Guitar Player

Guitar Player

Track Listings

1. Bakerloo

2. Gentle Rain

3. Working Dog

4. The Bright Field

5. Jaguar

6. Happy Chappy

7. Some Other Time

8. The Drowsey Bee

9. Triangular Situations

10. All that is Gold

11. Jesu, Joy of man's desiring

12. Aguinaldo Jibra

13. Far Away

14. In Christ There is No East or West

15. South Hill

16. I Bid you Goodnight

Editorial Reviews
Rolling Stone
"Deft , tasteful guitar chops" ..

Product Description
Well known and highly regarded singer/songwriter Brooks Williams releases this collection of guitar instrumentals on the GRAMMY winning label Solid Air Records. Williams style is a brilliant mixture of John Fahey and Joseph Spence with a hint of Pat Metheny at moments. This is all solo and acoustic!

Guitar Player

Tracks:

Air 'On The String' - Philippe Saisse
Ave Maria - Paul McCandless
Arioso - Tracy Silverman
Nocturne - Steve Erquiaga
Sarabande - Paul Schwartz
Intermezzo No.6 - David Benoit
Adagio - Brian Dunning
Adagio - Patrick O'Hearn
Prelude In C-Sharp Minor - Edgar Meyer
Adagio - Richard Schonherz
Adagio For Strings - Philip Aaberg
Largo - Tim Story

Amazon.com

Adagio follows in the rosin-dusted footsteps of The Impressionists, A Different Mozart, and A Different Prelude. As with those releases, it was produced by Dawn Atkinson and features many of the same artists. The results are as varied as the musicians. Violinist Tracy Silverman cuts one of his patented echo-delayed pizzicato violin arrangements of a Bach arioso, while Patrick O'Hearn drapes a somber keyboard shroud around the Adagio from Rodrigo's Fantasy for a Gentleman. Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning find the Celtic air in the Adagio from Handel's Sonata in G, while Philip Aaberg discovers infinity between the notes of Barber's ubiquitous Adagio for Strings. He stretches the melody across his piano in finely drawn lines, subtlety filled out with synthesizer undertones. Subtlety is a casualty on Philipe Saisse's bongos, bells, and synth arrangement of Bach's Air on a G String. It's also sacrificed in a corny confection of Handel's Sarabande by Paul Schwartz. His ham-fisted electronic keyboards would've sounded dated even before Switched-On Bach. But Adagio features plenty of musicians who are willing to surrender themselves to their elegiac themes, including guitarist Steve Erquiaga, Mike Marshall, and Edgar Meyers. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Simply Gorgeous !.......2003-10-05

This is the first Windham Hill compilation I've purchased in a long, long time, and I am thrilled with the music.
The artistry is stunning, the artists bring themselves to the music while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the original piece.
My favorite is Grieg's Nocturne, arranged and performed by Steve Erquiaga. I have been in love with his music from the moment
I heard his CD "Cafe Paradiso" (Imaginary road Records). It is absolutely stunning!
When I saw that he was on "Adagio" I went for it. I'm so happy that I did ...
Other hightlights for me are Philip Aaberg's "Adagio for Strings", Tracy Silverman's "Arioso" ..... they're all beautiful.
Thank You for this wonderful music.

Color Him Funky/H.R. Is a Dirty Guitar Player

Average customer rating:

Superb Double Album CD
IMMENSE!
A Piece of History
Swingin' Like Mad

Color Him Funky/H.R. Is a Dirty Guitar Player
Howard Roberts
Manufacturer: Sundazed Music Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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Magic Band, Vol. 2
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ASIN: B00006AWFK
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

Florence of Arabia
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Sack O' Woe
When Lights Are Low
Hoe Down
Shiny Stockings
Goodbye, Good Luck, I'm Gone!
One Long Day
Peeper
Days of Wine and Roses
Down Under
Color Him Funky
Watermelon Man
Smolderin'
Li'l Darlin'
Turista
If Ever I Would Leave You
One O'Clock Jump
Deep Fry
Rough Ridin'
Satin Doll
Smokin'
One Note Samba (Samba de Una Nota So)
Dirty Old Bossa Nova

Album Description

2 LPs on 1 CD - Color Him Funky & H.R. Is A Dirty Guitar Player. Music history was made in February 1963 at Capitol Records' Studio A in Hollywood. That's when Howard Roberts began recording a series of albums that would set the standard for compelling guitar-oriented arrangements. The series (beginning with Color Him Funky and H.R. Is A Dirty Guitar Player) capitalized on the interplay between guitar and organ (courtesy Paul Bryant and Burkley Kendrix, respectively). Howard's playing is superb, sophisticated and at times ferocious, with blistering solos that testify to the hard-driving style of this architect of the 60's West Coast Sound. Sundazed. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Superb Double Album CD.......2007-07-30

The quality of this double album CD by Howard Roberts
is happy, uplifting, and throroughly danceable. Roberts was at his peak at the time of these recordings.

