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Instrumental Rock To The Max
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Canadian guitarist Andrew Roudny believes in songs. Accordingly, his debut instrumental, EP-length CD, Zero Words Or Less, drips with melody, highly energetic playing, and off-the-hook soloing. Clearly a man who practices what he preaches, Roudny is tired of the standard chops-heavy and forgettable albums he's found in the instrumental rock arena, so he's released an album of engaging, recognizable tunes. He's recruited some of Toronto's finest musicians to back his fleet-fingered guitar, and the result is a guitar-oriented feast of mischief and mayhem. Roudny may be on to something here, the next step would be to expand the concept to a full album's worth of material, and, dare I say it, a career's worth of album releases - then we'll see if the world of instrumental rock can catch up.
Busting onto the rock scene in the late '90s with stunning musicianship and classic songwriting, Andrew has carved a unique path thanks to his relentless drive and vigorous ability. His accomplishments include scoring the soundtrack for independent film "Held Secular", placing Top Five in the internationally televised North American Rock Guitar Competition as a featured performer, and rocking Canada with the original quintet Black Hour. Andrew's guitar and compositional philosophies permeate everything he does, as he remembers, "The only guitar record I can get through from beginning to end is Steve Vai's "Passion and Warfare". It has themes; it harkens back to the listener's familiarity with strong melodies. Melody is the whole purpose of a good song. With instrumental rock, the wankery has been done to death. It's fine if you can jam out, but why would someone want to hear a whole album of that? I play guitar and I can't even listen to that. I'd rather hear great songs."
Roudny is currently maintaining an active live performance schedule, as well as seeking out promotional opportunities on the Internet and beyond.
MP3 Songs
Bols Blue
Riffer Madness
Contact Information
Dragon's Castle Productions
7689 Priory Cres.
Mississauga, ON L4T 3H6
Canada
E-mail:
Andrew Roudny
Web site:
www.andrewroudny.com
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Zen-Like Approach To Fingerstyle
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This must be Melodic Canadian Invasion month, as guitarist David Gillis submitted Wish Where You Are, an instrumental acoustic fingerstyle recording dripping with melody, a variety of influences, a well-chosen cover tune (Metheny/Mays' "James"), compelling original tunes and sparklingly clean production. This CD is an instrumental companion to Gillis' 2001 singer/songwriter release, entitled, "When You've Got A Dream", which happened to also feature three instrumental tracks. Guest artists on Wish Where You Are include world champion harmonica whiz Carlos Del Junco, Narada recording artist Don Ross on slide dobro, Mark Dunn on acoustic bass, David O'Neil on drums and Warren Stirtzinger on Frisellian Danlectro. Folks into acoustic fingerstyle played with verve and skill need to look for Gillis' latest CD - you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario as the middle child hidden in the camouflage of six kids amidst a family of musical extroverts, David grew up fighting his way through school as he was usually the smallest in each grade. Not very interested in school, he liked to daydream, draw pictures and write his musings during classes. That's probably where David first discovered the thrill of tying a thought, a melody and an emotion into one bundle. This process is no different than the inspiration for the music he loves, where the listener is transported into a kind of dream state, conveying surreal ideas and emotions. David's work has been included in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, he has played on the main stage at the prestigious Chet Atkins Appreciation Society and won the Gamble Rogers Fingerstyle Guitar competition.
Gillis officially endorses Beneteau and Gibson/Epiphone Guitars, LR Baggs Pick-Ups and AER acoustic guitar amplifiers. He regularly stirs and engages audiences with his impeccable performance, quirky humor and deep, thought provoking lyrics.
MP3 Songs
Snow Day
Mr. Skippy Pants
Contact Information
David Gillis
P.O. Box 479
Vineland, ON L0R 2C0
Canada
E-mail:
David Gillis
Web site:
www.davidgillis.com
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
