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John Heidt
Mike Minasi
Better Building Through Mental Shedding
Mike Minasi’s trip to his first CD, Body Resilient, included several detours, including one that saw him step away from playing guitar professionally for 12 years. “Playing guitar is, for me, an all-or-nothing thing,” he said. “But I needed to make money after my son was born,” he said. “And I’m a good house builder…
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John Heidt
Charlie Apicella
Organ-ized
The organ trio – or in the case of the Charlie Apicella album, the organ quartet – is alive and well. Each of these new releases features organ and guitar, and to anyone who thinks the genre is too narrow, here’s ample proof that’s not true. Veteran jazz guitarist John Hart, organist Adam Scone, and
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John Heidt
Lee Roy Parnell- Midnight Believer
Remember the days when Lee Roy Parnell was seen as a country artist? His last album – 11 years ago! – was a blues-based affair. This latest puts him squarely in the corner of blue-eyed Southern soul singers. And one who can write fine songs and play great guitar. The big percolating funk of “Hours
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John Heidt
Todd Park Mohr
Steady Base
The latest album from Colorado’s Big Head Todd and the Monsters, New World Arisin’, delivers what fans have come expect from a band that has spent slightly longer than three decades honing its sound. The most obvious attributes are great songs and blistering lead guitar from namesake Todd Park Mohr. But, Mohr points to a
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John Heidt
The Jim Campilongo Trio
Jazz Hoedown
Jim Campilongo’s records have always shown his country and jazz influences while offering his own twist. On this latest live record he and his trio, with a couple of guest shots from like-minded guitarist Nels Cline, fill eight songs with heaping amounts of uniqueness, musicianship, and just plain-old fun. The opener shows off plenty of
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John Heidt
Joel Shapira
Solo Flight
Guitarist Joel Shapira has released a string of fine recordings, but his latest, In Essence, is his first stab at solo guitar. While the concept has been percolating in his mind for quite some time, it was spurred into existence by a meeting with Greg Schutte, who engineered, mixed, and mastered the record. “I knew
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John Heidt
Vinny Roth
Red Wine Sunshine and Loud Guitars
Vinny Roth proves adept at mixing funk, rock, and fusion to make a record that sounds fresh and new – and yet still seems to fit like an old shoe. There are numerous instrumentals showcasing his playing. “Strat-Tastrophe” is a funky rocker with clever bluesy lead and rhythm playing from Roth. “Gypsy Cry” calls to
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John Heidt
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
Lukas Nelson and his band have been around for several years, but they have really hit their stride with their latest release. Nelson is Willie’s son and played with dad plenty, but here he proves his own talents should not be taken lightly. He wrote the songs, plays the guitars, and is the band’s lead
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John Heidt
Tommy Castro and the Painkillers
Stompin’ Ground
Veteran Tommy Castro feels right at home here as he takes his band and some pretty special guests through songs that, for the most part, harken back to his days growing up in San Jose, California. Soul, R&B, and rock and roll all mix seamlessly, driven by Castro’s gravelly voice and biting guitar work. There
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John Heidt
Brian Tarquin
Music, Books, and Bookings
Brian Tarquin is thriving in “steady as ya’ go” mode. Since his VG interview in February ’15, he has released two CDs and compiled a book on guitar amplifiers. The first of two new discs, Orlando In Heaven is a team effort with other guitarists and raises money for Catholic Charities to support families of