IMMENSE!.......2006-07-21

Generally I tend not to pick words from other reviewers but this case is different. Mr Sadd thinks this work is excellent but dated. I want to add a brief answear in my review. If these two albums from Howard Roberts are dated I am Santa Claus. If these albums are dated the jazz history in its entirely is dated, something which obviously is not. Probbaly Mr Sadd and me have two completly different tastes in jazz. He likes J Scofield. When I heard J Scofield I tend to fall asleep, he is one of the most boring Jazz guitar player of all time in my opinion (and I know them all). I respect him, but I don't like him. If I have to pick a modern player I'd pick Joe Diorio probably. Second for me comes J McLaughlin. Certainly not Scofzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz sorry I fell asleep. =)))) The end. These two albums are absolutly stratospheric, skyscraper tall, eternal Jazz. My friends, this is some of the best music I have ever heard no matter the 7000 thousands jazz cds I own. Howard Roberts in these records is unbelievable. He stands absolutly near the greatest musicians Jazz guitar ever offered (Wes, Johnny Smith, Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, Jimmy rainey and many others). I totally agree with the amazon reviewer, "Howard's playing is superb, sophisticated and at times ferocious, with blistering solos that testify to the hard-driving style of this architect of the 60's West Coast Sound". I'd add that is guitar tone is superb, pure vintage 175. Buy this cd, you'll find two amazing records (they are two as a matter of fact, HR is a dirty guitar player and Color him funky) that you'll listen for a long long time. Absolutly one of the best buy you can do. 5 stars for each albums, so this cd deserves at least 10!! I really love this! Thanks Mr Howard Roberts WONDERFUL guitar player!!!!!!!!!!

Some time later .... I can't stop myself. I have to say something more about these albums (they are two, do you remember?), now that I know them by memory, note for note. I think this combination makes one of the greatest jazz guitar albums of all time. Apart from Wes Montgomery stuff that is the greatest ever, Howard with this "compilation" comes first. his playing is sublime in my opinion. Only Hank Garland and some Barney Kessel stuff from the fifties come close, but Howard is the best. There are a lot of more difficult albums than this one especially in guitar a place where auto indulgence is very common, but this one is incredibly funny and lovely and absolutly perfect in its balance between technique and heart. I am a Jazz guitar player. I listen this one almost everyday. Immense.

A Piece of History.......2005-09-12

I'm a fan of Jim Mullen and John Scofield and anything in between. Howard Roberts' playing on this release is technically faultless, but his note choices while soloing, and the material itself, are not my cup of tea. It sounds dated - commercially geared towards a contemporary mass buyer - where stuff like 'Kind of Blue' does not. To a listener of the 21st century, this material sounds somewhat twee. The words 'dirty' and 'funky' have different musical connotations nowadays, and there's nothing dirty or funky here in today's terms. Likely to appeal to the older buyer who likes Chet Atkins and Les Paul. I won't give it a high rating, because I don't really like it, but I won't give it a low rating either, becausee it is excellent in its own way. Howard Roberts' educational material is superb, however, and still groundbreaking and innovative in its approach.

Swingin' Like Mad.......2003-09-05

This two-fer CD has to be one of the swingingest guitar/organ albums ever made and one of the swingingest jazz albums period. Granted, it's light jazz, but it still swings like mad. There's nothing abrasive here. It's all very accessible and easy to listen to. It's music to get happy with for sure. The tunes are all concise and to the point. Narry a wasted note anywhere. And the musicians are clearly enjoying the hell out of what they're playing, too.

Howard Roberts' virtuosity is astounding and I can't imagine a more complimentary group of side men to accompany him. Berghoffer, bass, and Palmer, drums are rock solid, steady and tasteful. The organists, Bryant and Kendrix, while different in style, mesh beautifully with Roberts' concept.

