Customer Reviews

Ascend

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is amazing! The reviews that this album is neoclassical are innacurate. This sounds nothing like Yngwie. This album has a few neoclassical elements, but the sound is very progressive. Since when is La Villa Strangiato a neoclassical tune? Please!!! The first song is amazing. Only greg could play something like the beginning of the song, and still have it resolve into a tune that makes sense. Full Throttle is a heavy metal song at it's best, with Greg trading solos with his student, the amazong Prashant Aswani! This album shows that Greg can excel in writing and playing progressive instrumental guitar. Highly recommended!!!

Greg, a good friend of mine is still proving he's the best with his new Cd "Ascend". Once again teamed with keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij they rip it up on 8 GREAT songs. From his first self-titled Cd to this new masterpiece, Greg is still on top of the guitar world with his amazing feel, tone, and chops. If you wonder who the next guitar hero for the next century is, the look no further than Greg Howe and "Ascend"

I've always stuck with Satriani and Steve Vai. I never really listened to Howe, but knew he was a guitarist for Micheal Jackson for a while. Then, I unintentionally downloaded some of his songs with Kazaa. All I know is that this guy is better than both of them. Not better than both of them put together, but still. Sometimes, it gets that Yngwie Malmsteem sound when they do those keyboard and guitar duets. I've been playing guitar for 22 years now and would recommend this to every guitar player. Or anyone who's into Vai, Satraini, Hoey, and Malmsteem.

Pros: Howe playing some progressive and neoclassical again. Can't beat it.

Cons: Rush cover is boring, track "Full Throttle" well, isn't.

Probably my favorite Steve Howe album, and I have the rest. The back and forth with the keyboards is just amazing. This is almost as much a "keyboard shred" album as guitar. Shades of Dimeola/Corea, Schon/Jan-Hamer, and Petrucci/Moore abound, and are exceeded in fine style. Plenty of interludes (classical and otherwise) mix things up and provide variety. Definitely a must have.

In this cd you can find a marriage: Mr Greg Howe and Mr Kuprij.
An incredible feeling... without words, because this is an instrumental album. I suggest to buy this jewel... if you are a metal collector.
Un CD che ricorderò per sempre !!!

I've been a fan of gregs for years, his phrasing and composition are unmatched by anyone in his genre. I really liked this CD, I think I prefer the groove style he has on paralax view a little more then the neo-classical stuff that is the more dominant style on this release but hey...he has the right to do something a little different, and he does it better then anyone else. truelly an amazing musician...you should have all his releases in your collection. forget about petrucci...listen to greg howe

Loving it! More of the same, please! Thank you Greg

This album reminded my of listening to Yngwie Malmsteen back in the 80s - the same rehashed classical type solos . Yeah, both Greg and Vitalig (keyboardist) are great musicians, but the choruses on this are awful (not catchy) and I've grown to hate the neo-classical genre. Nothing special here. Skip this one.