Conference napalm::guitar

    I have a couple of suggestions:
    
    MUSIC MINUS ONE RECORDINGS
    
    There was a company a long time ago that used to provide these
    kind of things.  They were called "music-minus-one" recordings.
    
    I've seen similar things available recently, but only minus guitar,
    not minus vocals.  These are not actually the original recordings,
    they are covers.  I've never seen a "minus one" done from the original
    recording as you've asked.
    
    VOCAL ELIMINATORS
    
    There are devices known as vocal eliminators that "create" the kind
    of thing you're looking for, and they are not very expensive (between
    $150-$500).
    
    No, they don't use artificial intelligence as you might suspect they
    might need.  They depend on the fact that many vocal tracks are panned
    dead center and use a phase inversion process which works quite well
    for MOST recordings.
    
    STAR FOR A DAY
    
    There are booths at amusement parks and carnivals where you go in and
    sing over what to my ears sounds like the original recording minus
    the vocals.  For something like $5 you get a tape with you singing
    with Van Halen or whatever.  Actually, most of the stuff they have
    is for female singers but I have seen some male stuff although not
    Van Halen or Clapton.
    
    I'm not sure how the booths obtain a track minus to the lead vocals,
    but I'd suspect that they're done with a vocal eliminator rather than
    a deal with the record company (although I would hope, the royalties
    are paid).
    
    I have no doubt that you could convince the operators of these booths
    to just give you a recording without overdubbing your voice.  For $5,
    it's probably the best of all alternatives.
    
    If you happen to be in New England, I know that Canobie Lake Park
    in Salem, NH has such a booth.  
    
    	db

    
    	More info.
    
    	A friend of mine bought this hokey contraption from Sears.
    	It contained an something like an 8 track player with recorded
    	hit top 40 songs without the vocals. Although not the originals,
    	the productions were first rate.
    
    	It came with a cheap mike which you were able to mix the volume
    	and reverb. It also had a built in cassette deck to record your
    	results. It was a blast. I brought a 6 channel mixer and a bunch
    	of SM58s and we made a party album. They had a catalogue with
    	other background tapes which was extensive.
    
    
    	Also, record companies sometimes sell backing tracks to countries
    	that their artists aren't released. That way, bands from that
    	country write their own lyrics and release the tunes that way.
    	An Italian girl had some top 40 records from Italy. They were
    	all the original backing tracks and melodies. I remember there
    	were many BeeGee tunes, and they were credited Gibb/Tossicini...
    
    	Guy Novello
    

    
    For jazz buffs only, a company called Jamey Abersold sells recordings
    for home study that feature a piano/bass/drums rhythm section featuring
    name players like Ron Carter, Rufus Reid, etc.  
    
    These records have piano in one channel, bass in the other and drums in
    both so you can use your balance control to silence bass or piano if that
    happens to be your ax.  They come with full transcriptions of the
    rhythm section parts and hints on improvising over the tunes. 
    
    The catalog grades the records from beginner to advanced.  The company
    also sells other instructional materials (book, mostly).  They
    advertise in DownBeat magazine on a regular basis. 

    db, the local mall has one of those 'sing-along' stores, I'll check
    it out.  I know they do videos too and they cost $30 for VHS.
    
    I tried building a voice filter once that was just you basic notch
    filter.  The problem is that the human voice is very close to the
    same frequency range as the guitar.  Both were eliminated and I'm
    afraid the 'vocal eliminators' may not be any better.
    
    I think I'll just try writing to the record companies.
    
    Mike

>    I tried building a voice filter once that was just you basic notch
>    filter.  The problem is that the human voice is very close to the
>    same frequency range as the guitar.  Both were eliminated and I'm
>    afraid the 'vocal eliminators' may not be any better.
    
    The vocal eliminator works on an entirely different principle.
    
    I think you can expect it to work a lot better than a filter.
    
    What I've heard is that it works quite well but you will come
    across songs where it won't work due to how the song was mixed.
    However, I think there have been some recent trends in recording
    technology that will make it less effective on newer recordings.
    
