Customer Reviews

The Grip

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Greg Koch records for and is produced by Steve Vai and his Favored Nation label. On this CD Steve Vai personally assembles 17 of Koch's best numbers.

The tunes are varied and do not represent any one particular style. "Zoiks" for example is a full blown shred fest that might comfortably appear on any of Vai's own CD's. "Carlos Dale" on the other hand is, as the name implies, a warped sense of what might happen if Carlos Santana and Dick Dale collided on stage. "Spanish Castle Magic" and "Big Jim" are tributes of sorts to Jimi Hendrix while "Steppin' Out" pays its respect to Eric Clapton. Finally, "Chef's Blues", "Albert's Back", "Walking Wounded" and "Blind Lemon Pledge" all play tribute to various blues musicians. The music is at all times up tempo, interesting and fun.

The tone achieved by this musician thoughout the CD are second to none regardless of the stlye being played. This is highly recommended for guitar fans everywhere.

I bought this album on the recommendation of posts here. They're quite right. Koch is no mindless shredder but has more ideas going on here than the entire Shrapnel roster. I havent heard a more rounded and versatile player since Steve Morse, who's the nearest I can compare him with, plus throw in a bit of Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Danny Gatton, Roy Buchanan and the Hellecasters.

Even though 'Grip' is instrumental, there's enough here of interest for non-guitarists. Do not be put off. Malmsteen he aint. Possibly the best electric guitar player in the world right now... and that includes Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen, Holdsworth...

From the other reviews here you will see that Greg Koch is a phenomenal guitar player. He is able to offer virtuoso compositions of a great variety of musical styles on this disc. Not one to take himself too seriously, (too many great guitar players fall into that mode at some point) Koch plays with fire and a great sense of humor (Albert's Back and has joined a death metal band for revenge, and Blind Lemon Pledge...funny stuff). This is a guy who loves to play guitar. Nice variety, there isn't a weak tune on the whole disc. Kudos on the very cool "Blue Note" records type CD artwork front and back. Great artist, great disc.

With the possible exception of Allan Holdsworth (who he says is one of his influences) Greg Koch has everybody down. He sounds like Steve Vai, Carl Verheyen, Bill Connors, Brent Mason, Albert Lee, Hiram Bullock, etc, etc. He does Johnny A far better than Johnny A does.

Is he showing off? No--that's for Steve Vai. Koch is just an amazingly versatile player and it ain't braggin if you can do it.

If there is a flaw its that he doesn't sing well. Fortunately this one is almost all instrumental.

If you get this you are going go to stay home from work to listen to it because it is so good it is absolutely sick.

I own atleast 100 instrumental cds. I have them all from Moore/Morse/Poland/Satch/Vai/Malmsteen/JPJ/Montrose/Howe/Gilbert and so on...I can say that this one will be played as much as any of them, it is that good! This guy should be on G3!!!!!!!!!

Now That's What I'm Talkin' About! Sorta- Hendrix, Burton, Chet, Vai, Knopfler, meets
the Three Stooges kinda thing! Da' Boy can Flat out get it! and so should you...

What a wonderful surprise this GREG KOCH's CD. `The Grip' is not a typical Blues album. It includes several styles but it sure is a terrific guitar exhibition from beginning to end. It's been a long time since I heard such an amazing first track: "Zoiks", brilliant. "Spank It" is phenomenal; the slow Blues "Chef's Blues" is enthralling; there are very good tributes to Jimmy Hendrix in "Spanish Castle Magic" and "Big Jim"; to Eric Clapton in "Steppin' Out"; and to Albert King in "Albert's Back"; heavenly sound in "Drawn My Number"; a little of high level hard Blues in "The Grip" and so on. In a few words, a very entertaining and interesting record. I recommend it and I give it 4,5 stars.

wow. WOW. WOW!! How did he stay a relatively unknown in SE Wisconsin all these years? Koch practically grew up right next to me in my youth... Just terrific stuff. Not a clunker (not even close) on the entire CD. To say he plays in any style or any combination of styles in unfair - he plays in the style of Greg Koch. It's all in there; you won't here a repeated (much less a stock) phrase anywhere here. Great melodies and pyrotechnics throughout too. I'm increasing my stock in Koch (CD's) as we speak. Bravo !!!

This CD has been more like a musical education and journey. On first listen I was a bit dissappointed after all the glowing reviews. 3 month later and I am hooked on KOCH. Someone has to be the best: KOCH is that guitarist. He does his own musical thing and has a PYTHONESQUE sense of humor. HE doesn't allways make it easy for the listener and demands full attention. If you pay the required attention, the rewards are second to none. No one takes the guitar to the places KOCH does. His playing is allways brilliant. His tone is often harsh and abbrassive, but strangely this all adds to a unique experience that no one else can deliver. There is no pigeon hole that you can place KOCH in as he covers such a multitude of styles and just about sets the benchmark for each. Some of his musical stylings are so bizare as to shock on first listen. After a while you get the joke and fully embrace all the tracks you couldn't like after a few exposures. Comparisons with other guitar players is not really necessary, suffice to say that this CD is a must in any guitar players / fans collection.