2012 is here, 2011′s musical highs and lows for me.

Less than 12 hours ago I rang in the new year of 2012. I’d been thinking about the musical postives and negatives that I’d seen through 2011 and now that I’m awake and fresh I thought I’d document this.

I saw a few stand out gigs in 2011, I saw John Mayer at the Hammer Smith Apollo that was simply stunning, Phip Sayce at the Bristol Tunnels (supported by Marcus Bonfanti) and the original Jayhawks line up at the Manchester Academy.

• Philip Sayce released the album “Ruby Electric”, a mix of some great new songs and some quality live recordings of past favourites
• I found Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band “Live In Chicago” – I’ve never liked Kenny Wayne Shepherds music on albums (despite his obvious talnet) but live he really shines.
• The Jayhawks original line up returned to release the album “Mocking Bird Time”
• Laura Marling released “A Creature I Don’t Know”, this is nothing like Laura Marlings other albums and is a lesson in music production from Ethan Johns.
• Through the Eric Clapton Crossroads festival DVD’s I really started to appreciate Derek Trucks, especially the album “Already Free”
• Ryan Adams released “Ashes & Fire” each album Ryan Adams puts out I enjoy a little more than the last (apart from Easy Tiger which I think is his best work)

2011′s musical dissapointments consisted of

• Aimee Mann – no new music
• Lisa Loeb – no new music
• John Mayer – delaying the release of “Born And Raised” due to a problem with his throat
• Black Country Communion’s album “2″ – better than the first but still poor compared to what it should be
• Joe Bonamassa’s release “Dust Bowl” a real dissapointment, possibly spreading himself too thin ?
• Joe Bonamassa’s general move away from focus on music to pushing out albums and signature gear, seriously signature Les Paul (various models), signature Les Paul Studio, Signature Epiphone Les Paul, signature guitar picks, signature fuzz face, signature Wah, signature Carolanne amplifier, and even a signature microphone….his live rig is now consisting of 6 amps ??? This guy can play and write, I hope 2012 sees a return onto less but more quality output.

For me personally I’ve really found my feet and style as a guitarist and I actually like what I play, how I play, how I sound and what I write for the first time in years. Listening and reading a lot more to quality guitar plays such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer and Philip Sayce, I think I’ve really started to understand how to use a guitar amplifier well and even multiple guitar amplifiers combined as one. I’ve learnt how to use and control gain and over drive through quality amplifiers and effects pedals and I’m surprised how little drive I use these days. Through discussions and listening to musician friends both real world and online cyber friends I’ve exeprienced other peoples positive and negative experiences which has helped me become more comfortable with my own. Because of the wide scope and age of music I’ve listened to this year I’ve started to see and appreciate more how much of an effect a producer has on how music is recorded and the importance of working with someone who not only has the skill to bring music to a high quality recording but also shares the same vision and direction of your own.

Best wishes to anyone who reads this blog, all 6 of you……