Everything works well and even a schmaltzy Days of Wine & Roses is given a fantastic, original treatment.

The cd itself is first rate. Several session photos not included in the original packages are included as are track times, recording dates, all original liner notes, photos and new liner notes by Jim Carlson. The music was remastered in stereo and the sound quality is excellent for both albums, although you will want to turn the volume up some when H.R. is a Dirty Guitar Player begins.

Although both albums are excellent, my preference is H.R. because it seems to be just a little more cohesive than Color. To me, the sign of a great album is how many times you want to listen to it. I used to play H.R. to death when I owned the mono L.P. And now with the stereo cd, I'm discovering it all over again.

Tracks:

Rambunctious
Chess Players
Memphis Dream
Pretty Blue
Fine
Lotta Lovin'
Dancin' Shoes
7 Come 11
Linus & Lucy
Orange Blossom Medley

Album Description

Seven studio tracks and three scorching live tracks from the Roxy Club (Washington DC) circa 1989.

Customer Reviews:

Telecaster Master........2004-06-03

Danny Gatton was a truly exceptional musician--one of the world's greatest guitar players--period. When he passed on 10 years ago, people who play guitar--and people who just appreciate guitar music--mourned deeply--they still do.

"Portraits" is yet another reminder of what music lovers have lost, because it is a remarkable CD. From his opening R & B take on the classic "Rambunctious" to the three, live closing cuts, including a blistering "Orange Blossom Medley", Danny demonstrates his incredible versatility with blues, jazz and rock n' roll. Another highlight on this CD is "Lotta Lovin' ", Danny's tribute to those exciting rock n' roll pioneers, Gene Vincent and his Bluecaps--on this cut, Danny shows that he can play rockabilly guitar with the best of them--really outstanding !

If you are already a Gatton fan, and don't have this disc, push the "buy immediately" button ! If you like superb guitar playing and--somehow--are not familiar with the "Master of the Telecaster", you are not just in for a treat--get ready for a revelation ! Musicianship of the highest order !

Portrait of a Genius.......2000-09-23

Without a doubt, Danny Gatton was a musical genius: not only did he have flawless technique, but he had vast musical knowledge, a keen melodic sense, exquisite taste, fantastic rhythmic drive, and the rare ability to know when not to play. The CD is 5 stars from first to last, but my personal favorites are "Pretty Blue", a cooler, more elegant blues you'll never hear, and the live versions of "Linus and Lucy" which segues into "Orange Blossom Medley", which contains non-stop 9 minutes of the best guitar playing you will ever hear. Starting with a fast country 2-beat, Danny plays C&W guitar like only he could, then the band eases into a easy 4-beat shuffle, and Danny starts playing the best blues guitar this side of the Appalachians, or any mountain range for that matter, the band keeping up with him beautifully, and it all ends humorously. BUY THIS AND ENJOY !!!

another fantastic cd from the master.......1999-09-25

It's truly a shame this great guitarist didn't have a larger audience,he should have been a household name. every cd of Danny is a 5 star.Portraits is great!

Amazon please sample this cd for real Audio streaming.......1999-08-22

Dear Amazon,would you please make this cd available for Audio Streaming, I would like to sample before buying.I have purchased regularly from Amazon. Thanks Simon

Unbelievably cool.......1999-07-01

This is great stuff,Guitar Player Magazine called it awesome and I could'nt agree more.You gotta hear it to believe it!

Average customer rating:

Why Isn't This Album At The Top Of Billboard???
Garys Review
awesome

Bad Out There
Frank Carillo & The Bandoleros
Manufacturer: Jezebel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Camelot Falling
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ASIN: B0007KX2M6
Release Date: 2005-01-01

Tracks:

Bad Out There
Red Queen
Chapel Street
Last Plane
Watcha Gonna Do
Just A Photograph
Tail That Wagged The Dog
Blame All My Troubles On The Moon
Wrong #
With Her Pajamas On
The Bluebird Is Gone
All In Chains
Delilah
If You Don't

Album Description

The epitome of the "musician's musician." A gifted world-class guitar player, electrifying stage performer, memorable prolific songwriter with a warm and affable persona.

Customer Reviews:

Why Isn't This Album At The Top Of Billboard???.......2007-01-27

I got a promotional copy of this record (I'm old, I actually got a CD) for my internet radio station. It was a blessing to get a copy of something that actually sounded like music. The lyrics were solid, the music was better and I actually listen to this one during my off time. Pick up a copy of "Bad Out There". I think you will enjoy it. My favorite picks are "Red Queen" and "Wrong #". Johnny Attitude.

