Customer Reviews

Gilrock Ranch

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First, ignore the other reviews. The knowledge on the subject is apparent when a reviewer refers to Night Ranger Bassist Jack Blades as "the other Ranger axe slinger". Please.

Brad's effort on this release is tremendous. His ability to write the guitar parts of songs shines through. The strength of Brad, and of his Night Ranger bandmate Jeff Watson, has always been to fit his playing into the context of the song or piece of music. Where some guitarists like Malmsteen will go completely off track with a solo, Brad's solos have always fit perfectly within the bounds of that particular track.

So it is no surprise that this effort, Gilrock Ranch, stays true to itself in each piece of music. Brad isn't trying to prove his virtuosity (years of critical acclaim have already done that). He isn't trying to prove himself as a musician (again, that is a known quantity). What Brad does here is let out his creative side, and he does so very well.

While his later solo effort, Alligator, is a much better listen, this freshman solo project stands up well on its own. One note of criticism, more lyrical content, which Alligator has, would have been well suited on this effort as well.

First thing I thought to myself while checking out this disc,was that I was never that much of a Night Ranger fan.After they disbanded,of course Ranger's other axeman Jack Blades joined up with the Damn Yankees and guitarist Brad Gillis released this,his first of two solo efforts.Overall,it's okay,that is for a mostly instrumental guitar CD.I believe there are vocals on just two cuts,"If Looks Could Kill" and the radio friendly "Honest To God",which are supplied by Greg Allman;you read that correct.A couple of other tunes that are worth mentioning are "Lions,Tigers&Bears","Monster Breath" and "Slow Blow".Worth checking out,if you have the time.

Yes BRAD can play the guitar, but so can thousands of others. In a band format, this virtuosity might be enough as he doesn't have to carry the whole musical load. As a solo project, this lacks the melodie or originality of composition that makes CD's in this genre special. MICHAEL LEE FIRKINS / ANDY TIMMONS / NEIL ZAZA / MARC BONILLA to name a few, do this kind of thing soooo much better. The compositions on this CD are below average and only the 2 songs featuring GREGG ALLMAN are standout tracks. If the rest of the CD was as good as HONEST TO GOD and IF LOOKS COULD KILL, it would be first class, but all the instrumentals ( the rest of the tracks ) are uninspiring and cliche without any redeeming features. This will certainly be my only BRAD GILLIS CD and I doubt that it will get much play.