Comments:
A
shy midwestern man from Chicago, Jeff Urso describes his new instrumental
guitar release as music that can be played on the radio, helping to
make guitar popular again. Well Jeff, it is exactly that and so much
more. The tone of the whole album and expressed purpose of the creator
is positivity, a welcome concept in the dark eerie world of most virtuoso
guitar.
The
guitar hero renaissance movement has included solo albums in 2005
from upstarts Petrossi, Viljanen, Snyder, Polak, Weiner, Fiorletta,
Farreri, and Horne, as well as efforts from industry legends Malmsteen,
Vai and Sheehan. Urso has decided to join the party with Straight
Ahead. It is clean, melodic and well, straightforward.
The
former drummer and pianist who was inspired by Vai and Johnson, among
others, joins those boys right off the bat, with 10 nicely worked,
supported and inspiring tracks. Real drums and every conceivable type
of guitar prowess are exhibited here. There is speedy shred on the
bluesy “Down And Dirty” with a solo in the middle ala
Vai, beautiful Satriani “Summer Song”-like “Warm
Day”, and a piano track called “I Alive” which is
super smooth. The best track is “Cyber Me” where there
are more effects than in Star Wars, but it all fits together nicely
and the guitar leads you through the malaise with a strong convincing
melody.
Great
job Urso, you’ve made quite a first impression. One request
though: use a little more metal riffing, shred and pure speed on the
next album. The small bits of it on this CD were too much of a tease.
For all fans of guitar or music lovers in general, get your butts
online and purchase this CD. It will stay in your CD changer for months.
Track
Listing:
1. Straight Ahead
2. Feel Good
3. Rhythmic Wave
4. Low Down
5. Down & Dirty
6. Warm Day
7. Cyber Me
8. Perfect
9. Thinking of You
10. I Alive
HRH
Rating: 7.8/10
