No Guitar Is Safe

For episode 96, I plug in with MARC BONILLA — virtuoso guitarist, established composer, renowned solo artist, longtime musical partner of the late, great KEITH EMERSON (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame), and king of all metaphors — and take a deep dive into his new solo album, CELLULOID DEBRIS, which is available at marcbonillamusic.com. We also learn how Marc engineered his incredible career and close with an epic jam in honor of another of Marc's late, great friends, RONNIE MONTROSE. BONUS: I also tell you about an adventure I went on with Marc wherein I discovered there IS, in fact, one guitar that is safe from this show. Hosted by JUDE GOLD and presented by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com

Episode 95 features a visit with "guitar coach to the stars" JEAN MARC BELKADI. Showing up with his favorite Telecaster, Jean Marc plugs in with host JUDE GOLD and demonstrates his encyclopedic knowledge of riffs, licks, and guitar styles, a prowess that spans funk, fusion, jazz, and more. Jean Marc also tells you about an amazing friend he made back when he was studying guitar at GIT in Hollywood, and goes on to explain how he evolved a career teaching A-list celebrities, musicians, and power players in the Hollywood area. ("It's the accent," he jokes. "They like the accent.") BONUS: We also hear tracks from Belkadi's two albums, TOULOUSE LOS ANGELES and STOPOVER. (Tip: If you want a guitar lesson with Jean Marc, visit his website, jeanmarcbelkadi.com.) This episode is presented by Guitar Player Magazine, and guitarplayer.com

Grammy-winning guitarist JAMIE KIME plugs in, jams with me on one of the funkiest tunes of all time (hope we do it justice!), shares some cool improvisation/soloing techniques you might dig, and looks back on his tenures as guitarist for JEWEL, ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA (feat. DWEEZIL ZAPPA), and the late, great New Orleans funk legend, DR. JOHN, who died mere weeks ago. This episode is brought to you by Guitar Player magazine and www.guitarplayer.com. ——JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast.

Episode 93 finds us jamming with PARTHENON "HUX" HUXLEY, the great lead guitarist/lead singer of The Orchestra (which features former members of ELO). In this episode, Hux and I plug in our guitars at Woodrum Productions (the five-star studio of producer Michael Woodrum)in Southern California and explore everything from ELO songs to tracks off Huxley's new studio album, "This Is the One." -- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe Podcast.

The Cult's BILLY DUFFY plugs in his live rig for you on a soundstage in Los Angeles where the band was rehearsing for their current tour, which celebrates 30 years since the release of their platinum fourth album, SONIC TEMPLE. The album is being remastered for an August re-issue that will feature bonus tracks, rare demos, and other sonic goodies. In 1989, the album catapulted the Cult to a new level of touring and radio airplay, and in this interview Duffy reflects on the glories and perils of such sudden success. Also on hand is Duffy's guitar tech MATT McKENNA. No Guitar Is Safe is hosted by JUDE GOLD. Thanks to Mitch Schneider of MSO for setting up the interview. Made possible by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com.

Bass virtuoso and composer STUART HAMM gained instant renown worldwide in the late '80s, when his boss at the time, Joe Satriani, let him take over the stage for ten minutes each night on tour, during which the innovative bassist would consistently blow people's minds with his thunderous, contrapuntal, and funky solo pieces. Stuart is also a prolific solo artist, and his latest album, Diary of Patrick Xavier finds him playing several hypnotic solo electric bass compositions. Additionally, Stu, as his friends and fans often call him, has played with dozens of other great guitar players. Besides backing Satch on stage and in the studio, Stu has worked with Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Frank Gambale, Lorn Leber, Mark McGee, Eric Johnson, and Greg Howe. A particularly entertaining session Stu did was with Yngwie Malmsteen and the late, great singer Ronnie James Dio. (We'll check that out towards the end of the episode.) Heck, I'VE even had some thrilling adventures touring and tracking with my friend Stu. It

Today we visit the great producer, bandleader, and composer ALAN PARSONS and hang out with him in his magical home studio, which is seated on a hill high above the Pacific Ocean. Also present, plugged in, and ready to rock for you is Parsons' lead guitarist, JEFF KOLLMAN (whom you may remember from an earlier episode of this podcast). With Jeff's spectacular playing and Parsons' unforgettable stories and production insights, the pair share with you how they produced and recorded the new Alan Parsons solo album, THE SECRET. The Secret comes out April 26th, but here's a bonus: On this episode of No Guitar Is Safe, you get to hear song samples of Parsons' amazing record well in advance. Yeah! Parsons also shares tales from earlier days, when he recorded the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and other notable artists. Enjoy. JUDE GOLD, Host, No Guitar Is Safe.

