Fender Co-Develops Limited Edition Full-scale Stratocaster Replica Videogame Controller
Press release Source: Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Body of the wooden full-scale Fender Stratocaster replica video controller.Fender Musical Instruments Corp. and Mad Catz®, the official third-party developer of Rock Band™ peripherals and accessories, have come together to co-develop a full-scale,… Read More →
Gibson Guitar Announces Les Paul Commemorative Events
Gibson Guitar will celebrate the life and contributions of guitar and audio recording innovator Les Paul during the month of September, 2009, with events connected to the anniversary of Paul’s 1953 #1 Billboard Pop Single, “Vaya Con Dios,” and the release anniversary of his 2005 album, American Made: World Played. Event details have not yet been announced. Gibson also plans to produce limited edition versions of the Les Paul Studio... [Read More...]
Taylor Guitars Celebrates 35th Anniversary
Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, California, has announced the introduction of limited edition models in celebration of its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor (who at the time had not yet turned 20), Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer and originally named Westland Music Company, by the end of its inaugural year the company could boast three employees, the production of six instruments, and having overcome several hurdles, including its original... [Read More...]
Saiichi Sugiyama Talks about the Gibson SG in "The SG Sound"
Four instruments sit at the head table in the pantheon of solidbody electric guitars that defined and continue to define the sound of rock ‘n’ roll and related genres: the Fender Stratocaster; the Fender Telecaster; the Gibson Les Paul; and the Gibson SG. Saiichi Sugiyama, in his Modern Guitars column, Vintage, chronicles his relationship with the Gibson SG: “The SG Sound.” Says Sugiyama: “Someone told me that Carlos... [Read More...]
Guitar Luthier John Page and the Story of 016, Part Two
Modern Guitars columnist John Page continues his photo chronicle of the creation of a new piece of electric guitar functional art in The Story of 016, Part Two. Page, who co-founded the Fender Custom Shop and who has been a leading proponent of how and why the contemporary electric guitar can serve a dual role as both working instrument (functional) and the source of visual pleasure (art), has pursued a career in fine art after leaving Fender, creating... [Read More...]
Mambo Sons Release "Heavy Days" CD
Press release Source: Casa Del Soul Productions Heavy Days by Mambo SonsIndie rock ‘n’ roll trio Mambo Sons have released their fourth album on Portland, Oregon’s Omnicide Records, a double-album set entitled Heavy Days. Mambo Sons are Tom Guerra (guitars… Read More →
Premier Screening of Steve Vai’s New Concert Film Announced
Press release Source: VQPR Where The Wild Things AreGrammy-award winning guitarist Steve Vai announces a premier screening of his concert film Steve Vai Live In Minneapolis: Where The Wild Things Are at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California, on September… Read More →
CD Review: "Heavy Days" by Mambo Sons
Heavy Days, the newest CD from Mambo Sons, is a two-disc collection of songs steeped in the classic blues-rock tradition, but with the Sons’ own flair. They wield a veritable Mambo stew of influences, including early ’70s Stones, Mott the Hoople, Free, Cream and countless others. Heavy Days features the kind of music that used to get a lot of airplay and harkens back to the days of the classic double-LP a la Exile on Main Street. The bottom... [Read More...]
Robert Mugge’s Film, "Deep Sea Blues," a Portrait of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Due October 6
Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker Deep Sea Blues posterSince the 1960s, generations of fans have adopted outdoor festivals as the ideal place to experience live musical performances. But in recent years, the best American roots music festivals have… Read More →
George Benson Interview
by Dr. Matthew Warnock. Forty-five years after releasing his debut album The New Boss Guitar, jazz guitarist George Benson is still going strong. With the upcoming August 25, 2009, release date set for his latest studio album Songs And Stories, the ten-time Grammy winner pays tribute to some of his favorite songwriters and composers. Featuring an all-star line up that includes bassist Marcus Miller, guitarists Lee Ritenour and Toninho Horta, saxophonists... [Read More...]
