This week In Guitar Virtuosi 08/52
Tony Iommi, Robin Trower, Robben Ford, Wayne Krantz, Nels Cline, Steve Morse, Buckethead, Steve Vai, Charlie Hunter, John Mclaughlin & Jonas Hellborg, Jukka Tolonen & Coste Apetrea, Al Di Meola
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 07/52
Pat Metheny’s reworking of Carly Simon’s "That's The Way I Always Heard It Should Be" transforms its emotional weight into intricate instrumental nuances, highlighted by the unique 42-string Pikasso guitar. Shawn Lane’s "Rice with the Angels" takes a more chaotic yet cohesive approach, blending fusion and jazz elements in a raw, immersive live performance alongside Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe, creating a soundscape that's both intense and intricate.
Rory Gallagher injects lively storytelling into "Secret Agent" from his 1976 album "Calling Card," pairing cheeky themes with energetic slide guitar, while Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck's live duet on "Little Brown Bird" showcases subtle blues interplay over showy technique. Steve Hackett’s "Every Day" balances personal gravity with prog-pop charm, highlighted by shifting guitar tones and thoughtful arrangements, making it a standout on his *Spectral Mornings* album.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 06/52
Michel Petrucciani’s take on Miles Davis’ "So What" from a 1998 Stuttgart concert highlights its staying power, with Anthony Jackson’s steady bass and Steve Gadd’s subtle drumming anchoring restrained improvisation. Meanwhile, John Coltrane’s quartet version of "I Want to Talk About You" on *Soultrane* strips an old big-band tune to its emotional core, balancing reverence with hints of the freedom he’d later fully embrace.
Wayne Shorter’s "Starry Night" from *Without a Net* showcases conversational interplay within his quartet, while Chick Corea’s ambitious "Moseb the Executioner" merges diverse traditions despite feeling structurally dense. Dizzy Gillespie’s "A Night in Tunisia" pushes Afro-Cuban rhythms into bebop's restless energy, contrasting with Jimmy Smith’s warmer jazz-organ twist on "Honky Tonk," particularly live. Each track offers glimpses of its artist’s unique touchpoint in jazz history.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 05/52
Santana’s “Once It’s Gotcha” layers Latin jazz percussion with Carlos Santana’s subtle guitar and vocals, while Bill Frisell’s “Outlaws” shifts between jazz fusion and Americana across two albums, each offering distinct moods. Prince’s “Controversy” boldly questions identity with synth-heavy grooves, and Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut” delivers unrelenting riffs adored by legends like Jeff Beck. John Scofield’s “Acidhead” blurs jazz, funk, and electronic chaos, while James Blood Ulmer’s “President of Hell” dives into raw, experimental blues. Rock Candy Funk Party’s “Don’t Funk With Me” delivers playful funk energy, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd revives B.B. King classics with fiery solos and emotional depth. Steve Hackett’s “El Niño” storms through progressive rock with symphonic intensity, and George Benson’s “Valdez in the Country” melds finesse and groove in a jazz-funk classic.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 04/52
Pat Metheny reshapes Carly Simon's "That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be" into a tender baritone guitar instrumental, while John Fahey’s “Old Southern Medley” weaves Americana with subversive nuance. Paco de Lucía’s “Antonia (Buleria Por Solea)” balances flamenco tradition with modern flair, and Tommy Emmanuel’s "Eva Waits" blends delicate fingerpicking with cinematic tension. Eddie Van Halen’s iconic "Eruption" redefined guitar solos, and Yngwie Malmsteen’s virtuosic "Far Beyond the Sun" revels in neoclassical theatrics. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Riviera Paradise” offers a jazz-tinged reprieve, while Joe Bonamassa’s “Never Give All Your Heart” delivers polished blues-rock. Shawn Lane’s "Improvisation 2" channels chaotic brilliance, and Charlie Hunter’s “Untitled Improvisation #2” merges groove and innovation, with James “Blood” Ulmer adding raw fusion to the mix in “Black Rock.”
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 03/52
Thos are standout tracks like The Rolling Stones’ gritty "Can’t You Hear Me Knocking," blending Keith Richards’ raw riffs with Mick Taylor’s impromptu solos and Bobby Keys’ sultry sax. Larry Carlton’s smooth "Burnable" showcases lyrical precision in jazz fusion, while Nils Lofgren’s heartfelt "Keith Don’t Go" is an emotional nod to Keith Richards. Albert King’s "Born Under a Bad Sign" channels blues swagger with timeless riffs, and Matt Schofield’s "Dreaming of You" thrives on live-stage chemistry. Whitesnake’s "Crying in the Rain" contrasts its bluesy 1982 version with the glam-metal sheen of 1987, and Silverchair’s intense "Freak" bursts with grunge angst. The G3 tour performance of "Highway Star," featuring Joe Satriani, Phil Collen, and John Petrucci, turns the classic into a fiery guitar duel, while Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s "Deja Voodoo" asserts youthful blues-rock audacity. Eddie Van Halen’s NAMM demo mixes personal anecdotes with spontaneous riffs, leaving an intimate yet electrifying mark.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 02/52
Al Caiola, Frank Vignola, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Marc Ribot, Jim Hall, Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour, John Mclaughlin, Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, George Benson, Jan Akkerman, Robben Ford, Jimmy Page
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 01/52
Donna Grantis, John McLaughlin, George Benson, Peter Frampton, Audley Freed, Lucky Peterson, Zakk Wylde , Rory Gallagher, Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Warren Haynes, Eric Gales
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 52/52
How well do you know the music of Prince, Frank Zappa, Eelco Gelling, Jan Akkerman, Freddie King, Roy Buchanan, John Mayer, John Scofield, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Cipollina, Philip Sayce, Joe Bonamassa, Issei Noro, Marc Ribot ? Take our 12-track quiz.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 51/52
How well do you know the music of Keith Richards, Gary Clark Jr., Albert King, George Thorogood, Gary Moore, Johnny Winter, Pete Townshend, Tommy Iommi, Glenn Tipton, Angus Young, Steve Clark, Wayne Krantz ? Take our 12-track quiz.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 50/52
How well do you know the music of Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, Billy Gibbons, Eric Gales, Lucky Peterson, Robben Ford, Steve Hackett, Joe Satriani, John Mclaughlin, Pat Metheny, Jim Hall, Lee Ritenour, Mike Stern, Steve Howe, Mark Speer, Wes Montgomery ? Take our 12-track quiz.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 49/52
How well do you know the music of John Mclaughlin, Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, Wes Montgomery, Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Jan Akkerman, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Jimmy Page, Vinnie Moore, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Nita Strauss ? Take our 12-track quiz.
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 48/52
How well do you know the music of Joe Walsh, Richie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Rocky Athas, Carlos Santana, Jorge Santana, Derek Trucks, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Philip Sayce, Tony Iommi, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Frank Gambale ? Take our 12-track quiz.