Paul Nelson on the Jason Becker Tribute and Wacken Video

Interviewed by Nick Martinelli for The Shred Zone

Published 04/16/2002

SZ: Well-shred fans we have had the pleasure of doing a second interview with guitar monster Paul Nelson.  He joined us a few months ago for an in-depth interview into his world, and now he’s back again to answer some more mind probing questions on his latest projects, The Jason Becker Tribute CD volume 1, released by Lion Music, and his appearance on the Live Wacken video that where booth released in 2001and 2002.

SZ: Paul, thanks for joining us again first off, you’re one of or favorite artists to talk to.  So how have been lately, and how have you been keeping busy?

Thanks man I also enjoy The Shred Zone as well, since we spoke last there has been a lot going on like the release of the WOA Festival DVD on Nuclear Blast / Warner and the soon to be released NYC benefit CD on Frontiers Records this spring 2002.

SZ: First off, can you tell us how you and Lion Music started working together?

You must mean for the Becker tribute, well my people talked to their people and their people talked to my people that sort on thing. The main person involved was a writer for many music mags named Nicky Baldrin he organizes many projects.

SZ: How did you become involved in the Jason Becker Tribute project?

Only hearing about the project about 2 months before its release I was anxious when speaking with Lion Records to contribute a track to help with the benefit. Jason's playing on all his projects has been very inspiring and I felt what better way to repay an artist than to pay compliment through the interpretation of one of their works and as has been stated, this tribute does much more and I'm very pleased with that. 

SZ: You recorded “Blue” for this tribute album, why did you choose this laid back number instead of going for one of Becker’s wilder songs?

I thought the song really said something and covered a lot of ground with out being all shred, a kind of soulful shred if you will, so I chose that one.

SZ: How was this song recorded and where?

I recorded the track at Carriage House Studios in CT. I wanted to use a real Hammond B3, unfortunately there were none available in the area so I had one driven in from 3 states away! LOL. The musicians I used were: Jack Colombo - Hammond B3 / Ian Callanan - Bass / John Montagnese - Drums and percussion. I had Shinobu Mitsuoka (Dream Theater, Mary J. Blige) handle the recording end and Pro-tools mix and mastering engineer was John Shyloski. 

SZ: This version is very well done, how long did it take you to work out the song and get it to how you needed it to sound?

Thanks, not to long like I said I had somewhat of a deadline, but I did prepare by transcribing Jason’s solo first on the song so I could get a real feel for it and only then did I feel that I was ready to interpret it my own way.

SZ: What is your favorite part of the track?

I actually like the whole thing especially the way it builds.

SZ: How long have you been a Jason Becker fan?

I’ve actually enjoyed his playing for years.

SZ: Can you describe Jason Becker’s playing to someone who has never heard him?

Yes I can, - to me although his roots were firmly based I the Shrapnel Records School of neo classical shred ala Cacophony, he also has a very “fusinesk” style of writing and playing as well which is very impressive.

SZ: What guitars and amps, and processors did you use to record the song with?

I used a Marshall JCM 900 and my 60’s Strat for the cleaner beginning and end of the tune and went straight into Protools on the middle section as well as using TS 808 for a little warmth.

SZ: Let’s move on to the new DVD home video release Wacken 2000.

OK - I just got a copy myself. It is a documentary of the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany that I performed at as part of a reunion show (with my former band Liege Lord) along with vocalist Joe Comeau of Annihilator. The DVD contains great live and interview footage from many of the highlighted bands at that event. I was interviewed after the show regarding my thoughts my thoughts on the event and that became part of the package. 

SZ: First and for most, how did it feel to perform in front of thousands of metal fans in Germany with Liege Lord?

It was absolutely great!!! We had never performed for our many German fans and this was a true thrill for all involved. It is great to perform in a different country and find out that your music has been so well embraced.

SZ: I understand this was a reunion show for Liege Lord, why so long of a wait?

Politics… and timing. Once our complete catalogue of Liege Lord material was released by Metal Blade, things just started happening.

SZ: In your interview on the DVD, you seemed to be very emotional about this performance and mentioned that “it meant a lot to finally perform for German Liege Lord fans,” and that they have been waiting for years to see this happen.  Can you give us a little more on how it affected you personally?

Ah, so you did see the footage! Yes, I was very moved. Playing those songs again brought back a lot of good memories and it was especially fun to work with Joe again. After the festival, he and I recorded music for two up and coming Century Media Tributes. One for Uriah Heep and one for Savatage. So a lot of good came out of the performance.

