In-depth Paul Nelson interviews can be heard on the following stations this week: KMJX (Little Rock, AR), WKIT (Bangor, ME) along with some of his past and present music tracks including those with Johnny Winter. Visit www.paulnelsonguitar.com for more information.

What happens when you put four very talented guitarists together who have recorded, toured with and produced for some of the music industry's most legendary names? You get fire, "G-Fire II"! The second installment of Boosweet Records G-Fire series is out, and the jazz/fusion album includes four of the most accomplished guitarists out there today, each in their own right. Longtime guitarist friends Mark Whitfield (solo artist), Kevin Chokan (Diana Ross, Jeffery Osborne) and Miguel Mega (Brazilian jazz sensation), have teamed up on "G-Fire II" with Boosweet Records CEO/producer Vernon Neilly (Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Teena Marie). These professionals have respectively lent their own sounds and guitar mastery to showcase their talents.

MelodicRock.com summarizes the intense guitar work of Italian axeman Daniele Liverani on his CD, "Daily Trauma", "It seems that I have the daily trauma of reviewing a new Daniele Liverani release! For those looking to complete or supplement their Liverani collections, or gain further musical insight into the creator of Genius, what better way than through this album? The music itself is of no surprise - it's intense European favored hard rock/melodic metal with neo-classical overtures and flashy arrangements. But nothing is as flashy as the guitar playing ˆ this is one for fans of solo shredders and the musical likes of Ring Of Fire, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine and of course, the Genius records themselves. The Bottom Line - there are lots of complex time changes, fine epic noodling and some generally over the top musical arrangements to please fans of European melodic metal and guitar instrumentals."

Scott Jones' album "Freedom" is on the ballot for consideration for nomination for this years 47th Annual Grammy Awards. The album is on the ballot for "Best Contemporary Jazz Album".

"Chalk" is the melodically shredded metal and rock CD from Keith Miller, which follows on the path laid out by his previous CD, "Groove Train". The nimble fingered guitarist seldom indulges to excess, but manages to offer plenty of thrills and chills on the ten instrumental cuts (plus one vocal track). If you enjoy chops-happy excursions, turn-n-burn fretting, fast electric guitar lines and slamming rhythms and smoldering riffs, look no further than "Chalk" - a gem of raw power.

The following are scheduled dates for the upcoming Rob Balducci tour:

Saturday November 13th at the NEC Convention Hall - Centre Exhibitions, Birmingham B40 INT - 2pm - The Rob Balducci Band Live Presented by Conford Amplifiers.

Sunday November 14th at the NEC Convention Hall - Centre Exhibitions, Birmingham B40 INT - Full Day - Appearances at the Cornford Amplifiers Booth.

Monday November 15th at the Birmingham Bar Academy, 52-54 Dale End, Birmingham, England (Fair Deal Music 0121 643 1685) - time to be announced - The Rob Balducci Band Live with The Richie Kotzen Band.

Tuesday November 16th at the The Academy of Contemporary Music, Rodboro Buildings, Bridge Street, Guildford GU1 4SB (+44 (0)1483 500800) - 1:30-3:30pm - Rob Balducci Live Performance and Clinic.

Wednesday November 17th at the GIT Guitar Institute of London, 35 Warple Way, London W3 0RX (020 8740 1031, fax: 020 8749 0892) - 7:30-9:30p - Rob Balducci Live Performance and Clinic.

Thursday November 18th at the Bottles Bar, 7 Middle Row, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England (Coda Music 01438 350815) - time to be announced - The Rob Balducci Band Live with The Richie Kotzen Band.

Friday November 19th at The Peel Club, 160 Cambridge Road, Kingston, Surrey, England (Broadway Music 020 8739 0081 - time to be announced - The Rob Balducci Band Live with The Richie Kotzen Band.

Saturday November 20th at The Water Front Club, Beach Walk, Whitstable, Kent, England (Water Front Club 01227 265500) - time to be announced - The Rob Balducci Band Live with The Richie Kotzen Band.

 

Featuring 17 all-instrumental tracks by artists such as Hess, Mark Domanico, Eric Mantel, Vladimir Prljic, Dave Benziger, Jack Wilson, Lyden Moon, Chris Kalkbrenner, Kevin M. Buck and more, "Guitars At An Exhibition Vol. 2" features some of the hottest independent guitarists out there in the world today. But you can't buy it... click here for all the information on how you can get a complimentary copy of this must-have CD.

