Reb Beach is a great song-writer and over the years with Winger and Whitesnake, not to mention The Mob, Fiona and the very impressive Black Swan he’s shown he can pen a more than memorable tune. Back in 2001 I also remember a rather impressive solo album (his second after ‘The Fusion Demos’ way back in 1993) where Reb proved he’s got quite a voice too (It’s a really great album if you want to check it out).
So what is it with guitarists and instrumental albums? You don’t get bassists or drummers inflicting their instrument-of-choice led meanderings on us do you? You don’t get vocalists doing ‘a capella’ solo albums, so what is it with guitarists thinking they can get away with offloading their instrumental dalliances on us for so many years? What makes them think we want to hear their instrumental noodlings when all we really want to do is sing along?
Over the years I’ve listened to Vai and Satriani and a whole host of instrumental records, and whilst they can be satisfying in places and whilst I’ve seen both live numerous times, I must admit to still not fully getting it. It’s like going out for a fancy meal with no pudding! Or is it something that guitarists are just genetically programmed to do?
There is a but, and it’s a big one.
This is quite possibly the most enjoyable instrumental album I have ever heard from any guitarist – right from the first wail and stutter of ‘Black Magic’ through the jazzy, funky rumblings of ‘Little Robots’ all the way to the soothing strains and evocative voice of closer ‘Sea of Tranquility.’ This is ten tracks that never bore you, that offer infinite variety and for me at least (and this is something that has never happened before with an instrumental album) makes me want to play it over again.
Without lyrics normally I lack a real connection with the music, sure Satriani can transport you with his cinematic soundscapes but this one connects with me as a fan of Rock music in general and that’s something I thought was almost impossible without words. Importantly I think part of the charm is that Reb gets to the point with the majority of tracks hitting that 3.5 to 4.00 minute sweet spot, and there’s nothing that fails to interest here.
Wonderful stuff Mr. Beach!
9/10
Line-Up:
Reb Beach – guitars, bass on 4, 9, keyboards on 4, 6, 11, strings on 10
David Throckmorton – drums (except on 6)
Robert Langley – drums on 6
Michele Luppi – piano on 3, 10
Phillip Bynoe – bass on 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 11
John Hall – bass on 5, 6, 7
Paul Brown – keyboards on 1, 2, 5, 7
