Customer Reviews

Robot Monster

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

 

 

Excellent acoustic guitar album, particularly if you are into any of the Narada artists.
Wonderful technique. Very little new-age fluff. More funky than you expect from a Narada release. Only one wordless vocal track.
First heard the title track on "Attention-Span Radio" on Radio365.

Taking his inspiration from the likes of Michael Hedges and Leo Kottke, Don Ross has by way of derivation created his own brand of acoustic magicianry that never fails to impress. Not only does each song delve into an entirely new groove and thematic structure, for the most part each piece heralds a unique guitar tuning, a testimony to Ross' originality. No pattern picking here, Ross creates fluid lines that resonate like verses of six-string poetry, a true inspiration to any guitar player looking for a new influence.

As far as this particular album goes, my favorite track is undoubtedly Elevation Music, a liquid smooth mid-tempo piece with some interesting tapping techniques. Goodbye, Kelly, Goodbye is a poignant farewell to his wife, who passed away from cancer.

I highly recommend this and any other Don Ross CD to all fingerstyle guitar fans - he is by far one of the most talented fingerstyle guitarists on the scene today.... and a Canadian to boot!

Don Ross has recently been added to my A-list of guitarists. This is a short list which includes Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Michael Hedges, William Ackerman and Bill Frisell.

Much of this album is solo acoustic guitar, but Ross makes sparing use of additional musicians on some cuts adding soprano sax here, upright bass there, a piano elsewhere. Much of the album is upbeat and funky, like the title track and the infectious "Bubble Radio." But there are moments of quiet introspection as on "June" and especially the live "Goodbye Kelly Goodbye," the latter inspired by his wife who had recently died of breast cancer at age 43.

Fellow Canadian Bruce Cockburn offers this endorsement of Ross: "Nobody does what Don Ross does with an acoustic guitar. He takes the corners so fast you think he's going to roll, but he never loses control." RECOMMENDED

don ross is an oustanding acoustic guitarist. most of the songs here are solo pieces played on various alternately tuned 6,7 & 8 string acoustics. his playing at times can floor you and alone he still sounds like a full orchestra. but this isn' t his first outing and he doesn' t show us anything new here. the problem here, is that he seems to be running out of ideas. his weakness, composing, stands out.

check out don' s earlier work like 'huron street', 'passion session' and the rare 'this dragon won' t sleep' (features outstanding live version of 'zarzuella'). 'this dargon won' t sleep' also has more playing within small ensembles.

despite the above comments, the cd is a very good listen. his earlier work is just far better, he' s that good! if u' ve never heard don' s playing before u'll enjoy 'robot monster'(great title by the way). this type of virtuosity is anomolous!

looking forward to don' s new ideas and his development as a composer

Nobody plays guitar like Don Ross - he is absolutely one of my favorite guitarists of all time. Songs like Dracula and Friends and Bubble Radio have groove and creativity - and the music just goes to my soul - I'm just so happy when I listen to music this great - it gives me power and spirit. Don - thanks for staying strong and continuing to do what you do. I can't wait for your new projects.

Don continues to amaze me with his musical abilities. As he always says, he doesn't consider himself a guitarist, but a "musician who just composes for guitar most of the time." As it turns out, he has stayed true to his word, and his newest album contains some styles not covered in any of his previous works, namely electronic. In the 3 of 12 songs on the album containing electronic beats and sampling, the electronics only serve to enhance Don's tight rythms and never-off groove that is the base for all his music. Although Robot Monster, in my opinion, does not top Don's earlier effort,(and my favorite of his) Loaded.Leather.Moonroof, it is still a remarkable album, if not only for his adventure into a musical genre rarely paired with finger style guitar. Note: Loaded.Leather.Moonroof can be purchased off Don's website, gobyfish.com. It's worth checking out!

My favorite album from Don Ross is his newest. "Robot Monster", the title track is amazing.

I like just about every tune on this CD. Take a listen to the samples, if you don't know who Don Ross is, you will be in for a ride.