News - Page 384

Aaron Deal has officially replaced Paul Burnette as the full-time bassist for Darkest Hour, according to a statement on the band’s website. Burnette, who started a hiatus in August, is parting amicably to join Iron Reagan. “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the official departure of long time friend and bassist, Paul Burnette,” the band’s statement read. “Paul’s...

Finnish bassist Jan-Olof Strandberg has released his seventh album as a leader entitled Made In Finland. The new effort also includes contributions from fellow bass heavyweight Michael Manring, along with keyboardist Kimmo Tapanainen, saxophonist Risto Salmi, drummer Kimmo Pörsti and guitarists Matias Kupiainen and Petteri Hirvanen. Included in the package is an hour long DVD with live studio performances by...

Bassist Mike Cornelison spent years of intense study on the work of Jaco Pastorius while studying at Musicians Institute. After graduating MI with honors, Cornelison began compiling his studies and ultimately put together a book including 26 of the late bassist’s lines from various albums and acts over his career. The Book of Jaco – the Ultimate Compendium of the...

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...