“Every rock music fan has heard the war, every rock guitarist has fought in the battles.”

Starting with their conception and design in the early 1950s, Solidbodies, The 50 Year Guitar War focuses on the five decade competition of sounds between the two guitars that have been heard on more popular recordings than any other instruments during the rock era. The documentary features players, historians, instrument dealers and collectors expressing their views on the competitive influences of the Stratocaster and the Les Paul. The soundtrack and performance segments feature guitar solos played on those two instruments with styles of music highly representative of the time periods that are discussed in the documentary.

Among those contributing commentary are Joe Bonamassa, named Best Blues Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine’s readership in their 2008 Reader’s Choice Awards; Derek Trucks, famed slide guitar virtuoso who leads his own group and played with Eric Clapton’s band during his 2006-2007 world tour; Henry Garza, guitarist and singer with the Grammy Award winning Los Lonely Boys; Gary Hoey, internationally acclaimed guitarist who has composed for ESPN’s Summer X Games; George Gruhn, the owner of Gruhn Guitars who is considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on vintage guitars; and Richard R. Smith, the author of “Fender: The Sound Heard ‘Round The World” which is often viewed as the definitive book about Fender guitars and Leo Fender.

It’s been rock ‘n’ roll’s version of Coke vs. Pepsi, the Yankees vs. the Red Sox, almost since the music’s start. And the battle is still being fought every day in garages, studios, and music clubs across America. It’s the guitar wars: Fender vs. Gibson.
-The Boston Globe

You can visit the official site of the DVD release and view a video trailer by CLICKING HERE.

NOTE: Information in this post is courtesy of MASCOT RECORDS.

Joe Bonamassa: Live From The Royal Albert Hall on DVD!

When Joe Bonamassa took the stage at Royal Albert Hall in May 2009, he fulfilled a dream he’d held since first picking up a guitar as a kid in upstate New York. The sold-out concert—fresh off the release of his album The Ballad Of John Henry—marked Bonamassa’s headlining debut at arguably the most prestigious concert venue in the world. “May 4, 2009 was a day 20 years in the making,” says Bonamassa. “I have never been so honored in my life. It was truly larger than the sum of its parts.”

The two decades he’s referring to began when—at age 12—he first opened for blues icon B.B. King, who said, “this kid’s potential is unbelievable.” King’s words are as fitting today as they were then. Bonamassa averages 200 shows every year, and with each gig, he comes more into his own as a virtuoso and a vocalist. At the Hall, Bonamassa had the added honor of being joined onstage by the legendary Eric Clapton. The Times of London cited Joe’s “searing excellence and showmanship,” and Planet Rock said, “The sight of two of the world’s best guitarists trading solos was more than a little thrilling.”

This two disc digipack DVD, which also features an exclusive interview with Bonamassa, presents that magical night in full—for posterity, and for all the fans that couldn’t be among the roughly 4,000 concertgoers filling the seats. The twelve-camera high definition, surround sound shoot was produced by Bonamassa’s longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley.

“Joe Bonamassa is a big star amongst his peers,” says Shirley, “garnering awards and magazine covers all around the globe. While he has a devoted audience that’s growing worldwide, his rejection of major label deals in favor of paving his own musical path has left the mainstream largely unfamiliar with his extensive repertoire and skill. Hopefully, this incredible performance—featuring Joe accompanied by an incredible band in addition to a guest appearance by Eric Clapton—will put an end to that. Directed by groundbreaking filmmakers Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen, this concert experience will become the benchmark for the genre. But pigeonhole Bonamassa at your peril—sure, the blues is the anchor, but this virtuoso refuses to play inside the box. Any box. Enjoy!”

The DVD is expected to be released on September 21, 2009. You can pre-order the DVD from Mascot Records HERE

The official trailer from the DVD has been posted on YouTube:

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters and Stony Plain Records recently released “The Hope Radio Sessions” on DVD. The sessions were recorded at Wellspring Sound in Acton, MA on April 21 and 22, 2007. Ronnie Earl is one of the worlds most acclaimed blues guitar players.  For over 35 years he has thrilled audiences who love his soothing “Blues with Soul” style. 

I find it amazing that in all of that time Ronnie has never been captured live on video or DVD (with the exception of an instructional based video) until now. The Hope Radio Sessions live concert DVD features many of the instrumental blues songs that are included on the Hope Radio album.  The DVD also includes alternative versions of some of the songs as well as two rare solo acoustic guitar selections and (one of my favorite features) a private, personal interview with Ronnie Earl himself.

I had the opportunity to see Ronnie Earl live this past summer in Arlington, MA.  I was fortunate to meet him personally, and was invited backstage before the concert.  Ronnie introduced me to the members of the Broadcasters band and autographed a special blue leather guitar strap to me — which proudly hangs on my office/studio wall today.  A very gracious man with a tremendously kind spirit, Ronnie Earl has limited his travel and touring in recent years due to health reasons.  This is unfortunate for those of you who have never had the opportunity to see his mesmerizing talent in person.

If you are ever traveling to the Boston area, be sure to check Ronnie’s Web Site to see if he is performing live in the area.  If not, pick up the DVD with this LINK and witness for yourself one of the true masters of stratocaster blues.  You will be glad you did!