David Chastain.... Whats so special???

Honestly I've never really understood why he is regarded as a guitar hero... I'm sure there are many of you who are fans, but I listening to review his Heavy Excursions disc. it's a compilation of his heaviest instrumental songs.

I remember hearing him back in the day and thinking, "What am I missing?"

He just sounds like another heavy metal guitar player in the vein of Glenn Tipton or Chris Degarmo and the obvious Randy Rhodes influence.... Nothing particularly inventive... the songwriting doesn't quite grab me as well.


Anyone esplane it to me?????

I don't know. I think he's a great guitarist who knows when to keep it simple and when to let loose. I love his Chastain albums with Leather Leone as well as all the CJSS stuff. The only instrumental I know is "Instrumental Variations", which is oustanding IMO. I need to get that one again.

Don't know much about his "Chastain" solo stuff but CJSS' "PRAISE THE LOUD" whomps some serious booty.

hmmmmmm.......

I think he is a talented guitarist, and I did like him when I was kid, thanks to ULT's reviews recently I did dig out my vinyl copy and enjoyed it, but it is not ground breaking but good traditional heavy metal.


His instrumental album 'Within The Heat' which I have on vinyl is very good and very much in the shredder role that was very popular at the time.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Don't know much about his "Chastain" solo stuff but CJSS' "PRAISE THE LOUD" whomps some serious booty.

Am I the only one who prefers World Gone Mad to Praise the Loud? Nearly everyone prefers PtL of the first two CJSS, but I seem to be the only one who thinks otherwise.

He owned his record label, that's about it.

Required Fields wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

Don't know much about his "Chastain" solo stuff but CJSS' "PRAISE THE LOUD" whomps some serious booty.

Am I the only one who prefers World Gone Mad to Praise the Loud? Nearly everyone prefers PtL of the first two CJSS, but I seem to be the only one who thinks otherwise.

I like'em both actually. I just couldn't remember the name of WORLD GONE MAD when I put up my original post.

See now I'm the opposite I love the Kate French era!

Wargod51

I've never checked out any of Chastain's stuff with vocals. I've only heard the instrumental stuff and it wasn't really anything special IMO. His tone and phrasing just dont sound quite right to me for some reason. I guess I've got some homework to do listening to his other music.

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

krokus wrote:

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

I dont know that. I like him, the same as i like those guys you are telling me, but i dont know if David playes worse then them, i dont think so, but i am not a guitar specialist. I still like his guitar melodies and the songs he wrote in the past.

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

Agreed....

krokus wrote:

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

I dont know that. I like him, the same as i like those guys you are telling me, but i dont know if David playes worse then them, i dont think so, but i am not a guitar specialist. I still like his guitar melodies and the songs he wrote in the past.

Again, I want to be clear that I am only refering to the instrumental music. I have never heard any of the full band material so I may have to change my opinion after doing some listening homework.

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

I dont know that. I like him, the same as i like those guys you are telling me, but i dont know if David playes worse then them, i dont think so, but i am not a guitar specialist. I still like his guitar melodies and the songs he wrote in the past.

Again, I want to be clear that I am only refering to the instrumental music. I have never heard any of the full band material so I may have to change my opinion after doing some listening homework.

Listen to some CHASTAIN songs please

bassman wrote:

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

and none of those cats mentioned come close to McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Sonny Sharrock, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Howe, etc.

detuned wrote:

bassman wrote:

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

and none of those cats mentioned come close to McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Sonny Sharrock, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Howe, etc.

Since we were talking about a shred-type player, thats who I referenced but I also like all those jazz cats , too. Al Dimeola, Frank Gambale, Wes Montgomery are all on my list of great players.

krokus wrote:

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

I dont know that. I like him, the same as i like those guys you are telling me, but i dont know if David playes worse then them, i dont think so, but i am not a guitar specialist. I still like his guitar melodies and the songs he wrote in the past.

Again, I want to be clear that I am only refering to the instrumental music. I have never heard any of the full band material so I may have to change my opinion after doing some listening homework.

Listen to some CHASTAIN songs please

I will, and if my opinion is changed I will get back on here and eat some humble pie.

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

bassman wrote:

krokus wrote:

If you are a good guitar player and dont know how to write songs, you are lost but DAVID CHASTAIN knew how to write songs, and very good ones. His instrumental albums are good too, but you must be a guitar freak to really like them i think, not because he doenst play great, but just because for some people its just to much guitar.

I am a guitar freak, I just don't feel that Chastain is on the same level as Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, Greg Howe, the list goes on and on.

I dont know that. I like him, the same as i like those guys you are telling me, but i dont know if David playes worse then them, i dont think so, but i am not a guitar specialist. I still like his guitar melodies and the songs he wrote in the past.

Again, I want to be clear that I am only refering to the instrumental music. I have never heard any of the full band material so I may have to change my opinion after doing some listening homework.

Listen to some CHASTAIN songs please

I will, and if my opinion is changed I will get back on here and eat some humble pie.

Okay, i will take your word for that

Ok, after some open-minded listening I will say that Chastain in a band setting with a vocalist is WAY better than Chastain as a solo artist. I'm still not sure if he rises to the level of guitar god or not, but it's definitely an improvement. I think I will put him in the same category as Steve Vai, who is also better in a band than by himself. Thank you for helping me open my ears to some new music.

bassman wrote:

Ok, after some open-minded listening I will say that Chastain in a band setting with a vocalist is WAY better than Chastain as a solo artist. I'm still not sure if he rises to the level of guitar god or not, but it's definitely an improvement. I think I will put him in the same category as Steve Vai, who is also better in a band than by himself. Thank you for helping me open my ears to some new music.

I am happy you like CHASTAIN. I like those records more then his instrumental albums too, because i like the vocals. Take care.