Customer Reviews

Epic Tales of Whoa!

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

 

 

The short version: Tony Palacios has crafted an absolute masterpiece of an instrumental guitar album, covering many different styles, from heavy solo-leaden rockers, to nightclub blues numbers, wierd ambient pieces, funk, and a delicious jazz number that could make a grown man cry. This is the best instrumental guitar album I have ever heard, bar none. Jeff Beck, step aside.

The long (song by song) version:

1. Swamp Thing - 9/10
Originally titled "Make Vai Cry" (indeed, it features one of Steve Vai's drummers, Chris Frazier), this is an upbeat rocker that showcases Palacios' ability to burn up the fretboard. Far from being flashy, but filled with great licks, every not is executed perfectly, there is no mindless shredding. The solo section is incredible, Tony's fretwork would make any Vai/Satriani fan drool, and features a great drum solo that will have your hand reaching for the re-wind button. My only complaint on this song is that it can be a little repetitive.

2. She's a Lady - 10/10
Probably the best song on the album, it is lighter and more dynamic than Swamp Thing, and showcases the rythm section as well as fantastic lead work. The drum and bass section is so tight and groovy (again featuring drummer Chris Frazier), that you would be listening to it over and over again even Tony stepped aside and let them play. However, some of the most tastefull, melodic, and unbelievably furious lead guitar work are featured here. Starting at about 3:00, you hear the climax of instrumental guitar history. The build into the solo is epic, and at 3:42 Palacios shreds so fast you think it's John Petrucci. It has quickly become my favorite instrumental song of all time.

3. Lame Duck - 8/10
Quirky. It took me a while to get used to it, but once you give it a few spins, you start to pick up the truly great playing in this song. With a quite funky rythm section, the lead guitar (melody, you could say), plays around with everything from country plucking, slide guitar, to tremolo-laden licks that make you say "wow, he really can play". The bass guitar slaps and plucks along with the best of them, and the entire song feels a bit more like a jam than a composed song.

4. Big Slam - 7/10
This song will make even the most strict of heads start to bounce up and down. A bit heavier and funk-ish, the "chorus" is anthemic, while the lead guitar parts show you exactly how a wah pedal was MEANT to be played. Great to roll down the windows and crank while at a stoplight.

5. First Born - 9/10
The most emotional song on the album, there's nothing real flashy on this song. The playing is excelent, and builds quite nicely from start to finsih. You can easiy get lost in the melodic, soaring hights of the lead section.

6. Tom's Cat - 10/10
Wow. A cool, brilliant jazz song. The tone is great, and the playing is even better. Not at all what you would expect from an 80's rocker, really shows Palacio's virtuosity. A great toe tapper, some of the greatest jazz guitar licks of all time are featured in this song, enought to make any of the legends shake their head in wonder. The subtle backup guitar is picked and plucked quite brilliantly as well.

7. Upon the Face of the Waters - 7/10
Lighter and more atmsopheric, the playing is less fierce and more melodic. While not being my favorite, it still features some fantastic guitar playing and compositions.

8. Hip Socket - 8/10
Funky, funky, funky. With a drum machine as the background and some stellar bass playing, we see some strange, quirky playing by the backup guitar and a slightly jazzy lead part. The bass solo in the middle of the song is definately the highlight. Good late night driving music.

9. Late Night - 8/10
You can definately tell this was written late at night, but it is no sleeper. Light and atmospheric, the delicate guitar playing shows once again the tastefullness that Palacios possesses. Just before the 4 minute mark starts the best part of the song...

10. Epic Tales of Whoa - 9/10
Back to the heavy side, once again whammy-laden guitar licks fill the song. Basically the same riff over and over again, but twisted around in different ways. Magnificantly excecuted verses, Tony bends the strings so far up and down you'd think he'd break his strings.

11. Sheba the Wonder Dog - 7/10
...Bizzare, but good. A very ambient piece, a great descending bass line starts the song out, leading into a heartbeat-backed rythm that might lead one to scratch their head profusely. Given more than a few listens, however, you start to make sense of it. Overall a very wierd song, but can be quite enjoyable one you develop the taste for it. Some cool slap-ish guitar work on this one.

12. See-Ya Later Blues - 10/10
Fantastic instrumental blues song. Similar enough to alot of blues songs to be instantly enjoyable, yet unique enough to give you a newfound respect for the man. His playing is, as always, remarkably executed, and will have you coming back to this song over and over again. A great song to end the album on.

OVERALL CONCLUSION:
Brilliant and tastefull execution of a variety of styles, Tony Palacios proves that he is arguably one of the best electric guitarists out there today. This album is a must-have for any guitarist, musician, or anyone who loves great instrumental music. I could not recommend it any higher.

Palocios shows that he is a great guitarist on this album. He plays a wide variety of music on this album and plays each masterfully. I would recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys guitar music of all sorts. Another plus is that it's instrumental, so you really get to appreciate a great guitarist.