[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2285.0. "Guitarnoters Vol. III reviews ...." by RAVEN1::JERRYWHITE (Here's a quarter ...) Thu Aug 08 1991 00:33

    This will be the note designated for Guitarnoters Vol. III reviews.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2285.1First bloodRAVEN1::JERRYWHITEHere's a quarter ...Thu Aug 08 1991 00:349
    OK since I've got possesion of all (well, most ...) of the entries,
    I'll draw first blood ....
    
    
    
    Wagagagagga .... not yet .... but as soon as I mail the first tape, I
    figure it will be *fair* to post my reviews then ...
    
    Scary
2285.2The producer's review ...RAVEN1::JERRYWHITEHere's a quarter ...Mon Aug 12 1991 02:28134
OK kids !  I finished the master today and will be sending copies to the 
contributors Tuesday morning.  I've been listening to these entries for 
weeks now - I gotta make my review !   You'll notice that there is a LOT of 
music here - I cut the gaps between the songs to a minimum, and by doing 
that, I was able to get everything on the tape that was sent to me, PLUS a 
bonus track !   8^)

The Scary Review ...

Side 1 ....

"Boingers" - Tom Benson  
My favorite cut on the tape !  Play this tune at maximum volume.  Tom's 
stuff absolutely blew me away.  If the CD is ever available, I hope I get a 
copy !

"Stay With Me Tonight" - Bill Buckley 
Kind of a poppy tune, but the more I listened to it, the more I liked it.  
Got some real good moves here.

"Fire" - Rick Ryan 
Good rendition !  I like the ending too !   8^)

"Roadhouse" - Brian Rost 
This was a real good tune, but the guitar tone hurt it some.  Sounded like 
it was lined out rather than miked.  

"Tonight's The Night" - Jerry White 
Ever heard of "death metal country music" ?  You soon will.  Todd (the 
drummer) couldn't play a straight country beat to save his life, so you get 
a good country tune with Lars Ulrich supplying the back beat.  I still love 
it.  The tunes I put on here were all `live', and since I didn't have the 
capability to `fade in - fade out', they're a little choppy.  Hope that 
doesn't get on anyone's nerves.

"Where's The Line Drawn" - 3 Many Daves  
A thinkin' man's song.  Very tasteful.

"Hop, Skip, and Jump" - Bill Buckley 
Yup, Buckster in JamVac mode.  Buck does some VERY neat fretboard gymnastics 
here.  I think his tone sounded a lot like Mick Box during the early Uriah 
Heep days - to be taken as a compliment.

"Red Meat 'n Coffee" - Dave Clark  
Sounded like to me *somebody* recorded this at a real slow speed, layed the 
lead track down, then cranked it up.  Either that or ya got the quickest 
vibrato known to mankind !   8^)

"Ornithology" - Tom Benson 
Like I stated earlier, Tom's stuff brought me to my knees.  This acoustic 
tune is truely impressive.  It may be short, but there a gazillion notes 
flying around here.  Whew !

"Rocky Mountain Way" - Jerry White 
Again, it's live folks, very live.  My vocals don't do well under the 
microscope, but what the heck.  

"Sonata L.483" - Andrew LeClaire 
"Prelude BWV 998" - Andrew LeClaire
"Spring" - Andrew LeClaire 
There's a story behind this.  I put all of Andrew's stuff together for 2 
reasons.  He stated that they were in order as if it were a concerto.  And, 
since I'm not fluent with any of this kind of music, I really wasn't sure 
where 1 piece stopped and another started.  If you listen close, you'll 
hear trucks and people walking on the sidewalk in the background, not to 
mention hearing him shuffling pages, clearing his throat, etc.  Only Andrew 
would send something like this in.  But I have to appreciate the effort 
that went into learning these tunes.

"Manic Depression" - Rick Ryan 
This was a bass/drum track, for jam_a_long purposes.  I didn't get all of 
it on here, I think I missed the last 5 seconds or so ... I had a tad of 
time left, and I hate having dead time at the end of a tape !


Side 2 ....

"Curious Goods" - Tom Benson 
Anybody like Joe Satriani's `Not Of This Earth' ?  You'll love this then.  
My wife thought it was new Satriani when she first heard it.  To really 
enjoy this song, either use headphones CRANKED, or use the home stereo 
CRANKED.  A buddy of mine has a van with a competition sound system in it 
(1200 watts ... clocked at 137db !), and we took a little ride and listened 
to this tune - mercy.

