that everything is captured so any talking, shouting, laughing between Albert and Stevie Ray comes through on the mic, you can almost smell the cigarette smoke as you are transported to an intimate blues club. You can hear a lot of Albert’s influence in Stevie’s playing but it has this extra level of energy and feel that only Stevie Ray had.

The second track is called “Old Times” and is just Albert and Stevie Ray reminiscing about when they first met, there aren’t many recordings of Stevie Ray talking so it is really nice to have these conversations on record.
“...most guitar players, they just play fast and don’t concentrate on no soul, but you got ‘em both.” - Albert to Stevie Ray.

The following track is the Stevie Ray Vaughan classic “Pride and Joy” and I never tire of hearing this song especially when you have Albert King playing fills throughout. Albert’s tone is great he sounds like he is really cranking his amp and the humbuckers are pushing the tubes into overdrive.

“Ask Me No Questions” is apparently an old tune by BB King, I know that because Albert introduces it on the record as he is asking Stevie Ray if he heard it, he says he recorded it in San Francisco ‘83. Stevie just jams along as if he had written it. Is that a bit of delay on Stevie Ray’s solo? You don’t hear that very often, it is pretty subtle but gives the sound a great depth. Great interplay between the two blues legends at the end of this track and they end laughing and shouting.

“Pep Talk” this is Albert giving Stevie Ray some advice on life and his career, “...you’re already pretty good… but er, you’re gonna be better and I’m gonna be watching ya.”

“Blues At Sunrise” was a track Albert recorded with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, if ever there was anyone who could sit in for the late great Jimi it would be the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan. In my opinion he is the only person to come close to Jimi and after Albert reminds him he has to play Jimi’s parts he launches into some signature Hendrix riff’s coloured with a little SRV magic which has Albert laughing in awe. Albert also tells a story about Jimi and Janis during the middle of the song like he is explaining to Stevie how this song came about before asking Stevie to play. This song is the longest on the album at 15 minutes and has a similar vibe to Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile, amazing. Albert even breaks a string during the recording and this leads into the next track “Turn It Over” where Albert talks to Stevie Ray about how he hasn’t been maintaining his strings because after 28 years he wants to slow down and hand over to Stevie. There are some great candid moments of conversation on this CD.

“Overall Junction” is a blues shuffle that is a classic stomping blues jam, no vocals just Albert & Stevie Ray trading licks and it is 8 minutes of classic blues playing mistakes, feedback and all!

“Who is Stevie?” this is another conversation between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, “I like this being here with you… we used to call you little Stevie.” Albert chuckles before launching into the final track “Don’t Lie To Me” once again with Stevie trading licks with Albert over a fast 12 bar blues and pounding Hammond Organ. Much as I like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s vocals Albert King’s was to blues singing what Stevie was to guitar playing, he just had that extra bit of magic in his vocal chords.

On June 30, 2009, the legendary Stax Records label will reissue the digitally remastered version of In Session – the Albert King & Stevie Ray Vaughan 1983 live album that reached #1 on Billboard’s blues album chart, selling more than 300,000 units. The reissue includes three sets of liner notes by Fantasy and Stax Records’ Bill Belmont, and journalists Lee Hildebrand and Dan Forte.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Name That Riff Round 1 Riff 6

2009-06-29T22:07:03Z

We are now only 3 riffs from the end of this competition including this one so I have been gradually turning up the heat with the difficulty, but it seems I may have turned it up a little too high a little too quickly! I’ve surprised just how little correct answers I’ve had over the last 2 weeks. This week is easier if you are not a shred-geek so I will have to see if I will be monitoring the answers with interest. Don’t expect the next couple of weeks to be easy though, this is a competition after all! Good luck and here is a quick reminder of the prize pack:

Download the tab for this riff here.

Loading…

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Ibanez Darkstone

2009-06-29T18:14:10Z

The Ibanez Darkstone is currently being advertised on the Ibanez UK site and aside from the name which is a little to close to Gibson’s Dark Fire for my liking it is quite a departure from their usual pointy headstocked shred machines we know and love, well I do. The Darkstone is better known as the DN500 and shares some of the styling of the FR1620, a Telecaster inspired guitar featuring Ibanez’s Tight-End bridge. The DN500 however features a Tight-Tune Bridge and Tailpiece designed to lock down securely and prevent any kind of wobble or movement. Each saddle is locked into the base plate, and the bridge is anchored by stud bolts into the body of the guitar. Furthermore, the studs are also locked onto the base plate so that the maximum vibration from the string is transferred to the body. Ibanez say that the guitar features a solid, rich and resonant heavy tone due to the Sapele body and set neck. The tone pot doubles as a coil split switch when pulled into the up position to increase the tonal variations from the 3 way selector.

