Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 179

It’s the end of another year and another time for reflection. Lots of incredible music was made, but 2022 saw the loss of session legends, trailblazing luthiers, rock icons, and jazz pioneers. Join us as we remember them.

Nick Campbell has been turning heads over the past few years for his work with groups like Scary Pockets and Pomplamoose. Now he’s released “Art,” which marks his debut album with his solo project Nick Campbell Destroys.

Weezer’s four-part album project “SZNZ” has come to a close with its final installment, “SZNZ: Winter.” When vocalist Rivers Cuomo spoke on the EPs last year, he described “Winter” as featuring “lots of loss and despair and kind of quiet.”

Jazz bass icon Buster Williams celebrated his 80th birthday in April, and over his eight decades he’s continually grown. In fact, he’s still growing, which is part of the meaning behind his newly announced album, “Unalome.”

Back in September, it was announced that Andrew Altman was leaving Railroad Earth following their annual Horn O’Plenty concerts in November. Now the band has unveiled their new member to be bassist Dave Speranza.

Fender Japan has unveiled the Elemental Series, calling it a line that considers the demands of modern players to balance specs and pricing. It includes one bass, the Elemental Jazz Bass.

The Interrupters have announced a spring 2023 co-headlining tour with Frank Turner that will cover the U.S. and Canada. The band, anchored by bassist Justin Bivona, will be supporting their latest release, “In The Wild.”

Many people have caught onto Shaun Munday’s amazing talent via his Instagram channel. He’s just released his second album, “Love/Magic,” which has that same solo format plus a conventional rhythm section.

I’ve been lucky to see Driftwood play a couple of times, so when my pal Bill Rudd sent me this performance from this year’s Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, I stopped to watch. The clip begins with “Bass Sticks.”

Pink Floyd has released a whopping eighteen live albums from their archive. Recorded in 1972, this was a pivotal time for the band, with music from “Meddle” and “Obscured By Clouds” as well as songs for what would become “Dark Side of the Moon.”

Bassist Rick Anderson, who co-founded San Francisco rock outfit The Tubes, has passed away of undisclosed causes. He was 75 years old. The band announced his death on social media.

This week we’re checking out a six-string Sniper Deluxe by Italy’s Capurso Guitars. The bass has a beautiful poplar burl top in a purpleburst finish that looks like a photo of a galaxy.