15/01/22

Written by Adam Torrans, James McGrann, Adam McGahan, Declan Connor. 

Recorded at Half Bap Studios, Belfast.

Leave Me To The Wolves

Ominous

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 BECKER. It was a thrill to dive into the Jason Becker legacy with all of these great humans, and I thank them all for being so generous with their time.

-- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast.

89 - Jason Becker and Friends

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 was a pleasure to stop by his home studio and catch up with him, plug in our instruments and play, listen to samples from his discography, and be reminded by him to -- as the giant, hilarious, and intentionally misspelled tattoo across his forearm proclaims -- live life with "no regerts."

--JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast.

Ominous

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