I went downtown tonight to see not only one of my former guitar instructors but a good friend, Dan Mahar (www.danmahar.com). As usual, he didn’t disappoint. Dan not only is a super guitar player (definitely one of the best in Sioux Falls), but has a great voice. The weather was great for sitting outside on the patio at Stogeez and enjoying his music. I am looking forward to Dan’s new CD which will hopefully be out soon.  There is a good review on the Argus Leader (www.argusleader.com) web site in the entertainment/link section of Dan’s cd Long Stones Throw.

On a similar note, over the last three days I have been able to listen to three guitar oriented cd’s. The first was the latest offering from session guitar master Steve Lukather, Ever Changing Times. As one would expect from one of the greatest guitar players ever, great guitar chops. One can definitely hear the Toto like songs as well as a Steely Dan influence. I knew I would like the cd when the first song, Ever Changing Times had a Zakk Wylde sounding riff. The second was the latest from Billy Idol ax man, Steve Stevens, Memory Crash. Just when I thought that Lukather’s album was going to be the guitar album of the moment (despite the singing), I was totally blown away by Memory Crash. If you are a guitar junkie, this one is a must buy. His cover of Robin Trower’s song Day of the Eagle is phenomenal (btw, Bridge of Sighs, one of the best ablums ever in my opinion). A lot of people don’t know that Mr. Stevens is one of the all time best guitar players out there. One of his best is Flamenco a Go-Go, which I still listen to frequently, shows he is not just a rock guitar god. Last, but by far not least, is the latest by the super jazz guitar player and one of my all time favorites, Pat Metheny, called Day Tripper. I have never gotten to see my favorite guitar player John McLaughlin in concert, but I have been fortunate enough to see Mr. Metheny on more than one occasion, including the latest line up of one of the best bass players in the business, Christian McBride and wonder drummer Antonio Sanchez. Every track on this cd is incredible. Mr. Metheny probably a shoe in for his 18th grammy, definitely a must buy for any jazz junkie.