Instrumental Albums

I've listened to instrumental albums in the past, mostly as a result of hanging out with guitar players (my wife included). All the instrumental albums I know are old:

Marty Friedman - Dragon's Kiss
Tony MacAlpine - Maximum Security
Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn
Vinnie Moore - Mind's Eye
Joey Taffola - Infra-Blue

snooloui wrote:

I like Satriani and Malmsteen, though I prefer the later. No-one has mentioned Michael Angelo Batio yet. I would say I liked his album No Boundaries, but i've never actually heard it, only some of the songs re-recorded with real drums for the album 2xAgain, so I guess i'll say I like that one.

Batio is nothing special, he's mostly on Autopilot, like if Robots were programmed to play, they would sound like Batio . Gary Moore would shed more feeling to his solos using just 5 notes compared to Batio's 500

Speed isn't everything, Many can Play really fast but they lack the Melodic Impact to go with it, this is what's separates Men from the Boys

Oh, and for those who don't know, Tony MacAlpine is a technically gifted Classically-trained pianist as well, so he could probably smoke like 80 percent of all the full fledged pianists out there, this man is the definition of a true Virtuoso

EmoElmo wrote:

snooloui wrote:

I like Satriani and Malmsteen, though I prefer the later. No-one has mentioned Michael Angelo Batio yet. I would say I liked his album No Boundaries, but i've never actually heard it, only some of the songs re-recorded with real drums for the album 2xAgain, so I guess i'll say I like that one.

Batio is nothing special, he's mostly on Autopilot, like if Robots were programmed to play, they would sound like Batio . Gary Moore would shed more feeling to his solos using just 5 notes compared to Batio's 500

Speed isn't everything, Many can Play really fast but they lack the Melodic Impact to go with it, this is what's separates Men from the Boys

Oh, and for those who don't know, Tony MacAlpine is a technically gifted Classically-trained pianist as well, so he could probably smoke like 80 percent of all the full fledged pianists out there, this man is the definition of a true Virtuoso

When I saw Steve Vai live, MacAlphine who was in Vai's band, played mostly keyboards and picked up the axe on one or two songs

EmoElmo wrote:

snooloui wrote:

I like Satriani and Malmsteen, though I prefer the later. No-one has mentioned Michael Angelo Batio yet. I would say I liked his album No Boundaries, but i've never actually heard it, only some of the songs re-recorded with real drums for the album 2xAgain, so I guess i'll say I like that one.

Batio is nothing special, he's mostly on Autopilot, like if Robots were programmed to play, they would sound like Batio . Gary Moore would shed more feeling to his solos using just 5 notes compared to Batio's 500

Speed isn't everything, Many can Play really fast but they lack the Melodic Impact to go with it, this is what's separates Men from the Boys

Oh, and for those who don't know, Tony MacAlpine is a technically gifted Classically-trained pianist as well, so he could probably smoke like 80 percent of all the full fledged pianists out there, this man is the definition of a true Virtuoso

I hate when people say that. Playing fast doesn't mean there's no feeling. Yngwie plays pretty fast and yet I would say there's quite a lot of feeling in his songs. Sometimes you wish he wouldn't shred when a nice melodic solo would do though. I still like Batio though, i'm not saying he's the best ever but some of the songs from No Boundaries are cool as are some of those tribute versions he did on more recent albums.

an old favorite of mine "Woodpecker Stomp" by Jeff Sheets

James B. wrote:

an old favorite of mine "Woodpecker Stomp" by Jeff Sheets

That's a good one. Forgot about it.

No love for Paul Gilbert's instrumental albums?

Throw in a few Satch albums and Chris Poland's Return to Metropolis and that about covers it for me. Jeff Loomis' ain't bad either.

Oh and Zappa's Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar. Killer.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

No love for Paul Gilbert's instrumental albums?

Throw in a few Satch albums and Chris Poland's Return to Metropolis and that about covers it for me. Jeff Loomis' ain't bad either.

Oh and Zappa's Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar. Killer.

I have that Zappa instrumental and 'Guitar' , also have that Camel album, but only on vinyl, excellent.

