Hear It Here

JIMI HENDRIX AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE

Any of the tracks here are recommended – not just for the specific licks and chords but also for Jimi’s overall approach as the main harmonic instrument in this three-piece format with a minimum of overdubs. The title track, while featuring a few overdubs later on, is a particularly great demonstration of this. Little Wing is worth revisiting, while Wait Until Tomorrow is a masterclass in creating harmonic and rhythmic interest.

STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN LIVE AT MONTREUX (1982 & 1985)

The first eight tracks, recorded in 1982, capture SRV at the moment he came to the attention of David Bowie and Jackson Browne. All the tracks give useful ideas, but going chronologically, starting with Hide Away and Texas Flood then skipping to 1985 with Couldn’t Stand The Weather, these showcase a mixture of rhythm and lead, which at times fills the space of two guitars but could also maintain interest with comparatively simple, sparse lines.

MATT SCHOFIELD HEADS, TAILS & ACES

Though Matt has the luxury of keyboards to fill any harmonic gaps here, there is definitely a lot to be gained by checking out his tone and phrasing in these songs, particularly on the minor blues of War We Wage, the slow blues of Lay It Down, and the harmonically savvy phrasing of I Told Ya. Matt also manages to get piercing phrases through the Hammond organ accompaniment without any harshness – an achievement in itself!