From The Product Review Archives

Here’s a review I wrote for X-Press Magazine on the Fender American Special Stratocaster. Not long after this was published I bought one and I haven’t looked back! The price listed in this article was last year and in AUD, since then the Australian price has jumped back up to around $2299.

PRODUCT REVIEW – FENDER AMERCIAN SPECIAL STRATOCASTER

Akin to the early 2000’s ‘Highway One’ series of Fender guitars, the American Special series aims to put genuine U.S-made Fender quality into the hands of players at a reasonably affordable price. The American Special Stratocaster is great-looking guitar that will particularly appeal to fans of 1970’s Stratocasters, largely due to the similarly designed large headstock. Featuring a lightweight alder body with gloss urethane finish which is available in three colours – red, surf green, and sunburst – these guitars certainly look the part. A maple neck with 9.5-inch radius fingerboard and 22 jumbo frets provide the feel that only a Fender guitar can deliver.

From blues to country, funk to soul, and even rock to metal, there aren’t many genres of music that the Stratocaster has not driven at one point or another, and a genuine Fender Stratocaster seems to eventually find its way into every guitarist’s collection. Indeed there have been many copies and models or brands ‘inspired by’ the Stratocaster (some of which come very close to the mark), but there simply is no substitute for the real deal. Single coil Custom Shop Texas Special single coil pickups in all three positions provide the powerful Texas tone, while a vintage-style synchronized tremolo finishes off what is essentially an impressive throwback to simpler times with better tones.

At a retail of around $1699, the Fender American Special Stratocaster is hard to put down.

CHRIS GIBBS

 The Fender American Special Stratocaster was reviewed at The Rock Inn, Mt. Lawley.

The Musician’s Wife

A blog post from my wife Jen. Great writer!

saysjen

I have been with my husband for five and a half years. We met in mid 2006. He was the guitarist in a band and I was freshly single after a humiliating break up. We were friends for two and half years, and housemates for one of those years, before we got together at the end of 2008. We married on our 3rd anniversary in 2011.

The entire time I’ve known Chris he has been a professional musician. And by that I mean a musician who earns his living from music. I knew that when we got together it would be different to dating a nine to fiver, and it is still very different. There a pros and cons. But mostly pros.

He works many nights, gigging all over town, and works most days lecturing in history and songwriting at the academy of performing arts. For 27 years he has…

View original post 364 more words

Freelance Music Writer

Sometimes I write music articles and product reviews for X-Press Magazine. Occasionally I’ll post an article right here.

This was a review I wrote a while back on Graham Greene’s guitar clinic at Classic Sounds. Graham has always been an inspiration to me and I hope to see him perform on the circuit in 2016.

REVIEW – GRAHAM GREENE GUITAR CLINIC

Classic Sounds in Kelmscott played host to an evening equal parts educational and entertaining in presenting the Graham Greene Guitar Clinic on Wednesday July 15. In association with WA-based Ormsby Guitars and Mesa Boogie Amplification, the home-grown guitar legend took to the stage for an up close and personal look at his electrifying musicianship, the equipment used to shape his tones and his lifelong journey as a working musician.

Over the course of two hours, Greene gave entertaining insights into his enduring music career, from his innocent beginnings on the ukulele in the Kimberley, through to lessons with legendary WA guitarist Cliff Lynton, high-grossing cover bands, tour support slots and encounters with rock stars. Interwoven into the open and honest narrative were performances of several Graham Greene classics, both from his latest album and previous works, the highlights of which were a blistering version of the award winning Impressive Hair from ‘Leap of Face’ and ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ from Down Devil’s Road. The latter track in particular showcased Greene’s refined maturity as a guitarist, switching seamlessly between clean, traditional blues licks and inventive overdriven flourishes.

A long time endorsee of Ormsby guitars, Greene recounted his early dealings with luthier Perry Ormsby, from when the latter volunteered to serve as guitar tech on some Ice Tiger reunion shows in 2004, through to test-driving some early guitar builds and the eventual official endorsement of a West Australian guitar brand that continues to grow in popularity both at home and abroad. Greene’s GG-6 and GG-7 signature models were heavily utilised throughout the song performances. In addition to these models, the fixed-bridge guitar played on the aforementioned Chicken Soup for the Soul was a standout in its rich and balanced tone. Not utilised as part of the performance but on display nonetheless was one of Ormsby’s multiscale guitars. Greene made specific mention of the philosophy and design behind these unique instruments that feature a fretboard with frets than fan out across the neck at angles that benefit the overall tonality, rather than more traditional vertical frets.

Keen to impart his knowledge of the instrument, Greene took the time during the clinic to outline and demonstrate some of his trademark stylistic components, including two-handed tapping, whammy dives, natural and artificial harmonics, and arpeggios. At one point in the clinic, Greene made reference to the importance of the journey itself over the destination, and hinted at the possibility of hands-on guitar workshops in the near future as well as a return to local stages. In a career spanning over three decades thus far, it would appear that the guitarist has plans to continue to contribute to the WA music industry that he has had a big part in shaping. This is great news not only for Greene’s existing colleagues and fans, but also for new musicians entering the industry in need of talented, experienced role models.

