ALAN LENNON
~ Heaven's Call ~
THE ARTIST & THE DISC
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With all the excess found in much of todays guitar CD's, it
was more than a dream come true to review a CD that was dead focused on the
music not the flash. Don't get the wrong impression, there are several songs
where Alan does kick up the flash and drops a shred attack that will leave
your mind boggled. But for the most part on "Heaven's Call" Alan creates
a unique force with a sort of minimalist approach by todays rock standards.
It's not only the notes that he plays, but the ones he doesn't play. (That
would be the space between the notes.) Good guitar music is like expressing
a point of view. To best get it across, say it clearly, keep it simple and
don't clutter it with chatter and extra facts that only confuse. You will
find no excess here. Even on the rock and shred songs there is no sign of
self indulgent playing. Which is something I think many, no make that most
players of any instrument are guilty of. But Alan's genuine love of the music
and not his own playing is what separates him from his peers, and gives his
music a real personal feel.
Throughout the CD you can hear a few of Alan's musical personas. From the
distant spacious feel of Night Skies to the sophisticated shred of Ode To
Becker and Cherry Bomb to the haunting melody of Setanta #1 and Setanta #2
Alan shows that he's the consummate musician. If these were simply nice songs
it wouldn't be such a big deal. But several of the songs on this CD are certified
masterpieces. Nothing less!! And his melody's are so pretty, I would have
to say Alan's half technician and half beautician......
Alan shows incredible control at all times. After hearing songs
like Ode To Becker and Cherry Bomb, you realize Alan has the arsenal to declare
an all out war. Instead he uses speed and aggression as an adornment to better
the song not cover it up.
The track Ode To Becker pays tribute to master technician in
beauty, aggression, speed and composition, the great Jason Becker. Here Alan
gets almost scary, sounding more like an extension of the man, rather than
just paying tribute. The other scary fact, is that up until now Jason Becker
had a style nobody could touch. The 4 points I mentioned above in reference
to Jason are here in Alan's playing as well. Even upping Jason just a little.
Hanging onto the beauty at such insane speeds is indeed a skill, and Alan
does it better. There.....I said it! Coming from a real Jason fan that means
alot more than you might realize. This guy is amazing even at high
speeds.........Beautifully Aggressive!
There are CD's that simply entertain you. Then there are CD's
that wow you. Then there are CD's that you experience rather than just listen
to, and leave you sitting in wonderment long after the CD is finished. This
is of the latter.....My love of the music on this CD is hard for me to explain.
Is it soul, emotion, spirituality, technique or what? Whatever it is, I'm
pretty sure it's unique to Alan Lennon. Because I haven't heard it before,
but I need to hear it some more.
* personal experience - It was during my second listening
of the CD by a ponds edge that I fully realized the spiritual strength
of this CD. I was listening with my headphones so all outside sound was muted,
digging the serenity around me. Then I put in the "Heavens Call" CD pressed
play on my CD player, and the music combined with the beautiful tranquil
surroundings was almost religious. The scene around me with the Heaven's
Call CD was just too much! It was like every ripple in the water and every
leaf that fell was orchestrated by Alan especially for that moment. So, every
time I listen to the CD I think back to that day. Alright your personal
experience may not be that strong. But you'll be moved. I Guarantee
It!!
the last word:
A Gentle But Still Powerful Force Drives The Heaven's Call CD.
A New Standard Has Been Set By A Prolific Composer, Brilliant Guitarist And
A Genuine Shred Threat!
THE TRACKS
if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about
(and who does?)....check out the samples below.
And read my comments while listening to a streaming sample of all songs.
flash
required
Click
Here To Sample the CD
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TRACK
#1 "SETANTA (part one)" -
A haunting and very spiritual song that is best heard with your heart, rather
than your ears. This song has an opiate like effect, inducing a spacey sort
of melancholy feeling, where you just sit and kind of daydream. It reaches
much deeper than just your mind, stimulating your soul. Beautiful Man!
TRACK #2 "BRUCE" - From the very hot bass groove that introduces the
song (a melody that was stuck in my head for days), to the classical induced
wall of shred that this song becomes, it demands your attention. And just
when you can think of nothing else, it quickly fades away. Alan named this
track after his dog...that must be one heck of a dog!!
TRACK #3 "PURA VIDA" - The title means "pure life".....It could have
been called "pure genius" in my opinion. This epic sounding song is the
quintessential beautifully/aggressive song. Through his immaculate technique
this guitarist only becomes more beautiful with aggression. Taking the tenderness
and making it passion. Bringing an almost desperate emotion.......
TRACK #4 "ODE TO BECKER" - An
honorable and highly explosive tribute to a certified master, Jason Becker.
I've heard several of the songs on the Jason tribute CD, and this is the
first tribute that sounds like it comes from someone who is more than just
a fan, but was influenced by Jason's music. On this track you can almost
hear Jason's spirit playing through Alan, vividly recreating visions of
Jason. Here Alan stands side by side with a player that I swore had
no equal. There is indeed a huge void left by Jason's absence....I declare
that Alan Lennon is the rightful heir to the throne!!
This is also where you'll get to hear Alan let loose with some meticulous,
melodic mayhem.
TRACK #5 "KATE ANGEL" - A simply breath taking spacious aura with
a real classical influence, that speaks directly to the heart. This song
has a sweet melody, and melody is about communicating what is in your heart.
So if your lucky enough to have someone to love, you'll hear every word!
If not, then for you my lonely friend it will simply be a very pretty song.
TRACK #6 "CHERRY BOMB" - An explosive mainstream rocker that I just
can't keep from playing air guitar to. This track is more than radio
friendly....it's addictive with it's driving funky groove that gets in your
head and takes over your every thought. This track along with Ode To Becker
show Alan's over the top skills are way over the top. Oh Man! In my car I
have to crank this waaaaaay uuuuuuuup!..........Need Shred?
TRACK #7 "NIGHT SKIES" - Here Alan maintains the disciplined beauty
of Setanta, Pura Vida and Kate, but with a slightly harder edge. Featuring
some very nice soaring rock solos throughout! The deeply soulful rock style
of this track bring a sense of joy to the calming rocker. This song has a
kind of regal beauty to it, one that demands to be noticed. I love the rock
style soloing on this song. Yeaaaa.
TRACK #8 "SETANTA" (part two) - Part #2 of the opening track "Setanta
(part one)" picks up where #1 left off. Except this time about a minute into
it, this gentle songs grows muscles and comes to a huge triumphant finish.
But alas remember the haunting vibe of Setanta #1, just as it seems this
track comes to an end...........There's a 30 second fade out that absolutely
shifts gears out of nowhere and you're suddenly thrust back into the haunting
surroundings. Man I love that!!!
CLICK THE BANNER
TO VISIT THIS INCREDIBLE ARTISTS WEBSITE
and buy the HEAVEN'S CALL CD.
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