No. 256, April 2014
BACK IN BLACK
Suzanne Vega releases first solo album in seven years
By David Knowles
LIVE & KICKING
Blues master John Hammond captures a monster live solo performance for posterity
By David Knowles
AT THE WATER'S EDGE
On the new album ‘Privateering,’ guitar slinger Mark Knopfler heeds the pirate’s call
By Kenny Berkowitz
ROADSIDE AMERICANA II: 50 MUST-SEE PLACES
Follow the signposts on the road to the acoustic nation
By Greg Cahill, Mark Segal Kemp, and David Knowles
SPECIAL FOCUS: SUMMER STUDY DIRECTORY
PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS
Headed for a festival or music camp? Jam sessions offer great fun and collective creativity . . . if you know how to approach them
By Stevie Coyle
DEPARTMENTS
From the Home Office
Opening Act
Events
Marketplace
Ad Index
Great Acoustics
The Beat
Remembering American music icon Pete Seeger; Saintseneca merges Appalachia, the Beatles, & Sonic Youth on ‘Dark Arc’; and more
News Spotlight
Dead again: Mountain Girl recounts finding long lost 1970 tapes that lead to the live acoustic ‘Family Dog’ album
Here’s How
Play the guitar with your daughter to help her build confidence and skills
Songcraft
David Wax marries American roots rock with Mexican folk
Acoustic Classic
‘Nature’s Way’ captured the spirit of the nascent ecology movement; tackling J.S. Bach’s Bourrée in E minor
The Basics
How to smooth out chord changes by switching up your fingerings
Weekly Workout
Learn the different minor scales for rock, jazz, ethnic styles, and more
AG Trade
Athens luthier spiffs up vintage Harmony and Kay guitars; Ernie Ball introduces a new alloy acoustic string; and more
Makers & Shakers
Arizona-based Jason Kostal traded corporate life for a luthier’s dreams
Guitar Guru
Dana Bourgeois on how to get rid of that annoying buzz
Review: Larrivee OM-40R
Don’t let this modestly priced guitar fool you—it’s one well-crafted machine
Review:Traveler AG-105
New mini-guitar offers a full-scale neck and bright acoustic sounds
Review: AER Compact 60/3 Acoustic Amp
Popular small, but powerful, AER acoustic amp is better than ever
Mixed Media: Playlist
Rosanne Cash reaches back to her Southern roots to create a great American song cycle; and other CDs
