Guitar Boudoir Volume.1
So I recently put together four volumes of guitar related music for my cousin. He's just starting to learn to play and I figured it would be a thoughtful thing to do. Plus I enjoyed trawling through the music to select a few choice cuts. I also wrote some extensive liner notes for each volume and thought it might be fun to share so that you could join in the discussion.
Guitar Boudoir Volume.1 was all about 'rock!' guitar. Sit back and enjoy.
Men in particular have been known to use their guitars to show off. I know that sounds unlikely, but it’s true. There are many ways to use your guitar in this way: fit as many notes into one passage as possible; play at superhuman speed; ensure that your song lasts longer than ten minutes; play louder than everybody else. Guitar Boudoir Vol.1 represents the pomp of rock guitar in all its glory. Turn this up as loud as your Dad will let you and enjoy!
1. Decadence Dance - Extreme
The opening track is by 90’s rock also-rans, Extreme. Often described as ‘The American Queen’, singer Gary Cherone and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt were good friends with British counterparts Freddie Mercury and Brian May. Indeed, the band played a key part at the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium. No stranger to either a meaty rock riff, or the symphonic nature of the guitar, this is an upbeat opening salvo about the pleasures of good time rock n’ roll..
2. Infinite Dreams - Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden made their mark in 1979 as the frontrunners in the so-called New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Their philosophy? Why have one lead guitarist when you can have two! Maiden are instantly recognisable not only for the ‘dual lead guitar’ sound of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, but because of lead singer Bruce Dickinson, whose unmistakeable voice is often referred to as ‘The Human Air Raid Siren.’ This song is part of the ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’ concept album about the eponymous hero of the piece.
3. Eruption - Van Halen
If there is one American band that is associated with overblown 80’s stadium rock above all others, it’s Van Halen. Formed by brothers Eddie Van Halen (lead guitar) and Alex Van Halen (drums), Van Halen spent the 80’s and early 90’s strutting around stadium stages like the proverbial rock roosters that they were. That’s not to say that there weren’t serious aspects to their music. Eddie Van Halen in particular is a true rock innovator, all but inventing the guitar technique known as the ‘bi-dextral tap-on’, whereby both hands are used to tap the fret board of the guitar in order to play notes in extraordinarily quick succession. That technique is demonstrated perfectly here in instrumental showcase, ‘Eruption.’
4. I Believe - Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani started his working life as a guitar tutor in California. Notable students include Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Steve Vai of later incarnations of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention. When Steve Vai carved a name for himself as a solo artist, his repeated name checking of Satriani coincided with Satriani’s own debut solo release, catapulting him to guitar God fame. ‘I Believe’ is a quieter piece from his 1989 masterpiece ‘Flying In A Blue Dream.’ The song showcases Satriani’s melodic, fluid style of playing.
5. The Fire Garden Suite - Steve Vai
Steve Vai is in a league of his own. Detractors would say that is because he is the only person interested in his self-indulgent, overblown music. Supporters would say it’s because no one else can keep up with his virtuoso playing, complex compositions and wild leaps of imagination. Clearly informed by his mentor, Frank Zappa, Vai throws everything at the wall. When it sticks, it works gloriously. The Fire Garden Suite is the central composition to Vai’s ‘Fire Garden’ album from 1995. Clocking in at just over 12 minutes, it’s a long slog, but it’s worth it for the central passage whereby Vai duals with himself on piano and guitar. In fact, Vai plays everything on the track with the exception of drums. Mind-blowing or mind-numbing depending on your opinion!
6. A Day In The Life - Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck is quite possibly England’s most innovative and yet overlooked guitarist. Even in his most showboating moments, Beck manages a subtlety that most others can’t match. His tone and phrasing are unique, as demonstrated here on his cover version of The Beatles ‘A Day In The Life.’ The track featured on an album of Beatles covers put together by ‘fifth Beatle’, producer George Martin. Sublime.
7. Lord, I’m Discouraged - The Hold Steady
Singer with The Hold Steady, Craig Finn, says that he tries to write lyrics so that they sound like something he would say. It’s probably why they have such a literary quality. But The Hold Steady aren’t just making a name for themselves because of Finn’s obsession with the literary greats. Guitarist Tad Kubler knits the verbiage with crowd-pleasing bar-room riffs and classically monumental soloing such as that found here in ‘Lord, I’m Discouraged’ from last year’s critically revered album, ‘Stay Positive.’
8. Estranged - Guns N Roses
Guns N Roses were once labelled ‘the most dangerous band on the planet.’ At the time of their debut album ‘Appetite for Destruction’ it didn’t seem like an idle boast. Their scuzzy blend of punk attitude and classic rock, along with the fiery temperament of lead singer Axl Rose, caused many a controversy through the years. Your Dad will claim that ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ from that same album is the only thing that they have recorded that is worth listening to. I respectfully disagree. In 1991 Guns N Roses released twin albums, ‘Use Your Illusion parts 1 and 2’. ‘Estranged’ is from the closing stages of ‘Part 2’ and, whilst it lasts over 9 minutes, shows a more sophisticated side to GN’R. It is an excellent showcase for some killer melodic soloing from lead guitarist, Slash, and the many facets of the unique instrument that is Axl Rose’s voice.
9. The Glass Prison - Dream Theater
Dream Theater are musical scientists. They tackle weighty subjects in their lyrics and tend to make music from the head rather than the heart. Again open to accusations of pomposity and self-indulgence, they nevertheless represent a seam of music that demonstrates the extraordinary ways in which the guitar can be deployed. The opening of this song, ‘Glass Prison’, still manages to make the hairs on my neck stand on end. A 13 minute epic to end? Why not!
