Month: May 2002

  • Kentucky Headhunters – Songs From the Grass String Ranch

    Songs From the Grass String Ranch

    I’ve always loved the Headhunters. Yeah, they had some country hits, but to me they’ve always fit into the rock idiom as much as the country one. And this album doesn’t fight that designation at all. I mean, the proceedings open with a mean old nasty, crunchy chord and some awesome rock soloing on “Grass String Ranch.” Greg Martin, as always, has the perfect tone, plays the perfect notes, and makes you want to smile that smile of recognition almost every time his fingers hit the strings.

    The songs here run the gamut. From classic southern-rock power ballads (“I Wish I Knew”) with searing slide guitar to old-style bluesy rock ballads (“Too Much To Lose”) with a killer solo, to fun country rock, Headhunters style (“Country Life”), there’s something for everybody.

    If you’re a fan of their first couple of albums, this is a welcome return from one of the really fun bands of the ’80s. And guitarists will love hearing what Martin does.


    This article originally appeared in VG‘s Nov. ’00 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.

  • Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis & Dusty in London

    Dusty in Memphis & Dusty in London

    Ironically enough, these showed up in my mailbox on the day Dusty succumbed to breast cancer. Certainly one of the best pop/soul singers of the past 30 years, she has remained criminally underexposed.

    You may know the Dusty In Memphis album – a classic from ’69 that features production by the likes of Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, and the Memphis Cats as the band. It was one of my favorite albums when I was in high school, but the 14 bonus tracks added here to the original are amazing. Simply put, this is as good a bargain as you’ll find this year. From the hit “Son of a Preacher Man” to the soul of “Just a Little Lovin’” to the brilliance of “The Windmills of Your Mind,” this album is as good as it gets.

    The Dusty In London album, while not as strong, is still an amazing set of music. From soul to rock to Bacharach-style balladeering and much more without missing a beat. A lot of these cuts have not been released in the U.S. before and here’s a chance to get your hands on them. You won’t be disappointed.

    Get these and the three-disc box set from Mercury, and spend a few days with them. You’ll be convinced she was one of the best of her era.


    This article originally appeared in VG‘s May ’99 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.

  • Teisco Guitars, Part II

    Rock 'n' Roll Dreams, Part II

    Teisco Del Rey
    In 1964, the company name changed again, this time to Teisco Co., Ltd. At some point in ’64 the Japanese Teisco logo changed from the circle Swan-S to a stylized, modern sans-serif type set in an italicized T shape.

    In about 1964, Jack Westheimer began bringing in Teisco guitars bearing the Teisco Del Rey logo. This had an italicized Teisco superimposed over a crown with a script Del Rey underneath, backed by a round circle. Occasionally, you may see plain Teisco logos from this period with the crown in the background, but no Del Rey.

    Del Rey, of course, is Spanish for “of the king,” which explains the crown. This was no doubt added to the Teisco name, in part, to suggest quality. However, it was also a way to add the de rigeur Spanish cachet necessary for “Spanish” guitars of the time. It was convention that “Spanish” guitars carried Spanish names, except for the well-known brand names – Gibson, Fender, Martin or Kay; thus the plethora of imported guitars named Greco, Ibanez, Goya and Espa

  • May 2002

    FEATURES

    Gibson Harp Guitars
    Rare in Many Ways At the turn of the 20th century, Orville Gibson’s guitar company capitalized on the popularity of the harp by making what would come to be known as a “harp guitar.” By Timm Kummer and Ward Meeker

    The Different Strummer
    Standel Electric Guitars In the late ’60s, big solidstate amps were all the rage – especially those made by Standel. But few knew Standel was also marketing electric guitars. The story is fraught with holes and inconsistencies, but we do our best to unravel it. By Michael Wright

    Guitars of the Cold War
    Part II, Mirroring the West: The ’70s Through Today By the mid ’60s, Russian factories were making electric guitars. By the late ’70s, quality had improved, and in the late ’80s, private commerce was a reality. What’s the state of guitars in Russia now? By Ed Pitt

    Robert Quine
    Not Exactly a Household Guitar Name The Ohio-born guitarist played a crucial role in the New York punk scene of the ’70s, including as a member of the Voidoids, one of the most musically acclaimed bands of the original punk era. By Ken Johnson

    Jon Dee Graham
    Texas Punk, Texas Grunge, and Other Incongruities The guitarist/singer/songwriter is serious about his trade and enthusiastic about old guitars. He’s also big on family, and his persistence has begun to pay off in the polyglot Austin music scene. By Willie G. Moseley

    Warren Haynes
    The Mule Moves Forward When Allen Woody died, Gov’t Mule could have come to a halt. Instead, Warren Haynes became busier than ever, touring and recording with a host of players. One result is an album featuring bassists who were anxious to pay homage. By Willie G. Moseley

    The Incomparable Billy Sheehan
    Big Bottom He made his mark as a member of Talas, David Lee Roth’s band, and Mr. Big. After years as a prominent team player and songwriter, Sheehan recently released his very first solo album to rave reviews. By Lisa Sharken

    DEPARTMENTS

    Reader Mail

    First Fret
    – In Memoriam:Waylon Jennings
    – Kid Ramos
    – Twangbangers live!
    – Adieu to “Spotlight”
    – Winter NAMM Report
    – Stolen Gear

    The Great VG Giveaway 2002 – Win a $2,799 Breedlove Focus!

    Vintage Guitar Price Guide

    Upcoming Events

    Vintage Guitar Classified Ads

    Readers’ Gallery

    Advertising Index

    COLUMNS

    Executive Rock
    Headless Basses and Hernias
    By Willie G. Moseley

    Classic Concerts
    Ten Years After at Woodstock
    By Glen Anderson

    Q&A With George Gruhn
    Identifying a Cromwell

    Acousticville
    Land of Wine, Women,
    and Song… Maybe
    By Steven Stone

    FretPrints
    Carl Perkins
    By Wolf Marshall

    Little-Known Wonders
    The Tronix Wah
    By Gary Nelson

    Gigmeister
    Ampless in 2002
    By Riley Wilson

    The Bitter Old Guitar Curmudgeon
    Tone Control Tweaks for Obssessive Freaks
    By Stephen White

    TECH

    Guitar Shop
    The Stew-Mac Acoustic Guitar Kit
    By Tony Nobles

    Amps
    Tips for the Technically Challenged
    By Gerald Weber

    Pickup Questions
    By Seymour Duncan

    Ask Gerald
    By Gerald Weber

    REVIEWS

    Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
    Gibson Les Paul Acoustic, Kendrick Canary, Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups, Peterson VS-1 Tuner, Gibson Collector’s Vault

    Gearin’ Up!
    The latest cool new stuff!

    The VG Hit List
    Record, Video, and Book Reviews

    Spotlight
    Recommended Contemporary and Reissue Recordings
    By Jim Hilmar