Conference napalm::guitar

I *think* (but not sure) that he is the guitarist for Toy Matinee, a band
that released one of my favorite albums of 1990. (Another member of Toy
Matinee is Patrick Leonard, a producer who has worked with acts such as 
Madonna and Pink Floyd.)

Also, I believe Bonilla was one of the five people that Guitar Player used
to evaluate amps in this month's 'Combo Amp Shootout'.

alan

Musician magazine gave the Marc Bonilla album a raving review, saying he
might even be this year's Steve Vai! I'll have to check this one out....

alan

Steve Vai - a capable guitarist - but in my view, is far too grating on the
nerves...he's full scream ahead, brute force, take it to the max, 100%
UNsubtle. And he can't write music! Bonilla, though loud, knows how to vary
the tempo and consistently provides goose-bumping solos.

I'm not a guitarist, but I can recognize range of talent when I hear it. I 
think Bonilla has more of a range than Vai & is definitely more pleasing to 
listen to. Vai (and Satriani, for that matter) wallop you up side the head.
You can only listen to them every once in a while. I've been playing EE-Ticket
2-3 times/day for the last couple of weeks & still can't get enough. The last
time that happened was with Eric Johnson!

Sounds like Bonilla's been influenced by Lee, Hendrix & (maybe..) Beck.

I'd be interested in hearing a "guitarist's" perspective on this guy.

Jp

    RE: -1
    
    Listen to "Sisters" by Vai off of Passion and Warfare, then get back to
    us.  The boy's got LOTS of feel.
    
    I've never heard Bonilla, so I can't comment on him.
    
    Jerry

    I think "For the Love of God" is the most emotional piece Vai has ever
    done.
    
    Mike

    FWIW, I also disagree about Vai.  Perhaps if you only heard his work
    with David Lee Roth and Whitesnake, you might think this, but I find
    both his solo albums to demonstrate a lot of feel and versatility.
    
    Greg

    Listen to Vai with Zappa, and you will have no doubts on soulfulness,
    feel, and versitility.

    Which albums does he appear on?

    Why do people have to compare heros like this?
    
    Idf you think someone is hot ,.. say so. Thats cool,. but saying
    that Tom is hotter than Dick only invites all fans of Dick
    to start pissing back at you...
    
    Haven't we had enough of that kind of @#$%^&* lately?
    
    						/Bill
    

I guess not. BTW, my father can beat up your father any day.

    thats cool,.. next unseen is my friend I guess
    
    wake me up when the pissing is over
    
    							/Bill
    

Oh my...

I didn't realize there were such sensitive souls still out there...

I never saw this note as a pissing contest. I think NOTES has always been
a forum for expressing ones opinions in a reasonable manner. I certainly 
don't believe that this was becoming unreasonable.

As a matter of fact, after reading responses to my note, I'm inclined to 
go back and revisit Vai especially the songs that were pointed out.

As far as comparing "heroes", I don't see anything wrong with it, especially
when it concerns technique, sensitivity, chops or whatever....

Let the games continue...(and let's be sensitive, boys...!)

Jp

    Yer right,.. it hasn't degenerated into a pissing contest,... yet
    
    just trying to help us all avoid that I guess. Glad you're getting some
    valuable feedback. Sorry to bother you all.
    
    							/Bill
    

>    Idf you think someone is hot ,.. say so. Thats cool,. but saying
>    that Tom is hotter than Dick only invites all fans of Dick
>    to start pissing back at you...
    
    No WAY!  Dick SUCKS!
    
    ;^)

    Well, that must explain why he has so many guitar toys ...
    
    No need for a woman ... 8^)
    
    Jerry

    Tom roolz!
    
    					/:-)
    

    JP,
    
    > I never saw this note as a pissing contest.
    
    Nearly anything can be seen as some as a pissing contest.  
    
    In another note someone said "I can't think of another guitar player
    with Eric Johnson's versatility".  I responded that they should check
    out Steve Morse.  My intention was merely "recommended listening"  and 
    yet my response was seen as a "EJ vs. Morse" contest.
    
    There is a flaw in this faceless communication medium to read 
    things between the lines.  I have a friend who is contemplating doing
    his psych thesis on "Modes of failure in electronic communication".
    