"The Low Calorie Blues" - Dave Blickstein  
I was rolling in the floor when I first heard this tune !  I love it !  The 
lyrics are great, and I also liked the organ riffs too.

"The Lemon Song" - Rick Ryan 
This is like taking a walk back in time.  Rick did a VERY good job on this 
re-issue, just like he did with `Fire'.  And to think he was just going to 
send rhythm tracks ... sheesh.

"Radar Love" - Jerry White 
Live again.  The drums on this song give me cold chills.  There were a 
number of times when I'd screw up my guitar lines for just listening to 
this drummer. 

"Freight Train/Babe It Ain't No Lie" - Dave Russo  
This is a VERY relaxing song.  After you listen to it a couple times, 
you'll find yourself singing unknown harmonies right along with it.

"Shadows In The Night" - Bill Buckley 
This is a mystical sounding tune - I loved it.  I wish the guitars would 
have been more out front.  Buckley burns, no doubt !

"I'll Love You Forever" - Dave Blickstein  
This is a happy happy song.  8^)

"La Grange" - Kevin McDonough 
This song was the only one of all the submissions that needed a volume 
boost during the editing, and due to technical difficulties, I was unable 
to do that.  So, you folks will have to boost it yourself, and please do ! 
There's some scarifying lead work going on here.  And thanks for the Chick 
Corea on the other side of the tape too !  8^)

"Goin' To California" - 3 Many Daves  
VERY good rendition of this tune.  None of the details were missed.  

"Evil Angel" - Jerry White 
The more I listen to it, the more I wished I had left it off the tape.  My 
lead work is horrid, but I'm proud of the song.  So, take a grain of salt 
and take a listen.

"TFSO Blues" - Jerry White
The BONUS track !!!  I had some time left so I put this on here.  It's me 
jamming along with a cut from a `Jamm Traxx' tape.  Equipment used was an 
American Standard Strat, a 50W Laney Combo, a 10' Fender cable, and a 
liberal splashing of Bacardi Black Rum.  The lead lines are a *little* 
hotter than they should be.  I recorded it by playing the Jamm Traxx tape 
through my house stereo and recorded myself jamming to it on a boom box.  
No frills ... I chopped some of it off, but as I said earlier, I *HATE* 
having dead space on a tape.
2285.3CAVLRY::BUCKItsJustALilBittyOlePissantCountryPlaceTue Aug 13 1991 13:409
>"Hop, Skip, and Jump" - Bill Buckley 
>Yup, Buckster in JamVac mode.  Buck does some VERY neat fretboard gymnastics 
>here.  I think his tone sounded a lot like Mick Box during the early Uriah 
>Heep days - to be taken as a compliment.
    
    There you go, plugging that MP-1 again!!!
    8^)
    
    Buck, wh oactually liked the tone on that tune...very thick and heavy.
2285.4WOW!VOLKS::RYENRick Ryen 240-6501 AET1-1/A6Fri Aug 16 1991 10:1923
Just got to listen to the tape last night, after comming home
from a vacation with the Eagles. Blew me away! I'm speechless!

After playing the 'Low Calorie Blues' for my wife, she DEMANDED
that I make here a copy of the tape. I'm now a hard core Tom Benson
fan! A couple of the acoustic tunes were absolutely killer! CD quality.
I can believe the talent that there is out there, not to mention
TONE, Licks and recording skills.

I'll post a more complete review, giving everybody equal time,
after I've listened a few more times. Everybody did a real good job.
It's all very listenable, with something valuable on every track. I
have a lot of questions for the submittors. "How'd you do that?"

I like the that the tunes are ordered, mixing hard rock with ballads,
studio with live. Spreading out the multiple submissions was a
good idea. Thanks to our producer for a job well done.

I'm havin' a party ths weekend, and I'm gonna play this tape!

Film at eleven,
Rick

2285.5DECWIN::KMCDONOUGHSet Kids/NosickSun Aug 18 1991 19:4412
    
    This tape is great!  After hearing it I'm really sorry that I put my
    submission on it....mine sounds like fuzzy noise in comparision. 8-}
    
    Tom Benson, put away that violin and midi stuff and be a *guitar*
    player!  "Ornithology" is just outrageous.
    
    I'll post more of a review tomorrow....
    
