Matt BlackettSocial Links Navigation Latest articles by Matt Blackett “Paco needed to relax, so he smoked a joint and the second take was the one”: Al Di Meola on the magic of Mediterranean Sundance By Matt Blackett published 10 September 24 Reflecting on his chemistry with Paco De Lucia in a 2009 GP interview, Di Meola revealed that the spontaneous creative fire of the Mediterranean Sundance session stunned all of its participants – including the guitarists themselves David Cassidy on seeing Hendrix, learning from the session guitar greats, and jamming with Paul McCartney and John Lennon By Matt Blackett published 26 July 24 A mega-star with the Partridge Family, Cassidy was nonetheless a serious guitarist, and worked in the studio with the likes of Larry Carlton and Mick Ronson How Guitar Player's Spotlight column made Yngwie Malmsteen a guitar hero overnight By Matt Blackett published 14 May 24 “It wasn’t just the notes in his playing, but the energy and the attitude behind them,” tastemaker and Spotlight author Mike Varney told GP “A lot of guitarists don’t consider themselves part of the rhythm section. I could always count on Randy to come up with great rhythm guitar parts”: Rudy Sarzo on the magic of Randy Rhoads' rhythm work, and the tonal quirks that set him apart By Matt Blackett published 10 April 24 Rhoads' former bandmate details how the late guitar legend's rig changed over time, and what about his playing often gets overlooked “Mick Taylor would play the top lines. Keith Richards would write most of the songs... Once, Keith said, ‘You play too f*cking loud. I can’t work with you in the room right now‘”: Andy Johns on the Rolling Stones' turbulent Exile on Main St. sessions By Matt Blackett published 7 March 24 Though the late engineer had already worked with George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Free, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin, he saw what would become the Stones' masterpiece as “the most important project” he'd ever taken on “I got into the Who when I was playing my Mom’s Martin. I thought it looked cool to do the windmill, but when my Mom saw how badly I scratched her guitar she said, ‘No more pick for you’”: Carolyn Wonderland on Tele Thinlines and Houston guitar heroes By Matt Blackett published 20 February 24 In this classic GP interview, the Texan with the stunning voice (and equally impressive six-string chops) discusses her tonal inspirations, and why – decades after her early windmilling damage – she continues to stick with fingerstyle "I Once Did a Solo on a David Crosby Record Without Ever Hearing the Song": Steve Lukather Reveals His Most Shocking Studio Sessions By Matt Blackett published 16 August 23 "He said, 'You bastard! You never even heard the song!'" recalls Luke in this hilarious interview “Music Is About Completing Those Little Circuits That Connect You to Your Past”: Mark Knopfler Looks Back on the Journey From “Sultans of Swing” to His Latest Solo Album, ‘Down the Road Wherever’ By Matt Blackett published 25 April 23 “It’s still about that, and it’s endlessly fascinating,” says the Dire Straits guitar legend “It All Starts In the Mind”: Steve Vai Shares Some Words of Wisdom for Guitarists By Rod Brakes, Matt Blackett published 18 May 22 We get in the zone with Vai in this interview excerpt from the GP archives. Fender Limited Edition HM Strat Review By Matt Blackett last updated 13 May 22 A go-faster Strat with a finish so loud it's visible from space. What's not to like? Discover the Flawed Genius of Guitar Master Lenny Breau By Matt Blackett published 5 August 21 VIDEO A hero and mentor to guitar greats like Steve Vai, Andy Summers, and Randy Bachman this rare virtuoso was a giant among giants. VIDEO Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen review By Matt Blackett published 21 July 21 No matter how complete your home studio or live rig is, it probably has a place for the compact Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface Steve Lukather Remembers His Friend, Eddie Van Halen By Matt Blackett published 23 December 20 “He was the magic. The guitar just gave him a means to perform that magic.“ Guitar Heroes Pay Tribute to the Genius of Eddie Van Halen By Matt Blackett published 21 December 20 Joe Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Richie Kotzen, and more on the man who changed guitar playing. How Eddie Van Halen Made Music, and Our World, So Much Richer By Matt Blackett last updated 17 December 20 Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt, and a host of stars join Guitar Player in paying tribute to a revolutionary guitarist. Fender Lead II and III Review By Matt Blackett published 23 October 20 A pair of retro doublecuts that were sadly long forgotten. Can they find an audience in 2020? Steve Lukather’s Most Terrifying Session: “It Was a Humbling Experience” By Matt Blackett published 21 October 20 Out of 1,500+ sessions, this is one that Luke definitely doesn't want to revisit. Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster V4 Review By Matt Blackett published 23 September 20 The latest evolution of the Slipknot guitarist's favorite offset welcomes his signature EMGs to the plate. One Control BJF-S66 review By Matt Blackett published 29 June 20 This compact solid-state head is a triumph of Swedish design and might just be the pedal platform you're looking for. Richie Kotzen Tells the Epic Story Behind His Magnum Opus By Matt Blackett published 16 June 20 For Kotzen, 50 is the new 50 as he celebrates his birthday with his biggest record ever. The Tuning that Flummoxed Pete Townshend and David Gilmour By Matt Blackett published 20 May 20 English Beat and General Public guitarist Dave Wakeling reveals the tuning that baffled two of his guitar heroes. Fender Vintera '70s Telecaster Thinline Review By Matt Blackett published 8 May 20 Although at a glance it looks like a Tele, this guitar is really its own thing, both sonically and visually. Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord Allied Overdrive Review By Matt Blackett published 27 April 20 EHX shrinks its hugely flexible OD pedal with impressive, amp-like results. Learn Some Monster Bends from Johnny Hiland By Matt Blackett published 16 April 20 Pick up some gorgeous, sick and twisted bends from one of country guitar's greatest practitioners. Kirk Hammett: The Five Guitar Solos That Changed My Life By Matt Blackett published 15 April 20 Metallica's lead guitarist tells GP about the five solos that most shaped his playing. 1 2 Archives Get The Pick NewsletterAll the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors LATEST ARTICLES1“They were chasing success. I had my own vision, and after 'Strangers in the Night,' I split.” Michael Schenker brought UFO global fame. He had other plans for himself2“He let everyone know he was the new dangerous kid on the block. It started me on a relentless mission to find out just who this man was”: Eric Clapton reveals the guitarist that inspired him to quit the Bluesbreakers and form Cream3I’ve been playing guitar for 20 years – discover why I switched to Til guitar lessons and get $20 off your first lesson from a pro tutor4"When you look at his 18-page discography, the enormous impact he and his guitar have had on the world of music becomes clear." Learn these 10 techniques that made Steve Lukather a legendary studio ace5"I placed the DeArmond pickup near the bridge. I put a crushed cigarette packet underneath it. That helped to get that round sound.” Vic Flick, guitarist behind the iconic James Bond theme, has died. Read our historic interview with him
“Paco needed to relax, so he smoked a joint and the second take was the one”: Al Di Meola on the magic of Mediterranean Sundance By Matt Blackett published 10 September 24 Reflecting on his chemistry with Paco De Lucia in a 2009 GP interview, Di Meola revealed that the spontaneous creative fire of the Mediterranean Sundance session stunned all of its participants – including the guitarists themselves
David Cassidy on seeing Hendrix, learning from the session guitar greats, and jamming with Paul McCartney and John Lennon By Matt Blackett published 26 July 24 A mega-star with the Partridge Family, Cassidy was nonetheless a serious guitarist, and worked in the studio with the likes of Larry Carlton and Mick Ronson
How Guitar Player's Spotlight column made Yngwie Malmsteen a guitar hero overnight By Matt Blackett published 14 May 24 “It wasn’t just the notes in his playing, but the energy and the attitude behind them,” tastemaker and Spotlight author Mike Varney told GP
“A lot of guitarists don’t consider themselves part of the rhythm section. I could always count on Randy to come up with great rhythm guitar parts”: Rudy Sarzo on the magic of Randy Rhoads' rhythm work, and the tonal quirks that set him apart By Matt Blackett published 10 April 24 Rhoads' former bandmate details how the late guitar legend's rig changed over time, and what about his playing often gets overlooked
“Mick Taylor would play the top lines. Keith Richards would write most of the songs... Once, Keith said, ‘You play too f*cking loud. I can’t work with you in the room right now‘”: Andy Johns on the Rolling Stones' turbulent Exile on Main St. sessions By Matt Blackett published 7 March 24 Though the late engineer had already worked with George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Free, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin, he saw what would become the Stones' masterpiece as “the most important project” he'd ever taken on
