LABEL
SPOTLIGHT
OCTOBER
2002 RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
2ND DEGREE RECORDS - L.A.-based jazz-rock guitarist Steve
Fister returns with his 2002 CD, appropriately called 2
Ways 2 Skin A Groove. His earlier releases, Shadow
King and Age Of Great Dreams, depicted the guitarist as
a fine guitar instrumentalist and on his new one he also sings up
quite a storm. Assisted by top players, including drummer Carmine
Appice, Fister’s lead, rhythm, classical and slide guitar
work sounds better than ever. The instrumental tracks are still Fister’s
forte (the atmospheric “Desert Sun” makes a cool CD closer),
but the vocal cuts (especially the jocular “Funny ‘Bout
The Money”) shows that, on 2 Ways 2 Skin A Groove Fister
still has a number of musical tricks up his sleeve. www.stevefister.com
BACKBEAT BOOKS - The catalog of Backbeat Books provides a vast
library of knowledge for music and guitar historians. A fantastic
new 2002 release from the San Francisco-based company is The
Yardbirds: The Band That Launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck And Jimmy
Page. The 192 soft cover book was written by author
and musician Alan Clayson, who has also written major books
on George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Jimi Hendrix. Although they were
only together for five years, The Yardbirds are always considered
as being one of the most influential rock groups of the ‘60s.
It’s not all that farfetched to say that Led Zeppelin was just
a sexier, more commercial and heavy metal version of The Yardbirds.
Despite their incredible singles and albums, The Yardbirds never got
that kind of respect and adoration. Started by the legendary Keith
Relf and drummer Jim McCarty, The Yardbirds changed the
course of music history and Clayson’s new book covers it all
adding in over a hundred b&w and color photos. Another vital new
book from Backbeat is The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History
Of Paul Reed Smith Guitars. Guitar builder Paul
Reed has long been considered one of the master craftsmen of the modern
electric guitar. Written by Dave Burrluck, this updated (with
over 50 additional photos) and oversized, 142 page soft cover version
of The PRS Guitar Book—complete with sumptuous color photography,
insightful text and interviews with Smith and others—covers everything
you could want to know about the prominent guitar maker. www.backbeatbooks.com
BLUE NOTE RECORDS - Jazz guitar legend Grant Green is further
remembered with a new reissue of his 1961 album Green Street.
The 24 bit remaster features the complete album, with two bonus
alternate takes, and new and original liner notes. Essentially a trio
album with Green’s ever present electric guitar supported by
Ben Tucker (bass) and Dave Bailey (drums), the scaled
back setting of Green Street is the perfect place for Green’s
incredible guitar improvisations. Blue Note’s Green
Street is a vital reissue from a the late great guitar master
who is often still compared to greats like Wes Montgomery, Barney
Kessel, Kenny Burrell and Charlie Christian. www.bluenote.com
FAVORED NATIONS - Started a few years back by guitar hero Steve
Vai, L.A.-based Favored Nations has quickly established
a solid reputation, especially among jazz-rock guitar fans. The label
scored a Grammy for their Larry Carlton / Steve Lukather album
No Substitutions. Label chief Steve Vai has released
several of his own albums on FN including a prominent 40 track film
score compilation entitled The Elusive Light And Sound Vol.
1, featuring tracks from movies like Dudes, Bill
& Ted’s Bogus Journey, Crossroads and more. Vai’s
commitment to both electric and acoustic guitar music moves on up
to the next level with the setting up of the Favored Nations Acoustic
label which has just released four new CDs from several international
guitar heroes. Spotlighted in the FN Acoustic roster are September
2002 acoustic instrumental CD releases from Australian guitar wiz
and Chet Atkins collaborator Tommy Emmanuel entitled Only,
a duo album from jazz-rock guitar legend Andy Summers and
guitarist John Etheridge entitled Invisible Threads (a
‘94 recording featuring acoustic covers of Django Reinhardt and
Thelonius Monk), Peppino D’Agostino - Every
Step Of The Way and Peter Huttlinger’s Naked
Pop (features covers of The Beatles, Sting and The Allman
Brothers). Further underscoring the FN Acoustic line of releases,
label founder Steve Vai contends, “To dedicate oneself to playing
an instrument solo and creating inspired music is usually a result
of being compelled by an inner desire to express true artistry.”