    Kevin                  
    
    
2285.6RAVEN1::JERRYWHITEHere's a quarter ...Mon Aug 19 1991 01:174
    These tapes should have been falling like rain over the weekend - so
    let's hear it guys !
    
    Scary (who sez, `I told ya so !')
2285.7Good Tape, GuysRGB::ROSTIf you don't C#, you might BbTue Aug 20 1991 13:4228
    I got my tape over the weekend, thanks again, Scary!
    
    I enjoyed this tape more than the previous two on first listen,
    although the high number of covers may have helped that (i.e. the songs
    being covered were better songs than some of the originals presented on
    earlier tapes).  At the same time, I'll probably skip the covers on
    most future listens (no flames here, I enjoy a good cover if it brings
    something new to the song, which isn't the point with these).  
    
    The playing throughout was very good.  Tom Benson's playing throughout
    was a highlight.  Since most of what I've heard from him (on COMMUSIC
    Tapes) is novelty material like "Boingers", the more straightahead
    things were a real treat.  
    
    I also liked Dave Blickstein's stuff, both come form previous COMMUSIC
    Tapes.  "Love you Forever" still sounds weird to me, the solo is nice but
    sort of out of place with the chipper mood of the rest of the piece. 
    "LC Blues" is just a real top-notch piece in all respects, composition,
    performance and recording (though I miss a *real* bass in the rhythm
    section).
    
    Since one comment was already raised, I should mention that the
    obnoxiously nasal guitar tone in my submission was intentional.  
    
    Good to hear some more playing from folks.  Hey where's the other bass
    men out there?
    
    							Brian
2285.8Got itGOES11::G_HOUSEWhy NOT ask why?Tue Aug 20 1991 17:478
    I also got my tape this weekend.  I've only been through it once and I
    have to say I'm REALLY enjoying it.  I want to give it a couple more
    listens before making specific comments on the individual submissions!
    
    Good work, all of you!  You have much to be proud of!
    
    More later...
    Greg
2285.9A personal review from Herr BuckmeisterCAVLRY::BUCKItsJustALilBittyOlePissantCountryPlaceWed Aug 21 1991 12:47137
    Yesterday was a good day!!!  Not only did I get the GUITAR Photo Album,
    I got my VOL III tape in the mail!
    
    Listened to this many many times last night...here's my review:
    

    Side 1 ....

"Boingers" - Tom Benson  
    A neat, quirky tune.  This is a tune Stevie K(losterman, member him??)
    would LOVE to death!!  Me?  I don't do quirky!  The song was very well
    recorded and executed...so kudos to Tom Benson, but the tune left me 
    indifferent.
    
"Stay With Me Tonight" - Bill Buckley 
    What can I say, this is my tune!  I wrote this when Micheal Jackson's
    BILLY JEAN was out, hence the stolen drum lick in the intro! Also,
    Yngwie Malmsteen was a big thing around this time...hence the quasi-
    stolen (modified) intro lick to the solo (plagarism is one of my finer 
    points, if you hadn't already noticed!)  8^)  I like this tune alot,
    as it is very melodic, and the guitars sound powerful (thanks Jim
    Marshall!)
    
"Fire" - Rick Ryan 
    As with Scary, I liked this rendition also.  Good sounds to tape!
    
"Roadhouse" - Brian Rost 
    I really like this tune AS IS.  Guitar tone and all.  I donno, dats
    just how it struck me.
    
"Tonight's The Night" - Jerry White 
    I like the tune, but the drummer *is* a tad...er, different!  My fav
    Scary  submission on the tape!
    
"Where's The Line Drawn" - 3 Many Daves  
    Very typical of 3 Many Dave's...excellent vocals and guitar
    arrangements.
    
"Hop, Skip, and Jump" - Bill Buckley 
    Again, this is me, so no review, just da facts.  The solo irks me a
    little on note selection and timing, but this track was a Van Halen
    (that WORD!) 8^) special...aka...I played the rhythm track (which
    sits on the right side in the mix!) AND the solo live and in a one shot
    deal.  I went in and dubbed the harmony arpeggios on a 2nd track, which
    was also a one take deal!  No repeat trys on this tune, so it's ok for
    what it's worth...could have been better IMHO, but...
    
"Red Meat 'n Coffee" - Dave Clark  
    As Scary noted, this tune sounds like somebody recorded this at a real 
    slow speed, layed the lead track down, then cranked it up.  A great
    tune, though!
    