Personally I prefer the FR1620 to the DN500, it has a much classier body shape and, having played it, and incredibly thick and powerful tone and a great Wizard Maple neck with a Walnut fingerboard. The DN500 has a strange cutout where the rear strap button is situated which makes it look a bit BC Rich or something and I don’t really like the inlays so much, but that is just my opinion.

For more information and images check out the Ibanez Darkstone microsite

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

5 for the weekend - 1978

2009-06-29T12:24:58Z

Eruption (Van Halen ‘Van Halen’)

Well. Erm. This changed everything. This was like a spaceship had landed in your front room and a being from the future. Truly astonishing and one of the few genuine defining moments in guitar.

Running With the Devil (Van Halen ‘Van Halen’)

One of the finest rock riffs ever. The power in the guitar sound is simply astonishing and peeps still argue over how he got the sound and sometimes even Eddie doesn’t seem to remember the story in detail. Edward Van Halen gets two entries this week and let’s be frank, he could have had all five.

RDNZL (Frank Zappa ‘Studio Tan’)

This is definitely one of my favourite albums. Frank’s genius is everywhere here. From the absolutely phenomenal ‘The Adventures of Greggary Peccary’ to RDNZL Frank shows us just how wonderful music should be. The guitar solo on RDNZL has influenced me in almost everything I’ve done ever since I heard it. Wild, totally out of control and yet gorgeous.

Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits ‘Dire Straits’)

Whether you like Dire Straits or not there’s no denying that Mark Knopfler can play a little. It’s hard to imagine now just how different he was to the rest of the guitarists in the world at that time. He was a breath of fresh air. If only he hadn’t worn that headband…

Sin City (AC/DC ‘Powerage’)

Goddamn this song grooves. This is an overlooked album in the AC/DC catalog and that’s a shame coz it really is a great album. Not their best admittedly but there’s some gorgeous tracks on there and the Young brothers really know how to riff it up.

A bit late for the “weekend” this week… I felt I should honour the MJ post that was up over the weekend. Love or hate Michael Jackson he’s scribbled all over the pop world in permanent ink and we won’t be rubbing the mark he made out any time soon that’s for sure.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Steve Vai and Andy Timmons pay tribute to Michael Jackson - Beat It

2009-06-29T11:34:19Z

Every musician wants to pay tribute to Michael Jackson at the moment including Steve Vai and Andy Timmons who performed an instrumental version of “Beat It” live at Meinl Guitar Festival on June 27th. Andy didn’t really get much of a look in which is a shame but then when you are on stage with Steve Vai I imagine you soon get used to that, unless of course you are Joe Satriani. Personally I think “Beat It” should be left well alone and this sounded kind of weird but Vai doesn’t do straight covers, that is just the way he plays.

via MusicRadar.com

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Vox Night Train & Orange Tiny & Dual Terror videos from LIMS 2009

2009-06-29T08:42:10Z

Here are another couple of videos recorded at LIMS 2009 by my Hungarian friend Janos. This time he takes you on a tour of the Vox stand checking out the Tonelab ST and the Night Train and below over to the Orange stand where he checked out the Tiny Terror and Dual Terror. For more Hungarian guitar goodness check out http://pikop.hu.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

My week of Tweets 22/06/09 - 28/06/09

2009-06-28T21:20:56Z

Awesome hand built amp, built by 8 & 6 year old kids! http://su.pr/2GdLW4

RT @GuitarWorld: Pick up some practice tips from Satch himself ! http://tiny.cc/ySnN3

RT @DiMarzioInc: Check out this weeks featured video:Larry DiMarzio’s Original 1951 Fender Tele http://bit.ly/WCB19

RT @chickenfootjoe: http://twitpic.com/83d05 ... new proto pedal sounds sooooo cooool… (looks complicated!)

Steve Vai interviewed by someone who doesn’t listen at Monsters Of Rock ‘90 http://bit.ly/mmKEJ - I was there it was an awesome gig.

RT @MusicRadar: Satch speaks exclusively to MusicRadar this morning re: Marshall amps http://bit.ly/tesMG

Beastie Boys Reveal The Hot Sauce Committee, Part 1 http://bit.ly/8hIKI via @gibsonlifestyle

@musicradar review the Jackson Adrian Smith San Dimas DK http://bit.ly/92jzG

Lamb Of God’s Mark Morton has an updated signature guitar, Jackson Dominion D2 http://bit.ly/SGxWx

Uploaded new lesson to YouTube, how to play Lamb Of God’s “In Your Words” intro http://su.pr/4Wa0c2

RT @Fender: details on your chance to win a record deal with MySpace Records, AND $10,000 worth of Fender gear. http://tinyurl.com/kj2gdw

RT @SuhrCustom: Check it! New Video of Neil’s Guitar Watch: http://bit.ly/mYF12

Guitar Idol 2009: Daniele Gottardo Wins the Steve Vai prize! http://bit.ly/1WMun I’m glad I prefer his playing to Jack anyway.

