John McLaughlin “Now Here This” Interview [Listen 23:36] – Being happy and proud of what I do S03 Ep04 (Part 1 of 2)
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S03 Ep04 (Part1 of 2)- Being happy and proud of what I do with John McLaughlin
Special Guests: John McLaughlin: McLaughlin started his career off as a 19 year old trailblazing guitar master, blowing away audiences just as the British blues was exploding on the scene. Bands like Cream and the Yardbirds were just starting to take shape, and guitarists like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Jimi Hendrix were just starting out and hoping to cut their teeth. My next guest had a different calling, going on a different tangent and taking his sound away from the blues-rock world of guitar hooks and classic rock solos and instead schooling himself on some of the most beautiful but also technically challenging music styles known to music. He delved into playing styles like: flamenco guitar with Al Di Meola and Paco de Lucia; world music with people like Carlos Santana and Trilok Gurtu, and straight ahead jazz with too many jazz legends to mention. John McLaughlin was a major player in helping take jazz on one of most extreme and fun rides ever with the sub-genre 'jazz fusion." He is so respected that Miles Davis immortalized him in two songs, one of them on his landmark album, Bitches Brew, the honorary titled "John McLaughlin." Currently, McLaughlin and his band, The 4th Dimension have a brand new album out called “Now Here This” - an album about which McLaughlin has been quoted as saying “It’s the best thing I ever did, from the beginning until today.” In this podcast John McLaughlin and I talk about about the atmosphere in the studio while recording the songs: "Echoes From Then," "Take It or Leave It," "Guitar Love," and "Not Here Not There." You can hear the excitement in John McLaughlin’s voice when talking about this new album and the band he has put together.
Check out more here: http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/ or get your limited edition vinyl copy here (while supplies last): AbstractLogix Label
Jazz guitarists you should know
Besides John McLaughlin, we wanted to showcase some of the other guitar legends in jazz to give you an introduction and give you some pretty pictures to look at. But besides that, look into the music they've done. Give them a listen. These guys are pioneers in the field and have pushed the frontiers of music beyond conception. While we can't cover every guitarist that should be mentioned, which often leads to objections and bitterness from fans, take note of the ones listed here, and wait for the rest to be mentioned in a later episode.
Jim Hall.
Innovative and constantly pushing the boundaries, he takes a unique approach to his music and believes music is a ways to peace.
Pat Metheney
Innovative primarily in sound and always challenging himself Metheny has evolved into new forms and a passionate fan-base. I recommend starting off with his album "We Live Here."
Charlie Christian
One of the first jazz guitarists to use an electric guitar, he influenced many others. Phenomenal skills, he apparently could match Django Reinhardt note for note.
Tal Farlow
Nicknamed "The Octopus" for his incredibly large hands and clean playing style. He only started playing guitar at age 21, but soon was playing guitar professionally. Known for only playing publicly very rarely.
George Benson
Said to be the best guitar players Joey DeFancesco played with. Benson was a child prodigy, and can play a multitude of styles. He possesses impeccable technique, and can mimic his heroes perfectly at will.
Allan Holdsworth
A jazz guitarist of a different vein, this jazz fusion guitarist is known to have influenced players like: Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, and even Frank Zappa. Like John McLaughlin, Holdsworth played with drumming legend Tony Williams.
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt deserves all the prestige placed on him. After he injured his hand in a fire, he developed a new way of playing to accommodate losing the use of his last two fingers. He's influenced multitudes of guitarists, and cemented his place as one of the greatest.
Wes Montgomery
Considered by many to be the greatest Jazz guitarist of them all. Like Django Reinhardt, he is the high-watermark by which all guitarists are measured.
Joe Pass
A sleeping giant of sorts in the guitar world, Joe Pass broke away from drug addiction and prison culture to become one of the most respected guitarists of all time.
Kenny Burrell
Playing with people like Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Ike Quebec, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith, Paul Chambers, and Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell may have played on more of the best loved jazz albums than anyone else.
John Scofield
One of the world's most admired and respected guitarists living today. His style focuses more on the music rather than showing off guitar chops. He has been able to revitalize the bebop movement and make it current. One of the best for certain, and with a good helping of integrity.
Parting thoughts:
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FULL CONCERT with Joey DeFrancesco live at the Old Mill Inn [Listen 1 hr 52 min] S02 Ep07 (3 of 3) Channeling Miles with Joey DeFrancesco
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S02 Ep07 (3 of 3) Channeling Miles with Joey DeFrancesco
Interview Date: March 25, 2012 @7pm EDT
Special Podcast: Joey DeFrancesco Live at The Old Mill Inn
Special Guest: Joey DeFrancesco (Part 3 of 3) Nicknamed “the finest jazz organist on the planet,” Joey DeFranceso and GTV present you with an exclusive and in-depth interview, plus his full concert performance in Toronto.