"Ornithology" - Tom Benson 
    This is my personal favorite Tom Benson tune on the tape.  Great
    performance, sound, and aura.
    
"Rocky Mountain Way" - Jerry White 
    Live Scary!!  I liked the guitar tone and playing the best.  A good live
    performance by the band, but the vocals didn't do much for me, personally.
    
"Sonata L.483" - Andrew LeClaire 
"Prelude BWV 998" - Andrew LeClaire
"Spring" - Andrew LeClaire 
    I really liked Andrew's interpertation of these songs, but my ears said
    that the guitar was a tad out of tune, and would have liked it a LOT
    more if the intonation was more on.
    
"Manic Depression" - Rick Ryan 
    Jam away, dudes!!
    

Side 2 ....

"Curious Goods" - Tom Benson 
    Again, Scary hit the nail on the head with the Joe Satriani's `Not Of 
    This Earth' reference!  Jus what I thought.  I love Joe's NOTE album
    so obviously I liked this tune alot.  Still came in 2nd to his acoustic
    entry, though...

"The Low Calorie Blues" - Dave Blickstein  
    Anyone who has worked with db knows this is TRUE db!!  Great
    perforances with a sense of humor always present!  I've had the 
    pleasure of jamming and working with Dave in various situations over
    the years, and all I can say is db's got a lot of good chops...listen
    to the tape!!
     
"The Lemon Song" - Rick Ryan 
    Return with us now to those thrilling days of the 1970s!  That's what
    this entry brought to mind...playing all those Zep tunes/Page licks at
    high school dances while crowds of adoring young women watched in 
    amazement!  8^)  Thanks for the memories, Rick!
    
"Radar Love" - Jerry White 
    Again, Scary's live band shines through on this performance.  They are
    definitely a tight unit, and sound like they give an audience a good
    stage perforamance.
    
"Freight Train/Babe It Ain't No Lie" - Dave Russo  
    This sorta reminds me of Extreme's acoustic tunes...in the fact that it
    almost coaxes the listener to sing along, which *I* think is an
    enduring quiality, fer sure!
    
"Shadows In The Night" - Bill Buckley 
    Scary said he wishes the guitars would have been more out front!  Me
    too!  This was a recording project for one of my audio classes.  While
    I got an A+ on the final product, both my instructor and I agreed it
    had good performances and we would remix it...that is until some IDIOT
    in the tape library accidentally rerased half the tracks!!!  8^(  So,
    this mix is the only one available!!  Again, I was at Berklee studying
    modes and worshiping Malmsteen and Maiden.  I think this track shows those
    influences.
    
"I'll Love You Forever" - Dave Blickstein  
    More Happy-Go-Lucky db!
    
"La Grange" - Kevin McDonough 
    I've worked with Kev in a former DECjam band, and can attest that he 
    BURNS BURNS BURNS for days and days!!!  I'm sorry that this tape
    really doesn't showcase Kev's razor sharp attack, frantic vibrato, and 
    manic blues licks, but am very glad that he got something on this tape.  
    How bout a  killah ditty for Vol IV?  Show them what cha can do, dude!
    
"Goin' To California" - 3 Many Daves  
    This is right up 3 many Dave's alley!  I know Dave RUSSO has worshiped
    this song for years and years (we won't talk about the spray paint
    graffitti on the back on Silver Hill, ok Dave??)  8^)  I like this song
    and 3 Many Daves gave a great performance of it!
    
"Evil Angel" - Jerry White 
    This tune is a little out of my league listening-wise.  I'm NOT saying
    it is bad, but I preffered the lighter-fare offerings from Mr. Scary
    earlier on in the tape.  Just personal preference here folks.
    
"TFSO Blues" - Jerry White
    This is my chance to jam with Scary!  I'm currently trying to do
    harmony lines and call-answer licks to this tape.
    
2285.10My full review as promisedGOES11::G_HOUSEWhy NOT ask why?Wed Aug 21 1991 18:14168
    Overall an excellent tape, I enjoy all the songs on it!  I think I like
    this one the best of the three we've done so far.  Many thanks to Jerry
    for assembling it and to all the contributors for a superb effort!

