guitar Archives • INGO VOGELMANN

Peter Gabriel’s “i/o” Album Review: He’s Back, Better Than Ever Before

Ingo — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Peter Gabriel’s latest album “i/o” stands not only as a testament to his enduring creativity but also as a potential crowning achievement in a career already brimming with groundbreaking work. Gabriel, a legend in the music industry, has been known for his innovative approach to music, particularly through the 80s and 90s, and “i/o” might very well be considered his best work to date. The Legacy of Peter Gabriel Gabriel’s influence on the music world has been profound and multifaceted. Rising to fame with Genesis in the 1970s, he quickly established himself as a visionary artist. His departure from Genesis and subsequent solo career in the 1980s and 90s saw him breaking new ground, particularly with albums like “So” and “Us.” These works were not just commercially successful; they were also artistically daring, blending world music with electronic and art-rock elements, and they solidified his reputation as an innovative and fearless artist. Groundbreaking Work in the 80s and 90s During the 80s and 90s, Gabriel was at the forefront of the world music movement, integrating sounds and rhythms from various cultures into his music. His use of innovative recording techniques and embrace of new technologies set him apart. Albums like “So” (1986), with its hit “Sledgehammer,” showcased his ability to merge artistic depth with mainstream appeal, featuring groundbreaking music videos that revolutionized the medium. “i/o”: A Culmination of Artistic Evolution Now, with “i/o,” Gabriel seems to have distilled his decades of musical exploration into a singularly impressive work. The album encapsulates his signature sound while pushing into new territories. The dual “Bright-Side” and “Dark-Side” mixes are a clear indication of his continued innovation, offering listeners two distinct ways to experience…

From INGO VOGELMANN.

My 50 Simple Pleasures in Life

Ingo — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Life is a series of moments, some grand and some simple. While the grand moments often steal the spotlight, it’s the simple pleasures that really make my journey worthwhile. As someone who has lived in various corners of the world and experienced life’s many facets, I’ve come to appreciate these small joys most. They are the unsung heroes that add color to my days and warmth to my soul. Here’s a list of 50 simple pleasures – inspired by this – that make my life great. While the list is personal, I believe that the essence of these joys is universal. They remind us to pause, to breathe, and to savor the small moments that often go unnoticed. In a world that’s increasingly complex and demanding, these simple pleasures are my sanctuary, my moments of zen. I hope you find your own simple pleasures that make your journey just as rewarding. Tags: Contentment, Conversation, Electric bicycle, Essence, Exercise, Extreme, Feeling, Gratitude, guitar, Hearing, Hiking, house, Joy, Joy of Cooking, Life, Man, mix, music, Nature, ost, Recording studio, Rib eye steak, Solitude, Song, sound, Star, Sunset, The Grand Moments, The Smell of Rain, Thunderstorm, Zen Related posts Peter Gabriel’s “i/o” Album Review: He’s Back, Better Than Ever Before (0) An Homage to Danny Tenaglia (0) A Psychological Guide to Harmonic Mixing and Composing (0) The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart (12) The Top 50 Most Successful Albums of All Time (0)

From INGO VOGELMANN.

The 10 Best Drummers of All Time (According to Me)

