Here's a guitar hero that's not your average in-your-face blazing speed maestro. His latest instrumental album (on RCA affiliate Rendezvous) has eight well-crafted compositions that travel from ethereal to a mid-tempo groove with a little bit of aggressive screaming. Most recognizable on this instrumental outing is an excellent medley called Suite (Spirits From the Past), which includes Yes' Roundabout, U2's Still Haven't Found (What I'm Looking For) and Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall (Part II). It makes for an enjoyable listening experience, like a good stick of gum for a drive in the country. Other special standouts from the album include the songwriting and guest keyboards of Kerry Livgren on Seven Leagues Under and The Great Abyss. As mentioned earlier, this is not a metal guitarist instrumental album, yet it certainly shows an excellent guitarist doing something original.
