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Jerry Shirley held down the beat for revolve around the development of Townshend, as well as actor Joe Pesci, some of the biggest names in the ’60s into the chart-topping DVDs who knew Martino when they were and ’70s, and has the stories to prove it. juggernaut it became. Featuring, as nightclub musicians 50 years ago. Shirley got his start with guitarist/vocal- Shirley puts it, “two Jimmy Pages” in While much of the discussion alludes ist/front man in 1965 and the form of Marriott and Frampton, the to his guru-like persona, in one candid stayed with him through a succession band epitomizes early-’70s rock concert moment, producer Joe Fields says he of bands culminating with Humble performance in their ’71 double-live doesn’t buy the mystique – he suggests Pie. Those early bands were some of the Rockin’ the Fillmore. Humble Pie was Martino is quite conscious of this most influential in England through not the opening act the night of the Pat Martino perception from his fans and milks it the period, spinning off recording, but such was their strength. Unstrung for all its worth; scenes like this take and from Small Faces, Also compelling is the fact that when Sixteen Films Unstrung to a new level. and from Humble Pie. Humble Pie was at its peak, Shirley was A departure in that it’s as much There’s no denying Martino went Shirley also did session work at the time, only about 20 years old – and was close about Pat Martino’s medical history through hell in the ’80s. Fortunately, including contributions to solo albums to becoming a millionaire. The fact he as it is about his music, this film docu- his skills came back, post-surgery, and, by Pink Floyd alumnus and inspiration kept his head and has been able to turn ments his 1980 brain aneurysm and oddly, much faster than his memories, Syd Barrett, as well as George Harrison, out such a readable memoir is no mean the years it took him to re-learn the some of which never returned. Watch- B.B. King, and John Entwistle. Shirley’s feat. Later, he knew when to slow down guitar. You even see Martino getting ing Unstrung, it’s apparent his guitar best memories involve large paychecks and focus on other aspects of life, so an MRI and X-rays of the damaged work remains intact and inspirational. from record deals, memorable guitar this book’s focus on the period from section, lending an idea of how music Perhaps the coolest scene is watching players, and the routine of touring and 1965 to ’75 makes it more interesting and medicine are intertwined. There him re-string a Gibson archtop while recording to which it seems all bands at and provides an ending to the narra- are, however, ample clips of Martino sitting on the couch of his South Philly the time were subjected. And while there tive. It’s an excellent document of the playing guitar and full concert clips home. It’s moving because, despite was partying, for Shirley, it involved only period, highly readable, and filled with in the bonus section. his obvious musical genius, Martino some booze and pot, so his memories entertaining stories about other great Also interesting are interviews with strings his guitar just like you, me, and are clearer than others. Most of those musicians. – ECS Carlos Santana and surprise fan Pete every other player. Given the title of the

Beverly Mc- mark with its foot-stomping Clellan, Fear boogie punch. These tracks Nothing (Oar would be at home on any Fin Distribution) modern-rock radio station. Great originals, a rich and Top cuts are “Anthem” and soulful voice, and help from “Automatic Lady.” – ECS musicians like guitarist/co- producer Keb’ Mo’, bassist The Fallen Hutch Hutchinson, and drum- Stars, Heart mer Tony Braunagal make jazz saxophonist of solid country rock and he tips his hat to Albert and Like Mine (Self- this a perfect introduction to Person has been roots Americana. The dueling B.B. King on “The Real Deal,” distributed) Led the uninitiated. Billy Vazquez recording albums guitars are the perfect accents a swinging 12-bar blues. – DF by Bobbo Byrnes’ sizzling and Josh Sklair handle most that show his for each other, crafting a full guitar, the Fallen Stars prove guitar work with flair, always equal ease with romantic sound. And the inspired CD Hans Theessink, themselves with their stellar highlighting the song and the ballads and