Take Five Reviews: What to Listen to October 8th, 2010

We hope you enjoy the launch of Take Five, a new feature of Guitar International where we grab albums, DVDs, books or other music media and give them a quick review – each of which should take you five minutes or less to read.

Literally, we’re just grabbing what we have around the office and let ‘er rip – telling you what we think about them. Granted Take Five reviews are only the opinion of one of us, but still, we figure we’ll give you a reference point that you would otherwise not have.

Take Five

Why Not? – Pino Forastiere – Pino’s eight tracks of guitar instrumentals roll out some sweet melodies buffered with recurring themes, played gently and thoughtfully, yet at times give an impression that he’s playing melodies over exercises. But, really the word “thoughtful” does highlight the most enduring quality of Forastiere’s CD. Why Not? is a laid back CD that can be listened to while reading a book, having a quiet conversation, or drifting away in one’s daydreaming.

Download Why Not? from Amazon.com

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Nil Lara (Self-Titled) – Cuban-American “melting pot” artist Nil Lara’s album is catchy and idiosyncratic in its off-centered Latin style, coupled with ragged edged lyrics and yearning vocals that are both cynical and lovely. Nil Lara is full of highlights like, “Baby”, “How Was I to Know”, “Bleeding” and more – really too many to note in GI’s Take Five – I’ve had this CD on the top of my listening list for several years and never tire of it. As much as Lara’s music may be considered “niche”, this CD will grab you with its mixed beats and overall universal appeal.

Download Nil Lara from Amazon.com

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Cruisin’ Dueces – Danny Gatton – Telemaster, Danny Gatton, pulled out the stops on Cruisin’ Dueces with guitar work that’s as hot as a ’32 Duece Coupe manifold after a street race. But, it’s the masterful “Tragedy” with such exquisitely sweet riffs that will stop you in your tracks. “Harlem Nocturne” a sweaty blues number crushes and the rest of the album is a mix of tunes that you’ll like or not depending on your taste in music. The “Sun Medley” is a fun romp, but only if you’re into the ‘50s Sun records session work Gatton chose to highlight like “Mystery Train”, “My Baby Left Me”, “That’s All Right My Momma”…still, the guitar work is as “hep“ as anything you’ll hear from Memphis.

Download Cruisin’ Deuces from Amazon.com

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The Beatles Love – The Beatles – Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin produced The Beatles Love album by mashing together 26 classic tunes of The Beatles into a riveting melodic menagerie that discerning Beatles fans will recognize and sing along with, but might also be a bit disarmed when the tracks lose their original moorings, with other Beatles tunes intertwined throughout. A more spartan demo “Strawberry Fields Forever” builds and takes on serpentine twists when fused with “Hello Goodbye”, “Baby, You’re a Rich Man”, “In My Life”, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, “Penny Lane”, and “Piggies”….and it reflects the magic of The Beatles in a stunning way. The Beatles Love album , like all other Beatles records in my opinion, reflects pop music at the top of its game.

Download The Beatles Love from Amazon.com

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Front Parlour Ballads – Richard Thompson – Thompson literally kicks this one off with “Let it Blow” a punchy tune with gritty cerebral lyrics that’ll have you moving and thinking, unless your in some dead zone. He then moves to ballads, of a sort, with at least some influence from America’s Dylan, with a glint of humor. But, Thompson has some of the best guitar chops around, so don’t get pulled in so tight to the story book lyrics that you don’t dig his guitar work. The album’s balladeer style takes some getting used to, so I’d recommend checking out 30 second downloads, before dropping the whole thing into your iPod.