SZ: It seems that Liege Lord had and still has a large German following and good record sales over there in the past, how come LL never toured there back when you guys were still together?

We chose to tour the US instead, which we did with Anvil and then Candlemass. We always wanted to tour Europe, but seemed to always end up touring the States…

SZ: How did the crowd respond to LL’s performance?

They went ballistic!!! Waving German flags and singing along with every song. It was a great thrill. And judging by the press we received, we had done what we sat out to do quite nicely!

SZ: You also mentioned in the interview that “some fans were in tears” during the performance.  What kind of impact did that have on you?

A big impact! Especially in seeing how music acts as a bridge between all boundaries.

SZ: How does it feel to know that you and LL music is still loved and cherished by so many people?

It blows my mind… I knew at the time when we were recording records like “Master Control” and “Burn To My Touch” that we were really putting in the work hours and trying to create as good of a recording as possible. But I had no idea that the work would some day turn into “Metal Classics”. It is very humbling!  

SZ: Did the reunion show “feel right,” was it a good time for all of you to do it, and where the other members pumped about it?

We rehearsed our asses off prior to the show and were psyched from beginning to end. We had a job to do and a statement to make…

SZ: Did you get a chance to party or talk to any of the newer Euro metal acts like Stratovarius or Rhapsody?  What did they have to say?

We got there on the second day and headlined that night’s performance so we didn’t get a chance to see any of the bands that night. But, - afterwards it was great hanging out with fellow musician friends and label mates of the past. Our little hangout – click was comprised of John Bush, Gonzo, Engine, Sebastian Marino, Hades, and even Lizzy Borden.

SZ: Did you attend any performances that really put you in awe?

Not really. We were very busy in the press area and mostly saw and heard friends of ours perform from afar.  

SZ: Seeing that metal has been in a so-called “sleeping mode” (not being in the mainstream) according to the critics and press, and many old school bands are all getting back together, making a decent living again with album releases and touring.  Do you feel that Liege Lord may hit the stage again and release more records? 

Joe and I are working on it, and you’ll be the first to know. We have had a lot of offers from labels and feel the timing would be right, so we’ll see.

SZ: Do you miss being in a Heavy Metal band, recording and touring?

I have always loved Heavy Metal growing up so I do miss that aspect of it, but as far as recording and touring, that has never stopped because of my work with other artists.

SZ: How did you progress from the balls out metal of LL to the fusion style on your latest release “Look?”

A lot of people don’t know this, but I attended Berklee College of Music. I was really into fusion then and many other styles of music, so it wasn’t that hard for me (and still isn’t) to switch between many styles. I have groomed myself to be such a musician. “Look” is the type of CD that I have always wanted to do my own recording that encompassed many styles and moods.  

SZ: How has “Look” been selling so far, how many units have moved and where has been your strongest selling region?

I have already gone through the first pressing according to my record company, which is a very good sign. I have been very fortunate with distribution and complementary press worldwide and have been pleasantly surprised by an even acceptance of my CD.

SZ: Where can fans pick up there copies of The Jason Becker Tribute, and Look CDs, along with the Live Wacken: Special Report DVD?

The Jason Becker Tribute can be found at www.lionmusic.com My “Look” CD can be found at: www.paulnelsonguitar.com as well as www.guitar9.com (Circuit City / CD Now / Borders / Amazon and many more…) The Wacken DVD is at www.amazon.de.

SZ: Any tours and shows planned for 2002?

There is always something going on and information on this can be found at my web site www.paulnelsonguitar.com

SZ: Any chances of doing a second solo album in the near future, if so will it is another fusion album or something different?

I love doing solo albums and I have already begun work writing for my second one. I have spoken with Lion Music about a possible collaboration.

SZ: So what do Paul Nelson fans have to look forward to for 2002 and beyond?

More releases, clinics, special appearances and much more…

SZ: Anything else you’d like to share with fans at this time?

Just thank you for supporting my career no matter which musical direction it has led me in.

SZ: Well Paul, it’s always a pleasure speaking with you.  We always have a great time.  I’d like to thank you again for taking the time to spend with us here at The Shred Zone, I know our readers will love reading this and getting even more dirt on you and your playing.  Your popularity on the net has been growing strong and we’re glad to have you as a regular at our site.  Shred on brother Paul!