Compared to the heavy instrumental rock and fusion sounds explored
by earlier Favored Nations releases, the Favored Nations Acoustic
imprint is geared to explore an equally fascinating side of guitar
lore. www.fnacoustic.com
HIGHTONE RECORDS
- Combining tracks from Hellecasters’ classics like
The Return Of The Hellecasters (1993), Escape From Hollywood
(1995) and Hell III: New Axes To Grind (1997) Hightone
Records goes the distance on their new Essential Listening
Vol. 1 Back in the ‘90s John Jorgenson,
Jerry Donahue and Will Ray were picked by by Mike
Nesmith’s Pacific Arts Records. Praised by critics
and fans alike, The Hellecasters were roundly praised for their
high energy instrumental group and solo albums. NYC native Jerry Donahue
in particular went on to a fabulous solo career that even Seymour
Duncan stated "His Telecaster sound knocked me out... Listen
to Telecasting Recast, and I think you'll be amazed at the
tone." Having these three ace studio guitarists in the studio
together was too good to last but as this 2002 retrospective proves—complete
with track data and liner notes by PacArts manager Jim Cowan—it
still makes for some great spins, the best of which is on here on
Essential Listening Vol. 1. www.hellecasters.com
IPG / A CAPPELLA - When The Beatles released their single,
“Hey Jude” / “Revolution” back in the late summer
of ‘68, their all-time classic double album The Beatles
(a/k/a The White Album) wasn’t far
behind. Even the late, great John Lennon claimed that while
The Beatles was the pinnacle of the group’s songwriting,
it wasn’t really a Beatles album at all, but more a collection
of work by individual artists merely using each other as glorified
back-up musicians. What ever your take on the The White Album saga
is, the whole beautiful / sordid story of the how, why and when
of the incredible double disc set is explored to the max by noted
U.K. journalist David Quantick in his fascinating expose Revolution:
The Making Of The Beatles’ White Album, issued
by A Cappella Books. Filled with mind-boggling, behind-the-scenes
details on the making of the most important album of 1968. With cover
art to match the sparse reality of those distressing times, Revolution
will amaze Fab Four devotees.
Continuing their Vinyl Frontiers Series, ACappella presents
Jimi Hendrix And The Making Of Are You Experienced.
It’s hard to believe it but this coming November 27th, 2002
marks what would have been Jimi’s 60th birthday. Thirty five
years ago the world listened with amazement as Hendrix released his
all-time classic album Are You Experienced. Author Sean
Egan combines exclusive interviews and detailed research for his
212 page book on the genesis and completion of what some still consider
the most noteworthy Hendrix album ever made. Retracing the beginnings
of Jimi’s career, The Making Of Are You Experienced goes
into amazing details, describing the recording of each AYE
track. Both Hendrix and The Beatles White Album books are a
real good start to IPG’s illuminating book series. www.ipgbook.com
SONY LEGACY RECORDINGS - On January 22, 1967 NYC’s best
known pop duo Simon & Garfunkel performed 20 of their greatest
hits before a hometown crowd at Lincoln Center. Armed with just Simon’s
acoustic guitar, the pop legend’s delight the crowd with live
acoustic covers of huge AM radio hits like “The Sound Of Silence”,
“Homeward Bound” and “Feelin’ Groovy” to
name a few. Digitally remastered from the original 1/2 analog tapes,
this first ever CD release of the entire event on Columbia Legacy
is supported by fine liner notes and rare b&w pics from the concert
event.
