Customer Reviews

First Decade

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The California Guitar Trio's latest release "First Decade" is a culmination of the bands best work in the last ten years.
And what a tremendous bunch of music they recorded in those years. These three talented guitar-playing gentlemen go from country, world, jazz, rock; you name it they play it and they play it well.
If you've missed the first ten years of these talented gents career go out and buy this disc and see what you missed. They can play!

The California Guitar Trio have now been performing and recording together for over 10 years. During the past decade, the trio of Japanese-born Hideyo Moriya, Belgium-born Bert Lams and American Paul Richards have entertained audiences around the globe with their unique original compositions and outrageous three-guitar adaptations of classical, rock and surf music.
Now in 2003, California Guitar Trio's "First Decade" compilation commemorates 10 years since the release of their debut album "Yamanashi Blues". Included on this CD are 19 original compositions from the trio's first five albums. There is no new material included on this compilation but, it is a real treat to have tracks such as "Train To Lamy", "Yamahashi Blues", "Punta Pantri", "Pathways" and "Invitation" together on one disc. The strong interplay between Lams, Richards and Moriya never ceases to amaze me. I can only hope that The California Guitar Trio will release a "First Decade Volume 2" containing their brilliant arrangements of Bach, Beethoven, Mason William's "Classical Gas" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". Until then, "The First Decade" serves as an excellent overview of the California Guitar Trio's best original material. If you've never heard them before, you're in for a real treat. If you like this, you'll want to pick up all of their CD's to hear the full scope of what these three guitarists are capable of. You won't be disappointed either.

I had heard so much about this band but I never bought a CD. Then I caught their show in Portland and I was just floored. I enjoy playing guitar, but who knew it could be played like that? I can see where they get their reputation from. The combine great talent with a taste for music you actually want to hear.

One observation: while the CDs I bought sound great, nothing can compare to seeing them live. You really want to see their show.