Customer Reviews

Big Sky

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Aussie guitarist Brett Garsed should be a familiar name to those with an interest in guitar oriented fusion. 'Big Sky' is Garsed's first solo offering, and it does not disappoint. The musicianship is of course, nothing short of exquisite. Garsed himself has a very fluid guitar style and a knack for conjuring intensely melodic phrasings. Bassist Ric Feirabracci and stickman Toss Panos compliment Garsed wonderfully and never overplay or let their obvious talents get in the way of the song. Garsed's tone is warm and fitting within the context of the music. Needless to say, the album is entirely instrumental. I find the following cuts the most rewarding:

1. Undoing - A biting fusion number. Stunning opening, an excellent example of Garsed's keen melodic sense. The song changes direction half-way through and takes a somewhat more ambient, experimental direction and is very evocative. One of the more challenging cuts on the album.

3. Brothers - Superb ballad. Fierabracci serves up a very fitting bass solo and Garsed's bluesy solo near the end of the song climaxes perfectly. Often i find myself scrambling for the rewind button just to hear the solo over and over.

4. Drowning - Powerful, sprawling and ultimately epic song. Wonderfully evocative. The 'gurgely' tone Garsed uses 4:15 in really convery the sense of someone actually drowning, slipping away under water. Fierabracci's bass runs give a whole new dimension to the song, as does Panos's fitting drumming.

9. Friend or Foe - Probably the most accessible song along with Breathe (No. 6). Quite a rocky, anthemic song. Garsed's melodic phrasing again stands out the most. The guitar lines are very very hummable.

10. Big Sky - The last song of the album as well as my favourite cut. Takes a couple of listens to really unpack, but is well worth the investment. Also the longest song on them album, clocking in at a lengthy 8:43. Despite Garsed's smoking soloing, I find this song quietly reflective and by far the most rewarding song on the album. The band really smokes in the last half of the song. The subtle acoustic strumming is divine and the interplay between the musicians displays the grosse talent each member possess.

Whilst I have failed to mention the other songs, they are still all worthy tracks. F'ud Fight and Got the Horn I find to be strangely reminiscant of Steve Vai, but with a far greater deal of subtlety and less compulsion for pointless experimentation and overblowen guitar solos. GTH also has a really fat, pimping bass solo in it, great fun. The Myth is a nice fusion cut. Conversely, the drumming on Breathe is strangely dull and uninspiring, and i find myself somewhat detracted from an otherwise excellent song. And lastly, Trinity is almost an ambient number that i sometimes find a little testing. These two minor quibbles are perhaps the only negatives to be found on this album.

It goes without saying, guitarists and those with an interest in guitar oriented music have the most to gain from this album. However, that is not to imply that this music is inaccessable. On the contrary, lovers of music in general will find this album has a great deal to offer. Garsed never wanders into the territory of excess, and instead plays primarily for the song, not his ego. Sadly however, very few people will ever be exposed to this wonderful musical statement. Very highly recommended.

Brett's songs, tone, phrasing and style are beautiful. He should be huge. He can do anything from pop to prog to fusion. Check him out on uncle moes space ranch. Ridiculous. Also check out his playing on Derek Sherinian's planet x. Beautiful playing. My favorite guitarist. His 1st solo albulm is an experience. The ambient tunes are my favorite. Very soulfull.

Brett never fails to impress me with his skill and sound. I have followed him from his early days at the front of the John Farnham band and now out on his own. Great CD to listen to in the car on a long drive. He even has a new fan in my 18 year old son, who is a budding guitarist.

Well worth a listen to anyone who loves the Prog Rock sounds of Yes, whilst I am not saying he is in that class yet, he sure as hell is knocking on the door...

Ok, For me, this is one of the best albums i own, and definately the best guitar instrumental album i have. The meodies and sense of space he creates i have not heard in guitar music like this before, it is seriously unreal, he really does focus on the song, which is excelent. anyone that has come to brett through his work with farnham knows what an unreal guitarist he is, with this album though, it shows that he has a real gift not only in technique and style, but in creating something very special to listen to. all the songs are excellent and i would highly HIGHLY implore you all to buy it or go to his website and try it. This album does not dissapoint for a reason.

This is just the best new music I've heard in a long time. I strongly recommend looking at www.brettgarsed.com and downloading some sample MP3's and you'll be hooked.

This is another totally otstanding release from Brett Garsed, if only people discovered his work so he could reach out to a wider aduience this guy would be on everyother guitarmagazine frontpage.

If you like instrumental music, fusion with rock "touch" to it ... then you are in for a treat, if you are into guitarplayers then you have to have everything you can get your hands on with Brett Garsed.Only his music could describe it fairly so go ahead and buy everything you can get, and you will end up like me, listening at home to it, in the car, on your work ..hehehe

And do not forget to visit his homepage where you can get much more information about other cd's he has appeared in.

One of the most talented guitarist ever in MHO

Awesome guitar playing at its best. Brett Garsed has been around for some time and he's to be considered one of the world's top guitarists.