    Basically, people are using more stereo effects on vocals than
    before.
    
    	db
    
    

   The Beach Boys released an album of their top hits, minus the vocals, about
10 years ago called "Stax o' Tracks".  These were tunes like "Fun, Fun, Fun",
"Surfer Girl" etc, with all the music and none of the harmonies.  Probably made
for great fun at parties.

	Andr�

    Re: Instrumentals
    
    I received Joe Satriani's "Dreaming #11" for my birthday today.  I
    think it's great!  Is all his work instrumental?
    
    Could some of you recommend some other guitar-based, rock
    instrumentalists?  
    
    I already know about Larry Carlton.  How about Jeff Beck, Stevie 
    Ray Vaughn, Robin Trower...?  Are they all instrumental?
    
    thanks for the input,
    Mike
    

    Satriani roolz!  His previous 3 albums (Not of..., Surfing.., and the
    Dreaming EP) were all instrumental, however, word has it his
    forthcoming release has Joe singing on a few tunes.  The new lp got
    rave reviews from Guitar World, cementing Joe as the new guitar hero
    for the 90s, and said it should be out in 2 months or so. 

    I love that "Hordes of Locusts" on Satriani's "Dreaming #11".  I think
    I would've called it the "Elephant Walk" though :-).  I just get this
    funny image when I hear it.
    
    Okay, now that I know Satriani rooolz, what else is out there for
    guitar based, rock instrumentals?  
    
    Mike

    Really?  Well, I have never heard HOL live, but on the album the
    guitar sounds like Locusts to me!    
    
    >Okay, now that I know Satriani rooolz, what else is out there for
    >guitar based, rock instrumentals?  

    Tons!!  There Greg Howe's two lp's, Tony MacAlpine (3 lp's), Joey
    Trafolla, Ritchie Kotzen, Blues Scenaro, Vinnie Moore (3 lp's), etc...
    All those cats play on the Shrapnel label (see ads on inserts on
    popular guitar mags). 

    RE: .7
    
    > Could some of you recommend some other guitar-based, rock
    > instrumentalists?
    
    I can't believe db hasn't jumped in here with Steve Morse! Perhaps
    it's because Morse pushes the definition of "rock." Try the Dregs or
    the Steve Morse Band. 
    
    RE: .10
    
    > Tons!!  There Greg Howe's two lp's, Tony MacAlpine (3 lp's), Joey
    > Trafolla, Ritchie Kotzen, Blues Scenaro, Vinnie Moore (3 lp's), etc...
    > All those cats play on the Shrapnel label (see ads on inserts on
    
    In case anyone is interested, I'll take this opportunity to advertise...
    I have MacAlpine's "Maximum Security" CD and one by Impelliteri (more 
    blazing guitar, but with vocals - I don't recall the album name) for 
    sale for $9 each (add $1 for postage if you're not in ZK). Send mail 
    to STAR::BENSON.
    
    Tom

    Do these guys do instrumental work?
    
    Ry Cooder, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Healy,
    Yngwie Malmsteen, Eric Johnson, Pat Metheny, Robin Trower
    
    I'm compiling a list :-)
    
    Mike

    I think all those named have done *some* instrumental songs, but I'd
    say it wasn't typical of their work. 
    
    Pat Metheny is the exception.  I believe most of his material is
    instrumental, although I'm not sure.  I don't listen to him very much
    as most of what I've heard from him is too mellow for my tastes.
    
    Greg

    I recommend Al DiMeola's "Elegant Gypsy" album.  It features a
    a good mix of electric and acoustic guitars, some ballad-like
    material and some real barnburners, particularly "Race with the
    Devil on a Spanish Highway."  Anthony Jackson on bass, Steve Gadd
    on drums, and Paco DeLucia guests on the acoustic stunner,
    "Mediterranean Sunrise."  I believe Jan Hammer is on keys, too.
    The album can usually be had for the "Nice Price," and even the CD
    is under $10.00.
    
    Pat Metheny can be mellow, however, he is quite exciting in concert.
    His "American Garage" album should be in every guitarist's collection.
    He has featured a vocalist in the last few years, however, the vocalist
    uses his voice more as an instrument, as opposed to singing lyrics.
    
