Now that the holidays and NAMM are comfortably behind us, it’s time to look ahead at 2011. This month, guitarist extraordinaire John Jorgenson (John Jorgenson Quintet, Hellecasters, Elton John) joins our editors to help give a rundown of what sounds exciting in the coming year. Feel free to send in what
you’re looking forward to in 2011 to info@premierguitar.com.
Tone Tips from the
Road Columnist
What am I listening to?
Chuck Berry, Nirvana,
the Temptations, Raúl
Malo, Oingo Boingo, Paramore, Morris Day &
the Time, the Rolling Stones, and Ozomatli.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
I’m looking forward to The Living End’s next
studio album. I’ve always been a fan of how
Chris Cheney can morph between classic rock,
ska, and rockabilly—all with a punk-rock flare.
Joe Coffey
Editorial Director
What am I listening to?
Todd Snider, Live: The
Storyteller. Snider is like
the best of Willis Alan
Ramsey, Tom Petty, and Mitch Hedberg rolled
into one. This album does a great job of capturing
the well-crafted stories, songs, and wry humor that
make Snider and his live shows so compelling.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
The Cars and ZZ Top—new albums and possible US tours. Will their new stuff hold up?
Does it matter, as long as they can bring the
old stuff live like they used to?
Rebecca Dirks
Web Content Editor
What am I listening to?
Arcade Fire, The
Suburbs. After repeatedly seeing it near the top
of “Best Albums 2010”
lists, I finally got around to downloading
the Canadian group’s third album. I’m glad I
did—they do what they do best, only better.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
Since I missed Rush this past summer, I’d love
to catch them when they come to Chicago in
the spring. Or U2 in St. Louis.
Andy Ellis
Senior Editor
What am I listening to?
Arbouretum, The
Gathering. Guitarist
Dave Heumann leads his
bandmates down some mighty weird and wonderful sonic paths on the group’s fourth album.
When Heumann’s overdriven solos entwine with
Corey Allender’s muscular, grinding bass, the
two evoke Fillmore-era Cream and early Gov’t
Mule. Arbouretum’s trance-inducing songs are
dreamy, dark, and deeply psychedelic.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
Bruce Cockburn’s new acoustic-oriented
album, Small Source of Comfort.
Shawn Hammond
Editor in Chief
What am I listening to?
Alain Johannes, Spark.
The Them Crooked
Vultures and Eagles of
Death Metal sideman’s folky solo homage to
his late wife/creative partner, Natasha Shneider,
brims with brooding, quirky, ethnic overtones
and his rich, captivating baritone voice.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
I’m half stoked, half terrified of what the new
Van Halen album will sound like. I’m also
keeping my fingers crossed that Tiger Army
frontman Nick 13’s solo country album will
come out soon.
Charles Saufley
Gear Editor
What am I listening to?
Captain Beefheart and
his Magic Band, Strictly
Personal. The often
maligned record between Safe as Milk (
featuring Ry Cooder) and Trout Mask Replica, this is
less art attack-based and more groove oriented,
with mountain-sized bass, skittering bottleneck,
and clanking rhythm git. Beefheart hated the
’ 68 super-psych-phase production, but he was
wrong. It’s awesome. R.I.P., Don Van Vliet.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other
LPs from Howlin’ Rain, Meg Baird, and
whatever Purling Hiss has up its sleeve.
What am I listening to?
Morningtown Ride to
Christmas by my favorite
Aussie ’60s vocal group,
The Seekers. There’s just
something about the blend of their harmonies
that makes me feel warm inside, which is just
perfect for the holidays.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
Leonard Cohen is at the top of his game as
a performer, delivering his masterful lyrics
like no one else can even attempt. I got to
see him three times on his most recent tour,
and I am really looking forward to his new
studio album.
What am I listening to?
G. Love, Fixin’ to Die.
Blues and hip-hop mix-master G. Love successfully goes back to his roots by stripping things
down to the gritty, bluesy basics with the help
of folk duo the Avett Brothers.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
Besides the Zeppelin or Faith No More US
tour wish, I’m looking forward to albums by
the Chili Peppers (with new guitarist Josh
Klinghoffer), the Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl
says it’s their heaviest yet), and Iowan singer-songwriter William Elliott Whitmore.
Jason Shadrick
Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
Tommy Emmanuel,
Little by Little. This
ambitious double album
is brimming with amazing chops, cool guests,
and songs that will get in your head and have
you reaching for your thumbpick.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking
forward to more than any other?
I’m really interested in Steve Khan’s new
record, Parting Shot. He’s an extremely
underrated guitarist and educator. With the
addition of bassist Anthony Jackson and
percussionist Manolo Badrena, there is no
shortage of taste and chops.