Proclaimed by Guitar Player magazine to be the greatest shredder ever, JASON BECKER has also emerged as a world-class composer. He used to play guitar -- now, after battling ALS for nearly three decades, he "plays guitar players," as well as writes for orchestras and choirs. And when he puts the two together, he blows your mind -- as you'll find out if snag his new album, TRIUMPHANT HEARTS. The record should please insatiable guitar fans everywhere, because it features an A-list roster of guest guitarists, including Trevor Rabin, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Ben Woods, Aleks Sever, Steve Morse, Neal Schon, Marty Friedman, Daniele Gottardo, Dave Shul, Steve Hunter, Gus G, Uli Jon Roth, Chris Broderick, and others, as well as ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. In addition to speaking with Jason, I caught up with people close to him who have helped him along his wild guitar adventure over the years, including MARILYN WHITE, MIKE BEMESDERFER, DAN ALVAREZ, DAVE LOPEZ, MATT BLACKETT, and Jason's father, GARY BECKE

German Strat master, solo artist, and amp designer THOMAS BLUG never backs down from a challenge. As a teenager, Blug taught himself to both play guitar and build guitar amps. Later in life, Blug’s killer playing skills caught the attention of renowned amplifier manufacturer Hughes & Kettner, who immediately hired Blug as a clinician. Soon, they discovered Blug — who would be crowned “Strat King of Europe” by Fender in 2004 — wasn’t just a great guitarist, but also a crafty amp designer, so they hired him in that capacity as well. Blug went on to create or co-create many of the company’s most successful products. Now, Thomas has launched his own company — BluGuitar and its flagship product is a ferocious 100-watt pedalboard amp called Amp1. I was thrilled to plug in with Blug at the home studio of Gunnar Larsson (laguitarteacher.com) in Los Angeles. PRESENTED BY Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com. -- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast.

RICK HOLMSTROM is one of the most tasteful blues/gospel/Americana guitarists I know. Whether he's playing lead for gospel/R&B legend (and Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Famer) Mavis Staples, or recording his own albums, Holmstrom somehow manages to keep his guitar parts powerful and groovy without ever getting in the way of the vocals. He's a pocket player with plenty of blues sting in his solos. It was a thrill to set up some mics at Holmstrom's house, trade licks with him, hear him demonstrate a wide range of cool blues grooves, and talk with him about how he moved from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Southern California, where he built an inspiring career playing guitar. This episode is presented by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com. Thanks for listening! -- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe.

Surprisingly, there are many working guitarists who are not fully "capo literate." If you listen to this special episode of No Guitar Is Safe, you won't be one of them, because host Jude Gold is about to explore for you many magical ways that legendary guitarists use the little string-clamping, neck-choking guitar accessory we call the capo. (Thanks to Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com for supporting this podcast, and thanks to Fender for the use of their new Parallel Universe American Elite Telecaster herein.)

Tonight we land the 'copter at JEFF MARSHALL's house, where the versatile guitarist plugs in his favorite Iconic guitars and shows you some of the great guitar approaches (and great guitar pedals) he employs with artists such as BLEEDING HARP -- his "blusion" band -- ALAN PARSONS and MARK MACKAY. He also relives such adventures as being involved in perhaps the first big rock band performance at BURNING MAN (with Parsons) and surviving two weeks opening for "The Nuge" himself, Ted Nugent. Hosted by JUDE GOLD. Presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine and GUITARPLAYER.COM.