During the early part of Summer 2002, Epic Legacy released
the 45 RPM Singles Collection from post-punk, U.K. shock
rockers The The, featuring singer-songwriter / guitarist Matt
Johnson. Legacy’s latest The The reissues spotlights the
group’s first four Epic Records albums released between 1983
and 1993, enhanced with amazing 24bit remastering and new artwork.
Over the Summer 2002, Legacy revamped Soul Mining (from
1983 w/ Jools Holland guesting), Infected (their best
album, from 1986, with Johnson’s best songs, highlighted by “Sweet
Bird Of Truth” featuring the stunning, underrated ‘80s chanteuse
Anna Domino), Mind Bomb (from 1989 with Smiths
guitar great Johnny Marr) and Dusk (released
in 1993). Johnson would go on to make a fifth and final The The album
for Epic—a fascinating, jolting tribute to country music legend
Hank Williams entitled Hanky Panky—before moving on with
the release of Naked Self in 2000. www.legacyrecordings.com/thethe
In keeping with their history of releasing compilations of pioneering,
early jazz artists, Columbia Legacy revives the spirit of early jazz
guitar pioneer Charlie Christian with a 2002 four CD, 98 track
superbly packaged box set entitled Charlie Christian: The Genius
Of The Electric Guitar as well as a single disc sampler of
the box, with liner notes, entitled Charlie Christian: The Original
Guitar Hero. Compiling all of the recordings Christian
made as guitarist in Benny Goodman’s band between 1939-41
as well as numerous recently found rare alternate tracks, the
four CD box is tastefully packaged in a replica of a vintage Gibson
amplifier. Although Christian passed on at the tender age of 25, his
legacy lives on as an intriguing, colorful and innovative early jazz
guitar figure who was well ahead of his time. www.charlie-christian.com
MOON HAW RECORDS
- Recorded Upstate, N.Y. in 2001, Remedy is
the 2002 CD release from guitarist and Woodstock, N.Y. native Jim
Weider. Weider made a fine name for himself, joining as the guitarist
in The Band in 1985, a few years after the departure of Robbie Robertson.
As an impressive guitar figure, Weider is in the same class as Robertson,
and he can also sing up quite a storm as witnessed by faithful Remedy
covers of Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues”
and Robertson’s Band classic “The Weight”. Among
the many fine players lending a hand, Remedy features founding
Band keyboardist Garth Hudson, Tony Levin (bass), Jimmy
Vivino, Merl Saunders and Mavis Staples (on vocals),
Sid McGinness (lap steel) and a range of other fine players.
Interestingly, the title track, “Remedy” was originally
co-written by Weider for The Band’s 1995 comeback album Jericho,
and Weider steals the show with his solo version. There’s
also some rocked out instrumental tracks—especially the driving
“Wandering Soul” and the 7+minute “Freedom Walk”—where
Weider cuts loose on his ‘52 Telecaster, summoning up some scorching
guitar leads. Echoing that era in the late ‘60s and ‘70s,
when rock and roll was king, Remedy is a diverse and spirited
album from a veteran guitarist. www.jimweider.com
MUSHROOM PILLOW - Pop music is a world wide phenomenon and in
Spain, the Mushroom Pillow label have been releasing some fine
new international pop albums by up and coming bands that look and
sound greatly influenced by the ‘60s pop culture. 2002 releases
on the label include England’s Bronco Bullfrog with The
Sidelong Glances Of A Pigeon Kicker and the new CD from Euro-pop
singer Alex Lowe entitled Boys United Never Die Young.