Guitar Boudoir Volume.1 was all about 'rock!' guitar. Sit back and enjoy.
Men in particular have been known to use their guitars to show off. I know that sounds unlikely, but it’s true. There are many ways to use your guitar in this way: fit as many notes into one passage as possible; play at superhuman speed; ensure that your song lasts longer than ten minutes; play louder than everybody else. Guitar Boudoir Vol.1 represents the pomp of rock guitar in all its glory. Turn this up as loud as your Dad will let you and enjoy!
1. Decadence Dance - Extreme
The opening track is by 90’s rock also-rans, Extreme. Often described as ‘The American Queen’, singer Gary Cherone and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt were good friends with British counterparts Freddie Mercury and Brian May. Indeed, the band played a key part at the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium. No stranger to either a meaty rock riff, or the symphonic nature of the guitar, this is an upbeat opening salvo about the pleasures of good time rock n’ roll..
2. Infinite Dreams - Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden made their mark in 1979 as the frontrunners in the so-called New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Their philosophy? Why have one lead guitarist when you can have two! Maiden are instantly recognisable not only for the ‘dual lead guitar’ sound of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, but because of lead singer Bruce Dickinson, whose unmistakeable voice is often referred to as ‘The Human Air Raid Siren.’ This song is part of the ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’ concept album about the eponymous hero of the piece.
3. Eruption - Van Halen
If there is one American band that is associated with overblown 80’s stadium rock above all others, it’s Van Halen. Formed by brothers Eddie Van Halen (lead guitar) and Alex Van Halen (drums), Van Halen spent the 80’s and early 90’s strutting around stadium stages like the proverbial rock roosters that they were. That’s not to say that there weren’t serious aspects to their music. Eddie Van Halen in particular is a true rock innovator, all but inventing the guitar technique known as the ‘bi-dextral tap-on’, whereby both hands are used to tap the fret board of the guitar in order to play notes in extraordinarily quick succession. That technique is demonstrated perfectly here in instrumental showcase, ‘Eruption.’
4. I Believe - Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani started his working life as a guitar tutor in California. Notable students include Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Steve Vai of later incarnations of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention. When Steve Vai carved a name for himself as a solo artist, his repeated name checking of Satriani coincided with Satriani’s own debut solo release, catapulting him to guitar God fame. ‘I Believe’ is a quieter piece from his 1989 masterpiece ‘Flying In A Blue Dream.’ The song showcases Satriani’s melodic, fluid style of playing.
5. The Fire Garden Suite - Steve Vai
Steve Vai is in a league of his own. Detractors would say that is because he is the only person interested in his self-indulgent, overblown music. Supporters would say it’s because no one else can keep up with his virtuoso playing, complex compositions and wild leaps of imagination. Clearly informed by his mentor, Frank Zappa, Vai throws everything at the wall. When it sticks, it works gloriously. The Fire Garden Suite is the central composition to Vai’s ‘Fire Garden’ album from 1995. Clocking in at just over 12 minutes, it’s a long slog, but it’s worth it for the central passage whereby Vai duals with himself on piano and guitar. In fact, Vai plays everything on the track with the exception of drums. Mind-blowing or mind-numbing depending on your opinion!
6. A Day In The Life - Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck is quite possibly England’s most innovative and yet overlooked guitarist. Even in his most showboating moments, Beck manages a subtlety that most others can’t match. His tone and phrasing are unique, as demonstrated here on his cover version of The Beatles ‘A Day In The Life.’ The track featured on an album of Beatles covers put together by ‘fifth Beatle’, producer George Martin. Sublime.
7. Lord, I’m Discouraged - The Hold Steady
Singer with The Hold Steady, Craig Finn, says that he tries to write lyrics so that they sound like something he would say. It’s probably why they have such a literary quality. But The Hold Steady aren’t just making a name for themselves because of Finn’s obsession with the literary greats. Guitarist Tad Kubler knits the verbiage with crowd-pleasing bar-room riffs and classically monumental soloing such as that found here in ‘Lord, I’m Discouraged’ from last year’s critically revered album, ‘Stay Positive.’
8. Estranged - Guns N Roses
Guns N Roses were once labelled ‘the most dangerous band on the planet.’ At the time of their debut album ‘Appetite for Destruction’ it didn’t seem like an idle boast. Their scuzzy blend of punk attitude and classic rock, along with the fiery temperament of lead singer Axl Rose, caused many a controversy through the years. Your Dad will claim that ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ from that same album is the only thing that they have recorded that is worth listening to. I respectfully disagree. In 1991 Guns N Roses released twin albums, ‘Use Your Illusion parts 1 and 2’. ‘Estranged’ is from the closing stages of ‘Part 2’ and, whilst it lasts over 9 minutes, shows a more sophisticated side to GN’R. It is an excellent showcase for some killer melodic soloing from lead guitarist, Slash, and the many facets of the unique instrument that is Axl Rose’s voice.
9. The Glass Prison - Dream Theater
Dream Theater are musical scientists. They tackle weighty subjects in their lyrics and tend to make music from the head rather than the heart. Again open to accusations of pomposity and self-indulgence, they nevertheless represent a seam of music that demonstrates the extraordinary ways in which the guitar can be deployed. The opening of this song, ‘Glass Prison’, still manages to make the hairs on my neck stand on end. A 13 minute epic to end? Why not!