Weekly recap

What am I listening to?

“See the Light” – Aldo Nova
Yeah, I know. It’s Aldo Nova. But his debut album was kind of ahead of its time. He offered a pop-metal mix that was several years ahead of Bon Jovi. How interesting then that he would go on to work with Bon Jovi a few years later. Nova’s guitar solo on this song is outstanding: full of taste, great tone, and flash.

“All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye” – John Mayer
There are no two ways about it: John Mayer is an outstanding guitar player. But for me this track is all about the sumptuous slide playing of Robbie McIntosh. This is slide playing of the highest order, full of beautiful tone and tasty note choices. It fits the song perfectly.

“Amsterdam” – Van Halen
One of the better of Eddie’s latter-day Van Hagar riffs and guitar tones. Alex Van Halen’s drumming is also exemplary on this tune, as well.

Grand triumvirate of tone for this week

Michael Landau on Tales from the Bulge, Pat Metheny on (Still Life) Talking, and John Scofield on Blue Matter.

Weekly recap

What am I listening to?

“Hear About It Later” – Van Halen
While listening to Fair Warning I usually skip over this tune. I don’t know why. Probably a holdover from my youth when I wanted to keep rockin’ after “Sinner’s Swing” right into “Unchained.” But the last time I listened to this album I let it play. Eddie’s chorused guitar sound at the beginning of the song…THAT is the chorus sound I want.

“He’s Gone Away” – Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny
There really are no words for the beauty of this song. Pure emotion might come close. It’s just Metheny on a nylon-string guitar, the unadorned beauty of Haden’s upright bass, and some subtle synth strings toward the end of the tune. Mezmerizing stuff.

“Once I Prayed” – Phil Keaggy
One of the most beautiful tracks in the Phil Keaggy canon, “Once I Prayed” is Keaggy’s setting of a Helen McDowell to original music. A wonderful marriage of great music and wonderful, thought-provoking poetry.

Grand triumvirate of tone for this week

Tom Hemby on In The Moment, Robben Ford on Blue Moon, and Steve Stevens on Memory Crash.

Weekly recap

What am I listening to?

“Evil Walks” – AC/DC
What a power-packed tune. Angus and Malcom knew how to dial in some massive Gibson/Gretsch/Marshall tones back in the day.

“I’m a Believer” – Giant
Oh man, I feel so bad for Giant. They came along about four years too late. By 1989 (when their debut album was released) Bon Jovi-esque pop-metal was receiving last rites. But Dann Huff threw some massively great guitar (and vocals) out there, nonetheless.

Indian Summer – Go West
The album that contains the tune “King of Wishful Thinking.” That tune pales to some of the other songs on the album like “Faithful,” “Still in Love,” and “Tell Me.”

Grand triumvirate of tone for this week

Joe Bomamassa on Black Rock, Angus Young on For Those About To Rock We Salute You, and By a Thread by Gov’t Mule.

Weekly recap

What am I listening to?

Snakes & Arrows Live – Rush
Hello, Mr. Lifeson. Welcome back to the land of guitar tones that don’t sound like an angry hornet’s nest. Apparently all it took was a few Les Paul guitars.

Hot Wired – Brent Mason
How did he do that?

Katy Lied – Steely Dan
Wait a minute. I thought The Royal Scam was the best Dan guitar album. Hmmmm…

Grand triumvirate of tone for this week

Joe Bomamassa on The Ballad of John Henry, Larry Carlton on his debut solo album, and Eddie Van Halen circa 1981.