John Sheehan
| |
|
 |
Full-Time Musician Promotes Original CDs
|
The talented acoustic fingerstylist John Sheehan submitted two of his CDs, Instrumental Solo Guitar (which we'll focus on here) and Modern Man. His instrumental work is a brilliant display of technique and melodicism, where each track is unique and offers a glimpse into Sheehan's playing personality. With a command of dynamics and a heaping helping of soul, the compositions on Instrumental Solo Guitar literally come alive in his hands. Guitarists and non-guitarists alike will find plenty here to keep them entertained, and Sheehan should make a number of new fans among acoustic fans who appreciate musicianship, originality and sound quality in their recordings.
At age 16, John started playing guitar to counteract his adolescent loneliness and hyperactivity. Soon he found a personal focus in classical music that gave his soul and spirit a new and needed metamorphosis. John studied guitar at William Patterson College, then took to the road, playing rock, folk and country in bars and restaurants. Gain needed stage confidence, he realized the benefits of recording his original music and decided to release Instrumental Solo Guitar in 1995. He later recorded his second CD, Modern Man, which contains more of John's instrumentals, plus vocal ballads and clawhammer banjo tunes. Interestingly, John was a first place winner of the 1991 Candi-Creek Banjo Works Guitar Competition.
Sheehan's current performances display a balance of style, taking the audience back to the Renaissance with his lute and into Appalachia with his banjo. His contemporary guitar instrumentals round out his shows with a nod to the traditions of European classical and American contemporary styles.
Contact Information
Sheehan CDs
P.O. Box 436
Ringwood, NJ 07456
United States
E-mail:
John Sheehan
Web site:
www.johnsheehan.net
| |
|
Bobby Manriquez
| |
|
 |
Personal Blues Sound Attracts Attention
|
A bluesman worth discovering, Bobby Manriquez is circulating his CD-R of original blues/rock music entitled Another Shade Of Blue(s). If the playing on tracks such as "G-Blue" and "The Boogie Man's Comin'" doesn't rip your head off, the incendiary instrumental live track "Smokehouse" can always do the trick. Manriquez definitely brings an original approach to the blues, whipping out explosive leads where required and always filling in with tasty funk, soulful rhythm, or dirty riffage. Manriquez is no slouch behind the microphone either, as most tracks feature his been-there-and-back vocal style. Another Shade Of Blue(s) also features him on a number of other instruments, such as piano, bass, keyboards, congas and more. Do yourself a favor and track down Manriquez' recording if you want some original blues you can use.
In the early '70s you could find Bobby sharing lead guitar duties in a prominent D.C. based band, climaxing in the A&M Records release of "Daddy's Girl" in 1976. He has also toured with Capitol Records artist Kathi McDonald, as well as guitarist/songwriter Nils Lofgren. The unforgettable TV appearance of the London BBC recording of the "Old Grey Whistle Test" was later released by Nils Lofgren on a 1993 CD of the same name. After a ten-year hiatus, Bobby came back on the scene as lead guitarist for soul legend Wilson Pickett, which led to shows both in the US and abroad.
Manriquez later put together a demo in 1999 and received such a consistently good reaction, that he decided to add tracks to what would become Another Shade Of Blue(s).
Contact Information
Bobby Manriquez
P.O. Box 381
Kennett Square, PA 19348
United States
E-mail:
Bobby Manriquez
Web site:
www.bobbymanriquez.com
|
