The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Seattle's Greg Ruby lives and breathes jazz guitar. When he's not gigging with various ensembles, this former member of Pearl Django is a busy composer and music educator. Ruby's latest project is one of his most ambitious, Oscar Alemán: Play Along Songbook, Volume One. On this week's podcast, Ruby walks us through the unbelievable life of Alemán (a peer of Django Reinhardt's with an equally made-for-Hollywood back story). We also talk about Greg's early introduction to gypsy jazz and hear about the mammoth task he had in assembling this collection of tab/notation (the first dedicated to Alemán's music). http://gregrubymusic.com https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Damien Jurado joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about the making of 'In the Shape of a Storm,' his incredible new solo acoustic album. During our chat, Jurado talks about the inspiration he received from a no-name nylon-stringed guitar; walks us through the album's sparse production (just two microphones; recorded in just a couple of hours); explains why he moved from the Pacific Northwest; and speaks candidly about his relationship with the late, great Richard Swift. Plus a lot more...

The always delightful Sam Amidon joins us on the Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about music, the joys of touring by bus and much more. We also chat about growing up in a folk music-filled household, Amidon's take on the Harry Smith's The Anthology of American Folk Music and get the the story behind his cherished Martin OM-15. Check the Fretboard Journal site for our new video with Amidon performing "Juma Mountain."

By popular demand, Folkway Music's Mark Stutman returns to give us even more behind-the-scenes tales of vintage guitar repair. We talk about Gibson acoustics and what it would take for new Gibsons to capture the coveted tone of their '30s and '40s predecessors. We also chat about the art of neck resets (Mark is featured in a feature on resets in the FJ #44, out soon) and much more. A must-listen if you love vintage acoustic guitars. https://www.folkwaymusic.com

Fingerstyle guitarist Kinloch Nelson joins us on this week's FJ Podcast to talk about Partly on Time: Recordings 1968-1970, his new (and highly recommended) anthology on Tompkins Square. The backstory on these demo and previously unreleased recordings is simply incredible. Kinloch sheds light on the making of these long-lost recordings, his guitars of choice and the ill-fated session he was supposed to do with John Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas, plus a lot more... Into high end acoustic guitars? If so, you should know about the Artisan Guitar Show, taking place April 12-14 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. https://artisanguitarshow.com http://www.tompkinssquare.com

Guitarist Mike Baggetta stops by the Fretboard Journal to talk about the making of his incredible new album 'Wall of Flowers,' which features in the incredible rhythm section of Mike Watt on bass and Jim Keltner on drums. Baggetta describes the incredible influence Watt's music had on his playing over the years, talks to us about his gear of choice (including his Saul Koll-built guitars and Fryette amps) and much more. https://mikebaggetta.bandcamp.com/album/wall-of-flowers

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we celebrate the larger-than-life personality and music of Dick Dale, who passed away at the age of 81. We begin by talking to Matt Warshaw, surf historian and the author of the Encyclopedia of Surfing. Then we talk to frequent FJ contributor Jim Washburn about the time he spent with Dick Dale over the years. Lastly, we talk to John Page of John Page Guitars, who worked with Dick during his time at the Fender Custom Shop.

Tim O'Brien (Hot Rize) joins us on this week's podcast to talk about his excellent new, self-titled Tim O'Brien Band album, out March 15, 2019. The album is features an array of covers, new tunes and even a co-write with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. We also discuss his guitar of choice (a 1937 Martin 00-18), his lengthy relationship with Mike Kemnitzer (Nugget Mandolins), how he balances his busy session work schedule and a lot more.

Fingerstyle guitarist Adam Miller joins us on this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast to talk about his music, growing up in Australia, the influence that Tommy Emmanuel had on his playing and the incredible collection of acoustic and electric guitars he's been able to amass. Check out Adam's excellent 2018 album, 'The Defining of Success' or the new acoustic EP 'Love/Home/Fight/Solo' on Spotify or wherever you stream music. This week's episode is sponsored by Vibes, the safer alternative to foam earplugs. Use promo code FRETBOARD to get 15% off plus free shipping at www.discovervibes.com. Love the FJ Podcast? Then you hopefully know we have two more podcasts in our family: Luthier on Luthier and the Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/luthier-on-luthier-with-michael-bashkin/id1208172851?mt=2 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-truth-about-vintage-amps-with-skip-simmons/id1442046563?mt=2

Daniel Romano is an insanely talented (and prolific) multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Canada. Over the last decade, he's released music that has varied from folk and country-inspired to power pop and punk. Romano came by the Fretboard Journal and talked to us about his varied sounds, his recording habits and, of course, his gear. We also shot a video of him playing two songs from his latest record, 'Finally Free,' which we'll be posting next week. Like the FJ Podcast? Consider subscribing to the Fretboard Journal magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/subscriptions