Garys Review.......2006-10-29

This cd is awesome. It grows on you. He has a sound like no one else. If he had the right marketing he would have been a huge hit. He is unique as Springsteen. I highly recomend this CD. It is too bad that Street of Dreams could not be re released. Buy this CD and you will not be disapointed!

awesome.......2005-01-26

This CD rocks strong. Gets better with each cut, so listen all the way through. I love the roots of the music, the arrangements, the lyrics, and especially his so cool raspy voice. A must Hear!

Average customer rating:

Know what you are buying
A superb addition to any music library collection
A Convert!
the master's life, with guitar, banjo, and harmonica

Legacy
Doc Watson , and David Holt
Manufacturer: High Windy Audio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Old-Time Country | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

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Third Generation Blues
Trouble in Mind: Doc Watson Country Blues Collection
Clarence Ashley And Doc Watson: The Original Folkways Recordings, 1960-1962 [2-CD Set]
Doc Watson on Stage (Featuring Merle Watson)
Sittin' Here Pickin' the Blues

ASIN: B000065DTI
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Cousin Sally Brown
"I played like the rest of the boys"
"Dad was a harmonica player"
"The king's treasure"
Deep River Blues
"Cat with ten lives"
Ruben's Train
"Learn to pick it good"
Georgie Buck
Darlin' Cory
"Doc's First Guitar"
When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland
"Leaving Home"
Never No More Blues
"Wood Sheddin'"
Beaumont Rag
"Fingerstyle Guitar"
Freight Train

Tracks:

Sittin' on Top of the World
"Playin' in the street"
Down the Road
Bury Me Beneath the Willow
"The woman from wildcat"
"The legend of Tom Dooley"
Tom Dooley
"Hitting the road"
"Going Solo"
"Top of the heap"
The Tennessee Stud
"Building Bridges"
Ready for the Times to Get Better
"Living the blues"
"Blessed"
Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms

Tracks:

Whiskey Before Breakfast/ Ragtime Annie
Shady Grove
Whoop 'Em Up Cindy
Otto Wood
"Dad taught me to play harmonica"
Old Molly Hare
Home Sweet Home
Railroad Bill
Train That Carried My Girl From Town
Walk On
"Bantar vs. Gitjo"
Don't Get Weary
Black-Eyed Susie
The Telephone Girl
Stand By Me
Just to Ease My Worried Mind
Raincrow Bill/ Hambone Rhythm
I Got the Blues and I Can't Be Satisfied

Album Description

A revealing and entertaining portrait of a man who, for more than half a century, has been a force in the creation, interpretation and preservation of American roots music.

This collector's edition contains three CD's of newly recorded conversation and song, as well as a 72-page companion book filled with historical photos, stories and interviews from Doc Watson and his longtime friend and collaborator, David Holt. Together they pass on to you Doc's inspiring life story and generous musical legacy.

Customer Reviews:

Know what you are buying.......2006-11-23

This review is meant to point out that this 3 CD set is made up of a lot of spoken word interviews. Folks should know what they are buying since this set is fairly expensive. I love Doc Watson, he is a national treasure. I saw him live with David Holt awhile back, it was a very enjoyable evening, just as this set is if you are in the mood for the wondrous stories behind the man and his experiences. Think of it as a superb podcast, if you are going on a road trip and want stories and music, this is an excellent choice. But, if you are looking for just music, you might be frustrated. Most of the songs have talking as part of the cut, so if you tire of hearing the stories and just want music, you might be better served by Doc's many other great discs. I particularly like "Elementary Doctor Watson" and the two fer "Live & Pickin' / Doc And The Boys."

A superb addition to any music library collection.......2002-10-10

Legacy showcases the legendary life and work of Doc Watson in this three-disc collection featuring a concert CD with Grammy-Award Winter David Holt. Two the CDs of songs and conversation look back over Doc's 79 years in a informative and solidly entertaining presentation. The discs comprising this unique and highly recommended collection include Beginnings (18 songs ranging from Cousin Sally Brown and Deep River Blues, to Beaumont Rag and Freight Train); A Life In Music (16 selections ranging from Sittin' on Top of the World and Down the Road, to The Tennessee Stud, and Tom Dooley); and The Legacy Concert (18 cuts ranging from Shady Grove and Old Molly Hare, to Don't Get Weary and Stand By Me). Legacy would make a superb addition to any music library collection and is a "must" for the legions of Doc Watson fans everywhere.

