I have a theory about what coffee and wine have in common: With either, when you first try it, you don’t care what you’re getting. Once you get into it, you care what you get. Then, once you’ve gotten quite… Continue Reading
I was once asked why, as a jazz musician, I am also a metal fan. The simplest answer is, “Why would I like anything, metal or otherwise? It just sounds good to me.” But that would make for a brief… Continue Reading
I first heard Richie Kotzen on one of those flexible records that used to come with each issue of Guitar Player magazine. Even though he was a latecomer to the 80’s shred party, he brought a truly original style to… Continue Reading
In the wake of the passing of one visionary, we commemorate the passing of another: John Lennon, who would have turned 71 today. I consider John Lennon to be one of Rock’s two most important figures, along with Frank Zappa.… Continue Reading
Holy moley, this man never ceased to amaze me. Great melodies, stunning arrangements. Every tune of his is something I want to perform. Being somewhat of a techno-geek, Scott transitioned into electronic music around the 50’s, often using instruments of… Continue Reading
I just got around to watching episode 701 of That Metal Show. Congrats the gang on a solid beginning to a new season, but I’ve got to make some corrections to this week’s Top 5. For the uninitiated, “Top 5”… Continue Reading
George Lynch has one of the most unorthodox and immediately recognizable electric guitar styles in the history of the instrument, and Dokken’s Back for the Attack (Elektra, 1987) serves as a worthy showcase. Pop Metal in the 1980’s is not… Continue Reading
This man is outstanding. Whereas most of us play at the creation of music by putting sound events together to see what happens, Crumb’s music seems an effortless expression of original ideas. When music makes such a genuine, personal statement,… Continue Reading
Today we mourn the passing of a vital yet under-appreciated member of the jazz elite: pianist George Shearing. Shearing infused jazz with classical profundity, and enjoyed commercial success that eludes even the greatest jazz artists. You might call him “the… Continue Reading
Manowar’s Kings of Metal (Atlantic, 1988) ranked 93rd on Metal-Rules.com’s 100 Best Metal Albums of All Time list, and I’d have to say it’s a reasonable assessment. This isn’t an album for the music snob; it’s an unadulterated celebration of… Continue Reading