There is a rumor going around that Jim Grandcamp (of Jannick Top's band) will be replacing James MacGaw on guitar for a few Magma gigs.
If this is true, then I wonder who the guitarist for Magma's Washington and New York dates will be.
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Caballo de Feria - Diluvio
14 years ago
they should get eddie van halen LOL
ReplyDeleteThat is strange. I dont know that grandcamp is as good of a fit as Mac Gaw but I've also noticed James not being as dominant in the sound as he used to be. All imo of course and Mac Gaw is one of my favorite living guitarists.
ReplyDeleteCory
Huh. I wonder what the implications of this are. Mac Gaw has been playing in a number of bands, from soul and R&B, to more experimental bands to prog and Zeuhl. More splintering of the past 10-15 years? I hope not, but guitar is never featured heavily in Magma, nad not in the newer tunes.
ReplyDeleteDana
The rumor is that this change is just for a few gigs. I don't think that it is a long-term change. However, I do agree with the comments that the guitar has been de-emphasized even more in Magma in recent years.
ReplyDeleteThe shows from 2000-at least through the mythes et legendes shows feature Mac Gaw solos often, but the change could have more to do with the material than anything else, but it would be nice to hear his unique solo style more. E-re and Felicite Thosz both have extended keyboard solos. I wonder why they ever took the trading 4's out of Hhai. Probably time constraints I imagine since E-re is already almost an hour.
ReplyDeleteCory
James and Morgane's baby is due soon, that's why.
ReplyDeleteJames is going to be a daddy, it's only that :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to James!!!
ReplyDeleteMorgane? Is this the same Morgane who is the violinist and artist and Magma fan?
Nope. Morgane used to work at Le Triton.
ReplyDeleteAh, well then! This is a happy occasion and all I can do is send best wishes. :-) Thanks, Helene.
ReplyDeleteDana
It's really for a few gigs...Because James is going to be a (happy) daddy !!
ReplyDeleteBefore I get screwed a third time, last Knitting Factory gig, Greenpoint, with mailed in performances, incomplete line-ups, high prices, but mostly appalling sound system and barbarian mix, where we were assaulted with metal, because nobody could hear a cymbal, or triangle, or voice, I'd at least like to know some honesty is involved in the line up. No McGaw, no ticket. He's the best guitarist I've seen in a generation! Period. I have all the DVDs, don't need the excuses. Deliver "music" for the 25 bucks, or stay home. Art Zoyd managed Alice Tully, Gong "finally" delivered at Baltimore's Museum of Art with Pip and Bloom (a wonderful gig) and the Camembert line-up, except for excellent Steffie Sharpstrings, whatever his real name is, an absolutley wonderful professional concert, after years of "crap" stand-in, mailed in Gong and Daevid Allen rip-offs stateside; not to mention the nauseating Faust rip off in Hartford, ... us true 40 year fans need excellent acoustics, comfort, the real line-up, and Trianon quality. Otherwise forget it!!! What's the honest deal?
ReplyDeleteMailed in performances from Magma??? I can't imagine what you're talking about. I mean, it's got to be hard on them in strange venues and with instruments they're not used to, with jet lag and sound systems not set up just right for their sound. But Magma's hallmark has always been a high energy, passionate show.
ReplyDeleteI saw them in New York last night, and if you missed it, you missed a special night. Yeah, only one encore, and yeah, the lighting and sound was a little messed up in places, but mad Magma energy, mad Magma heat and mad Magma talent.
I actually liked James' replacement too. It was cool hearing a slightly different interpretation / style of playing, and here and there it made me hear pieces I'm now overfamiliar with as fresh.
For me, it was a helluva memorable evening. Let's keep Stella to her promise to play again in NYC before 2013!
FYI: James' baby was born three days ago.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations James! And I'm pretty sure that was him 3 days ago in Freyming-Merlebach. Check on youtube.
ReplyDelete