    Rhino Records has released several compilations of rock instrumentals
    that are quite enjoyable.  Look for them in the "Collections" section
    of your music store.
    
    Other (guitar) instrumental favorites:
    
    The Ventures     (Joe Walsh claims their hit "Walk, Don't Run, inspired
                      a whole generation of teenagers to take up guitar!)
    
    Dick Dale        (60's Surf guitar, He jams on the Ventures hit
                      "Pipeline" with Stevie Ray Vaughan, available on the
                      BACK TO THE BEACH soundtrack.  And if you take out
                      the videocassette, you can see the jam.)
    
    Night of the
    Guitar Live       This album was recorded live in London and features
                      (for the most part) instrumentals by several "70's"
                      guitarists, including Leslie West, Steve Howe,
                      Alvin Lee, Steve Hunter, Randy California, and Robbie
                      Krieger.  Each played with the house band, featuring
                      drummer Stewart Copeland.  Plenty of rich bends and
                      melodic soloing.  The album has been getting slagged
                      in the guitar mags, largely I suspect, because it 
                      doesn't have any "full shred, wang bar, two-handed
                      tapping pyrotechnics."
    

    
    
    
    	Stevie, IMHO, does a great job on an instrumental on his latest
    album... it's long, and I can't remember the name, (ahem... see me for
    further details, if necessary).  Jeff Healey's album, "See the Light"
    doesn't have any instrumentals (at least I don't think it does... nice
    memory Steve, heck I've only listened to the thing about a million
    times.. you youngsters take notice..this can happen to you, if you're
    not careful).... but he does some really cool stuff in Gmaj on a coupla
    cuts.
    
    	I applaud your taste (grin)
    
    
    Regards,
    Steve

>    	Stevie, IMHO, does a great job on an instrumental on his latest
>    album... it's long, and I can't remember the name, 

Is that "Riviera Paradise", or something like that? 

Alan S.

    re .15
    
    Jeff Healey covers Freddie King's instrumental classic
    "Hideaway," I believe.
    
    -Tom

    Check out Guy Mandude (thats his name, honest!).
    
    I think he's one of Mike Varney's new boys.

>           <<< Note 1308.18 by CHEFS::DALLISON "Cocked and Loaded" >>>
>    Check out Guy Mandude (thats his name, honest!).

    The new Guitar World has an interview with this guy, he's quite a
    story!
    
    He was a drummer and switched to guitar about 7 years ago.  Of course,
    he also happens to be longtime friends with Steve Lukather and Steve
    Vai (played drums for them in bands), but he also practiced for about
    12 hours a day.  
    
    Quite an accomplishment for a drummer! :-)
    
    Mike
    

    	Tom Scott (and The L.A. Express) had an album out ages ago entitled
    	"Tom Cat".  There's lots of good guitar work on the album, but
    	it's not a guitar-oriented album, per se.  I've always especially
    	liked the guitar solo on a tune called "Goodnight Mr. and Mrs.
    	America And All The Ships At Sea".  I believe it's Robben Ford.
    
    	Also, Jean Luc Ponty usually features some seriously dangerous
    	guitar players.
    
    	Both are in the "jazz/rock" genre (imo)

    	joe.

    Steve Vai has signed with Relativity Records (sound familiar?) and will
    release his 2nd solo effort this spring.  It is called "Passion &
    Warfare" and is all instrumental.  Musicians featured are: Stu Hamm -
    Bass, Chris Frazier - Drums, Dave Rosenthal - keys.  Vai also does some
    bass & keyboard parts in addition to all guitars.
    
    Mike

Didn't rosenthal play in rainbow for a while? 

dbii

    I need to know the name of the record label for the following.  Could
    someone that has them post it please?
    
    Steve Vai's       "Flexable"
    Blues Saraceno    "Never Look Back"
    Eric Johnson      "Tones"
    
    Thanks,
    Mike

    Eric Johnson "Tones" is on a Warner Bros label,but will be found
    under Reprise. This was the same label Jimi Hendrix was on as I
    remember.Which BTW this is why EJ was excited to be on the label
    that one of his influences.....
    
    							Rick

    Hey Instrumentalists!  Here's your topic!