Alex Lifeson guests on John Mayall's 'Nobody Told Me'

Alex Lifeson is one of many guest performers to appear on veteran bluesman John Mayall's new album, Nobody Told Me, hitting store shelves today.  Lifeson appears on the track "Evil And Here To Stay".  Additional guest performers include Todd Rundgren, Joe Bonamassa, Larry McCray, Carolyn Wonderland and Steven Van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and his own Disciples Of Soul.

UPDATE: check out the track here: "John Mayall is back with a new song, and Alex Lifeson's all over it" - Loudersound.com, February 20, 2019

"Evil and Here to Stay is just one of the star studded songs you’ll be playing over and over," says Mayall. "On this particular track you get to hear some great guitar soloing from special guest Alex Lifeson, who feels right at home with this special groove."

"One of the first songs Rush learned to play as a band in front of an audience was Snowy Wood in 1968," says Lifeson. "So are influences go a long way back with John Mayall.

"When I was asked to do this particular project I was actually quite thrilled by it. Long being an admirer of the many amazing guitar players that have been a part of the Bluesbreakers and to be considered in that esteemed group I was very, very honoured, and it’s been a real pleasure." - Loudersound.com, February 20, 2019

Tech 21 develops Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp pedal for Rush bassist’s “new projects”

Tech 21 has announced the Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp YYZ pedal, a downsized version of the legendary Rush bassist’s signature rackmount SansAmp.

As per other SansAmp units, the pedal is designed for recording direct and enhancing previously recorded tracks.

It features a mix control (which transitions between clean and drive), Tight button, Drive knob, active three-band EQ and master volume, all tweaked to Geddy’s specs.

Tantalisingly, Tech 21 claims the release is part of the bassist’s desire to “streamline and simplify his gear for new projects”, which bodes well for future solo releases after Rush called it a day at the tail end of 2015.

Back in December 2018, Geddy told us, “Right now I have no plans to do anything, but I probably will do something eventually. I have no idea what it will be; I need some time to get to know myself again as a player and see what I feel like creating.”

Whatever it is, it’s likely to feature the YYZ. The pedal will be available for $250 from May - see Tech 21 for more info. - musicradar.com, February 18, 2019