Visit http://www.grahamgreene.com.au for more information on forthcoming performances and recordings. Visit http://www.ormsbyguitars.com for information on Perry Ormsby’s guitars, services and guitar-making courses.

CHRIS GIBBS

2016 Listening Habits

Happy New Year!

This year I thought it would be cool to keep a record of all the albums I listen to from January 1st through to December 31st.

I’ll keep updating this post as I listen to more music. I will also list the format in which the album was listened to: vinyl, CD, cassette, digital, or stream.

THE RULES:

I can only list an album once it has been listened to in its entirety, no skipping, no shuffling.

I can only list full-length albums or EPs, no singles.

I can only list an album once, repeat listens can’t be listed.

Here we go! Feel free to post your listening in the comments.

JANUARY

SOUTHERN SONS – SOUTHERN SONS CD

BORN TO PLAY GUITAR- BUDDY GUY CD

2 – BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION iTunes download

UNIT – REGURGITATOR CD

SIXTEEN STONE – BUSH CD

THE PUZZLEMAN – STORYTIME CD

PEACH FUZZ – ENUFF Z’NUFF iTunes download

SYNCHRONICITY – THE POLICE Cassette

ODYSSEY – YNGWIE MALMSTEEN’S RISING FORCE Cassette

BLACKSTAR – DAVID BOWIE iTunes download

THE EPIC (VOLUME 1 – THE PLAN) – KAMASI WASHINGTON CD

THE EPIC (VOLUME2 – THE GLORIOUS TALE) – KAMASI WASHINGTON CD

TRIAL BY FIRE (LIVE IN LENINGRAD) – YNGWIE MALMSTEEN iTunes download

A-SIDES – SOUNDGARDEN CD

ELECTRIC – THE CULT iTunes download

THE EPIC (VOLUME 3 – THE HISTORIC REPETITION) KAMASI WASHINGTON CD

THE WHITE ALBUM – DONNIE VIE iTunes download

WHO CARES A LOT? – FAITH NO MORE CD

SHINE ON – JET CD

! – DONNIE VIE iTunes download

THE GREAT ESCAPE – BLUR CD

GET BORN – JET CD

SIAMESE DREAM – SMASHING PUMPKINS CD

PAPER GODS – DURAN DURAN CD

1.OUTSIDE – DAVID BOWIE CD

PORRIDGE & HOTSAUCE – YOU AM I CD

Running total: 26

FEBRUARY

GAME OF LOVE – TIM ROOSE CD

HUNKY DORY – DAVID BOWIE CD

LIVE AND DANGEROUS – THIN LIZZY CD

PURPLE – STONE TEMPLE PILOTS iTunes download

Running total: 30

MARCH

CORE – STONE TEMPLE PILOTS iTunes download

TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTER – ROBBEN FORD iTunes download