    Greg

    Specific comments follow:

    Side 1

"Boingers" - Tom Benson  
    
    I really like this one!  All novelty appeal aside, this song has a meaty
    musical side to it as well and is performed and recorded very well.  This
    is a funny quirky song, I love it.

    Overall, I have to say that Tom is an incredible player and that I enjoyed
    all his submissions immensely!  The variety of musical styles he displays
    with these three songs are also impressive!

"Stay With Me Tonight" - Bill Buckley 

    The overall sound of this track kind of makes me think of a cross between
    Bon Jovi (verse) and TNT (chorus).  The singer's great, but the drums
    (machine?) sound mechanical and not terribly creative.  As usual, Buck's
    guitar playing is very good.
    
"Fire" - Rick Ryan 
    
    Even though it's well executed, I had a little trouble getting into this
    one.  The two notes added to the end of the hook phrase kind of throw me
    off, and Rick's voice (that's him singing, right?) doesn't seem to fit this
    song very well.  The drum machine has a very sterile sound to it, even
    though it's obvious that he worked hard on trying to program variety into
    it.  I've heard other covers of this song that I liked a lot better.

"Roadhouse" - Brian Rost 

    A fun, bar band kind of tune!  Intentional or not, the guitar tone really
    bothers me, especially the lead sound.  It's too trebly for my tastes (did
    you get one of those Digitech Twin Tube things?).  The rhythm guitar seems
    a little dominant in the mix at times to me.  The solo parts remind me of
    Neil Young a bit, especially the outro.

"Tonight's The Night" - Jerry White 
    
    Nice to hear a little country music on here!  Even though I don't usually
    get into that, I like this song.  Refreshing for our compilations.

"Where's The Line Drawn" - 3 Many Daves  
    
    Interesting and different sound.  I'm not really into the acoustic/folk
    thing that much, but this is obviously well performed and sounds good!  My
    old Kitty Hawk sounds great on the solos and outro!  8^)

"Hop, Skip, and Jump" - Bill Buckley 
    
    I've heard this one before and I have to say that I still love it.  I
    always liked the sound of this band and this song is a good example of it. 
    Buck's guitar tone is a little thin and kind of "crispy" sounding to me on
    this one, but it blends pretty well with the other guitar for a decent
    overall sound.  Love the Paul Gilbert thing at the end of the solo!

"Red Meat 'n Coffee" - Dave Clark  
    
    I thought my tape deck had freaked out!  Real fast and trebly...

    Seriously, an interesting song with some great playing.

"Ornithology" - Tom Benson 

    Smokin!  This is a cover, isn't it?  I'm sure I've heard the song before. 
    In any case, this is superbly executed, one of my favorites on the tape!

"Rocky Mountain Way" - Jerry White 

    Screamin bar band mania!  Sounded like both the band and the audience were
    having a good time on this!  Hard for me to listen to a lot of times though
    because I'm just so burnt out on the song.

"Sonata L.483" - Andrew LeClaire 
"Prelude BWV 998"
"Spring"

    I liked first song, but wasn't sure where it went into the second.  After
    the first bit of them they start sounding similar to my ear (maybe that's
    why Andrew recorded them together?).  Anyway, as Buck said they sound kind
    of out of tune at times and the intonation sounds kind of whacked. 
    Interesting paper shuffling and automotive noises, but overall I couldn't
    really get into this.

"Manic Depression" - Rick Ryan 
    
    Thanks for including this Rick.  Sounds pretty good overall, but like on
    "Fire", the drum sound is kind of mechanical, especially on the snare
    rolls.  No biggie, just a comment.


Side 2 

"Curious Goods" - Tom Benson 

    What can I say?  Tom is an amazing player!  One of my favorites on the
    tape!

"The Low Calorie Blues" - Dave Blickstein  
    
    This is hilarious!  A great song and performance!  I especially like Dave's
    organ work on this one.
     
"The Lemon Song" - Rick Ryan 

    This one really struck a chord with me!  I love it, excellent feel and
    great chops.  Rick did a great job of making it sound spontaneous and
    giving it a good feel, by far my favorite of his submissions and one of my
    favorites on the whole tape.  Brings a smile to my face hearing it.

"Radar Love" - Jerry White 

    Good cover of a tune I'm tired of hearing.  I've always liked Jerry's
    playing and this is no exception.  
    
"Freight Train/Babe It Ain't No Lie" - Dave Russo  

    Nice work here from Dave!  This is not the type of music I usually listen
    to and for me, this piece is a little bit long.  Well executed and I like
    the guitar sound.
    