Tribute to Michael Jackson great guitar moments http://su.pr/1wom0W

Probably the best cover and lesson on how to play Eruption by Pete Thorn http://su.pr/2az3s8

Just uploaded a PDF of the Beat It solo to Guitar Noize, you can grab it here: http://su.pr/3VwyS1

RT @bugera_amps: Check out this awesome video of BUGERA 1990 vs the Marshall JCM 900 http://twurl.nl/jgyqs3

Another Bugera 1990 vid from ToneKing, damn this amp sounds just like a Marshall only a LOT cheaper http://bit.ly/4n4HME

RT @greghoweguitar: http://twitpic.com/8jr0o Greg Howe on tour with Michael Jackson.

Tweetboard has replaced that ugly Twitter widget on Guitar Noize, great functionality and encourages interaction http://tweetboard.com

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Tribute to Michael Jackson - great guitar moments

2009-06-25T23:23:26Z

“Beat It”
Can’t find any (decent) footage of Michael Jackson performing Beat It with Eddie Van Halen but this is one of Eddie’s most memorable solos and my favourite Michael Jackson track. Mike from GuitarInstructor.com just commented that Steve Lukather played the rhythm guitar parts on Beat It, I didn’t know that!

Download a PDF of the Beat It solo tab here.

“Dirty Diana”
Featuring Steve Stevens (Billy Idol, oh and Top Gun soundtrack!!) on the record but I will always remember the image of Jennifer Batten with that outrageous wig (later also used by Greg Howe when he toured with Michael). To be honest when I think about Michael Jackson guitarists I always think of Jennifer Batten.

“Black Or White”

Thanks to Peter from I Heart Guitar for reminding me about this one, found a vid with Slash bouncing around in it and an interview with Jennifer Batten at the end!

Please feel free to post any of your fave MJ YouTube vids in the comments below.

UPDATE: After a quick conversation with Greg Howe via the magic of Twitter (@greghoweguitar) he sent me some great footage of him playing the Beat It solo on tour with Michael Jackson, crazy wig and all. See below.

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com

Guest Review: Brad Paisley - Play

2009-06-25T23:14:04Z

Today’s post comes from guest reviewer, my big brother James. When James isn’t playing guitar or watching Cricket he also writes Science Fiction and runs a Sci-Fi blog Big Dumb Object.

Brad Paisley is not well known in the UK. In the US I gather he’s massive. Many people will know him from his jokey songs, such as Online (with a video featuring William Shatner). However listen beyond the lyrics and you’ll hear some great guitar playing. Indeed, he’s been on the cover of Guitar Player, and the interview revealed he is a humungous guitar geek, with boutique amps and loads of telecasters.
 
So I thought I’d get his guitar album, Play” title=“Brad Paisley - Play”>Play. It’s Paisley’s indulgent solo guitar album. I think he’s earned it after all those massive tours. And I’m happy to say that I really love it.
 
What really shines through on this album is the real joy of playing guitar, whatever the style. If you’re not into country but love guitar, I’d urge you to give it a listen, there’s some awesome playing. Some of the tracks are available on Spotify if you’re in Europe.
 
Here’s a more detailed song by song review of the album:

Huckleberry Jam is a fast funky country stomp. It sounds a bit like the sort of songs Brad writes to sing over, except the solo is extended and relentless. The playing is fast and fluid and witty, and as someone who doesn’t play country licks, seemingly impossible. There’s also a couple of fiddle solos and what sounds like a banjo solo, all playing off each other. Despite the main lick being fast an complex I found myself singing along with it, and wishing I could play it.
 
Turf’s Up is guitar surf style song, reminiscent of sixties guitar instrumentals, like a funkier Shadows or something off a Tarantino soundtrack. There’s some sixties organ on there and luscious reverb on the guitar. I imagine the slide guitar is a lapsteel but can’t be sure. When Brad attacks the solo he has a wonderful bitey tone that emmerges from the smooth surf style.
 
Start A Band is a song with vocals, featuring Keith Urban. It’s typical of Brad’s mainstream country songs: witty, infectious and providing advice for all us musicians! The rhythm playing under the vocals is easy to miss when singing along but it’s quite wonderful, great little runs and licks. The the solo is Brad and Keith trading licks or harmonising, you can play the guess the guitarist game, entertaining for guitar geeks. “Find a few good buddies and start a band.” I have an incredible urge to play this song in a cover band.
 
