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Pete Prown
Eric Johnson
EMI/Vortexan
The notoriously slow-to-record Johnson follows up his 2005 set, Bloom, with a solid album that should please his guitar-loving fanbase. Where Bloom was an oddly diverse collection of FM rock and vintage soul, Up Close puts EJ’s guitar front and center, each track bathed in the warm, silky tones that are today his hallmarks. The
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Pete Prown
Steve Lukather
Mascot
If you’re waiting for a full-blown Steve Lukather guitar album, this isn’t it (actually, it was 1982’s Baked Potato Super Live, but that’s another story). Instead, this record is very much in the Toto vein, combining rock, pop, funk, fusion, and blues vocal tunes into a tidy package. Fortunately, most every tune sports one of
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Pete Prown
The Eliminators
Eliminator Records
There are many veins of surf rock; traditional, punk, classic instro, fusion, and many more. The SoCal-based Eliminators fit comfortably into the traditional instro/surf sound, presenting a wall of Fender-fueled reverb that would have been hip in 1963 – around the time most of the guys in this band were probably toddlers. Clearly, the emphasis
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Pete Prown
Pierre Bensusan
Dadgad Music
For 30 years, Bensusan has been one of the wonders of the acoustic universe, a player so melodic, full, and lyrical that his solo playing often negates the need for an entire band. Vividly keeps the magic going, as the French fingerstylist performs new gems like “Veilleuse,” “Le Chien Qui Tourne,” and “Kiss Landing.” Playing
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Pete Prown
PRS 25th Anniversary Swamp Ash Special NF
From Jimi to Eric to Angus
PRS 25th Anniversary Swamp Ash Special NF Price: $3,908 (retail)/$2,329 (street) Contact: PRSguitars.com. The PRS 25th Anniversary Swamp Ash Special NF is a guitar that attempts to thread many needles: depending on your pickup and amp selections, it can cover most tonal bases between Fender and Gibson, and then some. And that’s just for starters.
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Pete Prown
Eric Clapton & Electric Light Orchestra
It’s become fashionable, especially among younger players, to diss Eric Clapton and write him off as a minor player who stood in Jimi Hendrix’s shadow. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, and Eric Clapton: The 1960s Review does a solid job of setting the story straight. Slowhand’s early years have been documented
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Pete Prown
Sweet
Self-distributed
Sweet – the ’70s glam-pop act that’s almost as famous for its hairdos as its music – is today actually two bands touring under the name. The U.S. version that recorded this disc is led by original bassist Steve Priest, while another, led by guitarist Andy Scott, mostly tours the U.K. On guitar, Priest has
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Pete Prown
Steve Howe Trio
HoweSound Records
The idea of a straight jazz album from Steve Howe might bring out the skeptic in proggers and beboppers alike, but Travelling is a pleasant surprise. Certainly, Howe’s jazzflavored leads were prominent in the early Yes years and his penchant for big Gibson archtops like the ES-175D and Switchmaster provided another clue – but with
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Pete Prown
Steve Hillage Band
VoicePrint
An icon of Britain’s famed “Canterbury Scene” of the late ’60s and ’70s, Steve Hillage made his mark mixing psychedelia, pop, and Hendrix-fueled guitar solos with thrilling abandon. Thirty years after his heyday, the guitarist made an appearance at this festival for his old band, Gong, and delivered a burning set. Included here are six
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Pete Prown
Foghat
Foghat Records
Foghat guitarists “Lonesome” Dave Peverett and Rod Price have both passed on, but the band’s blues-boogie legacy is being carried forward by drummer (and co-founder) Roger Earl and singer/ guitarist Charlie Huhn, who worked with Ted Nugent for many years. Joined by slideman Bryan Bassett, the new Foghat is bluesier than ever, cranking out roadhouse
