Jonathan Wilson
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Developing A Modern Arpeggione
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Not too many guitarists design their own instruments to facilitate playing in an unconventional way. Jonathan Wilson, of San Fernando, California has done just that, designing a modern version of a viol/guitar hybrid (bowed guitar) called the "arpeggione". He can play this instrument with a bow or pick it like a traditional guitar. Wilson submitted a one-song CD-R featuring the song "Dancing In The Clouds", which was recorded live in stereo to DAT. The apparent overdubs are not overdubs at all; the piece was recorded with sound-on-sound techniques using a Line 6 DD-4 delay modeler. All the sounds on the piece are indeed guitar, including the percussive elements. "Dancing In The Clouds" is an excellent example of how creative thinking can lead to an ethereal piece of music that feeds the mind as well as the soul.
Quick to dispel the myth that he's simply Jimmy Page on steroids, Jonathan's influences include Peter Frampton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimi Hendrix and the Scorpions. He started learning guitar in 1976 at the age of 10, with Ulrich Roth's and Michael Schenker's "violin like" phrasing inspiring him to explore violin music. Jonathan eventually longed for a guitar he could really play with a bow. He committed to this process in 1989, and by 1994 he had his first instrument. He has since re-explored fingerstyle acoustic music, as well as embraced digital looping technology that would permit him to deliver stand-alone performances with his "arpeggione".
Wilson's latest venture is a live video taped performance of a 12 minute instrumental composition entitled "Beside Still Water", a video/DVD collaboration with actor/producer Tom Barry featuring a variety of inspirational water scenes and aerial cloud photography.
Contact Information
Jonathan Wilson
1107 Lucas St.
San Fernando, CA 91340
United States
E-mail:
Jonathan Wilson
Web site:
www.angelfire.com/indie/bowedguitar
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Karys/Spillberg
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Hammering Home Guitar Fury
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The duo of guitarist Peter Karys and guitarist/bassist Rich Spillberg have recorded a CD-R of nine "in your face" guitar instrumentals entitled Just A Taste. Written and arranged by Karys, the songs feature brutal guitar shred, dual-guitar interplay, rock-inspired intensity. The opener "Stealth" is ironically titled, because it doesn't sneak up on you - it pulls a full-frontal assault on your cerebrum, as both guitarists "go for the throat" and display a wealth of guitar techniques. This is some cool stuff. Karys mixes in a dose of his Greek musical heritage in a number of the pieces, but the overall effect is still a hard rock and progressive blend, with that little something extra to make it worth repeated listenings. Karys and Spillberg are both highly talented players who have used their studio time wisely. Just A Taste stands as an instrumental rock maelstrom.
Peter Karys has been playing guitar for 20 years. With both parents from Greece, he grew up listening to Greek music and fell in love with the Bouzoukis complex melodies. At age 12, Peter started playing guitar, with influences ranging from KISS and Thin Lizzy to UFO and the Scorpions. He enjoys taking his past influences and fusing in elements of blues, jazz, classical and Greek music to bring a "freshness" to the instrumental rock musical form.
The goal of Karys and Spillman is to reach a broad audience who enjoy "in your face" guitar rock.
Contact Information
Peter Karys Music
17 Worcester Drive
Norwood, MA 02062
United States
E-mail:
Karys/Spillberg
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