Mastery - Lethal Legacy
Joe Satriani - Surfing with the Alien
Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream
Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn

Critters Bugging-s/t ( The New Bohemians minus Edie Brickell)

Stender wrote:

Michael Hedges-Aerial Boundries is fantastic.

FF is that Black Death in your avatar?


Some here that haven't been mentioned:

FM(the Canadian Prog band) - Direct To Disc (Headroom)
Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundries
Tangerine Dream - Rubycon
Miles Davis - Agharta
Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds Of Fire
Al Dimeola - Casino
Return To Forever - Where Have I known You Before
Mark Isham - Castalia
Bozzio Levin Stevens - Black Light Syndrome
Happy The Man - Happy The Man

Way too many to list. I have a lot of Instrumental albums

chewie wrote:

FF is that Black Death in your avatar?

Yup. Posted it in the "black metal or death metal?" thread as a gag a couple of days ago and it was too damn goofy to resist.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

No love for Paul Gilbert's instrumental albums?

Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar is possibly my favourite instrumental album. All the tracks feel like proper songs, despite being instrumental only - it works beautifully.

I'm also quite fond of a bunch of Marty Friedman's albums, but to be honest, I'm not all that big on instrumental albums as a whole.

snooloui wrote:

EmoElmo wrote:

snooloui wrote:

I like Satriani and Malmsteen, though I prefer the later. No-one has mentioned Michael Angelo Batio yet. I would say I liked his album No Boundaries, but i've never actually heard it, only some of the songs re-recorded with real drums for the album 2xAgain, so I guess i'll say I like that one.

Batio is nothing special, he's mostly on Autopilot, like if Robots were programmed to play, they would sound like Batio . Gary Moore would shed more feeling to his solos using just 5 notes compared to Batio's 500

Speed isn't everything, Many can Play really fast but they lack the Melodic Impact to go with it, this is what's separates Men from the Boys

Oh, and for those who don't know, Tony MacAlpine is a technically gifted Classically-trained pianist as well, so he could probably smoke like 80 percent of all the full fledged pianists out there, this man is the definition of a true Virtuoso

I hate when people say that. Playing fast doesn't mean there's no feeling. Yngwie plays pretty fast and yet I would say there's quite a lot of feeling in his songs. Sometimes you wish he wouldn't shred when a nice melodic solo would do though. I still like Batio though, i'm not saying he's the best ever but some of the songs from No Boundaries are cool as are some of those tribute versions he did on more recent albums.

MAB sometimes concentrates too much on uber-fast playing, but listen to the Rain Forest (posted on the first page). Can't say he has no feeling. And there are some other nice atmospheric songs on No Boundaries. Haven't heard his other albums - Nitro doesn't count - but I'm sure the image of a robot is exaggerated.

^ Batio is like a flamboyant clown, to say that his solos has no feelings is lame of course but in no way he is an exceptional player, he got speed but most of the time his 200 bpm Phrygians and Minor Pentatonic triplets gets a bit repetitive thus overshadowing his feel (if he has one), that's why nobody takes him seriously. Altho guitar playing is never a competition, I can name like 30 guitar players who can smoke this guy. The late Great Gary Moore is one.

Smindas wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

No love for Paul Gilbert's instrumental albums?

Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar is possibly my favourite instrumental album. All the tracks feel like proper songs, despite being instrumental only - it works beautifully.

I'm also quite fond of a bunch of Marty Friedman's albums, but to be honest, I'm not all that big on instrumental albums as a whole.

I tend to listen to Paul's vocal albums more than the instrumentals, however on my computer, I have all his albums mixed in a playlist that shuffles them around to break things up a bit. The man is a shredder, but knows how to write a great pop tune too.

EmoElmo wrote:

^ Batio is like a flamboyant clown, to say that his solos has no feelings is lame of course but in no way he is an exceptional player, he got speed but most of the time his 200 bpm Phrygians and Minor Pentatonic triplets gets a bit repetitive thus overshadowing his feel (if he has one), that's why nobody takes him seriously. Altho guitar playing is never a competition, I can name like 30 guitar players who can smoke this guy. The late Great Gary Moore is one.

Ok you don't like him, that's fine.

Very unknown,Talented man out there named Dan Johansen.

Talked to him a little, very nice, funny guy. and one hell of a guitar player!

