Customer Reviews

Premonition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my opinion " Premonition " is Tony's best cd until now ( i haven't listened to " Master of Paradise " yet ). Tony Franklin is unbelievable on the bass and Deen Castronovo proves that he is one of the best drummers in the world. I must also mention the participation of Jens Johansson in two songs. " Winter in Osaka " is truly great!!!! One of the best cd's i have listened in my life.

After hearing "Madness", this album sounded more focused to me. I had been a fan of MacAlpine's since "Edge Of Insanity" and this record was my favorite since "Maximum Security". Standouts include "The Violin Song","Inflection", and "Winter In Osaka".

Ok, for those who do not know him , Macalpine is God with a guitar. This is true metal and it is true music. As far as I am concerned he is far better than guys like Yngwie, Joe Satriani or Steve Vai. Go and buy it now!

Tony is a wonderful player. I don't know why, but he has never really 'broken-thru' a la a Steve Vai or Satch, but he certainly has comparable chops. This is a good record filled with great guitar work. A few songs are pretty flat, but overall it keeps your attention and occasionally provides you with chills up and down your spine. Check it out if you can ever find it.

I you haven't had a chance to catch Macalpine yet, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, and get out there now and buy one of his CD's. I have been a massive Vai and Malmsteen fan for as long as I can remember, and just happened to stumble accross this CD while I was buying a Malmsteen CD. I personally don't think that Macalpine better than Vai or Malmsteen, however, if I could play guitar like him and produce the magical harmony that he gets through those amplifiers, I wouldn't be complaining. I must admit though, i've only really just started listening to Macalpine, so who knows, he might actually take over my CD player. But don't hesitate any more, you won't regret it!

"Premonition" stands out as the best MacAlpine album, the perfect blend of melodies, harmonies, rest and time signature periods, ...along with innovative jazz fusion patterns, ...of course his original neo-classical work as well. But "Maximum Security " is truly spectacular with all his ideas as well, its just that Premoniton outlines all of Tony's influences!!... It will open your guitar mind!!

If you like Tony MacAlpine , this is a must have . He is one of the cleanest shredders ever and can fly on the keyboard as well . In addition to that , he shows some subtlety here that his earlier works lack . Listen to Rusalka , it's wonderful . Inflection is a very competent fusion piece . The Czar tilts towards Hendricks and Vai . This release shows that there is more to Tony MacAlpine than just fast scales .

Great keyboarder, pianist and guitar player Tony Macalpine is showing his tricks to everyone with this album. Personally i devide his solo music in two main eras; First section, his neo classical times. Secondly, the times in more fusion&Jazz. This one is excately in the middle of those eras. Moreover, in my opinion his best one is "Premonition" The line up is very cool for this kind of music. Deen Costronovo on drums and Tony Franklin on bass guitars. Additionally Jens Johansson (former keyboardist of Malmsteen) appears on "The Violin Song" and "Inflection" tracks.

Chopin's Opus 28#18 piece opens tha gates of "Premoniton". So cool. Second song is called "The Violin Song" and this is second hit of the album. Addition of Jens sounds very good effect on this song. Keyboard and guitar has balanced and cool sounding with amzing drums. "The Ghost of Versailles" has very nice melody and talented song structure. "Tower of London" is similar track of Macalpine's mostly neo-classical era."Rusalka" has a differrent tone. Not too typical and nice. In "Rondeau Partita#2" we find ourselves in the peacegiven arms of the piano. Warm and soft notes. "Gila Monster" is in a place where we have speed again. Very cool track. Not best but nice. "The Czar" has different sound from general neo classiacal approach. "Maestro Di Capella" is again a peak. Not highist but so great sounding track. In "Inflection" we can hear Jens again. Has a great job in the begining. Track sounds more jazz than others. Harmonic structure must be noticed. Last song is called "Winter in Osaka". It is the best song for Tony Macalpine discography. Ultimately great song with sound and composing.

If you are new in Tony Macalpine music, This one may be a good begining to it. Why? It has very good instrumental songs. Even that may be a reason.

Tony MacAlpine is a great composer and performer. This certainly isn't his best CD, but it is still a solid outing by a fantastic guitarist. Also of note is the bassist, Tony Franklin, who plays a pretty killer fretless bass. This gives a somewhat warmer feeling to these songs than Tony's earlier work, and the new, sharper sound is welcome.

His first couple were the best (Edge of Insanity, Maximum Security); Evolution is also excellent. This is similar in feel to Evolution. The songs aren't quite as good but still very strong.