A Convert!.......2002-07-30

Wow. How did I miss this guy for the past few decades?!?!? I love blues music, and traditional blues led me in a roundabout way to Doc Watson. Anyone who loves music with a FEELING should buy this album. He has one of the smoothest, most soulful guitar styles I've ever heard. He can play harp with the best of them and he plays a mean banjo as well! His stories about his life in music are priceless. This is easily one of the best CD collections I've purchased in a long, long time.

the master's life, with guitar, banjo, and harmonica.......2002-04-24

In recent months two Doc Watson CDs have documented this American master at the beginning of a career and, nearing 80, in career twilight. The first of these, preserving performances from the early 1960s, is At Gerdes Folk City (Sugar Hill). The second, recorded in the late 1990s, is this wonderfully conceived and brilliantly executed retrospective.

Having followed Watson's work since 1967, when I purchased Home Again! (Vanguard) -- still among my favorite of his recordings -- I am certainly familiar with his music, but Legacy tells me things about his life I didn't know, thanks to David Holt's friendly but probing questions. The first two discs intersperse conversation with music, to riveting effect. Watson candidly addresses everything from his blindness to his musical influences to his career highs and lows to his continuing grief over the death, in 1985, of his beloved son and musical partner Merle. Disc #3 is a live Watson/Holt concert, mostly songs and instrumentals but with some talking, including a history of the real Otto Wood, star of the North Carolina outlaw ballad Watson has sung for at least four decades.

Obviously comfortable in Holt's company and energized by his enthusiasm, Watson plays and sings at his best, which is very good indeed. An excellent accompanying booklet takes up where the interviews leave off, with lots of great photographs. No Doc Watson fan will want to be without this winning and worthy tribute to a hero of traditional Southern music.

Jácaras! 18th Century Spanish Baroque Guitar Music
Average customer rating:

Even the kids love it!

Great stuff

Brain music

Not all baroque sounds like Bach

Air to breathe, food to nourish, the music to exist!

Jácaras! 18th Century Spanish Baroque Guitar Music

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
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Spanish Dances

El arte de fantasía

Villancicos y Danzas Criollas

Les Travailleurs de la Mer: Ancient Songs from a Small Island

Music for the Spanish Kings

ASIN: B00000DG08
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

Jacaras por La e
La Jota
Marizapalos
Gallardas
Tarantelas
Preludio Grabe
La cadena
Una giga de corelli
Zarambeques
Passacalles por la e
Fandongo
Marionas por lab
Cumbees
Payssanos
Folias Ytalianas
Las penas
Allegro
Grabe
Allegro
Otros Canarios
Canarios

Customer Reviews:

Even the kids love it!.......2006-10-01

I'm no expert on Baroque guitar music; I just know this is extravagantly wonderful music, performed with brio. It sounds so fresh & contemporary (think Gypsy Kings) that it's hard to believe it was composed almost 300 years ago. And my 3 & 5-year-olds really enjoy it. This has been our soundtrack for getting to kindergarten all month.

Great stuff.......2005-01-28

European baroque meets rythms from Africa and the New World. All of it played by masters including the incomparable Paul O'Dette.

Brain music.......2003-01-24

I've had this CD about 5 years. I put it on
and play it, and play it, ... and finally decide
that I should play something else. I like to play
it while I am concentrating on something.
It seems to get the blood flow through the
brain cranked up.

From the cover:
"It appears that the devil brought these
lewd bailes out of hell..." - 18th century
English music critic about Spanish guitar.

Ron McConnell

Not all baroque sounds like Bach.......2001-11-28

This excellent recording treats us to a different baroque. Not the extremely elaborate fugues, chorales, and operas most people immediately think of when they hear "baroque". Many of the pieces are dance music, but not the kind of dances you would find in Bach cello, violin or lute suite. This is music someone can actually dance to. Even though the music is definitely baroque, some of these pieces sound like flamenco (like Jacaras por la E), and some other sounds like South American music (La Jota sounds somehow like "pajaro campana").

A discussion of the Alfabeto letters that show up in the titles of the pieces would have been nice; when you see "por la E" or "por la B" Murcia did not mean in the key of E or in the key of B. He was reffering to the names of the main chord in each of the pieces by an old guitar-chord naming system.

