David Torn and Reeves Gabrels Talk ReRecording Bowie

The record was titled Never let me Down, but apparently David Bowie felt he had let himself down when he recorded it, or perhaps his audience. Either way, within a five-year plan the artist left, outlining projects he wanted to be accomplished or completed after his death, were instructions for re-recording this 1987 album. He specifically requested a pair of modern guitar icons, Reeves Gabrels and David Torn be on the project. The finished version is included in 11-CD, 15-record box set called Loving The Alien (Warner Music/Parlophone), released October 12.

Guitar Moderne sat down with Gabrels in Nashville, and spoke to Torn by phone in his Bearsville home to get their recollections of working on this major reimagining. As always, the two were candid and wide ranging, so dig in.

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Guitar Moderne Top Records of 2017

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There were many terrific records in 2017. In another year, Charlie Rauh’s Viriditas, Dan Phelps’ Arc, and Rights by Manuel Troller’s band Schnellertollermeier might have fit on my “Best of…” list. But this year saw so many releases by modern guitar superstars that I just have to recommend reserving some money to also pick up their worthy efforts.

This list is mine; feel free to list yours in the comment section.

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Summer NAMM 2017

Summer NAMM in Nashville remains a cozy, guitar oriented affair. The freak show element that enlivens winter NAMM is absent in the more tradition-oriented music city version. Still Gator cases provided some photo ops.There weren’t a great number of new things of particular interest to modern guitarists, but the few there were proved pretty exciting.

Gator

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Reeves Gabrels in His Nashville Habitat

Current Cure guitarist, Reeves Gabrels was a resident of Nashville for many years. These days, on breaks from touring and recording with The Cure, the former Bowie sideman is prone to perform at the new location of his former hangout, The Family Wash. Last night he took bluesman Jimmy Reed’s tune on a journey into the future. For the Ultimate Reeves Gabrels Interview click here.

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Top Records of 2015

The past year was a banner one for modern guitar.There were many notable records by artists covered in Guitar Moderne and others. Here, in no particular order are some of the highlights.

Raoul Björkenheim Out of the Blue [Cuneiform]

Raoul made the list last year and this year’s release is equally stellar.

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