Ingo — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:18:55 +0000

In the world of music, there are legends who have the power to move souls with their rhythmic magic. Among them, the drummers stand tall as the untamed giants of the beat, the fiery guardians of the groove. Spanning across genres, from the smoky realms of jazz to the thunderous realms of rock, these sonic revolutionaries ignite fires within our hearts. Now, behold the divine pantheon of the ten awe-inspiring drummers who have transcended mere virtuosity to become symbols of passion, power, and pure musical wizardry! (In no particular order, although Gavin Harrison and Simon Phillips are my 2 absolute favorites) 🥁 Drum roll, please! 🥁 Gavin Harrison Simon Phillips Mike Mangini Gergo Borlai Nick D’Virgilio Sarah Thawer Buddy Rich Jeff Porcaro Marco Minnemann Chris Coleman So, there you have it, my personal top 10 drummers who’ve ever graced a drum throne. From legends of the past to modern maestros, these drummers have shaped the way I hear and feel music. 🥁💥 Tags: album, Albums, Autodidacticism, Avedis Zildjian Company, Beat (music), Big Big Train, Buddy Rich, Creativity, DJ, Dream Theater, Drum, Drum kit, Drum stick, Drum Workshop, Drummer, education, Evolution, Extreme, Facial expression, Finesse (song), Funk, Gavin Harrison, Genesis (band), Germany, Groove (music), guitar, Heavy metal music, History, how, jazz, Jazz drumming, Jazz fusion, Jeff Porcaro, Joe Satriani, King Crimson, Like, love, Ludwig Drums, Marco Minnemann, Meinl Percussion, Michael Jackson, music, musical, Musician, Musicians, Nick D'Virgilio, ost, Paiste, Pearl Drums, play, pop, Porcupine Tree, Pro-Mark, Progressive metal, Progressive rock, Pure Genius, Remo, Rhythm, Rhythm section, Rock music, Rosanna (song), Sabian Cymbals, Session musician, Simon Phillips (drummer), singer, Slingerland Drum Company, Solo (music), Sonor, sound, Spock's Beard, Star, Steve Vai, Steven…

From INGO VOGELMANN.

REVIEW: Extreme’s “SIX” – A Symphony of Sonic Surprises and Unapologetic Authenticity

Ingo — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:11:50 +0000

(Isn’t the album cover extremely awesome?) As a grizzled veteran of the rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster, having clocked up a half-century on this spinning rock we call Earth, I’ve been a passenger on the Extreme journey since the band’s genesis in 1985. Their latest offering, “SIX”, is a testament to their musical evolution, a sonic tapestry that weaves together the threads of their past while boldly striding into uncharted territory. “SIX” opens with “Rise“, a track that hits you like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart. It’s a powerful opener that sets the tone for the album, a narrative about the fickle nature of fame that resonates with anyone who’s been around the block a few times. It’s a reminder that success is transient, a theme that echoes through the annals of rock history and reverberates in the hearts of seasoned fans like me. Next up is “#Rebel“, a track that lives up to its name in every sense. It’s a rebellious anthem that channels the spirit of Marilyn Manson, a stark departure from Extreme’s usual style. It’s a bold move, but it’s this willingness to push boundaries and experiment with new sounds that has kept Extreme relevant over the years. “Banshee” and “Other Side of the Rainbow” offer a softer side of Extreme, with their intimate ballads that hark back to the band’s earlier days. These tracks are a comforting reminder of the band’s roots, a nostalgic nod to the past that old fans like me can appreciate. They’re like a warm blanket on a cold night, a familiar comfort that wraps you in a cocoon of melodic memories. “Small Town Beautiful” and “The Mask” continue this…

From INGO VOGELMANN.

The Top 50 Most Successful Albums of All Time

Ingo — Thu, 18 May 2023 12:26:47 +0000

Music has the power to move us, to make us feel, and to bring us together. Each song carries its own story, but when songs are woven together into an album, they form a narrative that’s bigger than the sum of its parts. And while every album tells a story, there are those that resonate on such a profound level that they transcend time and place, becoming cultural phenomena in their own right. In this post, we’ll journey through the annals of music history, exploring the top 50 most successful albums of all time. These albums have left an indelible mark not just on the music industry, but on society at large. We’ll look at the incredible artists behind these masterpieces, the years they were released, and the net worth these musicians have amassed over their careers. From The Beatles to Michael Jackson, from Madonna to Pink Floyd, this list encompasses a diverse range of musical styles and eras. So, whether you’re a music aficionado seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, or a newcomer wanting to discover some of the greatest albums ever made, join me as I delve into the tales of triumph, creativity, and innovation that have made these albums the most successful in music history. Let’s tune in to their stories! The Playlist Here’s the playlist containing each album with every song (763 songs, 51 hours and 38 minutes) in it in the order of the list above: Artist’s Net Worth Ranking Based on the above, I’ve compiled a list of artists ordered by their estimated net worth. These figures are associated with the success of some of the world’s most iconic albums, with releases spanning…

From INGO VOGELMANN.

Nuno, the God of Guitar, Is Back!

