While you're here, check out my Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial and pay your respects.
Want to know what I'm listening to this week? Click here.
In Step, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Actually, you SHOULD own his entire catalog, but this is a good starting point.
Surfing With the Alien/Flying In a Blue Dream, Joe Satriani. Satch is my favorite guitarist, and both of these albums contain his best work. I still can't decide which one I like more.
Passion and Warfare, Steve Vai. Mr. Vai is absolutely out of his mind. His best effort.
Back in Black, AC/DC. Three chords never sounded so good.
Operation: Mindcrime, Queensryche. Remember them? Forget "Empire." This concept album is absolutely brilliant. A great listen from start to finish.
Texas Sugar/Strat Magic, Chris Duarte Group. The Red Hot Chili Peppers meet Stevie Ray Vaughan. Check it out.
Vivid/Stain, Living Color. Why did this band break up? Vernon Reid is my of my favorite players, and does some great work on either of these albums. Note Doug Wimbish's great bass work on "Stain."
Dogman, King's X. Once upon a time, King's X decided to make their heaviest album. And it was good.
Fair Warning, Van Halen. The best Van Halen album, hand's down. Forget Sammy Hagar. And forget Gary Cherone. Roth is still it.
The Original Musiquarium I, Stevie Wonder. This is a great collection for one of the masters from Motown. Listen and learn.
Strong Persuader, Robert Cray Band. A great R&B/blues album. Plus, Robert Cray makes the best faces when he's playing the guitar.
Houses of the Holy/In Through the Out Door, Led Zeppelin. Yes, the earlier stuff is great too, but for my tastes, you can't beat either of these albums.
Exit ... Stage Left, Rush. Sorry, Loverboy fans. Rush is the greatest band to come from Canada.
Here Comes Trouble, Scatterbrain. You've never heard of this band, but this is a great album. Metal with humor. One band that refuses to take itself seriously. I like that.
Trio Jeepy/I Heard You Twice the First Time, Branford Marsalis. Two great jazz albums from that guy on "The Tonight Show" band.
Space in Your Face, The Galactic Cowboys. The greatest band you've never heard of. If the Beatles played hard rock, this is what it would've sounded like. As one guitar magazine put it, "Finally, a band that understands how harmony relates to crunch." Exactly.
Rhythmeen, ZZ Top. This latest release from the little band from Texas is one of their best. Great tone.
Ah Via Musicom, Eric Johnson. Amid the hair bands and posing of the '80's came one very tasty album. It's just too bad E.J. takes five years to release records!
90125, Yes. I grew up with this one. If you're my age, you should've too.
Images & Words, Dream Theater. Tired of grunge? Here's one band that's decidedly non-grunge, that's for sure. Very cool, if not complex, arrangements.
Bad Horsie/The Animal, Steve Vai (from "Alien Love Secrets and "Passion and Warfare"). Just killer. Both riffs have more attitude than a disgruntled cab driver.
Satch Boogie, Joe Satriani (from "Surfing With the Alien"). ZZ Top at 78.
We Die Young, Alice In Chains (from "Facelift"). This one demands to be played at maximum volume.
She's Just Killin' Me, ZZ Top (from "Rhythmeen"). Three well-placed chords can make for a great riff, as the Reverend Billy G has shown time and time again.
Couldn't Stand the Weather, Stevie Ray Vaughan (title track). This funky groove is one of my favorites from SRV.
Postman, Living Color (from "Stain"). Vernon Reid stripped down his guitar rig for this album, and the addition of Doug Wimbish on bass was perfect. "Stain" is chock-full of great riffs, but I like this one best.
Mean Street, Van Halen (from "Fair Warning"). No explanation needed.
Lie, Dream Theater (from "Awake"). John Petrucci uses a seven-string guitar for this tune, with very crunchy results.
Cliffs of Dover, Eric Johnson (from "Ah Via Musicom). This cool riff is very catchy. One listen, and you'll be addicted for sure.
Here's what's in my guitar rig: Guitars: An Ibanez RG550, an Ibanez Joe Satriani model, and Ibanez desert-yellow JEM, and a Fender American Standard Strat. Effects: Boss GX-700 multi-effects, CryBaby Wah. Amp: MESA/Boogie 50-Caliber combo. Other stuff: Rockman MIDI pedal, Boss DR-5, Midiman 6-channel mixer.