Coming from a long line of established organ players, DeFrancesco started his career off as a child prodigy (starting at age 4) playing with all the greatest organists in the world. He has developed his skill to the point where he dominates the Hammond B3. When DeFrancesco was 17, Miles Davis called him up to ask him to tour with him and play on his 1989 album, “Amandla.” Since that time he has gone on to play with many other "who’s who" in the jazz world, and often being paired with some of the greatest guitarists in jazz, such as; Pat Martino, Paul Bollenback, Jimmy Bruno, Dave Stryker, and John McLaughlin. In this podcast, listen to his full concert performance at The Old Mill Inn in Toronto. It's only available here at GoingThruVinyl.
Check out Joey DeFrancesco's page http://www.joeydefrancesco.com/
Joey DeFrancesco's band for the performance:
Vito Rezza (Drums) -
He is known as the drummer and founding member for the Toronto based band "5 after 4" and is an absolute monster in this show. In between sets (about halfway through) you can hear Rezza say to Joey something about "getting all emotional" about Joey's ablity to channel Miles Davis with his horn. Although I couldn't agree with Rezza more, I think Rezza is channeling other famous jazz players himself (notably, Art Blakey). I also thought I might comment on the band: the night of the taping, I happened to be pretty nervous and was overly worried about placing the recorder in the right spot to record the show (I only had one shot at it). Vito Rezza and the rest of the band were really kind and helpful (Rezza was as cool as they come). Thanks for your help; the recording came our great!
Ted Quinlan (Guitar) -
Quinlan is one of Canada's best jazz guitarists and teacher. In this set, his playing is as absolutely cool, smooth, and refined (cool as a cucumber salad in a Canadian winter). He is both a session player and the head of the Guitar Department at Humber Collage in Toronto. He has played with Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider and Dave Liebman. Needless to say, this guy can really play.
http://www.facebook.com/ted.quinlan
http://www.myspace.com/tedquinlan
Lastly, I'd like to thank the Old Mill Inn for allowing me to record there. If you are in the Toronto area you might want to check the schedule of the Inn to see who is playing; they have some of the best jazz acts in the city. The rooms are nice, the food is great, the decor is what you'd expect of a classy jazz club. http://www.oldmilltoronto.com/
The Soul Jazz Chayot Ha Kodesh and debate primer
It seems that a heated debate occurs whenever a genre of music gets a label attached to it. It gets fuelled by whichever adherent or so-called expert who chooses to pick up the sword and dive into what defines the genre, what constitutes it, and what nuance necessarily makes someone or some composition excluded from the genre. Such is the case with soul jazz and hard bop. Whether soul jazz is actually hard bop and the reasons why or why not is not going to be debated here. What I want to focus on here, is some of the history and highlights. Despite which side of the battle lines you fall, the legends and landmarks introduced here have left an impact regardless where you wish to pigeon-hole them. 
For those who know them already, take it as a tribute and a reminder to pull them out again for a spin on the turntable, for those who don't know everyone on the list, take it as an introduction into the highlights of what jazz was producing from the glory days. For those who are discovering (or rediscovering) the Beastie Boys, you may want to pay attention; the impact some of these artists have had on the Beastie Boys' music is pretty distinct. From “Groove Holmes” from Check Your Head to Jimmy Smith's “Root Down” and a smattering of samples throughout, the degree of separation is a small one from the soul jazz greats to the Beastie Boys
Joey DeFrancesco Interview [Listen 29:24] – S02Ep07 (2 of 3) – Joey DeFrancesco and . . . What IS that Noise?
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Joey DeFrancesco and What is that Noise
Interview Date: March 25, 2012 @12pm EDT
Special Guest (Audio) Joey DeFrancesco (Part 2 of 3): Nicknamed “the finest Jazz organist on the planet,” Joey DeFranceso and GTV present you with an exclusive and in-depth interview, plus his full concert performance in Toronto.
Coming from a long line of established organ players, DeFrancesco started his career off as a child prodigy (starting at age 4) playing with all the greatest organists in the world. He has developed his skill to the point where he dominates the Hammond B3. When DeFrancesco was 17, Miles Davis called him up to ask him to tour with him and play on his 1989 album, “Amandla.” Since that time he has gone on to play with many other "who’s who" in the Jazz world and often being paired with some of the greatest guitarists in Jazz such as Pat Martino, Paul Bollenback, Jimmy Bruno, Dave Stryker, and John McLaughlin. In this podcast we talk about the history of the Hammond B3 organ and talk about all the great guitarists he has played with.
Mysterium Tremendum - Exploring The Vastness of The Infinite Universe With Mickey Hart
Every once in a while there are extraordinary people who come along, who by sheer talent, mixed with hard work and focused dedication are able to achieve something truly unsurpassed and outstanding. They are able to attain a deeper understanding of their particular undertaking to a point where they are able to progress, and in some cases, alter everyone’s understanding