Customer Reviews

Metamorphosis (Dig)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a late comer to Uli, having just gotten into him about a year ago. I'd never heard of him as I was a "rock and roll snob" and only thought that Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Page, Green, Santana/Schon, Betts/Allman, Johnny Winter and Van Halen and Stevie Ray ruled! I have been aware of the "nuclear guitarists" like Vai, MacAlpin, Howe, Johnson and Joey Satriani and Yngwie. I read a review once of Yngwie where he gives great praise to Uli and that's how I sought him out. If Hendrix were alive, I think that he'd want to meet Uli in the same way that he first wanted to meet Clapton when he first went to England. Although Eddie and the "nuclear boys"previously mentioned here are great, Uli surpasses them by light years. The key is not only is he obviously technically capable, but he pulls it off with the same emotion as B.B. King or Albert or Freddy, get out of their guitars. Not knocking Vai or MacAlpine, but somehow they come off as technical specialists that may have majored at their type of music in some sort of super guitarists college, Uli's playing seems more "natural" and expressive. Many reviewers have placed this in the "great violinists mode" I agree. Uli is striving to be the "Jascha Heifetz" of electric guitar and I think that he is close. Ynwie is sort of in the same realm but all he seems to do is fast runs all over the place nonstop, whereas Uli seems to know when and when not to do this. I am a guitarist and play blues/rock guitar, although my tastes lie more with Peter Green, Clapton and Hendrix, Uli is a breath of fresh air for something completely different. John McLaughlin should collaborate with Uli, not on "speed racing" riffs but since John is a well-versed musician, I think that he could lend his talents to Uli in some way and get him the publicity that he deserves. I am sure that there are millions of highschool kids all practicing Van Halen, Rhoads and Metallica riffs not knowing that a JUGGERNAUGHT of guitarists lie in our midst and that person is ULI JON ROTH!! Buy this album, even if you aren't a guitarist, I think that you would enjoy this. Thanks for reading this.

This latest release from the master of the sky guitar is truly stunning. It should appeal to the entire spectrum from modern guitar aficionados through adventuresome classical music listeners. Uli's interpretations of this renowned piece of music is clearly reverent, while at the same time bringing both a fresh perspective and a unique instrumental voice to the timeless melodies and arrangements. The guitar work is no less than breathtaking. His technical virtuosity is, as always, the leading edge of the instrument. But rather than simply blazing through the composition, Uli performs each piece with the nuance and grace that Vivaldi must have had in mind during the composition, while at times showing the fiery intensity of a Jascha Heifetz. The fusion of electric guitar and traditional orchestral instruments is seamless--at no point does it sound unnatural or forced. As an encore, there is a "fifth season" that contains melodies and arrangements reminiscent of the Prologue album, while periodically recapitulating and extrapolating some themes from the main body of the work--this time in a more daring and exuberant way. And finally, the packaging is clearly Uli's crowing achievement in this category. There is a blend of historic art, original pieces and thoughtful poetry to accompany and elaborate on each season. The seasons themselves become a metaphor for creation and the cycle of life, inevitable death, and glorious rebirth. The artwork almost makes one long for the days of LPs, where it would have been just that much more grand. This record will be welcomed by current Roth fans and is sure to delight the ear of any music lover willing to give it a listen.

I love Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Absolutely love it!

So I saw this, and I like power metal...and the thought of an electric guitar with the Seasons, was just interesting to me, so I picked up the CD.

It takes awhile to get used to at first, but after that, it's just amazing. Alot of the solos are just like...it GOES with an electric guitar. Mr. Roth is extremely talented to be able to pull that kind of stuff off.

If you're looking for something different, a little edgy and perhaps just throwing yourself to wind, try this. Especially if you like classical and metal. I mean, it's just an awesome mix!

