Every so often you gotta go the other way, change the pace. Guitarist David Bromberg joins Premier Guitar editors (and a lucky reader of the month) in discussing our favorite music—sans guitar. What is your favorite non-guitar jams?
David Bromberg -- Guest Picker
What are you listening to?
Right now I’m listening to some Bill Frisell records including Gone, Just Like a Train. I’m also listening to Doug MacLeod’s CD called DUBB, Allen Toussaint’s The Bright Mississippi, Tracy Nelson’s Four Blues Broads, and Larry Campbell’s Rooftops.
What is your favorite non-guitar music or album?
My favorite non-guitar recordings are early Staple Singers (i.e. The Best of the Staple Singers on Vee-Jay) and Ray Charles on Atlantic and his Modern Sounds in Country and Western on the label he went to after Atlantic.
Larry Antinozzi -- Reader of the Month
What are you listening to?
Buddy Guy Rhythm & Blues, NRBQ (with Al Anderson and Tommy Ardolino), and three songs I've been mixing over and over and something's just not right.
What is your favorite non-guitar music or album?
Diana Krall is always a welcome change of pace. But if she doesn't count, (guitar's in the combo y'know), Louis Armstrong is the man. I met him when I was in 4th grade (yeah, I know, I'm old) and he's probably the first reason I decided to play music!.
John Bohlinger -- Nashville Correspondent
What are you listening to?
Chris Whitley’s Living With The Law. A 22-year-old album (cut in Daniel Lanois’ house) that sounds better than amazing.
What is your favorite non-guitar music or album?
My all-time favorite non-guitar album: Cheech and Chong’s first album featuring “Dave.” Regrettably, it’s not as funny as I remember.
Rich Osweiler -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
Under the Covers, Vol. 3. Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet take on an interesting mix of predominantly college-radio tunes from the ’80s, the same decade these two guitarists saw some of their biggest success.
What is your favorite non-guitar music or album?
I’m a jazz fiend and there’s a ton of it that doesn’t have a lick of guitar. I suppose the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Time Out probably qualifies as my all-time fave since I’ve listened to it a thousand times. Gamelan music gets honorable mention here.
Charles Saufley -- Gear Editor
What are you listening to?
The re-issue of White Fence’s four-track barrage White Fence, Magik Markers tune-laden Surrender to the Fantasy, the exuberant filth of CCR Headcleaner’s Lace The Earth … , and Mike Donovan’s mostly acoustic Wot.
What is your favorite non-guitar music or album?
I could listen to raga every day. I also love the spaciousness of early ’70s ambient synth jams, John Cale and Spacemen 3’s organ drones, the ecstatic jazz of Impulse-era Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Eddie Gale, and the ESP and Actuel label combos.
Jason Shadrick -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
I've started delving into the groovier side of the Grateful Dead. From the synthy intro on "Shakedown Street" to the laid-back saunter of "West L.A. Fadeaway," I'm beginning to think their rhythm section was criminally underrated.
What is your favorite non-guitar music or album?
There's a soft spot in my heart for classical vocal music—thanks to my wife—and anything by Renée Fleming gets my vote.
