With his well-loved '53 Les Paul Goldtop slung over his shoulder and a pair of designer shades resting in place, Lenny Kravitz is the epitome of cool. Of course, having a cache of iconic songs at his disposal doesn't hurt his reputation, either. You've heard them before-cuts like Are You Gonna Go My Way, Fly Away, It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over and Again are just a few hits that have seen Kravitz become an icon of guitar and a key member of the cultural zeitgeist. But what truly sets him apart, as he prepares to unleash his 12th studio record, Blue Electric Light, is his open-mindedness. "I hope I'm remembered as someone who served the music. And also, for not having boundaries," he tells Guitarist.
"Whatever style, or whatever works for the song, you know, for the landscape of the song, I'm just open. A guitar is a boundless instrument; to shackle yourself would be a disservice," he continues.
Kravitz's latest record - which he states came to him via a combination of dreams, jam sessions and mental downloads-is refreshing. It's far too easy to get caught up in reinventing the wheel. But not Kravitz, who relishes guitar-into-amp vibes and keeps it pure.
"If I'm going to make a point" he says, "if I'm telling you something, an emotion, I can talk at you for two hours and give you a lecture, in which case you'll lose. That's because if I'm talking and talking and talking, I'll lose you. Or I can say a sentence that could change your life [and it] took just five words. It's the same thing with music..."
Did the title track, Blue Electric Light, set the tone for this project?
"That song actually happened at the end of the record. I had no idea it was coming; I had no idea I was going to name the album that. I woke up one night - I dreamt the song, as I do- and I went in and recorded it in the morning. And I thought it would be a great ending for the album and sequence.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2024-Ausgabe von Guitarist.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2024-Ausgabe von Guitarist.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
QUICK CHANGE
As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar
Return Of The Rack
A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.
Pure Filth
This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.
Reptile Royalty
From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion
Tradition Revisited
Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more
Ramble On
Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?
Redrawing The 'Bird
A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.
Boss Cube Street II
Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.
STILL CRAZY
One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more
