The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Nels Cline joins us on this week's podcast to discuss his new double-album on Blue Note, Share the Wealth. Share the Wealth finds Nels alongside the powerhouse lineup of Scott Amendola, Skerik, Trevor Dunn, Brian Marsella and Cyro Baptista. Inspired by the cut-up recording methods of Os Mutantes and influenced at least a bit by Miles Davis' electric period, it's one of his wildest projects to date. During our chat, we also talk gear (including the guitar that is closest to his heart while he's quarantining during the pandemic, his pedal board and more), collaborator Julian Lage, forthcoming Wilco recordings and more. It's a fun conversation with a Fretboard Journal favorite. Check out some of our previous features with Nels: His interview with Ralph Towner for our 39th issue, our cover story on him in the FJ #37 (part one, part two), and our podcast with Nels and Lage. Support what we do with a subscription to the Fretboard Journal magazine: digital / PDF subscription / keepsake print subscription. The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Mono Cases and Folkway Music.

Author and guitar collector John Stubbings joins us for a very special episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast to read from his monumental book, The Devil Is In It: A Story of Love, Obsession, and the American Acoustic Guitar. This hefty, slipbound-cased tome is equal parts history lesson, art book and memoir, showcasing John's love for the modern lutherie movement and all things acoustic guitar. It also features exquisite illustrations from FJ contributor Drew Christie. Listeners to the podcast can get a 50 GBP discount if they order now by using the discount code LONDON. Click here. The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Mono Cases and Folkway Music. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine and help support the show and all that we do: digital / PDF subscription / keepsake print subscription.

On his latest release, 'I Love You,' Kevin Breit does something truly monumental: 30 covers of his favorite songs performed entirely on vintage, mandolin family instruments. Performing all the parts, Breit himself becomes a one-man-band mandolin orchestra, while a different guest vocalist appears on each tune. It's just the latest brilliant idea to come from the Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and mandolin player. Over the years, Breit has backed the likes of Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, Cassandra Wilson and Hugh Laurie. He's also released some truly high concept solo albums and 2019's 'Stella Bella Strada,' where he showcased his latest custom guitar from builder Joe Yanuziello. During this week's podcast, we talk to Breit about his love for the mandolin, hear about the cool-looking pickups that inspired the 'Stella Bella Strada' album and much more. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine and help support the show and all that we do: digital / PDF subscription / keepsake print subscription. This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases. Links referenced: Kevin Breit's 'I Love You' (Bandcamp) David Gillis' 'Cooing With the Doves' Kevin Breit on the Music Makers & Soul Shakers Podcast

Guitarist and composer Jim Fox has backed dozens of vocal luminaries over the years, including Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Rosemary Clooney and Dean Martin. During this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk about his start in music, attending Berklee, his early stint backing Bobby Vinton, and the numerous years he spent accompanying Frank Sinatra, Jr. We also talk about Fox's jazz albums, his friendship with late studio legend Bob Bain, and his obsession with the archtop guitars of Australian luthier Steve Gilchrist. The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Mono Cases. Want to support the show? Get a digital or print subscription to the Fretboard Journal magazine. Digital subscriptions are just $30 per year. Links: https://jimfoxguitar.com/home http://www.gilchristmandolins.com/ https://www.fretboardjournal.com/video/bill-frisell-with-bob-bain-and-dennis-budimir-a-musical-conversation/ The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Mono Cases.

Steve McCreary is the GM of Collings Guitars and Mandolins and one of the most respected members of the musical instrument industry. Since joining Collings in 1992, he's helped helm the Austin, Texas-based company's growth into mandolins, electric guitars, and – most recently – their more affordable Waterloo line of instruments. During this lengthy interview, we hear about Steve's unique background (he's a former stonemason), what it was like to work with the late Bill Collings (a larger-than-life character) and how the company is navigating the COVID crisis through 2020 and beyond. We also talk about Collings' ongoing collaboration with guitarist Julian Lage, hear about the '70s and '80s Austin music scene, and a lot more If you enjoy in-depth interviews with the people behind your favorite guitars, we'd love your support. Get a digital subscription to the Fretboard Journal for just $30 (click here) or a keepsake print edition subscription (click here). We know you'll love it. Fretboard Journal #46 just mailed and our next issue will be out in early December 2020. Subscribers also get subscriber-only perks. Previous Collings Interviews: Bill Collings on the Fretboard Journal Podcast (link) Bruce VanWart of Collings on the Fretboard Journal Podcast (link) Our tribute to Bill Collings in the Fretboard Journal magazine (link) The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Mono Cases.

