Thalia Meets Jared James Nichols Part 3

Welcome back to the final part of Thalia’s in depth interview with Jared James Nichols.

In this final edition, we pick up on Jared’s Blues Power mantra, life on the road, and how his impressive Epiphone signature Les Paul came to be…

What is the Greatest Beatles Solo Album?

Of course, choosing a favorite is by no means easy; there’s so much to like about the Beatles’ solo offerings, and for different reasons. To get you thinking, here are some of our musings on the Fab Four’s post-Beatles records.

Metallica’s James Hetfield: A Little Bit Country

Naturally, when we think of James Hetfield, we tend to think hard rock. But, if you know your Metallica, you’ll know just how indebted Papa Het is to the world of country.

Guitar Stories: Eddie Van Halen’s Ibanez Destroyer

Super-Strats became Eddie’s guitars of choice by the 1980s. But, in the early days of Van Halen, the Ibanez Destroyer was the king of his rig. And, it’s the guitar that he played for some of VH’s defining early moments.

Thalia Meets Jared James Nichols Part 2

Welcome back to Thalia’s in depth interview with Blues Power prodigy Jared James Nichols. In part two, we pick up as Jared moves to L.A. and the moment that he nailed down his distinctive playing style.

Is Jimi Hendrix the Greatest Guitar Player of all Time?

"Jimi Hendrix exploded our idea of what rock music could be: He manipulated the guitar, the whammy bar, the studio and the stage."-Tom Morello, Rage Against the Machine

That Time I Played a $100K Les Paul with Jared James Nichols

“Try it on for size, man,” Jared smiles, casually handing me an instrument that could buy me a house. I’m initially hesitant. There’s the cost - $100,000 according to the man who took it for a spin on stage this evening - not to mention the pressure of demonstrating my merely competent chops in front of the blues-rock wunderkind.

Know Your Acoustic Body: Parlor

In this edition, we’re taking a look at the Parlor guitar. The smallest guitar we’ve covered so far, the Parlor made waves in the late 19^th century, offering a musical outlet for living room strummers.

Three Ways to Play like B.B. King

When it came to guitar playing, B.B. King was a true original. B.B. King had a knack for locking in a particular pattern of notes and strings when playing in a specific key. In fact, it’s one of the main signature elements of the B.B. King sound.

“Sympathy for the Devil”: The Making of a Stones Masterpiece (Part Three)

Welcome to the final edition of our series on the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.” Over the course of these articles, we’ve talked about how the band created one of their defining masterpieces, and the tremendous impact the song had on popular culture.

“Sympathy for the Devil”: The Making of a Stones Masterpiece (Part Two)

Welcome back to our three part series on the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.”

“Sympathy for the Devil”: The Making of a Stones Masterpiece

“Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a man of wealth and taste.” So begins “Sympathy for the Devil.” When released in 1968, the song cemented the Rolling Stones as genre-defining songwriters par excellence.But more than that, it became one of the most culturally significant tracks of the 20^th century.

The Guitars That Made… Jimmy Page (Part Two)

Welcome back to the Guitars That Made Jimmy Page. Last time, we got to grips with Page’s iconic Telecaster, double neck and, of course, his Number 1 Gibson Les Paul. Now, to kick off Part Two, we’re jumping back in with another Les Paul. This one’s less well known, but equally important to Page’s guitar playing history. It’s also the one that got away. The reasons for that will become clear momentarily…

Words of Wisdom: James Taylor

James Taylor is probably the definitive singer-songwriter of his generation. His confessional lyrics are some of the most affecting in popular music. And, given his way with words, it’s hardly surprising that Taylor is a great interview subject.

Pete Townshend: The Psyche of a Guitar Smasher

For many of us, it’s hard to imagine smashing a precious instrument. The Who’s Pete Townshend isn’t like you or I, though. Back in the day, smashing guitars was par for the course for him.

Jimmy Page: Three Guitar Techniques

If you’re playing electric guitar in 2019, you owe a debt to Jimmy Page.

The Quotable Keith Richards

The man is an icon. Along with Mick Jagger, he’s the heart of the Rolling Stones and one of the most important figures in rock ‘n’ roll history. Without Keef, popular music would be a very different place.

The Genius of Hendrix: Embellished Chords and “Little Wing”

Jimi Hendrix was a guitar genius. How’s that for an obvious statement to start a guitar article? Sometimes though, the most obvious points bear repeating, and this is definitely the case with Jimi.

Tony McManus: “The Guitarman’s Guitarist”

Tony McManus has been described as the “guitarman’s guitarist.” In today’s article, I’m diving into McManus’s story; how he gravitated towards the six string, and what makes him such a unique force in fingerstyle guitar playing.

Know Your Acoustic Body: Jumbo

In this edition, we’re getting to grips with what is perhaps the largest model in the acoustic guitar realm; the aptly named Jumbo.

Know Your Acoustic Body: Dreadnought

Today, we’re diving in with an iconic and enduring type: the Dreadnought. Given the nautical origins of this instrument’s name, “diving in” is entirely appropriate!

Gibson ES-335 Legends

Today, in celebration of the great 335, I’m running through a handful of legendary players that adopted the instrument, and its variations, as their signature axe.

The Guitars that Made… Jimmy Page

The Dragon isn’t Page’s first signature guitar. In fact, he’s had several. With that in mind, I thought it’d be fun to tell the stories of some of Page’s more noteworthy instruments.