No. 275, November 2015

In an exclusive interview, Soundgardens Chris Cornell talks about finding his new voice as an acoustic singer-songwriter. Special Focus: Nylon Strings, No Limitsprofiles of three players pushing the musical envelope with nylon-string guitars. Plus, Happy Traum taps into his roots on his new album; the Watkins Family Hour brings together bluegrass greats and the LA music elite; Judy Collins on living a life in song; bouncing back from an illness or injury; versatile chord shapes offer a break from barre-hopping. Also, we have songs to playPink Floyds moody Fearless, Peter Rowans bluegrass romp Midnight Moonlight, and Billy Joe Shavers acerbic Checkers and Chess; gear reviewsPhoenix Guitar Companys Nylon String OM, Recording Kings Harmonella Single 0, and Grace Designs Felix preamp; CDs including the Dave Rawlings Machines Nashville Obsolete, Tommy Emmanuels Its Never Too Late, and Lowell Levingers Get Together: Banana Recalls Youngbloods Classics; and much more. Bonus: special Stage and Studio supplement, with performance and recording tips and products.