Go ahead, buy it!

uli jon roth ( the old scorpions guitarist that amazed us between 1972-1978 with his respectable talent ) took us to his journey. he arranged and performed antonio vivaldi's concertos- " four seasons" ( 14 tracks included his opening and closing tracks , and created his modern masterpiece - " metamphosis" ( 10 tracks ) . metamorphosis tracklist included 24 tracks from one of the best virtuos guitarist- uli jon roth .
uli amazed us with his beautiful solowing and his enjoyable music he created with his 7 strings- the sky guitar.
if you heard his classical work before and enjoy it buy this also.
if you just remembered him as the best scorpions guitarist ever you should try to listen to it first before buying it.
ij you are his fan and bought his old meterials - like me take this now to your collection and never be disappointed!!!

Having seen Uli Jon Roth playing Metamorphosis live I have only one good things to say about this masterpiece! Whether you are an old Scorpions fan, you like Vivaldi or have already listen to other U.J.Roth albums, you will be absolutelly pleased with Metamorphosis. It is not only the superb technique but also the deeply emotional playing that makes this work outstanding. I strongly recommend it!

For decades guitar fanatics have recognized Uli (Ulrich) Roth as one of the most phenomenal electric guitarists ever to walk the Earth. If one considers Michael Schenker to be a pioneer in melodic rock guitar, Roth could be said to be Schenker on steroids. Roth's melodic flights are nothing short of mind-blowing, dazzling, frequently unbelievable. Unfortunately, his brilliant stint with the Scorpions ended prior to that band's break into the international big time, and his post-Scorps releases with his band Electric Sun suffered from spotty production, lack of a good vocalist, and a conscious choice to place artistic/conceptual experimentation above accessibility. Consequently, his talent has heretofore remained virtually unknown in North America.

"Metamorphosis" is the latest milestone on Roth's quest to elevate the electric guitar to the level of classical violin, an incredibly ambitious vision he outlines in detail at the UliJonRoth website.

Roth has already composed six of what he calls "The Symphonic Legends" (similar in approach to Liszt's Symphonic Poems,) of which only "Prologue" has been recorded and released; "Transcendental Sky Piano - Aquila Suite," to date only available in samples; and "Transcendental Sky Guitar," of which "Metamorphosis" constitutes Volume III - the previous two, "The Dragon" and "The Phoenix," having been released as the two-disc "Transcendental Sky Guitar" set.

"Metamorphosis" is perhaps the first time that Roth achieves production values that do justice to his incredible ability, and the result is spellbinding, particularly if you've ever picked up a guitar. This is not another tired example of a heavy metal guitarist soullessly peeling off a classical piece as an adolescent display of technical prowess, making a mockery of the original piece in the process. What shines through even the most dazzling virtuosity on this work is Roth's palpable character as an artist - a man who is not only capable of amazing musicianship but also of profound respect for the work he's reproducing and for its composer. Beyond that, one gets the tangible impression that Roth understands, perhaps lives, Vivaldi's vision and spirit, and expands on it brilliantly with his original Metamorphosis suite.

The audio samples furnished for the non-import version of this release are (currently) snipped from mid-track which is a shame. Roth's magnificent descending bend at the beginning of "Springtime Euphoria," into a spectacular repeating riff which ascends over the Four Seasons' main theme, is a stratospheric burst of melody of a quality that cannot be conveyed with words - an 'instant gooseflesh' experience to put it mildly.

Seeing Roth perform Metamorphosis live, not only with the same virtuosity found on the recording but with an artistry, precision and effortlessness one usually finds only in classical violinists, leads to the inescapable conclusion that this is a true master at work - a composer and instrumentalist on a par with the great composers whose work he emulates. Speaking as a guitarist, Roth's "Sky Guitar" series and planned symphonic works are potentially the most revolutionary - evolutionary - things to happen to the electric guitar since the invention of the transducer.

I suspect that classical purists will turn up their noses at the very notion of electric guitar taking the place of the violin, perhaps not. Should such be the case I would view it as an example of the hostility unleashed on every brilliant innovator - something which is always more revelatory of the critic than the subject.

If music awards such as the Grammys retained any connection with musical talent one would expect Roth's "Metamorphosis" to be a shoo-in for the Best Instrumental category, but I'm not certain if anyone in the pool of judges for that organization understands any release not having catchy lyrics and a spot on American Top 40. If ever there were an artist deserving of high acclaim for outstanding achievement, it's this one.