"Shadows In The Night" - Bill Buckley 

    This is a cool tune!  I really like the sound of the piece, reminds me a
    lot of TNT.  I agree with previous comments on the mix, it also seems
    pretty bass heavy to me.

"I'll Love You Forever" - Dave Blickstein  
    
    Cool!  Really a happy sounding tune.  I like the vocals a lot, but a times
    the organ seems a little overly dominant, but I guess that's the idea.  The
    solo displays some hot chops, but doesn't seem to fit the feel of the rest
    of the rest of the song real well, especially the fast muted part.  Still,
    I kind of like it in this context and it's growing on me, so...

"La Grange" - Kevin McDonough 

    I can't help it, but the vocals on this one really grate on me.  They just
    don't sound right for the song (you can actually understand the words, no
    way!).  Sounds like some good solo playing lost in the mix.  I don't care
    for the flange effect much though.
    
"Goin' To California" - 3 Many Daves  

    My favorite of the 3 Many Daves stuff!  Good creative cover.  I really like
    the intricate guitar arrangement and the vocals are excellent.
    
"Evil Angel" - Jerry White 

    Interesting song.  As I enjoy a lot of heavy music, I like this.  The
    performance and recording leaves a little to be desired, but overall it
    sounds good.  The mix is kind of muddy.  I have to say that I don't care
    for the guitar tone much, too buzzy and kind of thin sounding.  Sure glad
    Jerry doesn't use that sound anymore!

"TFSO Blues" - Jerry White

    ...or does he?  ;^)

    I realize this was just intended as filler, but the guitar seems too loud,
    kind of drowns out the rhythm section.  My only complaint.
2285.11Happy now Greg ??? :)IMTDEV::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu Aug 22 1991 19:575
I thought the beginning of the lead in that particular song was very, 
very "Eddie V" dude...  Whats the deal here dude ??  Were you a closet 
Eddie lover ??

jc
2285.12?RAVEN1::JERRYWHITEHere's a quarter ...Fri Aug 23 1991 00:273
    What song are you talkin' 'bout ?
    
    Scary
2285.13IMTDEV::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Fri Aug 23 1991 14:146
Stay with me tonight...  The first 4 bars of the lead...

I mean I only heard the "highlights" from the whole tape,
but this one seemed to jump out at me...

jc
2285.14sounds like SatchHAVASU::HEISERstep into my grooveFri Aug 23 1991 15:114
    Buck, how do you do those Satch-like squeals at the end of the "Hop,
    Skip, Jump" solo?
    
    Curious Mike
2285.15RAVEN1::JERRYWHITEHere's a quarter ...Fri Aug 23 1991 15:263
    I Satch's dreams !  That's Gilbert ....   8^)
    
    Scary
2285.16IMTDEV::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Fri Aug 23 1991 15:483
Pinched, probably...  What say ye Buck-E-Lee ??

jc
2285.17POWDML::GOLDBERGstonewallFri Aug 23 1991 18:0010
    Hi, this is Buck E Lee in another acounmt!
    
    
    Anywho...
    
    Those squeels at the end of Hop SKip are Harmonics, picked real close
    to the bridge, and pulled up with the bar a whole step to play the A
    major arpeggio!
    
    
2285.18F does harmonicsHAVASU::HEISERstep into my grooveFri Aug 23 1991 18:043
    RE: -1
    
    Ok goddess F., thanks ;-)
2285.19Speak up !RAVEN1::JERRYWHITEHere's a quarter ...Wed Sep 11 1991 10:075
    HEY !   Tapes should be falling all over the world by now, let's hear
    some more reviews ...  8^)
    
    
    Scary
2285.20I wanna be on the next one! UPSENG::BESTAquatic Flame-dodging PoetsWed Sep 11 1991 13:126
    
    Because of having my mail forwarded, I just got mine last nite.
    I listened to most of side 1 and there was some good stuff there.
    I'll try to get a review together after the weekend....
    
    guy
2285.221st instalmentyGIDDAY::KNIGHTPdo it in dublyThu Sep 12 1991 02:1317
    	I will post a full review in a couple of weeks when I get back from
    training, but on 1st listen I was really impressed.  It was great to
    hear the people I have been reading about for the last 18mths.
    
