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| LEIGH WILLIAMS / Absolute Zero Reviews |
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| Product: LEIGH WILLIAMS / Absolute Zero |
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| From: Leigh Williams |
| Date: Monday 13 June, 2005 |
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| Review: |
There are, heaven knows, zillions of guitarists out in the world today. You’ve got to wonder about that sometimes, because that means that, in your lifetime you’ll never get to know, or even hear, all of them.
I bring this up as part of this review because, I’m really at a loss for words. Leigh Williams is a technically brilliant guitarist. His debut solo CD, Absolute Zero, is an instrumental tour de force. If you love fast and flashy guitar playing, then you’ll definitely love this album. Every track puts Williams?playing front and center for your listening pleasure. You can’t help but sit spellbound during the first three songs (Calm Before the Storm, Clear Blue and FOG (Finger of God)) as he flies all over the fretboard.
But they are there. The acoustic rhythm guitar work as well as astonishing keyboards courtesy of Mike Keneally (who’s played with Vai and Zappa, among others) in Bad Karma (part 3) actually outshine the obligatory electric guitar when it. And the album’s last song is such a powerfully moody piece it makes you want to hear it over and over again. More on that in a moment...
Williams?back-up band is nothing less than stellar. This isn’t surprising since they’re all from Steve Vai’s band: Virgil Donati plays drums while Keneally handles the various keyboards and Phillip Bynoe lays down the wonderful bass parts.
Thematically, the CD is structured around a tornado strike and the music appropriately is alternately frantic and frenetic. Even the “balladish?numbers after the storm passes (New Horizons, Transitions) leave you trying to catch your breath. This album doesn’t let up for a moment until you reach the terrific Y.T.T (yesterday, today, tomorrow), the CD’s final song. Here Williams does a wonderful job of making you forget the entire CD that proceeded it. You get so caught up in his melodic phrasing and soulful playing that you can’t help but wonder why he left this piece for dead last. But you’re glad he did!
Leigh Williams is, as I said, an exceptionally talented guitarist. Hopefully he’ll put out a lot more albums! Absolute Zero certainly leaves you wanting more.
David Hodge
(Posted January 31, 2004)
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Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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