Highly recommended.

Air to breathe, food to nourish, the music to exist!.......2000-03-18

First I purchased "Luz y Norte" with The Harp Consort, dir. A. Lawrence-King (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 05472 77340 2) and got obsessed with the music. Wheather sad or jolly I have had to listen to it. And "!Jacaras!" came next. Beautiful playing, so sensitive; and all musicians are absolute masters! This is the addiction I have no option but follow. Try it for yourself.

Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation

Average customer rating:

This is the album I have been looking for, for years
I dream of Hairbands . . . .
This disgusts me.
Alex Skolnick's solo offering rules!
Alex Skolnick Rules!!!

Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation

Manufacturer: Skol Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Hall of the Mountain King

ASIN: B00008ZA2A
Release Date: 2002-03-20

Tracks:

Detroit Rock City
Dream On
No One Like You
Goodbye To Romance
Still Loving You
Skol Blues
Pinball Wizard
Ofri
War Pigs

Album Description

Take classic hard rock tunes from the 70s and 80s by the likes of Kiss, Scorpions, Black Sabbath and others. Rearrange them with rich harmonies and pulsating grooves of swing, funk and Latin. Throw in fiery improvisations on hollowbody guitar, double-bass and drums. What do you get? The Alex Skolnick Trio. At age eighteen, Alex Skolnick became a guitar hero with the metal band Testament. A few years and several albums later, he went on to perform and study jazz in New York, earning a music degree. Now, the worlds of metal and jazz have come together. Hear the result on "Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation."

Customer Reviews:

This is the album I have been looking for, for years.......2005-10-18

I love both heavy metal and jazz, and I have been looking for a good confluence of the two. I've found some swingcore (Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Hipster Daddio & The Hand Grenades, Leslie Bell & The First Bang Band), but most of it never lived up to its potential. The Lukather/Carlton collaboration was good but also fell short, and Stanley Jordan's experiments were too tentative.

This, however, is terrific. Skolnick is a great guitar player with serious knoweldge of music theory. The arrangements are truly in the jazz idiom, with the requisite improvistational feel and the triad chord structure, but the melodies are metal all the way (if tamed a bit). I've been listening to this album a lot.

I dream of Hairbands . . . ........2005-04-02

It came to me in a dream that I should get a big band together (like count basie's) and do covers of megadeth!

This disgusts me........2005-03-21

His tone is ugly, there is no soul, he is just shredding scales with no melodic content. This is not jazz. I have a hard time writing this without cursing. I am almost ashamed to be a guitarist because of garbage like this.

Alex Skolnick's solo offering rules!.......2004-04-20

After playing in two of the biggest and most important metal bands (Testament and Savatage) in the world, Alex Skolnick decided it was time to move on and explore different musical textures. Alex has always been so much more than just a typical metal guitarist who can shred his heart out. Even when he was in Testament, one of the leading forces of thrash metal, his sense of melody made him stand out among any other guitar player in the genre. His bluesy and jazzy feel became an indispensable part of his musical vision and it was clear that he would have to move on to broaden his horizons.

I bought Goodbye to Romance as soon as it was released in 2002 through Alex's independet label Skol Productions and was greatly pleased when I saw he'd taken the time to sign the CD for me. Upon reading his message in the booklet, I was even more intrigued than before. This isn't just an average cover album of a once-metal guitarist. While Alex covers and pays tribute to lots of rock and metal classics of bands including KISS, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, The Who and Black Sabbath, he also plays two of his own songs ("Skol Blues" and "Ofri"). Moreover the tunes sound nothing like the original versions, they are all re-worked and put into the framework of Alex's jazzy musical direction. The song patterns are quite different (and sometimes even more interesting) and rich with variety, melody and warmth.

This project took off the ground when Alex had a dream in which he heard a very beautiful melody and had to wake up. As he couldn't place the tune, he felt compelled to pick up his guitar and work it out, only to find the melody he'd heard was a jazzified version of Scorpions' "No One Like You" and the rest is history. He put together a great band employing two very talented young musicians: John Graham Davies (double bass) and Matt Zebroski (drums).

Miles Davis has always been a great influence on Alex's songwriting. This solo release also seems to follow the path opened up by Davis decades ago. The music here is unbelievably eclectic and borrows elements from rock, funk and blues. It's an amalgam of all of these textures centred around a strong jazzy background. It's very deeply constructed, yet it flows so naturally. The interplay between all the instruments gives the album its final shape.