Bassist Carlos Soto's CD, "Tribal Behavior", features intense progressive bass instrumental metal and progressive rock, with echoes of Billy Sheehan, Stuart Hamm and Les Claypool. Soto, bassist for the progressive-fusion trio Tribus, has over 15 years of bass playing experience. On "Tribal Behavior", Carlos offers a wide mixture of sounds with a modern-technical approach to the electric bass.

P.M.M. is proud to announce that the debut release from Razor Wire Shrine, "Going Deaf for a Living" has been picked up for re-release by new progressive rock & metal label Lone Wolf Music. Originally released in March 2004 by P.M.M., "Going Deaf for a Living" caught Lone Wolf Music C.E.O. John Crawford's ear mere months after its release. Surprisingly, Crawford was looking for a high energy instrumental project to round out his initial signings and felt that R.W.S. was the perfect addition to his label. R.W.S. is set for release the last week of October 2004 and P.M.M. is looking forward to the possibility of reaching more prog fans via Lone Wolf Music's extensive distribution outlets which include heavy hitters like Century Media Distro, Adrenaline (Europe) and Hardel (Canada). For more information please visit lonewolfmusic.com.

The Steve Fister Band will be rocking the Baked Potato (3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, N Hollywood, CA, Phone 818-980-1615) on Wednesday, November 17. Show times are 9:15 and 10:45. Joining Steve will be Tony Franklin on bass, (The Firm and Blue Murder) and Tom Brechtlein on drums (Robben Ford and Chick Corea). This may be the last Los Angeles area show till the new year, so be sure to come down early to our pre-holiday rock fest! This show will sell out! The trio will be playing songs off Steve's CD's "Shadow King", "Age Of Great Dreams", "2 Ways 2 Skin a Groove" plus a couple of surprises! Check www.stevefister.com for more info.

National Public Radio's news program, "All Things Considered" used the track, "Still Alive" from Peter Neri's "Night Visions" CD during a national broadcast this October (2004). This marks the fourth track from "Night Visions" that has been aired by NPR.

On October 17th, the Australian guitar radio show, Fretnet will be running a one-off 4 hour special that will feature nothing but Liquid Note Records music (The Alchemists, Richard Hallebeek, Tood Duane, etc.) This promises to be a momentous occasion, so in order not to miss it, go to Fretnet to access the show via the internet. There are both dial-up and broadband links, so anyone can listen. To check what time the show will air in your part of the world (for instance, in the UK it will be Saturaday, October 16th, 5pm to 9pm), please check here. Don't miss it!

For all of you that have waited patiently, Dave Martone's "Shut Up 'N Listen" will be re-released in approximately one month from now. It will feature one bonus track as well as live footage in the cities of Vancouver and Boston. There will also be a special video section of the recording session that went down when this album was tracked.

Reviewer Nick Parastatidis writes about Mike Dimareli's new CD Fantasy", "Once upon a time in Greece the only well known neo-classical metal guitar virtuoso was Angelo Perlepes. Since then things have changed a lot and the Greek metal scene seems to have escaped from its own misery. After the releases of Theodore Ziras' albums, Secret Port Records introduces us a new enchanter of the six string goddess. His name is Mike Dimareli and with the album "Fantasy" he proves us that you don't need to be a guitar player to enjoy such a release. One thing I appreciate a lot in this effort is that Mike doesn't try to show off by playing nothing but solos. On the contrary, he is a very good composer and all the songs are well balanced between melody and virtuosity."

After having studied with the great flamenco master Juan Serrano, having presented over 300 flamenco guitar recitals in Greece and the United States and after having given lectures and seminars at several leading American colleges and universities, Greek guitarist Ioannis Anastassakis has released his live recording, "Flamenco Live At Ioannina". The original recording of the CD took place during a recital at  the Greek city of Ioannina, on April 1st, 2000.

The Prashant Aswani Trio will be playing live at La Ve Lee in Studio City, California on October 14, 2004, for two sets - 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM. Both sets will have different songs. For more information visit prashantaswani.com.