Robert "Nitebob" Czaykowski is a legendary rock & roll sound engineer. For nearly 50 years, he's done front-of-house mixing for musicians both famous and infamous, consulted with musical instrument companies (there's a "Nitebob" setting on Fender Cyber-Twins), worked as a gear tech, and even served as Walter Becker's de facto "guitar pimp." During this sprawling talk (hopefully the first of many), Nitebob reflects upon years working for Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Steely Dan, Lez Zeppelin, and REM (to name a few), talks about his early love for the guitar, explains what makes a great live mix and so much more. We think you'll love getting to know Nitebob. The Fretboard Journal Podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Mono Cases. Support our show with a subscription to the Fretboard Journal magazine (get our digital/PDF version or the keepsake print edition). Our new, 46th issue is now mailing featuring John Leventhal and Rosanne Cash, Hubert Sumlin, luthier Steve Grimes and many other guitar greats. Links mentioned: Nitebob on Roadie Free Radio; Nitebob on Joseph Arthur's Come to Where I'm From; Satellite Amplifiers on the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast; and the Fretboard Journal's tribute to the guitars of Walter Becker.

For our 300th episode, we're mixing things up with an informal Zoom conversation with two of our favorite people, jazz guitarists Bill Frisell and Anthony Wilson. During this hour-plus chat, these two friends riff on influences, the Los Angeles jazz scene, Dennis Budimir, Gerald Wilson (Anthony's dad), Gabor Szabo, and so much more. Watch Bill Frisell perform alongside Dennis Budimir and Bob Bain here. Our podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Mono Cases. We are also sponsored by Izotope. Use the coupon code RUIN10 at izotope.com/ruinous to save 10% off any order. The Fretboard Journal's new 46th issue is now available, with features on John Leventhal and Rosanne Cash, Hubert Sumlin and much more. Order or subscribe via this link.

Guitar great Adam Miller joins us once again (he originally appeared on Fretboard Journal Podcast #240) to talk about the making of his fantastic new electric album, Unify. Miller has had quite an interesting year: He and his wife were all set to relocate to Los Angeles full-time when COVID hit and sent him back home to Australia. He recounts how Unify came together, the influence his California time had on the album and why he decided to re-record its guitar parts. We also hear about Adam's current gear of choice and a lot more. Check out fretboardjournal.com for a new video featuring Adam playing the track "Leaving" from his new album. This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Retrofret Vintage Guitars and Izotope. Use the checkout code RUIN10 when you check out at izotope.com/ruinous to save 10% off your next software purchase.

With Beginners (ANTI- Records), Christian Lee Hutson released one of our favorite records of 2020, so it only felt fitting to invite this Los Angeles-based musician back on the Fretboard Journal Podcast. During our chat, Hutson talks about the making of his album (including his previous failed attempts to record these songs); overcoming self-doubt; working alongside Phoebe Bridgers (who ended up producing Beginners and appearing on it); taking up the clarinet and flute in the middle of the pandemic and much more. We also talk about Hutson's guest appearance on the Reply-All Podcast, where he pieced together and re-created a forgotten pop song based on one listener's recollection. Subscribe to reader supported Fretboard Journal magazine in print or digital/PDF form and get our new, 46th issue, mailing next week. Christian Lee Hutson also appeared on the Fretboard Journal Podcast #161 during an earlier visit. This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases, Retrofret and Izotope. Use the checkout code RUIN10 at izotope.com/ruinous to save 10% off your next software purchase.

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, Jason checks in with luthier and fellow podcaster, Michael Bashkin. It's an unfiltered and fun chat about the boutique guitar industry at large, the annual output of an independent solo maker, Michael's Luthier on Luthier Podcast and a lot more. Jason also asks Michael about guitar shows, Moon spruce and the realities of building production guitars overseas. It's a nearly 90-minute look at the state of the handmade guitar market. https://www.bashkinguitars.com Luthier on Luthier on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/luthier-on-luthier-with-michael-bashkin/id1208172851