Dan "Sultan Of String"
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East Meets West In Asian/Oriental Metal
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Switzerland's Dan "Sultan Of String" submitted a two song CD-R demo showcasing his Asian and Oriental influenced guitar style. Heavily influenced by the solo work of Marty Friedman in a similar vein, the two songs are metal in structure and arrangement, with enough distorted guitars, whammy bar tricks, tempo changes and technical wizardry to satisfy the heavy guitar fan. The first song "Old Salt" has more of a Eastern feel to it, with bends reaching those sonic areas you might expect a koto to hit. The second song ("Yellowfant") is reminiscent of some of Jason Becker's solo work, a heavy number with a neo-classical sound and a taste of Asian. Despite the somewhat unwieldy stage name, Dan should develop his concept further, taking it to new areas the Cacophony team never dreamed of. His full length CD should be well received in that case.
Starting on a classical guitar at the age of 12, Dan later discovered jazz and funk rock and bought his first electric guitar, a Les Paul. He later played in his first school band, learning a lot of harmony, theory and rhythm from the other members of the band. Over time, Dan developed an Asian and Oriental guitar style, listening to the music of Marty Friedman and Jason Becker, as well as Asian singers, sitars, flutes, harps and Asian stringed instruments.
Encouraged by a lot of positive feedback, included a good word from Jason Becker, Dan plans to make an instrumental record in 2001 featuring guitar, sitar, Asian sound samples, etc.
Contact Information
Dan Kelly
Ahornweg 4
CH-3315 Baetterkinden
Switzerland
E-mail:
Dan "Sultan Of String"
Web site:
www.sultanofstring.com
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Jojo & Acoustic Shoes
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Italy's Most Unique Jazz/Blues
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Jojo & Acoustic Shoes' CD-R release of songs is a new collection of jazz/blues numbers featuring, of course, Jojo on guitar. On first listen, you might not even call their music blues, however, there is no denying that there is something bluesy about the way they approach their tunes. Take the two songs "After Dawn" and "The Time We Spent Together". You'll find an upbeat arrangement not uncommon to jazz, but not regularly heard in blues circles. Yet, you'll detect a blues sensibility throughout, and especially when the guitar (or harmonica) is turned up. The songs on the CD-R are mostly instrumental, which is a good thing - the use of vocals on a song here and there will have you pressing "fast forward very quickly. Good work from Jojo and bandmates Giancarlo Schiavon, Alberto Lazzarin, Claudio Caresia and guest Luca Palmarin.
Jojo first got on stage with his electric guitar for the first time in 1969. In those days, he played pop music, but soon began to develop a love for the Blues. In 1976, Jojo established his first blues band, the Blueshoes. The search for new musical landscapes led him to establish the Acoustic Shoes with the same broad-minded musicians. The band began a quest for new ways to play blues, using jazz harmonies and patterns, with a nod toward World Music, as well as incorporating innovative rhythms, from the old Beguin to modern Acid, without losing contact with the blues.
The band will continue into the new millennium playing their special brand of jazz/blues for audiences in Italy and in any other location that will have them.
Contact Information
Giorgio Menon
via F. Morosini 21
35127 Padova
Italy
E-mail:
Jojo & Acoustic Shoes
Web site:
www.jojo-and.it
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