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Pete Prown
The PRS Studio
Bird Watcher
The new Studio model is the culmination of many decades of work from the design minds at PRS, as they attempt to craft a solidbody that can do it all. The idea with this model is to give the versatile HSS pickup format a fresh spin with PRS’ Narrowfield pickups instead of single-coils. Otherwise, the
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Pete Prown
Pop ’N Hiss: Bruford’s Allan Holdsworth
Landmark Fusion of One of a Kind
Jazz-rock fusion was vastly popular in the mid 1970s, but began to run out of steam as the “smooth jazz” of Spyro Gyra and Chuck Mangione simply became more lucrative. Even the superlative Weather Report had a radio hit with “Birdland.” Bill Bruford was having none of it. The former Yes and King Crimson drummer
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Pete Prown
Black Sabbath
Heaven and Hell & Mob Rules Deluxe Editions
One of the most shocking events in metal history wasn’t Black Sabbath firing Ozzy Osbourne, but that it found a new front man who built his own legend. Ronnie James Dio’s two ’80s albums with Sab are acknowledged as classics and now reissued as 40th anniversary sets, with bonus tracks and live material. Heaven &
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Pete Prown
Mark O’Connor
Virtuoso Comeback
Some musicians are multi-instrumentalists, but Mark O’Connor is something else – a multi-virtuoso. Regarded as a master on guitar, violin, and mandolin, he’s also a noted classical composer and educator behind The O’Connor Method. A 20-year bout with inflammatory bursitis forced O’Connor to focus on fiddle, but the condition eventually subsided and he once again
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Pete Prown
Tech 21’s SansAmp Classic
Right The First Time
Every so often, new gear arrives that reminds us all how some builders got it right the first time – Leo Fender’s Telecaster is the quintessential example. Similarly, Tech 21’s Andrew Barta nailed the direct-guitar concept in 1989 with the SansAmp pedal. The company recently reintroduced the all-analog SansAmp Classic after a five-year hiatus, and
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Pete Prown
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Déjà Vu 50th Anniversary
The essential tragedy of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is that they never recorded a sequel to Déjà Vu. Instead, the quartet resorted to fractious live reunions and disappointing studio albums cut decades later. This expanded version of their 1970 masterpiece, however, offers remastered tracks, plus 38 fascinating outtakes and demos. Together, they help us
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Pete Prown
Jesse Aycock
Oklahoma’s Finest
Super-sideman Jesse Aycock (Hard Working Americans, Elizabeth Cook) has a new self-titled album highlighting his understated (but mindblowing) guitar, slide, and lap steel. Jesse’s singing voice is also surprising – a vulnerable cry that brings to life his earthy FM rock, country, and pop-edged material. Around the vocals, he wraps layers of shimmering Strats and
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Pete Prown
Fleetwood Mac
Live Deluxe Edition
Like the Beatles, Eagles, and CSNY, Fleetwood Mac benefited greatly by having multiple singer/songwriters – one of which was Stevie Nicks. Fingerstyle ace Lindsey Buckingham and the meticulous rhythm section of John McVie and Mick Fleetwood were icing on the cake. The platinum-era Mac could further bring it live, proven on this expanded three-CD reissue.
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Pete Prown
Al Stewart
Year of the Cat 45th Anniversary
You couldn’t have planned a ’70s smash any better. For superior sonics, Stewart collaborated with producer Alan Parsons, famed for his work with the Beatles and Pink Floyd. The music also tapped into the moody, sophisticated soft-rock popularized by Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan and, yes, even the Alan Parsons Project. These factors helped turn Stewart’s
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Pete Prown
The Peavey HP2
Best Of Both Worlds
Introduced in 1996, the EVH Wolfgang was an evolution of Eddie Van Halen’s previous models from Music Man, Kramer, and Charvel. Today known as the Peavey HP2, the guitar is a reminder of Ed’s gear innovations, including the blend of superstrat functionality with a maple-top solidbody. The HP2 has a basswood body and carved maple