“I got into the Who when I was playing my Mom’s Martin. I thought it looked cool to do the windmill, but when my Mom saw how badly I scratched her guitar she said, ‘No more pick for you’”: Carolyn Wonderland on Tele Thinlines and Houston guitar heroes By Matt Blackett published 20 February 24 In this classic GP interview, the Texan with the stunning voice (and equally impressive six-string chops) discusses her tonal inspirations, and why – decades after her early windmilling damage – she continues to stick with fingerstyle
"I Once Did a Solo on a David Crosby Record Without Ever Hearing the Song": Steve Lukather Reveals His Most Shocking Studio Sessions By Matt Blackett published 16 August 23 "He said, 'You bastard! You never even heard the song!'" recalls Luke in this hilarious interview
“Music Is About Completing Those Little Circuits That Connect You to Your Past”: Mark Knopfler Looks Back on the Journey From “Sultans of Swing” to His Latest Solo Album, ‘Down the Road Wherever’ By Matt Blackett published 25 April 23 “It’s still about that, and it’s endlessly fascinating,” says the Dire Straits guitar legend
“It All Starts In the Mind”: Steve Vai Shares Some Words of Wisdom for Guitarists By Rod Brakes, Matt Blackett published 18 May 22 We get in the zone with Vai in this interview excerpt from the GP archives.
Fender Limited Edition HM Strat Review By Matt Blackett last updated 13 May 22 A go-faster Strat with a finish so loud it's visible from space. What's not to like?
Discover the Flawed Genius of Guitar Master Lenny Breau By Matt Blackett published 5 August 21 VIDEO A hero and mentor to guitar greats like Steve Vai, Andy Summers, and Randy Bachman this rare virtuoso was a giant among giants.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen review By Matt Blackett published 21 July 21 No matter how complete your home studio or live rig is, it probably has a place for the compact Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface
Steve Lukather Remembers His Friend, Eddie Van Halen By Matt Blackett published 23 December 20 “He was the magic. The guitar just gave him a means to perform that magic.“
Guitar Heroes Pay Tribute to the Genius of Eddie Van Halen By Matt Blackett published 21 December 20 Joe Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Richie Kotzen, and more on the man who changed guitar playing.
How Eddie Van Halen Made Music, and Our World, So Much Richer By Matt Blackett last updated 17 December 20 Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt, and a host of stars join Guitar Player in paying tribute to a revolutionary guitarist.
Fender Lead II and III Review By Matt Blackett published 23 October 20 A pair of retro doublecuts that were sadly long forgotten. Can they find an audience in 2020?
Steve Lukather’s Most Terrifying Session: “It Was a Humbling Experience” By Matt Blackett published 21 October 20 Out of 1,500+ sessions, this is one that Luke definitely doesn't want to revisit.
Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster V4 Review By Matt Blackett published 23 September 20 The latest evolution of the Slipknot guitarist's favorite offset welcomes his signature EMGs to the plate.
One Control BJF-S66 review By Matt Blackett published 29 June 20 This compact solid-state head is a triumph of Swedish design and might just be the pedal platform you're looking for.
Richie Kotzen Tells the Epic Story Behind His Magnum Opus By Matt Blackett published 16 June 20 For Kotzen, 50 is the new 50 as he celebrates his birthday with his biggest record ever.
The Tuning that Flummoxed Pete Townshend and David Gilmour By Matt Blackett published 20 May 20 English Beat and General Public guitarist Dave Wakeling reveals the tuning that baffled two of his guitar heroes.
Fender Vintera '70s Telecaster Thinline Review By Matt Blackett published 8 May 20 Although at a glance it looks like a Tele, this guitar is really its own thing, both sonically and visually.
Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord Allied Overdrive Review By Matt Blackett published 27 April 20 EHX shrinks its hugely flexible OD pedal with impressive, amp-like results.
Learn Some Monster Bends from Johnny Hiland By Matt Blackett published 16 April 20 Pick up some gorgeous, sick and twisted bends from one of country guitar's greatest practitioners.
Kirk Hammett: The Five Guitar Solos That Changed My Life By Matt Blackett published 15 April 20 Metallica's lead guitarist tells GP about the five solos that most shaped his playing.