    	The stand out tracks on 1st listen were:
    
    Low calorie blues: and absolute classic.  I can't believe the quality
    of that recording done on four track!
    
    Boingers:  Great song, must have taken some time to record and it
    was worth it.
    
    Ornithology:  Some great guitar playing is that song an original?
    
    I'll post a comprihensive review later
    
    P.K.
2285.23JENEVR::SAKELARISThu Sep 12 1991 18:1539
    Well, I gotta say I'm tremendously impressed. 
    
    Tommy Benson - you're an
    artist, not just a player. You mustn't be married or have other such
    anchors around your neck to be able to do this kind of stuff ( and
    please don't spoil my thought if it ain't so - I hide my lack of talent
    behind the wife,the kids, the mortgage and all thats mundane)
    
    Mr. Blickstein - Your "Low Calorie Blues" is too cool! If you haven't
    already - send it in to Ken Sheldon at 'BCN to play during "the Mighty
    Lunch Hour".  No doubt it'd get airtime! 
    
    But please - drop the "I'll Love You Forever" - I hated that one.
    
    Andy Leclerc - Its easy to see (hear) that you are a developing
    student. You have a ways to go to be sure. But the stuff you play - man
    I couldn't begin to play. Good work dude! I got a lotta respect for
    dudes like you who take the time to learn how to play instead of fartin
    around forever like me and relying on electric guitar blastboost
    gizmo's.
    
    Buckmeister - yeah dude, it was good to get a listen to what you do.
    Brian Donovan (don't know if you know him - but he's heard you play)
    said you were a monster. And with your training, I was interested to
    hear you. Not disappointed at all. You got some great chops that you'll
    have to show me if we ever meet someday.
    
    3 many daves - Outstanding! 
    
    All the rest of you - I liked everything I heard. To tell the truth,
    I'm feelin a bit intimidated to send in a submission for the next one.
    What I've learned since recently getting a 4 track is that to jam away 
    by ones self is far different than trying to record something. I've
    been working on one tune for weeks now and it sounds like sh!t to me. I
    love to play, but I don't think I like hearing what I play. So when
    youze guize get a listen to me, believe me, I know I ain't no better
    than nobody else!
    
    "sakman" 
2285.24SEE the Vol IV topic for more infoCAVLRY::BUCKIfTHRILLERcomesToU.S.,I'llGoBroke!Thu Sep 12 1991 18:3010
    Sakman,
    
    Send in a submission to VOL IV or else!!  We have vays of making you
    submit!  ;^)
    
    Seriously, just do it...this ain't no contest...and we would all love
    to hear what you do and where you are coming from musically speaking.
    
    So there.
    
2285.26HAVASU::HEISERthe rock stomps here!Fri Sep 13 1991 14:375
>	Buck's tunes weren't to my taste but his playing was good.  But I
>	still can't hear the notes - I never can.  His tone just doesn't
>	cut thru - tape or live.  Buck, you need a stickin' Boogie ;^)
    
    that's because he used an ADA MP1 instead of a Marshall.
2285.27A British reviewIOSG::CREASYGoodnight out there... whatever you areFri Sep 13 1991 16:0958
    Since Jerry was kind enough to send a copy of the tape all the way
    across the pond, I've gotta repay the compliment and put in a review.
    I've got opinions on all the songs, and I'll do a complete review when
    I've got the cassette box here (so I can remember who did what).
    
    First off, I gotta say that everything on here bears listening to.
    Congrats to one and all who contributed.
    
    Anyway, here are the things I remember, based on a coupla listenings in
    the car:
    
    Tom Benson. Definitely my fave on the tape. If you ever do an album,
    I'll buy it! I love the different styles - Boingers cracks me up, and
    the other 2 smoke.
    
    Buck. More good playing, though a little heavier than I usually listen
    to. That said, the first track (damn, I can't remember the name) has a
    lot of potential - one thing, I find that the end of the verse and the
    first line of the chorus have got too many words, so it sounds like the
    vocalist is forcing the lyrics in there. With a coupla less words, I
    think it would be even better. (FWIW).
    
    Scary. The quality of the recording lets this down. I'd love to see the
    band live, it sounds like you guys have fun, and you're certainly
    tight. I can't hear your solos too well either, which is a shame, cause
    what I can hear sounds great.
    
    3 Many Daves. Love the first track, hate the second (but I hate the
    Zeppelin version too, so that's not a criticism of you). 
    
