For nearly 40 years, Frank Hannon has loved success as co-founder and lead guitarist of hard-rockers Tesla. He has additionally launched a couple of solo albums, none of that are extra emotional than Reflections, his new launch consisting of 12 authentic guitar instrumentals in a wide range of types impressed by private difficulties together with the April ’24 passing of his father-in-law, Allman Brothers Band guitarist/co-founder Dickey Betts.

Did you consider the songs you had been writing as remedy, or that they’d flip into an album?
Completely not. I wasn’t planning an album. It occurred by chance, however I’ve discovered over my profession that one of the best issues actually do occur that method. Even with Tesla and different tasks, often the unplanned albums are one of the best; Tesla’s 5 Man Acoustical Jam, wasn’t deliberate. We simply occurred to report it dwell in a membership.

With Reflections, I rediscovered my ardour for guitar, simply merely guitar as a voice, in a method. I got here house after a pair years residing in Florida, the place for the final 12 months, specifically, my spouse and I skilled some main traumatic occasions that included the lack of her dad, the lack of a few different mates who handed away, turmoil with some relations, and hurricanes that compelled us to evacuate with our animals and drive throughout the nation, again house to California. As soon as we received again, we misplaced my spouse’s prize horse that she cherished dearly, after it received sick in Florida. It was very traumatic and painful. As soon as we had been lastly house, I took a deep breath and exhaled, considering, “All I wish to do isn’t do something however get better and play my guitar.”

I used to be writing little tunes with my TC Digital Ditto Looper pedal simply to showcase my guitar assortment, then I began making movies about my guitars to publish on Instagram. My spouse took discover and informed me I ought to make an album and never simply throw these songs on the market.

Did occasions have an effect on the way in which you performed guitar?
I took a melodic “singing” method to my enjoying – from the guts, sluggish and melodic, which could be a lot tougher than shredding – placing notes in simply the suitable spot to find my sound and voice. My purpose was to write down guitar music that emoted like a vocal, preserving it pure and easy. It was very therapeutic and therapeutic after the hardships.

You used a number of guitars, together with a Gretsch Brian Setzer signature Sizzling Rod initially owned by him.
That was given to me by a buddy who’s now not with us, so it has a whole lot of sentimental worth. Brian had given it to my buddy, and he gave it to me. I’d performed it prior to now, however not likely appreciated it like I do now.
Some others I performed embody a ’58 reissue Bourbon Burst Les Paul, a few SGs, one with a Bigsby, a ’24 Gibson Customized Flying V, and J-50 and Dove, and a Martin D-45. The basses had been Gibson EB-0, Rickenbacker 4001, and a Höfner Beatle bass.

Did you write and report the lead or rhythm guitar first?
It different. For “Our Father’s Love,” I wrote the lead melody first. “Strolling within the Rain” was the chord development I used to be listening to in my head first – sort of Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing.” “San Francisco” is one track that I recorded the entire thing with simply the bass first. Nothing else besides my creativeness, considering, “What would the guitar sound like over it?” That one was an accident I didn’t assume was going to be usable. I used to be noodling on the EB-0 and it received this classic Jack Casady tone. I spent two hours layering guitars then determined to play flamenco-sounding guitar within the center, utilizing my Dove, strictly as a joke. However after I listened again to it, I assumed, “This isn’t unhealthy!”

How did you report Reflections?
I recorded the entire album with the Audigo app and microphone on my iPhone. It’s a bit of cellphone mic that occurs to sound actually good. You’ll be able to’t punch in on it, and you may’t copy and paste like you possibly can on the pc, so it’s important to play the entire method by means of. Nevertheless it has report and blend capabilities, compression, reverb, delay, and all that. I used to be very proud of the way in which it recorded my Deluxe Reverb, which I used essentially the most. – Bret Adams

This text initially appeared in VG’s July 2025 subject. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.