Kim is a gentle guitar ballad with lovely clean ringing acoustic tones, subtle slide guitar and a touching melody. The solo sections have a thick bluesy tone, overdriving just enough to give warmness yet retain the clarity. At times the song reminded me of Satriani ballads, nostalgic and bitter sweet.
 
Departure is a couple of rungs up on the guitar ballad ladder, with more of a biting tone for the melody. The solo starts melodically and then throws in some insanely fast licks that left my mouth gaping wide. Kind of like Eric Johnson awe, but country and different and very cool. The melody is not very catchy however and bit forgettable.
 
Come On In is another vocal track featuring Buck Owens. It’s quite a traditional sounding country song (or at least what I think to be a traditional US country, I’m not professing to be an expert). It’s got that stompy 1-2-1-2 country beat. There’s some mandolin, or something similar, in the solo, violin and plenty of bending licks and double stop passages.
 
Kentucky Jelly starts with a blistering acoustic melodic riff that really has too many nots to be called a riff, but works, and made me go “woah”. The song brings some electric guitars into the verses but returns to the acoustic for the start of the solo. There’s even a bit of wah in there. Finishing with acoustic electric interplay. A song that makes you want to learn it to impress your friends.
 
Playing With Fire is a foot stomping bluesy song with a great main melody. Again, there’s a huge amount of fun in the tune. The guitar tone is awesome with that great biting rhythm tone that seems to turn smooth higher up the neck. There’s a few Stevie Ray Vaughn homages in the solo which is cool, and somehow some bluesed up country licks are thrown in without sounding out of place. Great blues playing, and showing how he can turn his hand away from overt country to other guitar genres whilst still sounding like Brad Paisley.
 
More Than Just This Song is a sentimental vocal country song featuring Steve Wariner, the type you hear on local country radio stations in the US. But, it’s not about a lost love, it’s about learning to play guitar, about other guitar players teaching us to play, about the joy and trust. And it’s really quite touching.The guitar tones are clean and pure, the melody unashamedly country and nostalgic. The playing is sparse(ish) but lovely showing real touch and tone.
 
Les Is More is a Les Paul tribute. Warm jazzy tones, a bopping melody and fast runs. I’m not an expert on Les Paul, so I can’t comment on how close Brad’s playing mimicks it, but from a layman’s point of view it sounds good. It has those never ending jazzy runs which make me wonder how you keep going, a piano solo and a more country section. Makes you want to tap your toe and say nice!
 
Pre-Cluster Cluster Pluck Prequel (Prelude) is a vocal skit, a young boy asking his grandfather which guitarists to listen to to learn how to chicken pick. His grandfather replies: James Burton, Albert Lee, Redd Volkaert, John Jorgenson, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner and Brent Mason. All of which play a ten second intorduction, before launching into…
 
Cluster Pluck all those guitarists just mentioned, and Brad Paisley, launching into a fast, stomping, virtuoso chicken picking country extravaganza. Jaw dropping stuff. If you could learn to play this song you could solo country style. Great stuff for guitarists to listen to (everyone else will probably be bored). I want a tab transcription now!
 
Cliffs Of Rock City is probably the most traditional rock style guitar song on the album. It reminded me of Eric Johnson (maybe that was intentional?) or at times Satriani, with a strong memorable melody tinged with nostalgia and wrapped in happiness. The solo returns to that big bitey Paisley overdrive sound with some blistering licks and a crazy fast violin solo.
 
Let The Good Times Roll is a blues vocal song featuring B.B. King and it’s awesome. Stomping, happy blues, with BB’s crystal tone and Brad’s thick blues tone. Not only are the guitars complimentary, but so are their voices with Brad’s voice standing up admirably to BB’s legendary vocal skills. There’s the Paisley country influence thrown in with violin and country licks but also a huge fuzzy wah-wah solo. It’s a song to sing along to, and play along with, a song to gig I think. “Hail to the king!” says Brad at one point, indeed. Fantastic fun.
 
What A Friend We Have In Jesus is an acoustic ballad, the melody sentimental but enticing. The playing is wonderful, always moving and filling the space, showing real acoustic skill. A song to play around the campfire, impress your guitarist friends and make the non-guitarists say “that’s pretty”.
 
Waitin’ On A Woman is a vocal song featuring Andy Griffith. It’s a standard country song, with nostalgic bitter-sweet lyrics covering a lifetime, and about a woman, and love. It’s just about the least guitar-y of all the songs, but there’s still a nice melodic solo and some great rhythm playing. 

Thanks to James for the review, I’m not a country fan but after reading this I am going to check this album out now too!

Follow Guitar Noize on Twitter (@guitarnoize)

This rss feed is the property of GuitarNoize.com