Greg Howe - Sound Proof
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.01 You Save: $5.97 (35%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.04 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Sound Proof
Free Music Review: Some of Greg's best compositions
Hit: 4 Stars
I think the songs are a bit hit or miss for me. Songs like Walkie Talkie and Emergency Exit are too "difficult for the listener" for me to really enjoy, with the disjointed rhythm and avante garde melody sense. I do think that this has some of Greg's best compositions. I feel very moved by Morning View, and Child's Play puts a smile on my face and makes me groove. Melody, feel, and catchiness reach a new level for Greg. I think the lead playing suits the songs and is very impressive. It's not quite as flowing and jaw-dropping as on Extraction, but I think that it's nice how he uses the lead guitar more as a melody driver than as a constant stream of consciousness improvisational tool. The guitar sound is excellent, probably as crisp as it's ever sounded. I think the drums could use a bit more sparkly highs for better definition, but overall the production sound is quite good, excluding the artifact on the acoustic guitar on Sunset in El Paso (clipping? fret buzz?).Free Music Review: Can't believe I just discovered Greg Howe
Hit: 4 Stars
Back in the late 80's, the era of shred, I bought albums from Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Satriani, and Vai, and although I recall seeing advertistements for Greg Howe's debut album in Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine, I never bought his album, and had never heard his music until last week when I saw a home made clip from him on Youtube. All I can say is, how in the world could I have been missing out on this for so long? I just bought the album and was completely blown away. The best part of the album to me is how he masterfully crafts these beautiful solos in with this jazz/funk rhythm. The other musicians in this band are awesome, and he is just a terrific guitarist. It's been a while (other than Satriani's Super Colossal) since I have been inspired to get back into purely musician-driven music. Bravo Mr. Howe...excellent album.Free Music Review: Greg Howe Almost Breaks the Tone Barrier
Hit: 3 Stars
Greg Howe is an inspirational player but he plays it safe on this recording and the result is a mediocre outing.
I have always been inspired by Greg's playing and you will be too if you explore his other recordings. But, I usually can not get through one of Greg's disks without wanting to pick up a guitar. I am typing as I listen to Sound Proof. That is a big vote of "No Confidence."
While I love Greg's playing, his tone has always annoyed and perplexed me. At first I thought it was that "lost high frequency hearing to countless loud nights on the road" syndrome I often associate with players with a very bright guitar tone. Then, I thought it might be that years of practicing with the Rivera era Fender had just conditioned him to play his best in that (less than pleasant) tonal range.
The guitar tone is pretty good on this record and I guess we have people like Greg's Producer and Gurthie Govan's influence to thank for that (Cornford Endorsement). But, the mix of the album is subdued, lacks lower and mid-bass and the drums are an overcompressed jumble.
Bottom line: Listening to Sound Proof you just can't help but wonder what would come out if you put Greg in a room with Scott Kinsey (keyboards); Gary Willis (bass); Kirk Covington (drums) and put TJ Helmerich behind the console.
Free Music Review: Greg Oh How.???
Hit: 3 Stars
Well, what can I say... I was a little dissapointed with Gregs latest offering.I have been a fan for years, I love Gregs technique, melodic construction and everything that enables one to identify his playing immediately. However, when I first listened to this CD I almost felt like sending it back. Some tracks have improved with listening a few times.
Greg even uses some spoof stuff with phone calls on the CD where a guy tells him "you play so many notes i got a Migraine".... well there`s an old saying, "Many a truth spoke in jest".!!
Don`t get me wrong , I love speed and shredding and complicated use of scales, sounds et, but I have to say on some of the trax here, it seems to be shredding for shredding sake. Thats not wat I`v come to love Gregg Howe for.
So if you`re a big fan, you`ll buy this, but if it`s your first listen to a Gregg Howe CD, might I suggest you listen to some of his earlier material.
Hopefully things will get better or maybe Greg has gone as far as he can go.!!! (But I doubt it). Sorry if you disagree.
Free Music Review: not as good
Hit: 3 Stars
Despite the wonderful reviews I am afraid I will have to pan this particular album. I have 5 other Greg Howe's and they are all superior. So if you are just discovering him buy earlier efforts.
This isn't a bad piece of work; it just doesn't come close. For example, I am listening to it on Itunes as I type. Itunes went from the last cut of this album to the first cut of Extraction and I could tell immediately that I had stopped listening to Sound Proof and had moved onto something else.
Sorry, Greg