August 18, 2012

guitars gently weaved

39 minutes

I'm doing something out of the ordinary this time. This mix I actually did quite a while ago, it was probably the 3rd or so one that I did (although I made a couple of revisions). The mix is a bit shorter than others that I've done, but I had to find things from the artists that didn't completely melt one's face (sorry Yngwie!). I had some other artists on this in the initial phases (like Mr. Malmsteen, and some Nuno Bettencourt), but didn't want it to be a lot of notes or seem a bit shred-licious. I still wanted to make it pretty chill. That was a challenge.

I'm a professional guitarist by trade. I've traveled and performed in 49 states (no Hawaii yet), and over 20 countries, all in the name of playing guitar. It has gotten me everywhere that I am, and the journey is not over. So it was a matter of time for me to put something like this out. I love guitar, and guitarists, and obsess over new gear, and a lot of volume. I really love ambient music because it is something that I don't do, and it's very calming and minimal. I suppose that I'm a bit envious that the really great ambient artists create a very dramatic feeling with so little.

I opened up with the amazing Jeff Beck. He was a huge influence to me getting into playing a more fusion approach with the Blow By Blow and Wired albums. I still wear them out and pick the notes apart. His Live At Ronnie Scott's DVD is a mind blower!

If you've seen the movie Superbad or The 40 Year Old Virgin, you've heard the music of Lyle Workman. He also played for many years with Beck (not Jeff). He also toured a bit with Sting. The guy has heavy credits as a studio musician.

The Dream Theater tune The Count Of Tuscany was the one that initially made me think that it would be neat to do a mix of stuff from sources that aren't ambient at all. My wife and I love them, and we actually saw them play live a few years ago (I think my wife was the only woman at the show! Ha!). Putting in Xanadu from Rush is also a no-brainer. I love the prog (going to see Symphony X in Baltimore in September, google them, they are pretty heavy!).

Carl Verheyen is another really heavy player with an amazing amount of studio credit and chops. I actually had a lesson with him while on tour through California in 2008. He blew my mind, no doubt. I'm still working on what he showed me.

David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) invented ambient stoner rock, and absolutely deserved a few spots in this mix.

There's just something about British guitarists, and Jimmy Page is one of the best. Honestly, I only set out to learn Stairway To Heaven, and nothing more. But that planted the seed that set my life in motion for what I do now (by mistake?). Every next song I heard from Led Zeppelin was the best thing I heard in my life, and Jimmy's guitar army still amazes me.

Well, I enjoyed making this mix (of course). I probably won't do another like this, I don't think. Enjoy!

Turn on, tune in, rock out, THEN sleep...

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TRACK LISTING

“Where Were You” by Jeff Beck from Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop With Terry Bozzio And Tony Hymas (Sony BMG Music Entertainment), Released October 3, 1989 (Start Time: 00:00)

“Ithaca” by Lyle Workman from Tabula Rasa (Infrared), Released October 9, 2006 (Start Time: 03:12)

“Braun-Yr-Aur” by Led Zeppelin from Physical Graffiti (Atlantic Records), Released February 24, 1975 (Start Time: 05:54)

“Ah Via Musicom” by Eric Johnson from Ah Via Musicom (Capitol), Released March 20, 1990 (Start Time: 07:43)

“Xanadu (Excerpt)” by Rush from Exit…Stage Left (Anthem/Mercury), Released October 29, 1981 (Start Time: 09:38)

“Sometimes It Snows In April” by Prince from Under The Cherry Moon (Warner Brothers), Released January 1, 1986 (Start Time: 11:52)

“Partington Cove Suite” by Carl Verheyen from Solo Guitar Improvisations (Chase Music), Released May 22, 2001 (Start Time: 13:05)

“1983…(A Mermaid I Should Turn To Be)” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience from Electric Ladyland (Reprise), Released October 25, 1968 (Start Time: 16:07)

“Because It’s There” by Michael Hedges from Ariel Boundaries (Sbme Special Mkts.), Released July 2, 1984 (Start Time: 18:19)

“The Count Of Tuscany” by Dream Theater from Black Clouds And Silver Linings (Roadrunner Records), Released June 23, 2009 (Start Time: 21:14)

“Opening Above” by Carl Verheyen from Slingshot (CMG / Mighty Tiger Records), Released April 28, 1998 (Start Time: 24:37)

“Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 1 & 2” by Pink Floyd from Wish You Were Here (Harvest / Columbia / CBS), Released September 12, 1975 (Start Time: 25:48)

“Peace Island” by Jeff Beck & Jed Lieber from Frankie’s House (Epic Soundtrax), Released January 12, 1993 (Start Time: 30:14)

“Cathedral” by Van Halen from Diver Down (Warner Brothers), Released April 14, 1982 (Start Time: 32:39)

“Is There Anybody Out There” by Pink Floyd from The Wall (Harvest Records / EMI Records / Columbia Records), Released November 30, 1979 (Start Time: 33:55)

“Venus Isle” by Eric Johnson from Venus Isle (Capitol), Released September 3, 1996 (Start Time: 37:46)

“The Mothers” by I Mother Earth from Dig (Capitol), Released August 10, 1993 (Start Time: 38:29)

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