During my interview you start to understand just how badly Torn wanted to expand his knowledge of all music and just how deep his passion for creativity and individuality runs. Torn knows the rules of music well and has done an amazing job of breaking them. At one moment he’s using his trem bar to make swoopy, stuttering sounds and the next he is methodically practicing traditional oud scales. It sounds diverse, but it makes perfect sense when you hear his music.

David Torn spends much of his time scoring films and consulting with companies about music gear. The man has “ears” and knows innovative sounds. He was even a little concerned that his playing on this interview was not captured on a more professional format. So please be aware that I recorded his playing with the shotgun microphone on my Canon consumer camcorder. I do this on all my videos. Nothing fancy. but it gets the job done without much fuss and allows me to concentrate on other things.

Playing a prototype maple-neck gold D’Pergo strat-style guitar made from ancient swamp ash through a variety of vintage and modern effects amplified through two prototype Fryette amps he stood there like a sorcerer conjuring auditory daydreams and nightmares (often in the same musical phrase).

We may all be looking at the same picture, but some of us see it differently. David Torn is that kind of musician. Don’t just watch him play, listen to his thought process and philosophy about music-making. This guy is open-minded and unafraid to push the envelope. Prepare to be inspired.

This guy is not just playing pentatonic blues scales…who does he sound like? David Torn.

David Torn – Interview 1

Torn’s Los Angeles-area home studio showing effects rack, pedalboard, Fryette amps he is consulting on and more. Click on picture to enlarge.

The wizard’s work station. Click on picture to enlarge.

David Torn – Interview 2

One of Torn’s racks containing a looper and Lexicons used to create other-worldly tones. Click to enlarge.

David Torn – Interview 3
Demonstrating some of his unique approach to guitar on a prototype D’Pergo made of ancient swamp ash.

The newest amp from Fryette that David is consulting on. He had two and was comparing speakers with them. They sounded great clean or distorted.

David Torn – Interview 4

David Torn – Interview 5

Torn playing his Oud.

Click on image to enlarge.

I passed country stores and ranches, hovels and estates and then I got to Carl Verheyen’s lovely house where he ushered me in to his home studio and I set up to do the interview. He had two blackface Princeton Reverbs, shelves of effects pedals, and a beautiful original 1958 Stratocaster that he bought on the recommendation of pickup czar Seymour Duncan.

Carl proceeded to noodle in a way that would have silenced all those kids playing high-gain metal riffs at your local Guitar Center. His tone was pure, clean and magical and was only enhanced by a T-Rex Replica delay. Though he had just returned from a six-week tour of Europe with his own band days ago, he had been busy working on the soundtrack to a Will Ferrell flick.

Thankfully, he took time from his busy schedule to do this interview. There was so much great stuff there I decided to break it into two parts. I also made filmed him playing Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Charlie Mingus. What a treat. Be sure you register for www.GuitarBandDVD.org and get his video lesson and 10 Minute Blues Bootcamp. His lesson should keep you busy for some time. It is brief, but packed with useful tips.

by David Caris

View Part 1 of the Carl Verheyen Interview here

View Part 2 of the Carl Verheyen Interview here