Recommendations on Instrumental Music

[the Pawnbroker]

I am looking for recommendations on a certain kind of instrumental/mostly instrumental music. Guitar-based is good. I hate the word "Jam-band" but for lack of a better term, it may be the most apt.

Artists can be old or new, but I would be particularly interested in newer artists.

Here are some parameters:

I have been listening to a lot of jammy blues, such as Albert King and Buddy Guy, as well as stuff like Blues Project and the first Blood, Sweat & Tears album.

I like early Dead, hate Phish.

Love jazzy, instrumental Zappa (early 70s). Annoyed by the goofy lyrics of most other Zappa.

Jazz is the shit, too many artists to name them all. Particularly love Monk.

I know this is a very open-ended question. Thanks for helping me out.

[Brushback]

Don't know if this fits all your parameters, but for heavy guitar-based "headphone music", I think the Speaking Canaries are unbeatable.

[earl grey]

sounded like a familiar question - i did a search and found this old thread (http://www.matadorrecords.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2048).

[tinobeat]

For some reason some of the things I'm coming up with aren't necessarily instrumental, but otherwise fit the parameters pretty well:

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - The Mirror Man Sessions CD
In a way reminiscent of early early Dead, in a way like nothing you've ever heard in your life. What happens when a blues/rock band from SoCal starts wandering off into some other dimension. Not entirely instrumental (but if you're into Pigpen-era Dead, Beefheart's voice is sort of in that same style, and the instrumental portions are mind-blowing), but absolutely essential listening if I'm reading your question right.

Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys
If you haven't heard "Machine Gun," you don't know what life's about. Its a played-out sentiment for sure, and I'll probably get flack for it, but fuckit. Get this now if you don't have it. Come to think of it, I lost my copy of it a while ago, I need to get it again meself...

Oneida - Anthem of the Moon or Secret Wars
Not really instrumental in the least, but these guys channel a Can/Dead vibe like nobody's business.

Dead Meadow - anything except the dreadful live record
All three proper Dead Meadow records (s/t, Howls from the Hills, and Shivering King...) are great heavyish bluesy psych that taps into some of the veins you're thinking of.

That's all I have time for now, but I'm sure I'll be able to come up with more.

[the Pawnbroker]

EG: I did a search for "instrumental music" before posting, I swear! Anyway, thanks for the link to the old thread.

Tinobeat: I think you understand what I am looking for so I will check out some of your recommendations, especially the newer stuff.

[earl grey]

Originally posted by the Pawnbroker
EG: I did a search for "instrumental music" before posting, I swear! Anyway, thanks for the link to the old thread.


no worries, i actually never think to search first.

and i have to echo tino's dead meadow recommendation because 'howls from the hills' has been kicking my ass for the past couple weeks.

[Thor]

a lot of cool instrumental 70's groups... tangerine dream... neu!....

if you like 60's bluesy stuff, check out the paul butterfield blues band, they have some cool instrumental songs.

modern bands like explosions in the sky and mogwai have their moments... a new york singer/songwriter called Pg Six has some gorgeous instrumentals on his 2 albums from the last few years, Parlor tricks and porch favourites and The Well of Memory (you can get them at kims in nyc or from perhaps transparent online.. *highly* reccomended)..

Acid Mothers Temple do some great tripped out instrumentals if you're into that sorta thing, likewise the boredoms.

speaking of good jazz, i've just been lent a fantastic miles davis live album from 74.. "dark magus"..

[Thor]

Originally posted by tinobeat

Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys
If you haven't heard "Machine Gun," you don't know what life's about.


also, the instrumental from the are you experienced lp, 'third stone from the sun' is incredible. apparently the first song he ever recorded with the experience... gorgeous track.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by Thor
also, the instrumental from the are you experienced lp, 'third stone from the sun' is incredible. apparently the first song he ever recorded with the experience... gorgeous track.

Yes, definitely. I've been having a bit of a Hendrix revival in my house lately, rediscovering all these tracks that blew my mind when I was in junior high and high school. Much of the stuff I listened to then was garbage, but the hendrix albums are even better to these ears now.

I didn't know about "3rd Stone" being the first track the experience recorded.

[Thor]

Originally posted by tinobeat

I didn't know about "3rd Stone" being the first track the experience recorded.

Yeah, apparently it was recorded in a different session beforehand and when it was heard by the record company, they naturally flipped.

While I have the chance to rant, I think the title track from are you experienced is one of most incredible, acid-sun drenched pieces of music ever made. that backwards guitar....and love or confusion.

[the Pawnbroker]

Not to turn this into a Hendrix-love thread, but I have the Hendrix: Stages 4CD live box set. The 1969 disc has some of the best stage banter, in addition to some great music.

Favorite moment:

*Guy from the crowd starts shouting suggestions for songs (probably Fire or Purple Haze or Foxy Lady or some such shit)*

Hendrix (in that great stoned voice of his): "Take it easy, we'll get to all that. [Pause] When I ask for toilet paper, that's when you come rollin' out!"

[tinobeat]

YES! I love that fuckin box set. Unfortunately I lost the '67 and '68 discs when I was in college, along with countless other CDs that somehow disappeared during dorm life.

the '67 and '69 discs are my absolute favorites. The toilet paper snap is priceless.

I need to dig those remaining discs up...

Speakina live hendrix, the "Live at Winterland" disc is fantastic as well, if you don't have it. from '68 at some point, just rip-roarin...

[Salman]

Not exactly strictly instrumental, but Can and Faust are worth checking out.