Stephen Housden
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Old Instrumental Groove Is New Again
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New World Groove is the Stratocaster-laden instrumental CD from Little River Band guitarist Stephen Housden. An album chock full of tasty licks and melodic themes, it would get a position of importance in any instrumental rock fan's CD collection. Delivered with a crystal clear production and backed by musicians such as Phil Henderson (drums), Travis Clarke (bass) and Anthony J. Fossey (keyboards), Housden is free to couple a relatively diverse collection of arrangements with soloing that smokes, yet is marked by a tasteful sense of phrasing, while commanding your immediate attention. The title track, for example grabs the listener and heaps fiery electric guitar work into the aural canal until the desired effect is achieved - Strat heaven! New World Groove has been an unintentional well-kept secret up until this point, but hopefully a little more exposure to this Australian guitarist's work will help him get the attention he deserves. Well done.
Stephen started learning guitar at the age of ten in 1961. His initial influences included the Shadows and Chuck Berry. He formed his first band upon entering high school, and eventually turned professional in 1970. Stephen's first experience with extended tours came during a four-year stint with the Marcia Hines Band. He formed the band, The Imports, in 1980, but was then called by the Little River Band to join as their guitar player. Stephen co-wrote many of their songs, including their Top 6 hit, "Love Is A Bridge". He's spent over 21 years as the group's lead guitarist, but also found time to conduct music theory and improvisation seminars for guitarists.
Housden has also written columns for Sonics and Australian Musician Magazine. He has toured Victorian Schools with a show called "So You Want To Be A Rock Star". Interestingly, music from New World Groove has been featured in the syndicated hit televis'on show "Baywatch". Housden has played on many jingles and various film soundtracks, including the very successful "Crocodile Dundee".
Contact Information
Stephen Housden
C/Zeisler, Zeisler & Rawson
1100 Third Street
San Rafael CA 94901
United States
E-mail:
Stephen Housden
Web site:
www.stephenhousden.com
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Synergy Quartet
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Part Jazz, Part Fusion, Part Electronic
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Led by guitarist/composer Mike Brannon, the Texas jazz fusion group Synergy Quartet has a superb instrumental CD out called Barcodes. Featuring heavyweight guests such as Trey Gunn (King Crimson, solo artist) and Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), the ten tracks offer plenty for the jazz fusion enthusiast, including challenging, yet accessible arrangements, unusual guitar textures and fills, dynamic percussion (courtesy of Darren Kuper), jagged, off-kilter solos, and enough Metheny/Stern influenced lead work to forge a bond with jazz guitarists gone before. Barcodes is currently receiving airplay on over 200 radio stations, and it's easy to hear why - there is a sophistication and technical focus here which is carefully balanced with experimental forays and expressive, at times exotic flavorings. This creates a satisfying whole greater than the sum of the individual players, original material and clean production. Seek it out.
Mike's first exposure to the music that would influence his compositional style began early in life while listening to the car radio. Guitarists such as Wes Montgomery initially perked his ears, but when he eventually picked up the guitar, he got into groups such as the Rolling Stones, Cream and the Yardbirds. Discovering the music of Joe Pass and Herb Ellis led Mike to enroll in Jackie King's Guitar Conservatory of the South West. He later attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. The years of study and perfecting his guitar technique and composition prepared Mike for his eventual return to Texas and the formation of experimental trios, quartets and quintets that would later become the Synergy Quartet. The group has since won 'Best Jazz Group' twice from both The San Antonio News and The San Antonio Current.
Currently, the Synergy Quartet performs showcase clubs, special events and festivals. Work has started on a new studio CD slated for release in 2003, and will feature guest artists Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group), Harvie Swartz (Mike Stern, Pat Martino, Urban Earth), and Bob Berg (Miles Davis, Mike Stern).
Contact Information
VN Media
2740 North Kiva Place
Tucson, Arizona 85715
United States
E-mail:
Synergy Quartet
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