Paul “TFO” Allen – Tone Tips from the
Road Columnist
What am I listening to?
Chuck Berry, Nirvana, the Temptations, Raúl Malo, Oingo Boingo, Paramore, Morris Day & the Time, the Rolling Stones, and Ozomatli.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
I’m looking forward to The Living End’s next studio album. I’ve always been a fan of how Chris Cheney can morph between classic rock, ska, and rockabilly—all with a punk-rock flare.
Joe Coffey – Editorial Director
What am I listening to?
Todd Snider, Live: The Storyteller. Snider is like the best of Willis Alan Ramsey, Tom Petty, and Mitch Hedberg rolled into one. This album does a great job of capturing the well-crafted stories, songs, and wry humor that make Snider and his live shows so compelling.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
The Cars and ZZ Top—new albums and possible US tours. Will their new stuff hold up? Does it matter, as long as they can bring the old stuff live like they used to?
Rebecca Dirks – Web Content Editor
What am I listening to?
Arcade Fire, The Suburbs. After repeatedly seeing it near the top of “Best Albums 2010” lists, I finally got around to downloading the Canadian group’s third album. I’m glad I did—they do what they do best, only better.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Since I missed Rush this past summer, I’d love to catch them when they come to Chicago in the spring. Or U2 in St. Louis.
Andy Ellis – Senior Editor
What am I listening to?
Arbouretum, The Gathering. Guitarist Dave Heumann leads his bandmates down some mighty weird and wonderful sonic paths on the group’s fourth album. When Heumann’s overdriven solos entwine with Corey Allender’s muscular, grinding bass, the two evoke Fillmore-era Cream and early Gov’t Mule. Arbouretum’s trance-inducing songs are dreamy, dark, and deeply psychedelic.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Bruce Cockburn’s new acoustic-oriented album, Small Source of Comfort.
Shawn Hammond – Editor in Chief
What am I listening to?
Alain Johannes, Spark. The Them Crooked Vultures and Eagles of Death Metal sideman’s folky solo homage to his late wife/creative partner, Natasha Shneider, brims with brooding, quirky, ethnic overtones and his rich, captivating baritone voice.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
I’m half stoked, half terrified of what the new Van Halen album will sound like. I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that Tiger Army frontman Nick 13’s solo country album will come out soon.
Chris Kies – Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
G. Love, Fixin’ to Die. Blues and hip-hop mixmaster G. Love successfully goes back to his roots by stripping things down to the gritty, bluesy basics with the help of folk duo the Avett Brothers.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Besides the Zeppelin or Faith No More US tour wish, I’m looking forward to albums by the Chili Peppers (with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer), the Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl says it’s their heaviest yet), and Iowan singer-songwriter William Elliott Whitmore.
John Jorgenson – Guest Picker
What am I listening to?
Morningtown Rideto Christmas by my favorite Aussie ’60s vocal group, The Seekers. There’s just something about the blend of their harmonies that makes me feel warm inside, which is just perfect for the holidays.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Leonard Cohen is at the top of his game as a performer, delivering his masterful lyrics like no one else can even attempt. I got to see him three times on his most recent tour, and I am really looking forward to his new studio album.
Charles Saufley – Gear Editor
What am I listening to?
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, Strictly Personal. The often maligned record between Safe as Milk (featuring Ry Cooder) and Trout Mask Replica, this is less art attack-based and more groove oriented, with mountain-sized bass, skittering bottleneck, and clanking rhythm git. Beefheart hated the ’68 super-psych-phase production, but he was wrong. It’s awesome. R.I.P., Don Van Vliet.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
LPs from Howlin' Rain, Meg Baird, and whatever Purling Hiss has up its sleeve.
Jason Shadrick – Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
Tommy Emmanuel, Little by Little. This ambitious double album is brimming with amazing chops, cool guests, and songs that will get in your head and have you reaching for your thumbpick.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
I’m really interested in Steve Khan’s new record, Parting Shot. He’s an extremely underrated guitarist and educator. With the addition of bassist Anthony Jackson and percussionist Manolo Badrena, there is no shortage of taste and chops.
What am I listening to?
