|
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Not to worry, Greg... I'm playing the one I have -- a whole lot. As I mentioned above, I bought two as early Christmas gifts, and I KNOW the recipients are going to love them! Take whatever time you need for the other two.
Some quick questions: What is the effect that Jerry uses on Outer Sunset to get that ethereal, slightly phase-shifted sound that is so reminiscent of his Mahavishnu Orchestra days? Was he miked, or did he have a pickup? And, I love the slight reverb! When I put the speakers in the four corners of my room, it's a GREAT, room-filling effect.
And, I have to tell you, the interplay beginning at about 1:50 on Outer Sunset is spectacular! I'd LOVE to hear that live! I know that you and Jeff play out once in a while, but is there a chance that the trio might play live somewhere? I'd pay to attend THAT little get-together!
Look, you know I'm a guitar lover and a fan, but I have to tell you, I've played this disc a few dozen times now, and I hear something new every time! You put a lot of musical elements into this and kept it really clean! Example: the pieces of ornamentation throughout Outer Sunset, including Jerry's pizzicato at about 2:50, as well as the REALLY subtle percussive effects you put in all throughout the tracks. There's also the fast-picking at 1:33 of Tamboura as well as at 1:47. Of course, I'm LOVING the guitar solo that begins at about 4:05 in Tamboura! I've played THAT passage a few times! It's really, really good!
The Muffin Records people did a GREAT job, but you gave them extraordinary music to work with!
Edited by AlanM 2014-05-17 12:42 PM
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Knowing very little about violin pickups and effects I emailed Jerry. The moment, however, has passed us both by: "Hmm...not sure Greg....never document that kind of info! I'll try to remember but no guarantees...sorry, Alan!" I had a similar question about the Jethro-Tull flute-like tone that he uses at 0:50 on "Friendly Fire". No luck. I guess it's just alchemy, trade secrets and wicked fingers! I, too, have loved the JG pizzicato since I first heard "Miles Beyond." There is an interesting Goodman detail here I can share: For the pizzicato that he plays in "Outer Sunset" under the section in 10/8 (at 2:26), Jerry faced a challenge: we are picking jangly chords on two unison six-string guitars at a decent clip. Not really in the fiddle "comfort zone." To provide a plucked note for each guitar note in the chart, he first played every other note (1,3,5,7,9) and then overdubbed the "missing teeth" (2,4,6,8,10). The result works well, I think. My weakness as a "composer" is not knowing very well which keys and techniques lend themselves best to other instruments (I had to look up the available range for violin, though Jerry pulls out his 5-string at times). Thanks for all the feedback and if/when I can corral Jerry into a Chicago gig, I'll definitely let you know! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Yep. Goodman's just great -- always has been, since I first encountered him with Mahavishnu! And you two were great with him! You downplay your skills as composer, but there are plenty of times on this recording where you guys seem perfectly natural together, as if you're three good friends conversing animatedly about something, only using guitars and a violin. I've always loved that relaxed-then-tense-then-back-to-relaxed spontaneity, even within tight composition. All that takes serious skills as a composer and as players. It's really good stuff! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Speaking of composition: you yourself are a good player but pretty low-key about your own recordings and tunes. Are there any "Miner" charts in the vault? Something perhaps we could steal.... I mean "cover" or elaborate? Send me something! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | I just received the other two CD's in the mail, Greg, along with, as you mentioned, a truly nice surprise. Needless to say, I'm more than thrilled! Many, many thanks! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | I probably should have added a tad more elaboration to my previous post. I'm now the thrilled owner of two more GuitarFire CD's, each bearing the autograph of Jerry Goodman, as well as a brief personal note from him, on each CD's jacket.
Jerry Goodman has been a musical hero of mine since I first became acquainted with his energy-packed, fiery, virtuosic electric violin playing, while he was playing with one of my other all-time musical heroes, John McLaughlin, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Greg, Jeff and Jerry are all world-class musicians, and GuitarFire made it to the top of my most played list very shortly after its arrival here.
It was so great to hear that not only had Jerry Goodman not lost a single step since his debut with Mahavishnu in 1970, but, to the contrary, had GAINED depth, breadth and even greater expressiveness from those younger days. I can't wait for their next CD! (hint, hint, Greg)
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Hint taken, Alan... we're on it. And thanks for the support and insight! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | A nice review of our record on Amazon: "Like their name, these guitars are on fire! The sound is ever changing and very vibrant it's great dancing music. Some songs make me feel like I'm in Ireland, some Spain, some France and some Italy. Each song has a part I love and want to keep replaying over and over. You can either sit back and really listen to all the changing dynamics and appreciate all the work they put in, or just have it on as background noise and dance from time to time. I highly recommend it!" |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | PS: I am always encouraged when a woman likes the music. So much guitar is stuck in testosterone mode! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Well said, Greg! I can tell you honestly that BOTH my girlfriends, AND my daughter, love the disc! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | I just heard from the SF Bay Area that KCSM--a premiere jazz station for the Peninsula, Silicon Valley, SF, Marin County etc.--has not only played half the CD in one swipe but added it to their playlist. My brother Tom, who sent them the disk, got this response from Alisa Clancy the music director:
"I love it, have played one side this week [Wed. morning, 8/27], will do more...I also asked Chuy to add it, it IS that good!
Alisa" |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 823
Location: sitting at my computer | Excellent! Congrats!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Great, GREAT news! And well-deserved! It IS that good! So good to hear that you're getting some more play around and about. I'm spreading the word here in CT. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | And we were all set to record another! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Stunned at the news of the loss of Jeff Burns. Saddened and stunned.
AlanM |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2012
Posts: 1089
Location: Yokohama, Japan | Hi dobro, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Jeff Burns. I heard some of the YouTube stuff, and just had to have the CD. I figured the least I could do was buy it; so, I just sent 15 bucks including shipping, but I live in Japan and shipping over here could be a pain. I was wondering if there was a way you could send the CD as a ZIP file via e-mail instead of shipping? In any case, I pray comfort for Mr. Burns' family and friends. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Hi Ken. There's no problem at all shipping it out to Japan. In fact, I'd like you to have the physical CD. Just shoot me a PM with your address and I'll git 'r done. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2012
Posts: 1089
Location: Yokohama, Japan | Thanks dobro! PM Sent! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2012
Posts: 1089
Location: Yokohama, Japan | Thanks for sending the CD all the way out to Japan, dobro! I had my first listen and am just amazed, and I'm going through my 2nd listen...the sound and composition quality...just everything about it is really fabulous. The extra copy is really really appreciated. I love this stuff, but whether the music is to your taste or not; if you want to hear Os at their best, I'm not sure you could do much better than this...
Edited by arumako 2015-01-10 12:07 AM
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Thanks for the warm response, Ken. I am especially proud of how well our "guru" Craig Williams (Dr CAW Studios) captured the beauty of the Ovation sound. He was quite resistant to "plastic guitars" at first, but when we played he really listened and became a "convert"! |
|
| |
CD "GuitarFire" (Dobro-Burns-Goodman) Now Available!!
