Customer Reviews

Mirror

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard "When Will I" on one of our public radio stations and was completely floored. Monte Montgomery? Where has this guy been? This CD (Mirror) showcases a rare combination of songwriting, singing, and guitar-playing ability. The unbelievable musical and technical feats that he pulls off is even more impressive in that its all done with an acoustic guitar!

The opening track on the CD, "Hopin' that you'd slow down", gets you hooked on its melody from the start. The next track, "mirror" (over 6 minutes long) really showcases his guitar prowess, making it hard to believe he is wringing this sound out of an Alvarez Yairi acoustic guitar! Controlled overdrive feedback with an *acoustic*? Its true. You can almost picture a kid in high school pulling off Hendrix and Buddy Guy riffs with a beat up electric-acoustic and cheap amp. "Let me go" and "I know you by heart" slow down the pace a bit with beauiful melodies and lyrics. The catchy "All I can do" and "Tear down the wall" makes you wonder why the pop-radio stations aren't playing these songs every 40 minutes. But what sets them apart from mainstream, generic pop music is the truly intelligent, *meaningful*, crafy lyrics that stand behind these songs. Monte hits the minor chords in "Took too long" in Mark Knopfler-esque fashion. "Whirlwind" really drives -- with more great "acoustic" guitar and lyrics: "it must be hard to look so frail while sharpening your claws". The highlight of the disc is the live Austic City Limits "When Will I". He absolutely tears up the fretboard and your fingers will hurt just *listening* to this song! The inside harmonics he hits its truly a feat in and of itself. An added plus is that you can watch the video clip since this is an enhanced CD. The closing track "Magnolia" is a beautiful ballad that eases you back down to reality.

Can't say enough about this CD. He will equally appeal to Eric Johnson and Stevie Ray fans as well as James Taylor and Jim Croce fans. Music that truly crosses many genres and is appealing to the casual listener as well as to the musician.

super-quick picking efficiency combined with waves of emotional rifts...this guy is a talent to be reckoned with...would anyone care to buy my guitar? I won't be using it anymore (just kidding honey).

I'd love to see him in a "guitar battle" with someone like Mark Knopfler or Lindsey Buckingham...his Alvarez against their weapons of choice...the only blood that would be let would be from my own hands from clapping too hard.

the enhanced CD is a wonderful tool...used especially well here to give the listener a feel for just how important a guitarist this fellow really is...anyone who sees him work will know immediately that this man is taking acoustic guitar to "11" (sorry for the Spinal Tap reference).

Do yourself...or someone you love...a realy big favor...Buy the work this group has put out...it is some of the best listening music around. That is MY opinion.

No joke, Monte tears into his electrified acoustic guitar with tender power on every song while his band reacquaints the listener with the true meaning of the power trio. Monte literally tops my list of favorite artists ever, beating SRV and Jimi even. He is a guitar virtuoso, a great singer, and and wonderful songwriter and this is his masterpiece. Highlights include: Took Too Long, Mirror, I Know You By Heart, and, of course, When Will I. Also, check his equally stellar 1st and Repair album.

"There are not too many things in this world that impress me outside of sex acts and Johnny Cash's pulse. But the first time I planted myself and watched singer-songwriter-guitarist Monte Montgomery perform, I was astonished. This man's a true guitar genius, standing at the brink of six-string immortality. Montgomery's playing blends Lindsey Buckingham,Mark Knopfler, and Stevie Ray Vaughan into a handsome cocktail of jaw-dropping wizardry that leaves everyone exhausted by last call. It's damned fun to watch the faces of those Monte virgins when his first solo breaks the maidenhead. Trust me, he will wow you. You could watch a hundred musicians pile into a nightclub for a Montgomery show, and everyone - except Andy Timmons - would come walking out of there privately reassessing, "Man, I suck on guitar." Yes it's true. Andy Timmons is just that cocky.

The Austinite is an aggressive guitar player, spitting harmonics and firing off riffs that smoke any Mel Bay student wish he had never learned what a plectrum is. Yet he's also quite tasteful, willing to play a nice sustained six-fret cord rather than stab you in the ear with a gee-ain't-I-fancy run. He does al of this on one single old beat-up acoustic guitar; that's his gimmick. No matter what the desired sound, Monte Montgomery gets it out of his'89 Alvarez. He'll play it as an acoustic, then haul off and throw a tubescreamer on it and crunch it like a Tele. Keeping the beat, Montgomery's slapped at that dreadnought body so often during the past decade, the guitar's getting painfully close to sporting a Willie hole. He'll even bend the neck of the guitar when he realizes that the acoustics avec tremolo are not quite yet en vogue. Just watch that instrument endure Monte's three-hour assault, and you'll know how it feels to be married to O.J."

No other CD I have heard that came out in 1999 even came close to this one. It is simply the best there is out there from one of the best acoustic guitarists, probably ever. Get this and Monte's first album and you wont be dissappointed.

Had the opportunity to see Monte live in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at the performance. He played nearly the entire Mirror CD as well as most of 1st and Repair. His mastery of the guitar is nothing short of phenomenal. Having played guitar myself off and on for over 30 years, I was very humbled. The incredible playing and lyrics are still ringing in my ears. Buy this CD and most importantly, go see him live,you won't regret it!

I just had to write. I bought this album a couple of years ago based on the recommendation of some guy at a concert. I listened to it once and it just didn't do anything for me, so I put it back on the shelf. Then about two weeks ago I was picking things to play in the car and said okay I'll give it a second chance. It hasn't left the CD player since. I must have played it 15 times. The guy is an amazing guitar player, the hooks are great, the solos are great, recording quality great, and once you get used to them, the vocals are pretty darn good. I have already ordered two more albums by Monte and can't wait to hear them. Now if we can just get him to Atlanta so I can see that incredible playing live.

This is one of my all time favorite CDs. I was not a fan of acoustic music when my brother first told me to check out Monte back in '99. Monte's guitar virtuosity bridged that gap for me.

I got "1st and Repair" first, so it is a sentimental favorite, but "Mirror" is probably his best disc. There are songs on "1st and Repair" that I'd consider my favorites of Monte's, but "Mirror" is probably a more consistent release. There isn't a dull moment on this CD.

Add it to your shopping cart now!

When I saw Monte on Austin City Limits, I felt like I had been grabbed, picked up, and taken to a new place. He's inspired my own guitar playing. Most concerts when seen in person will either entertain you or get you excited. Monte does both of those things once you get over the shock of seeing him play and realizing it's just one guy on guitar. The "When Will I" live cut from Austin City Limits is absolutely incredible, I only wish there were a DVD of that performance available. Everyone should have this CD in their collection, and everyone should see him live at least once. At Milwaukee's Summerfest, about a third of the crowd knew what they were there for, the rest were just sticking around after Marcia Ball, and from those whose jaw was not frozen in the dropped position, I repeatedly heard the phrase, "That's not natural". It may not be natural, but this kind of musical talent proves that there is a God, and he does give a few of us some pretty incredible talents.

I am fortunate enough to live in Montes' home state of Texas, so I can see him play frequently.I was hooked the first time I saw him.I have listened to him since his first CD.If you haven't seen him play then you may not understand me when I say "his album doesn't do him justice".As phenomenol as the albums are,that is only half the enjoyment.This Guitar Wizard/Guitar God does things with a guitar that you never ever even dreamed were possible and never misses a lick.Monte along with Phil Bass, & Lonnie Trevino are all well above expert musicians.I would pay $100 for any CDs they record.They are all well worth every penny of it.Monte Montgomery will absolutely be a legend one fine day.So,I highly recommend buying any and all of his CDs,and if at all possible see him every chance you can!