ADAM HAWLEY, the funky young guitarist who has already topped Billboard's Smooth Jazz chart five times, plugs in his favorite Paul Reed Smith, jams with me, and reflects on his evolution as a musician. He also talks about what it was like earning a doctorate in music and becoming a sideman to Jennifer Lopez, Joss Stone, the Manhattan Transfer, and countless other headlining vocal acts — including his wife, Kat Hawley. I also poke a little fun at Adam by getting him to explain the epic case of "champagne problems" he related to me when we were chatting in the hall one day at Musicians Institute. This episode is brought to you by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com. Thanks for listening. Enjoy! -- JUDE GOLD, host and creator of No Guitar Is Safe

This episode (Ep. 83) is a bonus show presenting exclusive audio from MARTY FRIEDMAN's recent guitar clinic at Musicians Institute. With 50 or so guitar students to interact with, the renowned rocker discussed everything from why he feels that backing tracks are "the devil" to how, one year, a single cab ride dramatically changed his musical trajectory; from epic hair/image fails to what it is he believes is the very most important thing you can do to further your career as a guitarist and develop your voice as an artist. (To hear my sit-down interview with Marty - and hear him play his Jackson Signature Model Marty Friedman guitar - listen to the previous episode of No Guitar Is Safe, which was Ep. 82.) Also, be sure to check out Marty's new live album, ONE BAD M.F. LIVE, and catch him on his 2019 winter U.S. tour, which spans the continental United States and starts on January 23rd. Hosted by JUDE GOLD.

Renowned guitar virtuoso MARTY FRIEDMAN visits Los Angeles to plug in his signature-model Jackson guitar, throw down a few licks for you, and talk about the planning and tracking of his explosive new live album, ONE BAD M.F. LIVE. He also reflects on what it's like to be a well-known TV personality in Japan. Hosted by JUDE GOLD. Presented by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com.

Founding Kiss lead guitarist ACE FREHLEY, aka "the Spaceman," has released a hard-rocking new solo album called just that — SPACEMAN. Plugging in one of his favorite ’59 reissue Les Pauls, Ace sits down with me to jam a little, as well as detail the writing and recording of Spaceman, reflect on reuniting (for two songs) with Gene Simmons, and, of course, look back on his legacy — a wild ride that spanned everything from a youth spent surviving the streets of the Bronx to adult years surviving adventures with the Hall-of-Fame rock band that made him famous. Hope you enjoy it! -- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast. Presented by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com.

From Django jazz to death metal to his hypnotic new instrumental album, Verlorener, EMIL WERSTLER and his Paul Reed Smith guitars deliver a vast (and very impressive) array of guitar tones, techniques, and styles. In addition to Verlorener and his guitar seminars, Emil is also known for his work with heavier acts such as Daath and Chimaira. I caught up with Emil after his weekend in Los Angeles appearing at Loni Specter’s raucous tone-party/hotel takeover known simply as the L.A. Amp Show. A huge thanks to guitarist Josh Smith (whom you know from Episode 18 of this podcast) who invited Emil and I to record this episode at Flat V studio, the full-service recording facility Josh built from the ground up in his backyard. PRESENTED BY GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE. -- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe

For this episode we head to Brooklyn, NY, to plug in with the great JIM CAMPILONGO in his home studio/music lair. As you'll hear, blues, country, jazz, and pop all emanate beautifully from Jim's fingers, and he gets a great tone with just a cable, a Fender Princeton Reverb, and his trusty '59 Telecaster. Jim has a dozen solo albums out, and also two records with the Little Willies, featuring star singer/pianist Norah Jones, and we dive deep into some of his tracks. Hosted by Jude Gold.

In the music of TOSIN ABASI, prog, djent, shred, funk, fusion, and other guitar styles coexist with spectacular results. This episode finds host JUDE GOLD plugging in with Tosin at Tosin's Los Angeles home studio, where the Animals As Leaders founder takes time to demonstrate his favorite riffs, favorite approaches, favorite gear (including his new line of custom Abasi guitars), and creative process. This episode is presented by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com.

Producer/bassist JMJ plugs in his new Fender Artist Series JMJ Roadworn Mustang bass and jams with host Jude Gold. JMJ also reflects on his adventures touring and recording (he has worked with such headliners as Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Air, Dixie Chicks, Pink, and more), shares what he has learned as a producer (his clients have included Paramore, Jimmy Eat World, Wolf Alice, and other bands), and offers insights into what it means to have great "time," be a great musical director, and be a great touring musician. Bonus: JMJ also shares the story of how he got guitar virtuoso Steve Vai to drop an epic solo on a trance-pop tune by M83.