soulful blues. packaging with its old-time Jedermann country roots rock. With a singer, not the player. – JH His impressive ensemble carnival sideshow chic and Remixed: The tight rhythm section backing here includes Howard Alden, wheel-of-fortune spinner is Soundtrack him, Byrnes unreels hot licks Sugar Ray And who reveals his inner T-Bone the coolest thing going. – MD (Self-distributed) To ac- with a thick tone, laying down The Bluetones, on Shirley Scott’s “Blues cent a modern film of a an album of originals that Evening (Severn Everywhere,” then feeds James Arm- 15th-century morality play, are catchy and cool. – MD Records) This Person’s tenor and the other strong, Blues Theessink stepped into the pairing of harp man Sugar Ray soloists with perfect chords, At The Border past, playing slide guitar, Nils Lofgren, Norcia and guitarist “Monster” lines, and little touches on (Catfood Records) banjo, mandolin, mandocello, Old School (Vision Mike Welch adds up to an Duke Ellington’s beauti- The blues veteran hasn’t had mandoguitar, and other arcane Music Inc.) Always album of hard-driving Chi- ful “All Too Soon.” – DF a new release in 11 years, but instruments. Blending Delta a fine songwriter cago and West Coast blues. his return is a strong one, fea- blues with originals, Rolling and player, Lofgren’s talents Welch’s fret work ranges Freedom Hawk, turing sophisticated funk in the Stones and Tom Waits covers, in those areas are sometimes from lowdown and gritty to Holding On cautionary “Everything Good his deep vocals and precise overshadowed by his longtime smooth and stylish. On the (Self-distributed) To Ya,” rock-tinged blues with fret work are the perfect sideman status. Old School finale, “XO,” the band delivers This trio’s material “Good Man Bad Thing,” and movie accompaniment. – MD features urgent pop-rock, a morning-after slow jam that owes a bit to ’70s stalwarts some light swing with “Brand reflective acoustic ballads, and would have Pee Wee Crayton like Black Sabbath and Uriah New Man.” Every cut features Sultans Of stomping 21st Century blues, moaning with joy. – MD Heep, but with fresh arrange- his stinging leads, reminiscent String, Move all powered by his fret work, ments and tight song struc- in many ways of Robert Cray, (Factor) Ex- whether rough and ready slide Stu And The tures in fairly complex pat- and soulful vocals that make otic music done by or soaring, melodic soloing. – JH Gurus, New Car terns. Crisp guitar leads and it easy to feel the frustrations four stringed instrument play- Smell (Self-dis- driving percussion propel the the title cut highlights. – JH ers and a percussionist, along Armen Heitz tributed) Foggy- proceedings, and the sound with a handful of friends, this Trio, Blue In Green voiced harp man/vocalist is full even with few guitar Mark Mosley, is a broad palette; Gypsy jazz (Acoustic Music) delivers good country-flecked overdubs. Standouts include TLC (Self-distrib- dominates “Andalucia” and a German Gypsy blues. But this one’s a show- “Edge of Destiny” and “Stand- uted) D.C.-based Celtic feel sneaks into “Emer- Heitz is back with another case for Philly guitarist Millard ing in Line” which both offer Mosley has ald Swing.” Bonus points for album that blends the styles Brown, who produced, co- a hummable chorus. – ECS backed such jazz luminaries turning Neil Young’s “Heart of Django Reinhardt with the wrote the title cut, and plays as Gary Bartz, Lou Donaldson, of Gold” into a rumba. – JH understated finesse of Wes acoustic and electric guitars Reckless Kelly, Lonnie Smith, and Keter Betts. Montgomery. On Miles Davis’ throughout. Peter Hayes’ Good Luck & His sophomore release ranges Dixie Witch, “Blue in Green,” his electric Dobro makes “Ice Cream And True Love (Self- from funk to Latin to smooth Let It Roll (Small guitar work is smooth and Cake” a big treat, too. – RA distributed) With jazz, proving that the latter Stone Records) sensuous while his original guitar work by Willy Braun can be more than background With a new “Didi Valse” is a finger torturing Houston Person, So Nice and David Abeyta, Reckless music. George Benson is an guitarist, this venerable Texas acoustic workout, played with (HighNote) For 45 years, Kelly unleashes a collection obvious influence, although band continues its trade- impressive precision. – MD

104 Vintage Guitar April 2012 VintageGuitar.com