A Journey To Guitarland With Maestro Armadillo – Guitar Book Review
“This is very cool stuff for kids”, according to Brian May who – just for the couple of folks who read this and perhaps don’t know who he is – plays guitar in ‘Queen’. Well, I sure am not anywhere close Brian’s universe, but for him to make a statement like that, that says a lot. So, if you are a skeptic and like to know things for sure, take Brian’s word – he knows what he’s talking about.
I’ve been teaching guitar beginners for a long time now. My youngest student was around 6, the oldest was a woman in her early eighties. When working with children, especially young ones, getting them to focus and keep their attention on task can be very difficult. And while there’s a plethora of children’s guitar books and other instructional resources out there, I’ve never found a single book that did such a wonderful introduction of the instrument.
Most books, even those which are cited amongst the best guitar books for kids, lack that very component. Yet, in my opinion, the ‘introduction phase’, if you will, is undoubtedly the most crucial element. Because if you’re successful in that first step, chances are you’re on a good path on to your guitar journey.
I’ve been listening for the past two days to Sorrows Path and their most recent release (2014) Doom Philosophy. The band had approached me and while I had heard of the quintet from Greece before, I admittedly was completely unfamiliar with their material. At first glance, or first listen rather, I was immediately reminded of Candlemass and Doomicus Epicus Metallicus. I think the boys would concur that their music has its roots in acts like and alike the aforementioned.
Belzebong and their first full-length album Sonic Scapes & Weedy Grooves is a milestone record in the Doom/Stoner Rock genre. There is no doubt in my mind. This 2011 release by the quartet from Kielce, Poland is a power-packed, riff-laden and uncompromising testament to Belzebong’s authentic and unambiguous style and execution of their material.
This is not for everyone, I realize that. But to me, upstate NY based Doom slayers ‘Bastard Lord’ with their self-titled debut-album, is one of the best manifestos in the genre ever. Period.
It seems that Ric Bennett and his label Twin Earth Records are firing on all cylinders. And he now even got support from a family member, namely his wife Elisa Maria, who completes the trio ‘Stars That Move’ with her deliciously haunting lead vocals. We’ll talk about that a little bit later in more detail as we are going to take a much closer look at what you will find their 2016 release titled ‘No Riders’. Before we do that, let’s complete the staff roster: While Ric, as usual, is in charge of the guitars and Elisa Maria taking care of the Vox, Frank Sikes’s drumming is as solid and song-conducive as it has been in the past, like for instance on the self-titled ‘Starchild’ album we discussed a couple of weeks ago. He’s the kind of drummer you want in your band, that’s all I’m saying!
I must admit I had not heard of Noggin Rockers before up until a couple of weeks ago. But when I got contacted by the company asking me to check out their ‘electricity free’ mini guitar amp, I was intrigued by the concept to say the least. I now had a chance to test drive the device and what you are about to read it my comprehensive Noggin Rockers Mini Guitar Amp Review, along with a video discussion and demonstration of this handy, cheap and remarkably good sounding guitar accessory.
Alright, you’ve likely never heard anything like ‘Droid Intelligence’ by Burn Thee Insects before. Unless you were already blessed and had a chance to listen to this remarkably unique debut release. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I heard the album for the first time, I was ‘pleasantly confused’ for the lack of a better term.