DRIVING TOWARDS DAYLIGHT – JOE BONAMASSA CD

THE MAN ON THE ROCKS – MIKE OLDFIELD CD

TINY MUSIC…SONGS FROM THE VATICAN GIFT SHOP – STONE TEMPLE PILOTS CD

SHANGRI-LA DEE DA – STONE TEMPLE PILOTS CD

MAGIC – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CD

TIN MACHINE – TIN MACHINE CD

HELL OF A TIME – ROSS WILSON CD

HOT STREAK – THE WINERY DOGS CD

THE WIZARD OF OZ SOUNDTRACK – CD

NO. 4 – STONE TEMPLE PILOTS CD

BOOGIE!  – VARIOUS ARTISTS  iTunes download

Running total: 43

APRIL

STRENGTH – ENUFF Z’NUFF iTunes download

1984 – VAN HALEN iTunes download

GATEWAY – JOHN ABERCROMBIE, DAVE HOLLAND, JACK DE JOHNETTE iTunes download

FOR UNLAWFUL CARNAL KNOWLEDGE – VAN HALEN iTunes download

ROCKONICA – REEVES GABRELS iTunes download

DARK UNIVERSE – JAIME PAGE CD

GHOST TOWN – CHRIS MURPHY CD

Running total: 50

MAY

AZTECS LIVE – BILLY THORPE AND THE AZTECS CD

5150 – VAN HALEN CD

THE DISREGARD OF TIMEKEEPING – BONHAM Cassette

ECLIPSE – YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN – Cassette

BIG APPETITE – CHRIS GIBBS CD

PEOPLE, HELL AND ANGELS – JIMI HENDRIX CD

90215 – YES CD

MOJO – TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS CD

ORIGINS VOL. 1 – ACE FREHLEY iTunes download

PERFECT STRANGERS – DEEP PURPLE iTunes download

Running total: 60

JUNE

SLAVES AND MASTERS – DEEP PURPLE iTunes download

TRANSITION – STEVE LUKATHER CD

OUT IN THE FIELDS – THE VERY BEST OF – GARY MOORE CD

THE BEST OF ELVIS COSTELLO: THE FIRST 10 YEARS – ELVIS COSTELLO CD

GET UP – BRYAN ADAMS CD

WELCOME TO BLUE ISLAND – ENUFF Z’NUFF CD

ABOVE BELOW AND BEYOND – JENNIFER BATTEN iTunes download

FROZEN: THE SONGS SOUNDTRACK CD

ALL YOU NEED IS NOW – DURAN DURAN CD

BO JANGLES – DUKE ELLINGTON CD

NICOTINE THUMBS – STEVE PARKIN iTunes download

FIREBALL – DEEP PURPLE iTunes download

Running total: 72

JULY

THERE GOES THE HEART – RIVER LYNCH iTunes download

LIVING IN FEAR – THE POWER STATION CD

PLUGGED IN – GALEN WESTON Free promotional download

THE BEST OF – THE DOORS CD

GREATEST HITS – TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS CD

DISRAELI GEARS – CREAM CD

ETCHED IN BLUE – RORY GALLAGHER CD

SYDNEE CARTER – SYDNEE CARTER CD

PIANO MAN: THE VERY BEST OF – BILLY JOEL CD

Running total: 81

AUGUST

STRONG PERSUADER – ROBERT CRAY CD

MIDNIGHT STROLL – ROBERT CRAY CD

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK – THE ROBERT CRAY BAND CD

BAD INFLUENCE – THE ROBERT CRAY BAND CD

I WAS WARNED – ROBERT CRAY CD

MODERN PRIMITIVE – STEVE VAI CD

Running total: 87

SEPTEMBER

BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIC – RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS CD

PASSION AND WARFARE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION – STEVE VAI CD

SANTANA IV – SANTANA CD

THE BEST OF BOBBY DARIN – BOBBY DARIN CD

CHAOS AD – SEPULTURA CD

TRAIN OF THOUGHT – DREAM THEATER CD

IMAGINATE – TAXIRIDE CD

RHYTHM OF THE SOUL – DAVE WECKYL iTunes download

TATTOO – RORY GALLAGHER iTunes download

HEAVEN KNOWS – RICK PRICE CD

THE THINGS WE DO TO FIND PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE US – BEACH SLANG iTunes download

WHO WILL SAVE US NOW? – GRAPHIC FICTION HEROES CD

BARRICADE – EMILY JOY CD

GREATEST HITS – THE LITTLE RIVER BAND CD

Running total: 101

OCTOBER

TIMES AND PLACES – LEAH KELLY CD

VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE – JIMI HENDRIX CD

THE GUITAR VINCI CODE – GRAHAM GREENE CD

LOUD HAILER – JEFF BECK CD

A LOUD BASH OF TEENAGE FEELINGS – BEACH SLANG CD

SPEED METAL SYMPHONY – CACOPHONY iTunes download

Running total: 107

NOVEMBER

SPECTRUM – BILLY COBHAM iTunes download

CODA – LED ZEPPELIN CD

RED LIGHT – ULTRASOUND CD

CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS FRET BUZZ – VARIOUS ARTISTS CD

Running total: 111

DECEMBER

BOSTON – BOSTON iTunes download

EAT ‘EM AND SMILE – DAVID LEE ROTH iTunes download

DOUBLE ECLIPSE – HARDLINE iTunes download

WAM 2016 – VARIOUS ARTISTS CD

WIRED – JEFF BECK Tunes download

AFTERGLOW – BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION iTunes download

BRIDGE OF SIGHS – ROBIN TROWER iTunes download

SHORT NOTE – MATT FINISH iTunes download

THE MAKERS – THE MAKERS iTunes download

UNMASKED – KISS CD

FACELIFT – ALICE IN CHAINS CD

LIVE AT MONTREUX 2010 – GARY MOORE CD

LIVE WIRE – IZIN CD

AZTECH SUNS – AZTECH SUNS CD

BLACK HOLES AND WORMHOLE WIZARDS – JOE SATRIANI CD

GREATEST HITS – LITTLE RIVER BAND CD

PIANO MAN – BILLY JOEL CD

CLOWNS LOUNGE – ENUFF Z’NUFF iTunes download

III – CHICKENFOOT CD

GREATEST HITS – JOURNEY CD

THE BEST OF – THE ANDREWS SISTERS CD

THE MARQUEE CLUB LINE IN 1971 – THE ROLLING STONES CD

CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS THE BEST OF 2016 – VARIOUS ARTISTS CD

PROFESSOR SATCHAFUNKILUS AND THE MUSTERION OF ROCK – JOE SATRIANI CD

SUPER COLLOSAL – JOE SATRIANI CD

LIVE AT THE ROXY 25.9.14 – SLASH CD

IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? – A GREAT BIG WORLD iTunes download

WOODSTOCK GENERATION- VARIOUS ARTISTS iTunes download

LIVE AT THE GREEK THEATRE – THE DOOBIE BROTHERS CD

Final total: 140