Customer Reviews

Return of the Hellecasters

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though this is mostly country-style instrumental guitar music, even metal-heads would have a hard time not to tap their feet to this one. This is some of the fastest, most impressive, precise guitar playing that you will ever hear. These three guys (John Jorgensen, Jerry Donahue and Will Ray) are all session musicians and are all equally gifted. John is the jazz/flamenco type player, Jerry is the string-bending king and Will is the crazy light-speed plucker. The whole album is great, but their version of "The Orange-Blossom Special" is nothing short of amazing. The description of this song in the booklet says that you shouldn't listen to this one while driving, and they are absolutely right. But, they don't just play country. They are equally good at more contemporary rock. This album is HIGHLY recommended for anyone looking for something a little different and to show off to their friends.

At the risk of sounding like a commercial, ahem . . . Are you someone who loves the sound of electric guitars? Someone who tolerates boring pop music just for the few seconds of that beautiful guitar solo? Imagine a band with three killer guitar players who can play everything from the tastiest country licks to warp-speed rockin', effortlessly, beautifully, smiling, never getting in each other's way. The Hellecasters are that band. As a guitar player myself, these guys might depress me if their sound wasn't so good. So I try to forget myself and feast on these gorgeous sounds. "Return of" is the only one of their albums I've heard, but it is a great place to begin listening to them.

I, like many people who like this record, don't consider myself a country music fan. But this is one of those albums that transcend musical tastes. Here we have three superb guitar players that play mostly country but dabble into jazz and rock as well. This is truly a great album that would appeal to anyone who likes Chet Atkins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, or even Jimi Hendrix to name just a few. So instead trying to be "cool" and buying something from a musically impaired cash cow trendy act, buy this and you won't be disappointed

I'm not much of a country fan, but that's largely becuase of the singing. Since this is an instrumental disc, that problem is removed, allowing one to focus on the incredible guitar playing. The friend who turned me on to the Hellecasters insists they got together just to tork off other guitar players, and it could well be true.

The guitar playing in 'Menage, the Beak/The Claw' is so hot it's theoretically impossible, but I think my favorite track is 'Passion' for the great melodic lead.

Any style of guitar player should love this as a gift. I'm a classical player, and can't get enough of this release.

This album takes no prisoners as it begins with the country rock of highlander boogie. John jorgenson's bag-o-tricks is surely displayed on this track. "Peter Gun" is a feel good cover that is easily picked apart by these three "steel string surgeons". The next track... look i could go on and on about each song on the album, but the bottom line is-- If you spend all your time listening to the lyrics of songs dont buy this album. But, if you live for the lead ride this album is for you. These guys are masters of their crafts. If you love the guitar and all of its possibilities, then, The Return Of The Hellecasters should be in your collection

Finding Hellecasters stuff in the UK's next to impossible so I shelled out $26 on an import. Worth every penny/cent. For my money, the likes of Vai, Satriani, Eddie VH etc would do well to invest in all Hellecasters albums to learn how to combine dazzling technique with great tunes, feel, tone and humour. 'Orange blossom special' in particular blows me away.Frankly, every guitarist poll in which these 3 aren't featured in the top 5 aint worth a hill of beans. Any one remotely interested in the guitar should get this, even if it makes you feel like giving up yourself. So, it's got no vocals. Who cares. Vocals are for bands/guitarists who cant play like this. E-S-S-E-N-T-I-A-L

There are no better guitarists than these three. Their creativity and skill are unparalleled by any musician I've ever heard.

One of the best CD's in my collection. It is a must for all guitarists. The fire and passion of some of these songs can't help but inspire you. I first heard "Highlander Boogie" on a sampler CD from Guitar Player Magazine. I was just blown away but the guitar playing.

The amazing thing is that they sound the same way live. I have heard them 3 or 4 times and they pull off the songs fairly close to the CD.

John Jorgenson has gone on to back up Elton John (left that band a little over a year ago). The other CD's that they have come out with are good but not as memerable.

Just listen to "Orange Blossum Special", which is usually a fiddle piece, but they pull it off. The technique that each of them has in incredable and they each complement what the other is doing.

I teach and recommend this CD to all of my students. Even the ones that are not into Country or Rock like the CD.

If ever a CD deserved 6 stars than this is it. No superlatives can do this justice. I've been playing ( HA HA ) guitar for 30 or so years and have seen and heard everybody worth hearing from HENDRIX to MORSE to TROWER to SATRIANI to ERIC JOHNSON etc and no one has ever taken the guitar where these 3 masters take it.
I saw them ( WILL RAY and GERRY DONOHUE ) in Brisbane last year and they are even more astonishing in the flesh. The humblest pair of superstars you have ever seen. Their playing bordered on the impossible yet never turned into another I CAN PLAY FASTER THAN YOU CAN. While undoubtedly on the upper reaches of speedy,
it never becomes the main modus operandi. Nough said ,if you like guitar and havn't got this, you are lacking the ultimate benchmark by which all others should be measured.P.S. ESCAPE FROM HOLLYWOOD is equal to this.

These guys show off, and it works! Lots of fun for even non-guitar afficionados. Only Helle album I've heard, so I'm not sure yet that I want 4 more of their CDs, but - WOW! - these guys are unbelievable. Guitarists will appreciate their understanding of acoustics.