Latest articles by Jim Campilongo
Slowhand reinvented electric blues with this landmark recording.
Charlie Christian's recordings with the Benny Goodman Sextet still reveal the ideas that shaped jazz, blues and rock guitar decades after his brief career ended
When it came to guitar instrumentals, no-one served them hotter than Mickey Baker
On this outstanding album, Byrd packs in every steel-guitar treat one could hope for, including tone sweeps that convincingly replicate the human voice
This oft-overlooked, and recently-reissued, album sprang from the early '70s Bay Area music scene, which featured some of the best funk ever played by human hands
A spin of this fantastic compilation will make you fall in love with the guitar all over again
On his 1966 album, My Guitar, George Van Eps makes the best case ever for playing with seven strings
As well as writing popular standards like “Sixteen Tons”, Merle Travis was idolised by peers like Scotty Moore and the Everly Brothers. Walkin’ the Strings is a flashy, intimate and soulful masterclass of his stunning playing at its peak
With haunting songs about Jesus, solos that erupt like volcanoes plus his trademark chicken picking, shredding and right-hand pyrotechnics, here’s why you should take a deep dive into Roy Buchanan’s Second Album
With elegance, speed, humour and soul, Roy Clark showed he was far more than a “gun for hire” on this toe-tapping, fun-packed 1960’s tour de force
Jimmy and pedal-steel supremo Speedy West (aka “the country jazz John and Paul”) have a swingin’ good time on this fun 1960's shredfest which belies his difficult reputation
It's not a masterpiece. It didn't change the world. But Magic Steel Guitar should be listened to by anyone who loves country, jazz, and steel guitar
The group’s third studio LP is hard evidence of Fleetwood Mac’s growth from an excellent blues band to a blues-based act that defied description
This 1970s ECM classic defines a moment with deeply spiritual power
Devastated by his partner Ida Presti’s death, Alexandre Lagoya reclaimed his life and artistry on his own with this stunning display of beauty, technical prowess and humanity
The Paraguayan sensation was a recording pioneer and remains one of the 20th century’s greatest guitar virtuosos and composers
If rock music is a combination of bravado and lust, MC5 left pretty much everyone in the dust
"That said, one can’t go wrong with almost any Django selection," explains the Telecaster master
Bill Frisell’s innovative lines and chord voicings flow majestically on this masterful jazz recording
A true “American” artist he filtered pop through Spanish Harlem roots on his 1968 debut
Ben Webster’s 'Warm Moods' LP is a searing lesson in melody and skillful phrasing
Video Eventually put into production by Rickenbacker in 1968, this niche electric six-string was invented by the Banjo King
His Gibson Flying V played through a Magnatone 460 amplifier sounds truly iconic
