Gordon Fraser
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Mood-Driven Blues Instrumentals
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Washington State area guitarist Gordon Fraser submitted a six song demo CD-R that is a vehicle for blues-based instrumentals, with minimal attention paid to production or arrangements - just mainly guitar (lead, sometimes rhythm) over programmed drums. Fraser is a solid guitar player - there's nothing that particularly sticks out about his playing - however, it's reminiscent in places of Roy Buchanen, both in tone and in phrasing. Fraser mentioned he'd like to get a band together - it would probably help his demo out immensely to have a four or five piece live rhythm section behind him. The four- and eight-bar rhythm tracks are quite repetitive and detract from the music.
Gordon has been playing guitar for 24 years, and counts among his influences Albert Collins, the Kings, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and others. He began listening to heavy bands such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but later got into blues and jazz. From 1986 to 1987 Gordon was in a punk band called M.D.C., and was able to record two albums and tour in the United States and Europe. His current guitars include a 1962 SG and a late '70s Strat copy, which are plugged directly into a Fender Hotrod Deluxe.
Fraser would like to get a band together and record a full album and get back out on the road.
Contact Information
Gordon Fraser
1418 W. Augusta
Spokane, WA 99205
United States
E-mail:
Gordon Fraser
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Chris Westfall
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Santa Margarita's Metal Mayhem
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California's Chris Westfall submitted an eight song demo of instrumental, metal-oriented tracks that unfortunately are marred in a lot of places by the extremely loud drum machine, the hi-hat and cymbals are mixed way too high, and obscure the guitar tracks. On "Diggin' Taters", for example, when the hi-hat finally stops in a section of the song, you can finally hear the guitar work - good stuff there! Westfall is an excellent player who has the metal licks, legato playing, harmonized leads, sweeps and taps down cold, however the compositions need a lot of work. They're basically just grooves to solo over, like you're coming into the middle of a song to hear the two-minute extended solo section. Keep at it Chris - you'll find your original songs will gradually reveal themselves.
Chris got into guitar playing through the influence of his brother, as well as bands such as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. He considered the Jeff Beck album "Wired" to be particularly influential as well. Chris moved from his native Ohio in 1986 and joined a speed metal band called Damnage in Los Angeles, loving the aggressiveness and challenge of the music. He gave up guitar in 1993 until about two years ago, when he decided to get his chops back and start recording himself playing guitar. The demo was his first attempt at recording himself.
Westfall will continue to hone his songwriting and recording craft at night while his twins are sleeping.
Contact Information
Chris Westfall
5915 Parkhill Rd.
Santa Margarita, CA 93453
United States
E-mail:
Chris Westfall
Web site:
www.onlinerock.com/musicians/westfall
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