Ingo — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 21:18:10 +0000

Extreme is one of my all-time favorite bands, and Nuno Bettencourt for me at least technically the best guitarist ever. Can we all please kneel down and worship this god for this incredible guitar solo? It starts at 2:20. There really isn’t anything like this anymore. There hasn’t been in the last 30 years. Nuno is back! I mean … holy shit, have a look and listen to this: This was worth a little post from a fanboy. Tags: Extreme, guitar, Guitarists, Nuno, Nuno Bettencourt, ost, Pornograffitti, Star Related posts REVIEW: Extreme’s “SIX” – A Symphony of Sonic Surprises and Unapologetic Authenticity (0) The 10 Best Drummers of All Time (According to Me) (0) My 50 Simple Pleasures in Life (0) Who Gets to Stay Afloat? (0) The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart (12)

From INGO VOGELMANN.

The Best Albums of All Time, According to Me (With Occasional Commentary)

Ingo — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 14:12:26 +0000

They say you are what you like, and if that’s true, then my taste in music speaks volumes about my private and musical personality. These albums have been with me for ages, some newer than others, but all of them share a common thread: they’re all incredibly good. I’m not trying to sound like an old fogey pining for the good old days, but I do feel sorry for the youngins who missed out on the era when this music was being created. Luckily for them, it still exists and is audible. But buyer beware: just because something’s labeled “remastered” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an improvement. Some remasters are, dare I say it, worse than the original tracks. It’s not ideal, but we can’t control the rights holders who sometimes replace the original tracks with these subpar versions. Fortunately, the listening technology these days is better than ever, so there’s that. Back in the day, getting noticed as an artist was almost as hard as finding a needle in a haystack because there was no internet. Record managers were the gatekeepers who decided who was worth investing in, and when they did, they invested big. I’m talking piles of cash, enough to set everyone up for life. But hey, that’s what you had to do to get the best musicians, sound engineers, and technology available. Producing an album was a massive undertaking, and failure wasn’t an option. Sure, that whole process might seem a bit shady, but there were some advantages to it. If you could sing or play your instrument like nobody’s business, you had a chance to become a superstar. If you looked good too, well, let’s just…

From INGO VOGELMANN.

Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” – A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

Ingo — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 18:00:00 +0000

I grew up listening to the band Dire Straits and to this day “Brothers in Arms” is my all-time favorite album. When I hear the album’s title track on a good system today, it still brings tears to my eyes, it’s that good. Mark Knopfler’s guitar sings and cries, the whole piece is extremely powerful but understated. A classical musician analyzed the piece very aptly from her point of view. Worth watching: Tags: album, British musicians, Brothers in Arms, classical, Classical music, Dire Straits, guitar, Guitarists, Mark Knopfler, music, Musicians, ost, system Related posts The Best Albums of All Time, According to Me (With Occasional Commentary) (2) The Top 50 Most Successful Albums of All Time (0) The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart (12) The 10 Best Drummers of All Time (According to Me) (0) REVIEW: Extreme’s “SIX” – A Symphony of Sonic Surprises and Unapologetic Authenticity (0)

From INGO VOGELMANN.

The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart

Ingo — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 05:09:57 +0000

Before you dig in… The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart is a visual aid for musicians, producers, composers and DJs to easily create music that always has harmonic chord progressions. This sheet is now widely used worldwide as a teaching and practical tool in music and DJ schools and has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. The situation As both a DJ and composer, the Circle of Fifth or the Camelot Key Wheel system — amongst others — have always been handy tools for me to write and mix music harmonically. There are just too many options in chord progressions than I could ever have in my memory (maybe you can, but I don’t). So yes, I could always have a look at above mentioned helpers to orientate myself through the notes and chords jungle, in case needed, which is not always the case. I have the most common chords in my head. Just not always. As a composer I’m fine with the musical key/chord system, i.e. “A minor“, but as a DJ it isn’t very likely (for me, again) to remember all the musical chords to know what to mix into what. So, Mark Davis came up with Camelot Keys (used in Mixed in Key, which I prefer, because of its accuracy) and then there are the Open Keys (Traktor). Which is basically a range of 12 keys for each gender, major and minor chords. “A minor” is 8A (Camelot Key) or 1m (Open Key). In a nutshell: if you mix 1A into 2A (and so forth, up until 12A and then into 1A again) you’re generally fine. Your mixing transitions will always be harmonic, no key clashes. This…

From INGO VOGELMANN.