Customer Reviews

Two-Lane Blacktop

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1966, Bill Hullett was a seventeen year old California kid playing in Top 40 copy bands at high school dances in the San Jose area. Even then, it was obvious that Hullett was destined to be the kind of musician who would have complete mastery of his instrument, but never flaunt technique for effect. His talent and refined musical sensibilities stood out very early, and a few years later, were a perfect match for the studios of Nashville. He's made a career playing around Music Row and has enhanced the recorded works of many pop and country luminaries. Two Lane Blacktop, Hulletts first solo recording effort, amply demonstrates what great studio musicians bring to every session. Each cut on this instrumental album features guitar perfection...great tone & memorable riffs played without ego-tripping excess. Extra treats include some fine solos from guest Sonny Landreth and a selection of vintage instruments from Hullett's collection, including a-blast-from-the-sixties past, an electric Sitar! A great recording for all guitar fans!

If you are into teletone, this ones for you. Clean sound, a pleasure to listen to, particularly if you play guitar. Not pyrotechnical but technically very fine. And heh, he uses the talk box on a countryish melody.

Killer tone.

An instant classic!!! Some of the finest tones recorded to some of the tastiest playing on the planet along with great songs. Can't wait till the next one.

I really do like this cd. Mr. Hullett's melodic phrasing is a pleasure to listen to -- if you like clean, uncluttered guitar lines and a wide variety of styles, and a lovely tone, you'll like this cd.

This is a fantastic record. Guitar players will love it, but it's not just a "guitar" record. Any one who likes great instrumental music should enjoy this. It's been one of my favorites since I got it a couple of months ago.

Bill Hullett's playing is always just right for the tune, and oh, the tones on this record are perfect. The emphasis is on Telecaster style country playing, but there's a nice variety of styles represented here, including some hot Les Paul (the guitar, not the man) blues.

It's one of the best instrumental records I've heard.

great playing, great tunes, great arrangements, great recording and mastering - Masterly!

What an unexpected surprise. This CD has the best telecaster playing that I have heard. You will not be disappointed. Amazing stuff. You will play it over and over.

My wife said, "Go buy youself a cd for Christmas and I'll pay you back as I do not know what you want". I sent the Fender Discussion Page, now Fender Forum (our buddy Chris Greene) some money and got this disc. It is autographed by Bill as a prize on the FDP and I had gotten Chris to sign it also. I figure it will be worth more one day if it is signed by both.

Anyway, I remember when it came it has about 12 songs and most are around 3 minutes. Hmm I thought. The total is longer than most, but all short songs. Just as you get into a song it is over. Rats. With those lengths it must have short solos also. It reminds me of years ago I was a dj at a country station in Jackson- that's Mississippi not Tennesee. Intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus fade out. Every song had the same formula. I hate fading songs. Too easy and the song never ends. They are good only when it is the last song before the network news comes on and you need to fade it out early. Anyway.....

Much to my joy it is an INSTRAMENTAL! and all the songs end cold and none fade. It is a guitar player's dream record. First this disc has T O N E. Most of it was recorded with a 1950 Nocaster. I am not sure what amps and all were used but it will make you want to take yer Parker Fly down to the local 7-11 er uh Guitar Center and trade it for a a real axe. Twang for sure, but not harsh. Different tone on each one. The lead parts are very melodic with tasty runs that always fit into the music rather than say Jimmy Page trying to put as many notes in as possible. It is always a bit difficult to describe someone's music. Sort of country, but not really, sort of blues, but not really, sort of r&b, but not really. It is upbeat and medium speed and surprisingly each song is different enough so the album doesn't get stale. Think opposite of 38 Special- I love them, but 1 album is enough as they all sound the same to me. Bill owns a recording studio, so I am sure he had the luxury to take his time on it and since he is a recording engineer knows how to make a good sounding record.

Well the 9th. song starts this piano. Something like this

ding donng, dong dong dong ding ding donng, dong dong dong ding.

It's Leon Russell's arangement of The Letter that Joe Cocker sang during the Mad Dogs and Englishmen era. Leon was always my favorite- especially his first 2 solo albums. It has background horns and a trumpet solo just like in Mad Dogs also. I played it about 10 times playing my air guitar and conducting the band. Interestingly enough the more Bass Ale the better I got. Finally my wife turned it off, because it was 11 pm and we live in a town house- atleast it is an end unit. I caught part of the song after that and it was good, but a monster was created I was craving more Mad Dogs And Englishmen music. Yea. Dump Joe Cocker and put Bill in as the front man.

As the backgound singers sang...ANYWAAAAAAAAAAaaay

One final note beware this cd will definantly give you a monumental case of G.A.S. if you don't own a Tele.

Man, I wanted to bring it to work. ding donng, dong dong dong ding ding donng, dong dong dong ding It is still in my head.

...this is very GOOD. All my friends think so too. Of course, like I said, I am prejudice. I've known Bill all my life. He's only known me since he was 3 years old. In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am his sister. My favorite cut on this album is "Midnight in Memphis" which Bill composed. But, Bill's not the only talented one in the family. Find out more about me and my web designs at www.topflightgraphics.com. I designed Bill's website www.concentric.net/~bhullett