The title Goodbye to Romance actually has a very special significance, because as we all know, the song "Goodbye to Romance" was a song on Ozzy's debut album with guitar god Randy Rhoads, who was one of Alex's idols and biggest influences. Back in the mid-90's Alex played with Ozzy for a handful of shows in England and felt deeply honoured about playing Randy's songs so when he decided to release his solo album he titled it after this tune. As stated in the booklet, it is commonly known that Randy was planning to eventually leave the band to pursue his classical music education, but was unable to due to his untimely passing. Alex, on the other hand, just like Randy, was bold enough to leave his rock stardom behind and went back to school for his music degree. Randy's spirit guided him through all the way.

This is one of my favourite instrumental albums ever and I wish Alex nothing but all the best in his future career. I know it must be hard to create something like this, but if he ever gets to put another solo album I'll be one of the first to buy it.

Alex Skolnick Rules!!!.......2003-10-13

I saw the trio perform live in Indy. IT WAS AWESOME... I remember Alex from back in the Testament days... It is great to see him doing something like this that he really loves. The show was great start to finish... A CD can never do justice to a live jazz concert... but this one is good. I got to hang out with Alex for a bit after the show. Truly an artist that appreciates his fans. I would highly recommend this treasure to jazz and metal fans alike.

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Rock n Roll the way it was meant to be!

Mine To Remember
Waz
Manufacturer: WAZ Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B0002J88QW
Release Date: 2004-01-04

Tracks:

Nothing Lasts Forever
Mine To Remember
Runaway
Summer Love
Wait Another Sunday

Album Description

Pete Yorn's former guitar player has released an impressive five song demo, turning life experiences into songs filled with heart-felt lyrics, lush acoustic melodies, and a touch of pop-sensibility

Customer Reviews:

Rock n Roll the way it was meant to be!.......2004-09-08

I have heard many artists who try to write simple, straight from the heart pop songs in the vein of Paul Westerberg and Tom Petty, but few can pull it off like WAZ. These songs have hooks that will be stuck in your head for days. It's catchy rock n roll with no BS! Buying this CD will only make your life better.

Average customer rating:

Brooks' Finest Yet

Guitar Player
Brooks Williams
Manufacturer: Solid Air Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Little Lion
7 Sisters
Ring Some Changes
Nectar
Skiffle-Bop

ASIN: B00091QRWK
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

Bakerloo
Gentle Rain
Working Dog
The Bright Field
Jaguar
Happy Chappy
Some Other Time
The Drowsey Bee
Triangular Situations
All that is Gold
Jesu, Joy of man's desiring
Aguinaldo Jibra
Far Away
In Christ There is No East or West
South Hill
I Bid you Goodnight

Product Description

Well known and highly regarded singer/songwriter Brooks Williams releases this collection of guitar instrumentals on the GRAMMY winning label Solid Air Records. Williams style is a brilliant mixture of John Fahey and Joseph Spence with a hint of Pat Metheny at moments. This is all solo and acoustic!

Customer Reviews:

Brooks' Finest Yet.......2005-04-11

On first hearing Guitar Player, I was reminded of the impact that John Fahey's 6 & 12 String Guitar had on me 30 years ago. Guitar Player is a breakthrough recording of acoustic music, and Brooks' finest yet. There are a great variety of tunes: fiddle tunes, contemporary classical, gospel, blues, brazilian, and some rearrangements of Brooks' concert standards, all performed brilliantly. The recording has a presence that permits finger noise, guitar overtones, and even the rain, to confirm that you are listening to live music played by a master.

My favorite tunes so far include Far Away, a contradance waltz written Peter Jung; Aguinaldo Jibara, a traditional tune from Puerto Rico, and The Drowsy Bee, an original. Brooks' chord melody arrangements are are usually understated, occasionally flashy; most often they sound "just right."

If you enjoy beautiful acoustic music played on some of the finest acoustic guitars being built today, you won't regret this purchase.

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Out of Car Wrecks and Hurricanes
Mieka Pauley
Manufacturer: Mieka Pauley Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000PNO12K

Product Description

2006 EP release from Mieka Pauley. Song list: 1. Stronger 2. The Way It Is 3. Faster 4. First Stone 5. Draped in Blue

Music Review: