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Oscar Jordan
Electro-Harmonix Operation Overlord Allied Overdrive
Sound Assault
Like its namesake World War II invasion, Electro-Harmonix’s Operation Overlord Allied Overdrive involves an assault of sorts – though this particular Operation Overlord’s attack is solely one of grease, gain, and grit. Originally developed to allow keyboardists to mimic the kind of tube overdrive guitarists have enjoyed since the birth of rock and roll, Operation…
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Oscar Jordan
Friedman Motor City Drive & Fuzz Fiend
Sonic Rapture
An innovative designer, builder, and repairman, Dave Friedman has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, lending his artistry, experience, and great gear and amp mods to musicians of all levels of notoriety. Just as impressive as his amplifiers, guitars, and accessories are Friedman’s line of effects pedals. Friedman’s Motor City…
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Oscar Jordan
The Hellenbacks
Vampires In The Desert
The Hellenbacks are defined by gritty guitars, huge sing-along choruses, and rock-and-roll swagger. Based in Las Vegas, their latest percolates with good ol’ American ’70s rock with a contemporary twist. Bassist Sean Koos, drummer Al Serrato, guitar wiz Doc Ellis, and singer/guitarist/producer/songwriter Jimmie Romero, throw down seductive grooves, airtight harmonies, and filthy guitar. Strong tunes…
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Oscar Jordan
Prince
Revolutions
There was Prince before Purple Rain and Prince after Purple Rain. When Prince Rogers Nelson got signed to Warner Brothers Records at the age of 18 in 1977, he released a string of albums that showed him to be a freakishly talented multi-instrumentalist and composer. He was an auteur with a personal vision and a…
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Oscar Jordan
Living Colour
Black-Rock Renaissance
Beating the odds with the Grammy-approved album Vivid in 1988, Living Colour ascended victoriously amidst a heaping handful of black rock bands sent packing by record companies for not playing blues, dance music, or R&B. It was luck, talent, Mick Jagger, and a music video that propelled the song “Cult Of Personality” to the eyes…
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Oscar Jordan
Rich Robinson and Marc Ford Of The Magpie Salute
Wiser Time
Musical chemistry is a special, sometimes flammable rapport between two musicians. It’s a rare thing – highly sought, difficult to attain – and you know it when you share it. Rich Robinson and Marc Ford have it, and if you want to hear what it sounds like, check out their latest collaboration. With a past…
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Oscar Jordan
Sonny Landreth
Live In Lafayette
When music fans discuss upper-echelon slide mastery, the name Sonny Landreth tops most lists. The preeminent slide-guitar stylist of his generation, his touch not only harkens to the masters, but yields fresh and innovative techniques. His new album, Recorded Live In Lafayette, is two discs that join the rich influences heard on Bound By The…
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Oscar Jordan
The Isley Brothers & Santana
Love, Peace – And Soul!
Ernie Isley was a hero to a generation of young, bell-bottom-clad guitarists who wore afros and enveloped themselves in soul crooners and the funkiness that caused involuntary dancing. Positioned in one of the greatest R&B bands – the Isley Brothers – he brought soaring, fuzz-saturated lines and beautiful ornamentation to rapture-inducing soul music. Albums such…
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Oscar Jordan
The Magpie Salute
The Magpie Salute
This debut album from a 10-piece band is woven together from the smoldering embers of the Black Crowes. Vocalist Rich Robinson, guitarist Marc Ford, bassist Sven Pipien, and the late keyboardist Eddie Harsch lead a tight ensemble for a live studio recording of blues-based jam rock. The ensemble seamlessly dips into comfortable Black Crowes territory…
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Oscar Jordan
Gov’t Mule
Revolution Come… Revolution Go
Gov’t Mule’s 10th studio album treads the similar hard rock meets southern blues territory of past albums, but with the added dimension of the polarized social and political climate of the United States. Triple-thick power chords laced with lustrous organ permeate the album with Warren Haynes’ beautifully gruff, Southern-fried rasp up top. The band consists…