Both CDs are quite well done and feature eye-catching packaging
and lyric sheets. Perhaps the best ‘60s-flavored retro
pop album yet on Mushroom is Not What You Had Thought from
Deluxe. Led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Xoel Lopez,
the Spanish band has a fine grasp of late ‘60s English paisley-pop
and features a number of players. www.mushroompillow.com
SANCTUARY / CASTLE RECORDS - As founding members of Traffic,
way back in 1967 or so, guitarist Dave Mason and lyricist/singer
and drummer Jim Capaldi made music history. Caught live on
their 40,000 Headman 1998 tour of the US, Mason and Capaldi are in
fine form on their new live in concert CD, Live: The 40,000
Headman Tour on U.K.-based Castle Music. The two are
joined by some fine players with Mason performing his usual brilliant
guitar work and Capaldi shining on drums. Both Mason and Capaldi are
excellent singer-songwriters and that fact comes back into the light
on fine, new live covers of Traffic and Mason solo classics like “The
Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys”, “World In Changes”
and “Dear Mr. Fantasy”. The late, great Chris Wood may
be gone, and Traffic co-founder Steve Winwood remains missing,
but—as Live demonstrates—this half of Traffic recalls
their original greatness and gives their fans a great time.
Sanctuary also has a number of fine 2002 compilations
out including a new double CD from the legendary U.K. progressive
rock group Caravan entitled Travelling Ways.
Best known for album classics like The Land Of Grey & Pink
and Cunning Stunts, Caravan helped define the ‘70s
progressive rock scene. Led by guitarist / singer-songwriter Pye
Hastings, the group still continues on to the delight of their
many fans. Sanctuary has done the right thing with their new double
Cd Caravan set which culls classic Caravan, tracks the group recorded
for the U.K.-based HTD Records label between 1995-99. Like
many of their musical peers, such as Yes and Jethro Tull, Caravan
have quite a legacy to live up to, and cast amid several new songs
are revivals of classic Caravan tracks. As Travelling Ways proves,
Hastings remains ever the perfectionist and, assisted by long time
members Richard Coughlan (drums) and Dave Sinclair (keys),
the group still packs a punch. Fine packaging and new liner notes
looks at the Caravan’s illustrious heritage with a new perspective.
Also on board the Sanctuary 2002 release schedule is a new double
CD set from U.K. progressive jazz-rockers Colosseum, simply
entitled Anthology. Formed in 1968 in the aftermath
of the great British blues-rock boom of the mid ‘60s, Colosseum
featured some of the finest British jazz musicians of the era including
drumming legend Jon Hiseman, keyboardist Dave Greenslade,
horn virtuoso Dick Heckstall-Smith and later, guitarist Clem
Clempson. Influenced by great ‘60s bands like Cream (Colosseum
were renowned for a pair of two Jack Bruce / Pete Brown covers)
and Vanilla Fudge, Colosseum developed a strong cult following between
1969-71 and even today the group are still fondly remembered. For
their two-CD Colosseum Anthology, Sanctuary Records judiciously
compiles a number of tracks the group recorded between 1969-71. Fine
liner notes goes far in explaining just how significant Colosseum
really were way back then. www.sanctuarygroup.com
SIR EEL RECORDS - One of the strangest albums of 2002 is surely
the latest from Maryland-based guitarist Mark Stanley. Echoing
the spirits of guitarists from Frank Zappa to Mike Keneally, the mostly
instrumental Insect Warriors depicts a futuristic
time when giant insects take over the Earth. Pulled off with a combination
of musical expertise and tongue-in-cheek madness, the twelve track
Insect Warriors finds Stanley in the fine company of
like-minded musicians such as drummer Dennis Chambers and former
Pat Metheny bassist Mark Egan. Tracks like “Giant Ants”,
“Angeldust (Butterflys And Stuff)” and “The Beetles”
will magnetize jazz-rockers with some far-out, strange and beautiful
sounds. Stanley is no stranger to exotic musical extravaganzas. Check
out his brilliant, mostly vocal nine track CD, Blueberry Submarines
as well as self-titled albums with his groups Spirit Gang and
Farquhar. www.sireelrecords.com
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed
in MWE3.COM and 20th Century Guitar. Send to CD Reviews MWE3, P.O.
Box 630249, Little Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249 e-mail: info@mwe3.com
Grant Green on Blue Note Records
Hellecasters on HighTone Records
Simon & Garfunkel