No matter - Uli Roth has created a timeless masterpiece, a giant step in his single-handed effort to advance the evolution of the electric guitar into a higher form. To speculate as to what he'll do next is mind-boggling. I cannot recommend this disc highly enough.

<***>

this is a fantastic album. this is everything that EVERY recording of electric guitar playing classical pieces with an orchestra WISHES it sounded like. if you like guitar, buy this. if you like classical, buy this - it's not trite or offensive in any way. rather than sounding like a gimmick, uli jon roth's playing is so well crafted that he allows his unusual voice on the electric guitar to stand out as a viable solo instrument in this classical context. there are a couple of moments (particularly "fire and ice") where roth extends far up into his guitar's extended, high register where it sounds as if he's about to bottom out or loose the note... then he returns to the guitar's lower register to complete the passage - sounding like a great violinist bowing harmonics far above the fingerboard, and doubling back to grab at more playable notes... it was just a fantastic moment of clarity, where a good enough musician makes an electric instrument take on the characteristics and humanity of an acoustic instrument. I bought it because for whatever reason I have been collecting different versions and renditions of "the 4 seasons" since highschool. this is hands down my favorite version EVER. what really exemplifies how finely crafted this work is (even the roth originals at the end of the disc)is that I was having such a good time 4 wheeling in my jeep listening to it last weekend that even when I screwed up and got stuck up to the axles in mud: I didn't call my friend to come and wench me out until I had finished listening to the "winter" suites... then, after I called in my pal and his wench, I dug out the tailpipe, cranked the engine back up for heat and listened to the rest of the album while I waited for help. I hope someday that this album is given the status is deserves as a modern guitar masterpiece. you won't be disappointed if you buy this album.

Matamorphosis features the most violinlike guitarplaying I can imagine. The first half of the CD contains Vivaldi's the Four seasons with new arrangements. Uli's tone and vibrato is second to none and the general performances are good.

You can hear a few edits and stuff that isn't 100% clean from Uli's side but in general it features the most impressive speedplaying I have heard from him especially during the last part of the album. The later part of the album contains Uli composed pieces and encores but also some Vivaldivariations. He also plays the accoustic guitar on some pieces. Besides the edits the only thing that stops me from giving the album five stars is the fact that he choose to record Vivaldis the four seasons. Why not go for a rare piece by some modern composer or Beethoven's unfinished StringQuintet in C major "the last piece he wrote".

Vivaldi's the four seasons is simply to common and there are countless compositions better then this.

Uli plans to record the Violinconcertos of Brahms and Beethoven on electric guitar though and I am indeed looking forward.

Amazing ability at the guitar. One of the best performances of Vivaldis four seasons I have heard, and also new, inspiring and different because it is performed with an electric guitar.

However on a few of the songs, I felt the guitar was not as gentle or subtle as the violen, also he tries to liven it up in a few places by making it a little more energetic or fast, which I thought took away from the overall mood of the original four seasons (this is only on a few songs). So using an electric guitar in place of a violen does have its limitations. However it is such an amazing CD I still give it 5 stars.

This is a stunning recording. What an achievement to play Vivaldi on an electric guitar. At times you would think it's a violin which goes to show just how much Uli has tamed this primitive instrument and blended it into the classical realm.

From start to finish Uli Jon nails the themes and creates a wonderful landscape of sound. Uli has a ton of feeling in his playing and at times you forget it's a man and instrument and just get taken away by the movements. To me that's what great music is. It sounds so effortless yet this must have taken years to accomplish.

The recording is very good. The only thing I didn't care for was Uli's little narrations betweens tracks. He's a bit of a hippy ... OK he's a huge hippy but he has mastered the guitar. To hear the savage electric guitar playing the four seasons is fantastic. I love it. I've listened to this every few days for months. I have it in my car, in my Ipod, on my computer. Can't get enough and hope he does more like this.

This album will be responsible for many rock fans getting into Vivaldi. Hand it to Uli for walking away from Scorpions and falling into obscurity to play what he loves. Most people would not be able to pull themselves from the almighty pay checks. A shame more people do not buy his records.