Guitarist Ned Evett is taking his fretless glass-guitar experience back out on the road with Joe Satriani again, opening seven concerts for the Grammy-nominated guitar virtuoso in Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Beginning this evening, Evett is joining the tour -- which Satriani is undertaking to promote his latest album, "Is There Love In Space" -- for performances in:

* Fort Meyers, Fla. -- Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
* Orlando, Fla. -- Friday, Oct. 8, at the House of Blues
* West Palm Beach, Fla. -- Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Pompono Beach Amphitheater
* Clearwater, Fla.-Monday, Oct. 11, at Ruth Eckerd Hall
* Jacksonville, Fla. -- Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the Florida Theatre
* Raleigh, NC -- Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Lincoln Theatre
* Glenside, PA -- Thursday, Oct. 14, at the Keswick Theatre

"Beyond Abilities", by Finland's Warmen is an uncommon mix of half-instrumental and half-vocal tracks. Reviewer Peter Fundeis at ProgPower Online writes, "Janne Warman, better known as the keyboard player of the Finnish super band Children of Bodom, has ventured into solo territory once again with his second Warmen release, Beyond Abilities. Janne is joined by his permanent partners in crime, Mirka Rantanen on drums and Lauri Porra on bass. Guitar duties have been taken up by Janne's brother Antti Warman and Sami Virtanen. Warmen is all about fast moving neoclassic assaults, flowing melodies and heavy guitar licks. Immediately I am reminded of the distinct sounds and song-structures of Stratovarius, Nightwish or even Children of Bodom."

Maryland guitarist Tobias Hurwitz' CD "The Way Of Zen Guitar" is a living, breathing example of a Zen Musician at work. As Hurwitz himself puts it, "Like the ocean's waves, the Zen Musician creates a natural sound. Like a singing bird, he plays without concern for who is listening, his song is the same whether he is alone, or dreaming, or standing before many." The first six songs represent The Book Of Six Strings, from Sixth String: Thought ("Zen Guitar Zone") to First String: Soul ("One Sound One Song") to Second String: Sound ("Nocturne") to Fourth String: Song ("Hope") to Third String: Skill ('The Bumble Bee") to Fifth String: Path ("Zen Guitar").

Shawn Persinger's "The Art Of Modern/Primative Guitar" has been receiving an amazing amount of critical and popular acclaim. Within four months after its release the new disc was being hailed as one of the most interesting and unique acoustic guitar records to come along in many years. It has been called as original and creative as Leo Kottke's "Six and Twelve String Guitar" and Michael Hedges' "Arial Boundaries", two benchmarks of fingerstyle guitar. Modern/Primitive Guitar is a style of guitar music that is the aural equivalent of the visual Modern/Primitive art form explored and developed by such painters as: Jean DuBuffet, Joan Miro?, Pablo Picasso, William Henry Johnson, Paul Klee and Karl Appel.

St. Louis fusion master Scott Jones is currently gearing up to begin putting together his sophomore release for Progressive Arts Music, "Convergence". His debut for P.A.M., "Freedom", was released in late 2003 to unanimous critical acclaim. The all-star line-up for "Convergence" will be purely mind-numbing: Virgal Donati (Planet X, Steve Vai, Tony Macalpine, Ring of Fire) - drums, Steve Weingart (Dave Weckl Band, Ring of Fire) - keyboards, Rufous Philpot (Planet X) - bass, Gary Willis (Tribal Tech, Uncle Moe's Space Ranch) - bass, Gerald Veasley (Joe Zawinul, Grover Washington Jr.) - bass, Keith Horne (Dreamworks Recording Artist) - bass, and Chris Poland (Megadeth, OHM, Damn the Machine) - guitar. The album will be co-produced by Grammy Ward winning engineer Anton Pukshansky (Santana's "Supernatural). Look for a late 2005 release.

Mick Neil, a rock guitarist from the Detroit area, has released "Shades Of The Day", which features twelve rock and hard rock tracks with metal and shred overtones. Neil favors a ripping, overdriven tone, using 7- and traditional 6-string guitars to deliver his furious leads. All the songs feature virtuosic soloing, with lightning speed legato licks, melodic runs, technical metallic guitar work, bass-heavy rhythmic chuck being the order of the day.

Enthusiasts, players and listeners are well advised to check out Rich Roger's CD, "Fire In The Rain", featuring instrumental melodic hard rock with virtuoso guitar solos and melodies. The album is an expression of Roger's signature exotic guitar style, a best of resume if you will, with blues, Latin, rock, Celtic, classical and shredding oriental instrumentals.

Ted Reece‚s new CD "Things To Come" follows his highly praised CD „Song For America‰ with a twist. A musical journey where the listener wonders what's next! Solo guitar pieces are interwoven with sonic soundscapes that will keep the listener traveling - all anchored by Mr. Reece‚s imaginative guitar work, it features guest performances by; Todd Clayton (formerly Charlie Prides steel guitarist), Rick Arsenault (Colorado native percussion wiz) Katie Quigley (world traveler and musicologist).