    The basic thesis is that people do not react the same way when they
    HEAR something as when they READ it.  I'm already FIRMLY convinced
    of this.

    
    	Well, I just found this note - happened to see the Bonilla
    	ad in this months GP.  Unless the picture's reversed, he's
    	a lefty.
    
    	But I want to know how come no one's bought the CD and offered
    	.0 a "guitarist's insight"?? 
    
     

Re: .17 - Yeah I was following the "versatility" debate. I found that to be
amusing, though beginning to get out of hand.

I think that would make an interesting thesis - 

Re: .18 - That's right, git off yur respective hineys, all you string-pickin'
geetar-strummin' Vai-lovers and contribute to this deeebate! 
What I'm interested in is:

	1. from a guitarist's point of view, how do you think Bonilla rates ?
	2. compare and contrast Bonilla, Vai (and oh, what the hell, EJ too!)
	   with regard to:
			* versatility
			* raw speed
			* sensitivity
			* solo creativity
			* composition
			* technique

				*
				*
				*
		(...and let's be reasonable!!!)


But first things first: you're gunna have to go out and buy the Bonilla CD.
After you've bought it check out "Hit & Run" and "Razorback".

Don't be shy!

Jp

    re. a few or ten back.
    
    Steve Vai can be found on the following Zappa albums:
    
    "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore" Vol I
    
    "The Man From Utopia"
    
    "Tinseltown Rebellion"
    
    "Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch"
    
    Mebbe a few more that I can't bring to mind.
    
    Re. the remark that Vai can't write music - utter nonsense. I could
    relate the tale of him getting into Zappa's band by transcribing a few
    FZ guitar solos and sending 'em to the man, but I won't.
    
    Phil

Sigh.

I'm so disappointed. I thought this would be the place to turn to get the
"inside" poop on who "ranks" and who doesn't. 

Perhaps I expected too much.

sigh.

Jp

    I bought the album (found a used copy even).
    
    Overall, I'm dissapointed.  I bought the album on the basis of the
    one song I heard from it (track #2 w. Keith Emerson) which appeared
    on a compilation album I bought.
    
    I think it's the best track by far.
    
    It just left me cold.  The only "new" guy to come along that I really
    liked was Blues Saraceno.  Can't wait to get his new album.

Hmmm.

I'm surprised to hear that. Different strokes.... right?

So, I assume that you're not impressed with his ability, or is it only
his music-writing?

I particularly get off on his solos, especially the one in "HIT & RUN".

Anyway, do you care to provide a guitarist's perspective on him?

Jp

    I'm impressed with his ability and then again I'm not.
    
    I'd kill for a tenth of his technique, but I don't hear much that
    distinguishes him from a lot of other guys. Lots of other guys do the
    same  kinds of heavy technique stuff.
    
    Technique just doesn't impress me any more.  You should hear some of
    the kids in my town high school!!!  Monsters at a tender age!
    
    I'm also not impressed with his writing.  Just doesn't get to me like
    Blues or Satriani or... what's his name Steve something?
    
    It may boil down to that I just need to listen a few more times (3
    times thru the CD so far).
    
    It's not unusual for me to end up loving albums that initially left
    me cold.
    
    	db

>    I'm also not impressed with his writing.  Just doesn't get to me like
>    Blues or Satriani or... what's his name Steve something?
    
    Oh, you must mean Steve Vai!  
    
    ;^)

    Yeah, it's an easy name to forget ... 8^)
    
    Jerry

    Boston Globe had a review yesterday.  They basically liked it, but
    said it's easy to dismiss on first listen and you need some time to
    really appreciate it.  I might check this one out, but Blues S. new
    one is first in my queue.

    > I never buy a disk without consulting the Globe, do you????
    
    Hey, if (Boston Globe Music critic) Steve Morse says "this record
    is hot", I run to the local record shop.  ;-)

    HEY GUYS!!	
    	Do you mind posting the bloody catalog number of this CD so some of
    us out on the fringes can order it.......
    
    
    
    		Thanks Loads	
    		Fat Freddie's Cat (FJE)
    

    According to a newsletter I get, Bonilla has just released a new
    album called "American Matador".
    
    	db