Since I dig Jazz there are many so I'll just post the Rock/Metal ones that are getting a lot of spins from me over the last few years:

Stender wrote:

Michael Hedges-Aerial Boundries is fantastic.

This.

As long as he's not singing, his stuff is outstanding. But man, he had such a lame voice. No balls. Haha.

Guthrie Govan-Erotic Cakes
Anything by Pelican, Russian Circles and Scale The Summit
Exivious-S/T
Anything by Charlie Hunter
Joe Satriani-Strange Beautiful Music
Anything by Blotted Science
Periphery-S/T [Instrumental Version]
Megadeth-Cryptic Sounds (No Voices In Your Head)
Megadeth-Rust In Peace [Instrumental Version]

Probably one of my favorites, I bought two of his overpriced CDs whilst vacationing in Holland

From a Dutch Guitarist named Jan Cyrca, he does write some powerful, outstanding Instrumental Rock Ballads

Eyesore wrote:

Stender wrote:

Michael Hedges-Aerial Boundries is fantastic.

This.

As long as he's not singing, his stuff is outstanding. But man, he had such a lame voice. No balls. Haha.

I don't mind his singing. Rough Wind in Oklahoma is a way cool song as well as the Live version of Follow Through.

Found some quotes about him from his webpage:

Pete Townshend wrote:

Michael Hedges' music is old and new, delicate and powerful. I feel I can always hear his heart when he plays. He respected my playing too, and that simply thrills me. This CD is an essential look at the real Michael Hedges. He will never be forgotten as one of those who respected, absorbed and yet rose above all trends to create accessible and commercial music for a new age.

Steve Vai wrote:

Michael was unique. I don't like using that word because it's so abused, but it stands true in this case. The first time I heard him play, I was stunned into silence. Not only did I know what must have gone into the practicing and performance of his pieces, but I could also tell so much about his personality by the way he played.

"He caressed the guitar effortlessly and spun enchanted melodies from it. His tone was rich and flawless. But it wasn't until I met him that my suspicions of his warm personality were verified. He showed up at my house and invited me into his traveling home (his van) and gave me a private concert. It was a moment I'll never forget.

"I would anxiously await every one of his releases and cherish them for the brilliance that they are. Michael has left us with some timeless treasures. His music transcends genre and trend. It's truly musical, fun and enlightening.

"If what they say about reincarnation is true, next time I hope we're in a band together.

Joe Satriani wrote:

"Michael Hedges' "Torched" is a beautiful and powerful record, a journey through Michael's unique world of music and spiritual awareness. His playing has a feel and timbre all its own - technically brilliant, but always organic and true"

David Crosby wrote:

"...one of the most brilliant musicians in America..."

"I met Michael when he sat in the door of his Volkswagen Van and played Aerial Boundaries for me in the parking lot at 7-11 in Mill Valley, before he had even recorded it. It was so transcendently strong that it cut though even my drug haze. I said, 'Please come home with me and do that again.' He did, and I have loved him with my whole heart ever since.

"Before Michael, acoustic guitar went from about right there to over here somewhere. After Michael, it goes from near the rest of us, where he found it, to out the other side of the world where he set it down for just a little while. His flame went out when it was just starting to achieve full burn, and it is a great loss to the world.

"He was as good at friendship as he was at music, and I miss him every day."

Graham Nash wrote:

"Once in a blue moon, an artist comes along who totally redefines his or her musical territory. Such an artist was Michael Hedges. Without doubt Michael raised the bar and set new goals for upcoming guitar players with his unique sensibility and playing style. His latest and, unfortunately, last studio album reflects just how talented he really was. I know that he will be sorely missed by all who knew his music and were touched by his 'magic'. I considered him to be a genius and when he died I lost a great friend. The world is a much better place because of the music that Michael made."

Bonnie Raitt wrote:

"In Michael's hands, a guitar was a living, breathing extension of his deepest parts. It's almost as if he got so inside its body that the instrument was reborn. His passion for creating those exquisite melodies and technique was as focused as it was abandoned. There was simply no one like him."

Alvin Lee wrote:

"He was a real musician who remained humble even through stardom. A rare breed indeed."

Though I like the Vais and Satrianis well enough, I really like this kind of stuff: