News - Page 323

Life Within A Day, the long-awaited album by the duo of Chris Squire and Steve Hackett – otherwise known as “Squackett” – is out this week. As we reported in January, Squire and Hackett had been planning an album for years, and it took over four years to make. Squire, the legendary Yes bassist since 1969 and Hackett, who gained...

Backed by a ten-piece horn section and full orchestra string section, bassist Brian Bromberg has released his 20th solo effort, Compared To That. The new album is rooted in straight-ahead acoustic jazz, but in classic Bromberg style, there are many twists and turns along the way. “One thing I feel that makes Compared To That a unique project is that...

Kansas has announced a new North American tour this fall with direct support from King’s X and That 1 Guy. Rooted by bassist Billy Greer, the “Carry on Wayward Son” rockers have been a big influence on King’s X bassist/vocalist dUg Pinnick. “I’ve been a huge Kansas fan since the beginning,” Pinnick says. “I remember sitting on the floor with...

Peter Gabriel is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his landmark album, So, with a tour that will feature music from the album. So reached multi-platinum status (five times over), with hits including “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time,” “Red Rain,” “Don’t Give Up” (duet with Kate Bush) and “In Your Eyes.” Gabriel is enlisting many members of the original band he toured with...

Bassist Stanley Clarke is gearing up for two tours this summer – one with George Duke in the US, Japan and a Carribean cruise, and another with Stewart Copeland with dates across Europe. Clarke Duke 4 “Bring It!” Tour The Clarke Duke 4 “Bring It!” Tour pairs the duo for the first time in six years for the long-time collaborators...

Hal Leonard’s Inside the Blues series released earlier this year has an edition focused solely on bass, penned by Dave Rubin. 12-Bar Blues: The Complete Guide for Bass is a book/CD combo offering up a well-rounded approach to learning – or improving – playing various forms of the blues. Rubin starts off with the basics, including tuning and breaking down...

In early December, 2010, Hot Tuna took the stage at New York City’s Beacon Theater to celebrate the 70th birthday of guitarist and Hot Tuna co-founder Jorma Kaukonen. The two night event featured an all-star cast, anchored of course by the other co-founder of the group, bassist Jack Casady. The band was in their “electric” format, with mandolinist Barry Mitterhoff...

Take two musicians who love to push the boundaries of their respective instruments, put them together, and they still probably won’t sound like the pairing of bassist Michael Manring and guitarist Kevin Kastning. The duo have just released In Winter, a twenty track album offering what Manring describes as “avant garde, improvised music with a mysterious, atmospheric quality.” The album...

Dan Briggs and his new group Trioscapes have released their debut album, Separate Realities on Metal Blade Records. Originally started to do a one-off show of the Mahavishnu Orchestra’s Celestial Terrestrial Commuters, the sax/bass/drums trio brings together elements of prog rock, metal and jazz. Briggs, who lays down the low end for the prog metal outfit Between the Buried and...

Since its announcement, the Black Sabbath reunion has had nothing but difficulty after difficulty. Plans for a world tour and new album were put on hold after lead guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with Lymphoma, while drummer Bill Ward recently declared his contract unsignable. There’s been no official statement on Ward’s departure, but bassist Geezer Butler weighed in on the...

Kill Devil Hill’s long awaited self-titled debut is now available from SPV/Steamhammer. The band, comprised of ex-Pantera/Down bassist Rex Brown, drummer Vinny Appice, guitarist Mark Savon and vocalist Jason “Dewey” Bragg finalized its lineup in March of 2011 with the addition of Brown. “Vinny is a brilliant drummer, and of course, I was immediately interested when he asked me whether...

John Mayer has returned with Born and Raised, his first album since 2009 as well as his infamous 2010 Playboy interview that put him in the media doghouse. Taking a page from folk rock from the ’70s, Mayer channels the spirit of singer-songwriters like Neil Young with rich acoustic guitars and harmonica throughout. The album is underpinned by bassist Sean...