On Mysterious Boundaries, Celtic guitarist, Tony McManus, collects a gathering of melodic impressions that quietly move us, sometimes hauntingly. At once technically masterful, emotionally nuanced and evocative, the Scottish-born guitarist’s new album will please his fans and attract a wider audience to his fine playing. And with a surname that’s rooted in the word “great”, Tony lives up to his Irish heritage.
“Vibrato” is Paul Gilbert’s 12th studio release, fresh to our ears in 2012. With 11 varied songs, this album clocks in at 67 minutes and change. This eagerly-anticipated gift is a treasure trove of notes. It is sure to offer something intriguing or pleasant to all listeners, especially established Paul Gilbert fans who are listening for his latest musical adventure, or what goal he may be working towards currently.
Greek guitar soloist and composer Smaro Gregoriadou has recently released her latest CD, Reinventing Guitar II, which is an ambitious follow up to her 2009 recording, Reinventing Guitar.
Australian guitarist Chris Brooks is a monster player, flat out. Following in the path of the great instrumental rock guitarists such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Greg Howe, Brooks is a world-class player that brings both lightning-fast chops and a strong sense of melody and groove to his songwriting and improvisations. After spending years honing his chops and compositional skills,
When it was announced that Producers Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay had optioned the best-selling novel, I Am Number Four for a big budget screen adaptation, my main cause for excitement emanated from the news that, venerable film composer, Trevor Rabin, renowned for his esteemed artistry and scores for Armageddon, Remember The Titans, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, National Treasure 1 and 2, Enemy Of The State, Con Air and many more Hollywood celluloid jewels, would be crafting the film’s score.
International Guitar Night IV is a collaboration that features the acoustic guitar stylings of Brian Gore (founder), Lulo Reinhardt, Stephen Bennett, and Itamar Erez. Coming together from the four corners of the globe, each of these performers brings a unique and diverse sound alongside a wide range of influences from Spanish, Latin, Gypsy, and Rock. The album is a collection of performances from their 2009 North American tour, and this recording delivers the goods for anyone who loves the sound of the acoustic guitar.
Few guitarists can claim to have a career as long and storied as French virtuoso Pierre Bensusan. Known mostly for his work in the “DADGAD” tuning, which readers may also know as the favorite acoustic tuning of rock-legend Jimmy Page, Bensusan’s latest release Vividly celebrates his 35th years as a professional performer and is also his 10th solo album, not easy milestones to come by for any genre or in any era.
Guitar maestro Paul Gilbert has returned! On April 30, I was so surprised, that I thought the product announcement on HMV Online was a prank or a typo. It was soon realized that this was genuine, and Gilbert’s latest opus, Fuzz Universe was about to be unleashed upon an eagerly waiting public. I got right in line, and a few months later, I’m happy to report that I am not disappointed! Gilbert has maintained his reputation for exceptionally high quality output with this platter, his third instrumental offering.
When not fulfilling his duties for Soulfly or Cavalera Conspiracy, guitarist Marc Rizzo was shuffling in and out of the recording studio to finish his latest solo effort Legionnaire. An eleven song guitar record that draws influences from metal, classical, flamenco, and South American music, with LegionnaireRizzo has created a solid instrumental record that fans of shred guitar and straight-up metal will appreciate.
Croatian guitarist Ivan Mihaljević officially hits the international guitar scene with the release of his CD Sandcastle. Joined by band mates Majkl Jagunic (bass) and Craig Devine (drums), Sandcastle is a solid collection of guitar rock that will send many guitarists back to the woodshed to reprioritize their practicing.
