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InsaneGuitar.com
presents...
December, 2003
Wow,
my first Insane Guitar article! I was trying to think of a way to
introduce myself while still maintaining some level of
professionalism (I am mega excited), but only a few things came
to mind.
I
am 17 years old and have been playing guitar for about two and a
half years, with a year of that time spent solely on classical
guitar. Insane Guitar has been a big part of my life ever since I
watched Joel’s “Fortress of the Titans” video
several months ago, and I have also been hitting the forums
around here pretty hard lately. I post as tiki_teet, so if
you have any comments or questions, you know who to look for.
The
plan is to have two reviews per month, with featured artists and
CDs ranging from solo “bedroom players” to
accomplished bands. Anything guitar related is fair game!
If
you would like me to write about your music, please email me at
carter@insaneguitar.net.
You can find my ICQ and AIM information by checking out the forum
or by sending me an email.
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Flying
Colours
Atanas G. Shishkov
 All
of you have read the instructional lessons here at
InsaneGuitar.com, but have you ever stopped to wonder how the
authors actually use the material they present to you?
Atanas
G. Shishkov has written for the site in the past, but his work
goes far beyond instructional columns. His latest release, Flying
Colours, speaks wonders for what developed technique,
musicianship, and style can accomplish.
There
is a lot more to Atanas's music than crazy tapping arpeggios and
fast runs, though. There is a lot of depth to the music, and
perhaps words cannot adequately describe everything that needs to
be said.
I was definitely taken aback
by Shiskov's lead tone; it is simply stunning. The melodies are
very moving and show a deep love for music.
Perhaps
the biggest surprise for me personally was the great style Atanas
has. Flying Colours is not full of “fast to be
fast,” scooped-out-mids rhythm sections. All the tunes have
awesome grooves to them, but the melody is always in the
limelight!
One of my favorite tracks
on Flying Colours is “Mozart
- Howe Theme.” I remember hearing this played on piano when
I was little, and I always loved it. Shishkov's version really
does Mozart justice.
You
can check out clips of all the tunes from Flying Colours on
Atanas Shishkov's site; his work is highly recommended!
Things to Check Out:
·
Atanas
G. Shishkov
· Insane
Guitar Lesson Archives
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Patrick
DeCoste
 Once
in a while, a musician decides to look at his art from a new
perspective and creates a masterpiece in the
process.
Patrick DeCoste is one
of those musicians, bringing a new outlook on music and
instrumental rock guitar. After reading his biographical
information, it is clear that DeCoste has devoted his life to his
instrument. His impressive academic record, however, is
vastly overshadowed by his talent and creativity.
My
first time listening to "Love In Misery," I was a bit
flustered. I had no idea what it was that I had just
heard! The melody lines are extremely lyrical and
emphasized by a very cool talk-like effect. Interestingly,
though, DeCoste's great melodic style is not what stands out
most.
Patrick DeCoste's sense of
harmony and rhythm is phenomenal. He is the kind of player
that can take some chords, add embellishment and ornamentation,
and really make the listener feel something. I was
completely, utterly floored by the sheer style and finesse
presented in "Premonition" and "The New
Millennium."
Since Insane
Guitar is all about fast, technical stuff, I cannot overlook
Patrick's more technical side as portrayed in "Breaking The
Silence." He plays as fast and complicated as the
music demands, and that is a great thing. With a careful,
tastefully heavy track such as this, I can only say that Patrick
has mastered song structure and climatic development.
And
is this another guitar version of "The Star Spangled
Banner?" Well, yes, but it's not what you'd expect
from a rock guitarist! The tone is sweet and soothing, and
various techniques such as finger picking, harmonics, and volume
swells make DeCoste's version of this anthem one of the most
soulful I have ever heard on guitar.
The
last song available on Patrick DeCoste's site, "Greasy
Fingers," once again highlights this artist's rhythmic
ability. There is some serious grooving going on in this
song, and the live version posted on Patrick's site is even
better! This man is a true solo artist.
With
so many great tunes, it's impossible to have a favorite.
Patrick DeCoste is definitely a guitarist worth looking out for
in the future.
Things to
Check Out:
· Patrick
DeCoste - Patrick
DeCoste's debut album is scheduled for release around the New
Year!
· Theoretically
Speaking column
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Fernando
Almada
 Attitude,
passion, and aggression. All these things come to mind when I
listen to the music of Fernando Almada.
A
guitarist from Mexico, Almada brings much needed culture and
style to heavy metal. His stylistic flare is most immediately
evident in “MI RESPUESTA A TU SILENCIO,” which opens
with an intriguing flamenco-style piece performed on a nylon
string guitar.
"ANTES DE
DORMIR" has one of the most interesting melodies I have
heard in quite a while. As the song progresses, the
soulfulness of the guitar is further complimented by tasteful
wah-pedal use.
But the first of
Fernando's songs that I listened to, "RUIDO OBSCURO,"
is still very much my favorite. The song, played on a
7-string guitar, begins with some crazy syncopated thrash riffs
before leading into a moving melody.
Fernando
Almada's lead playing is inspiring, to say the least. His
solos make use of an array of effective techniques:
everything from whammy bar dives to percussively spicy palm mutes
and rakes.
Other than what I
remember from Fernando's site, I have no idea what these titles
mean in English. It doesn't matter, though...
The
music speaks for itself; language is no barrier.
Things to
Check Out:
· Fernando
Almada
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Strange
Beautiful Music
Joe Satriani
 The
G3 Tour is over, and in light of my inability to attend a show, I
have been listening to a lot of Joe Satriani.
Admittedly,
all of Satch’s albums are amazing. There is something about
the newer Strange Beautiful Music, however, that just
makes it more accessible and entertaining. This is the sort of
instrumental work to which even a non-guitarist can relate.
The biggest reason for the
universal appeal of Strange Beautiful Music is the
simplicity behind the melodies and Satrani’s focus on pure
emotion.
Strange Beautiful
Music shows a guitar virtuoso at his musical best. Nothing is
overdone, but everything that needs to be expressed is definitely
present. The Grammy nominated “Starry Night” is
perhaps the foremost underscore of how slow, conscious playing
can say so much to so many.
Of
course, the fast legato lines and tasteful shred licks that have
made Satriani so popular among guitarists are still there. Things
even get a little heavy in songs like “Mind Storm”
and “Seven String,” but the melody always stands out.
The album has a more “produced”
sound than previous releases. Layers of guitars and orchestral
parts add incredible depth to most songs on Strange Beautiful
Music, specifically in “Oriental Melody“ and
“Belly Dancer." Honestly, these songs must be crazy
live!
I did quite a bit of
listening to this album, both on my home stereo and in the car.
The subtle colors of Satch's sound absolutely demand high
trebles, and the 1998 Honda Accord's sound system simply does not
cut it. For instance, on "Mind Storm" the bass was so
loud I could only barely hear the rhythm guitar. Come on, though.
Listening to Joe Satriani on the way to work is well worth the
poor sound quality!
When it
comes down to it, the bottom line is this. The songs on Strange
Beautiful Music are the kind of songs that you will catch
yourself humming or whistling. You won’t think about it,
but it will happen. Trust me!
Things to Check Out:
·
Joe Satriani
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All
reviews written by Carter
Johnston, Jr..
All represented material is copyrighted by their respective
authors.
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