Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 228

Most of us know Tony Levin for his unreal bass playing, but during his many years on the road, he also honed his skills as a photographer. Now he’s announced a line of photo prints from his adventures in King Crimson.

Prior to landing his current spot in Metallica, Robert Trujillo spent seven years touring the world with rock icon Ozzy Osbourne. Now the bassist and singer will be reunited again on Ozzy’s next solo album.

In September of 2018, Mastodon manager Nick John passed away from pancreatic cancer. The metal mainstays have now released their newest full-length release, “Hushed and Grim”, as part of their process dealing with the profound loss.

Micro basses have been growing in popularity over the past few years. This week we’re checking out the Tiny Boy TBP-3400BFM, which has a miniature 23-inch scale. The four-string bass still has 22 frets on its ebony fingerboard.

After participating in the Allman Family Revival tour through the end of 2021, the Allman Betts Band has announced they will be hitting the road next year with the “Trippin’ Into Spring 2022” trek.

A new documentary examining the life and music of Phil Lynott is now available. “Songs For While I’m Away” tells the story of the Thin Lizzy bassist and frontman, through his bandmates, colleagues, and family members.

Boss’s Waza Craft family of pedals has gotten another member with the FZ-1W Fuzz. The new pedal has standard Level, Fuzz, and Tone controls as well as a special switch for Vintage or Modern voicings.

Get ready to sit in the pocket! Bassist and educator Bernhard Lackner has just released a new book. “Keep Grooving” features 10 play-along tracks for beginner and intermediate levels.

Electro-Harmonix has introduced the Intelligent Harmony Machine, a pitch shifter that can generate single note, diatonic harmonies, intervals, and secondary options.

The ever-talented Rhonda Smith has just dropped a video for her new song “Won’t Come Back,” which is sure to get you grooving into the weekend. The bass icon, who has performed with Prince and Jeff Beck, dishes out a slow jam about a lost love.

Jazz great Dave Young has released “Mantra”, his sixteenth album as a leader. The bassist featured his sextet plus three guests: Ewen Farncombe on organ, John Johnson on alto sax and flute, and Les Allt on flute.

Hot Tuna has just begun their string of Fall tour dates, but the duo of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady already have their sights set on 2022. The band has just announced a new string of dates.