Chuck Berry, Nirvana, the Temptations, Raúl Malo, Oingo Boingo, Paramore, Morris Day & the Time, the Rolling Stones, and Ozomatli.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
I’m looking forward to The Living End’s next studio album. I’ve always been a fan of how Chris Cheney can morph between classic rock, ska, and rockabilly—all with a punk-rock flare.
Joe Coffey – Editorial DirectorWhat am I listening to?
Todd Snider, Live: The Storyteller. Snider is like the best of Willis Alan Ramsey, Tom Petty, and Mitch Hedberg rolled into one. This album does a great job of capturing the well-crafted stories, songs, and wry humor that make Snider and his live shows so compelling.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
The Cars and ZZ Top—new albums and possible US tours. Will their new stuff hold up? Does it matter, as long as they can bring the old stuff live like they used to?
Rebecca Dirks – Web Content EditorWhat am I listening to?
Arcade Fire, The Suburbs. After repeatedly seeing it near the top of “Best Albums 2010” lists, I finally got around to downloading the Canadian group’s third album. I’m glad I did—they do what they do best, only better.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Since I missed Rush this past summer, I’d love to catch them when they come to Chicago in the spring. Or U2 in St. Louis.
Andy Ellis – Senior EditorWhat am I listening to?
Arbouretum, The Gathering. Guitarist Dave Heumann leads his bandmates down some mighty weird and wonderful sonic paths on the group’s fourth album. When Heumann’s overdriven solos entwine with Corey Allender’s muscular, grinding bass, the two evoke Fillmore-era Cream and early Gov’t Mule. Arbouretum’s trance-inducing songs are dreamy, dark, and deeply psychedelic.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Bruce Cockburn’s new acoustic-oriented album, Small Source of Comfort.
Shawn Hammond – Editor in ChiefWhat am I listening to?
Alain Johannes, Spark. The Them Crooked Vultures and Eagles of Death Metal sideman’s folky solo homage to his late wife/creative partner, Natasha Shneider, brims with brooding, quirky, ethnic overtones and his rich, captivating baritone voice.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
I’m half stoked, half terrified of what the new Van Halen album will sound like. I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that Tiger Army frontman Nick 13’s solo country album will come out soon.
Chris Kies – Associate EditorWhat am I listening to?
G. Love, Fixin’ to Die. Blues and hip-hop mixmaster G. Love successfully goes back to his roots by stripping things down to the gritty, bluesy basics with the help of folk duo the Avett Brothers.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Besides the Zeppelin or Faith No More US tour wish, I’m looking forward to albums by the Chili Peppers (with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer), the Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl says it’s their heaviest yet), and Iowan singer-songwriter William Elliott Whitmore.
John Jorgenson – Guest PickerWhat am I listening to?
Morningtown Rideto Christmas by my favorite Aussie ’60s vocal group, The Seekers. There’s just something about the blend of their harmonies that makes me feel warm inside, which is just perfect for the holidays.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
Leonard Cohen is at the top of his game as a performer, delivering his masterful lyrics like no one else can even attempt. I got to see him three times on his most recent tour, and I am really looking forward to his new studio album.
Charles Saufley – Gear EditorWhat am I listening to?
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, Strictly Personal. The often maligned record between Safe as Milk (featuring Ry Cooder) and Trout Mask Replica, this is less art attack-based and more groove oriented, with mountain-sized bass, skittering bottleneck, and clanking rhythm git. Beefheart hated the ’68 super-psych-phase production, but he was wrong. It’s awesome. R.I.P., Don Van Vliet.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
LPs from Howlin' Rain, Meg Baird, and whatever Purling Hiss has up its sleeve.
Jason Shadrick – Associate EditorWhat am I listening to?
Tommy Emmanuel, Little by Little. This ambitious double album is brimming with amazing chops, cool guests, and songs that will get in your head and have you reaching for your thumbpick.
What 2011 album or tour are you looking forward to more than any other?
I’m really interested in Steve Khan’s new record, Parting Shot. He’s an extremely underrated guitarist and educator. With the addition of bassist Anthony Jackson and percussionist Manolo Badrena, there is no shortage of taste and chops.