    That reminds me, a general observation on all the contributions. I have 
    a much easier time listening to originals than to covers. If I don't
    like the original, then it puts me off the cover immediately.
    
    This is true of The Lemon Song - a good rendition, but I REALLY
    have a hard time listening to any Led Zep number any more. I'd have
    preferred to hear Killing Floor or Robert Johnson's "Crossroads Blues"
    instead (which is where the "squeeze my lemon" line comes from).
    
    Rick Ryen. The Hendrix renditions are really well done - I was very
    impressed. I'd really like to hear you stretch out on an original.
    
    db. Low Calorie Blues - it's all been said, the lyrics are brilliant.
    One of my fave songs on the tape.
    
    Andrew LeClare. This makes a welcome break on the tape, though it goes
    on a bit long for me. I feel your contributions suffer from "partitis".
    It sounds to me like you've learnt each piece in sections (which is
    good) then strung the sections together - it doesn't feel like the
    whole song hangs together. You might want to try working on moving from
    one part to the next - at the moment, it's like you've got all the
    words there, but the story doesn't quite make sense, because you
    haven't used the correct inflection. Again, FWIW.
    
    It's getting late here, and this note is already too long, so I'll quit
    now, and try and complete the review after the weekend.
    
    Nick 
2285.28updated after more listensUSPMLO::DESROCHERSWed Sep 18 1991 12:2255
	This is an editted version of my first reply.  Had a gig 70 miles
	away this weekend so I got to hear the tape a few more times.  My
	first reply was a first impression and music is always different
	after a few listens.

	Tom Benson's stuff is really great - esp. Curious Goods
	on side 2.  I hear Holdsworth in there - those odd notes and
	wide intervals.  Great tune for sure and definitely more to
	my taste in music.  Head and shoulders above anything on all
	three tapes.  Tom, I noticed you got Honorable Mention in GP
	this month!!!  Congratulations - that's fantastic!!  I laughed
	when they said Holdsworth too.  Was Curious Goods the tune you
	submitted?  

	Kevin McDonough's solo ripped as expected.  I really like his
	playing alot.  ... altho the recording is shaky, this is the most
	intense playing on the tape to my ears.  Really manic vibrato and
	harmonics.  Wow!!

	I agree with one of the previous replies about db's tunes.  The
	calorie one is really good and I liked the way it built up.  Who
	thought of rhyming "sex" with "anorex" ??  But the second one... 
	it does have a real nice solo, Dave!

	The Daves - good stuff.  I liked the singer with the lower voice
	and the guitarist playing the open chords.  Nice acoustic technique!
	The speeded up guitar one would have been better at regular speed
	to me.

	Andrew's tunes obviously took alot of practice.  I'm not a classical
	music fan so I'd even get antsy with Segovia but they were very nice.
	Did someone remark about being out of tune?  For me, these tunes
	would sound great if they were played on an electric with a Joe
	Pass sound.  As someone else said, I could never play like that!

	Rick Ryen - The Lemon Song was really good - his best of the bunch 
	- you really got the guitar part at the end of the verses.  

	Buck's tunes weren't to my taste but his playing was really good...
	After hearing thru a few times, Hop, Skip, Jump is right up there
	tunewise - very catchy!  And I _love_ that arpeggio thing that you
	harmonized (is that one of those pedals or is is double tracked?).
	Also, those squeals at the end of the solo really builds up for
	the vocal.  Intense!

	Jerry White - that's a real kickin' band there!  And your solo's 
	sound great!  But, as I wrote previously, it's too bad that the
	tape quality is low.  Drums tend to overwhelm and it's a struggle
	to hear your licks.  But you guys must be a riot to party to!

	All in all, really good stuff and some great musicians out there!!

	Thanks, Jerry!!
	Tom
2285.29STAR::BENSONThu Sep 19 1991 03:1812
    RE: .-1 (and others) -
    
    Thanks for all the kind words. Yep, Curious Goods is indeed the song
    I sent to the GP Reader's Tape thing. I knew I didn't have a prayer
    of winning, but thought I might have an outside shot at honorable
    mention...  Apparently the guy who won thought something similar (and
    if you listen to the soundpage you'll know why).
    
    Someone asked if Ornithology is an original - nope, (as I think I 
    said in the 'liner notes' note), it's a Charlie Parker tune.
    
    Tom