Melodic Instrumantal Guitar
nienturi | Turkiye | 11/01/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's been too long that those instrumental guitar albums were popular. But still this day, there are many musicians and some labels focusing on exactly this guitar music. Moreover, many beautiful music are still all around even, decreasing of general orginality. Young American guitar player Jeff Urso with his very first album is called "Straight Ahead" is one of these guys searching for a chance, too. There are certain effort on "Straight Ahead" spilled by Jeff as a producer, performer, composer and arranger. "Straight Ahead", in many cases, has some advantages. Most important of those is, the nonexistence of the proportion of 90% showcase and 10% music that we all may see on some instrumental guitar oriented records. Melodical structure and the absence of , you know, "hey, i got a guitar solo that really kick some players ass" mentality add "Straight Ahead" more listenabilty. Next thing i should mention is the rhythm sections are nicely cared. Especially 7th string gets pleasant effect on some rhyths parts. But for all, i have two negative comment on album. First, as i mentioned before, there is nice musicianship but the orginality is little bit low as it should/can be higher and so you can "hear" influences like Petrucci, Vai and Satriani too easyly . Second one is about drums. In my opinion, even if songs are Petrucci or Vai influenced, drums are too simple and basic. With the stuff like (as Vai always utalize) polyrhythms songs might better, in my opinon.
Songs of the "Straight Ahead" are over average. Nice and catcy and hard to pick up some of those clearly. "Low Down(especially with its 7th string addition), Straight Ahead, Feel Good, Down&Dirty (with very good solo section) and Warm Day" can be the most noticed songs. Last one is decidated to Jeff's friend had died in a motocycle accident and performed by a keyboard.
Consequently, i can summerise Jeff Urso's "Straight Ahead" as a Satriani-Vai influenced, easy listening, catchy, melodic, successful album. I hope that it can get success on commercials too so that we can hear his second album.
"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1