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Macalpine, Tony
Shrapnel records artist, Steve Vai band guitarist, now member of Planet X
Premonition (1994)
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1. Opus 28 #18 2. The Violin Song 3. Ghost of Versailles 4. Tower Of London 5. Rusalka 6. Rondeau Partita #2 7. Gila Monster 8. The Czar 9. Maestro di Cappela 10. Inflection 11. Opus 28 #3 12. Animation 13. Winter In Osaka |
 Rank: 3 guitars out of 5 Was ok |
| Reviewer: lach (96) |
Tony Macalpine first came to my attention after I found out that he's the guitarist in Planet X. While not being a huge fan of Planet X's music, I thought that the guitar solo's were pretty amazing, so I was excited at hearing some of his solo work. (I also saw him live, playing 2nd fiddle in Vai's band, which was bril, and saw him again at the Planet X concert, and met him, really nice guy) On this album, Macalpine comes off as a cross between Satriani and Malmsteen. While in theory a wonderful combination, the music doesn't really grab me like any Satch or Yngwie. There's just something missing - I can't quite work out what it is, which is annoying. (I think that the solo's need to be cranked up just a notch louder.) The music is straight forward, fast instrumental rock. Similar to Jason Becker in style, but maybe not quite as much shredding. It's really good, I dig it, but nothing makes me run back to the CD for a second listen. I'm not really a fan of guitar-instrumental-ballads. I'm really heartly sick of Satch's "Always with me, Always with you", but my favourite track of this album "Rusalka". It's got a great melody, groove and laid-back feel. Macalpine is possibly the most talented player out there, and I mean that. Compared to the other players, Macalpine can play practically anything. Unfortunately his song writing talents don't quite match the other greats. However, he can definitely play piano a hundred times better than all of the other guys combined! Holy crap. He does a stunning keyboard solo on Vai's live DVD ("Live at the Astoria London (2003)"), and on this album there's a few keyboard interludes that while being great, don't seem to fit in with the rest of the album. Still, Tony's soloing technique is different from everyone else's, and definitely worth a listen and study. If you're a player, you'll like it. If you're interested in more of Tony's playing, check out his band Planet X. My ranking: 3 - Was ok |
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Edge Of Insanity (1986)
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1. Wheel Of Fortune 2. The Stranger 3. Quarter To Midnight 4. Argrionia 5. Empire In The Sky 6. The Witch And the Priest 7. The Taker 8. Chopin, Prelude 16, Opus 28 9. Edge of Insanity 10. The Raven 11. No Place In Time |
 Rank: 2 guitars out of 5 Didn't enjoy it |
| Reviewer: lach (96) |
The first thing that you notice about this CD is that the production is terrible. It's just awful. It sounds like it was recorded in 1971. Ok, well, it's not that bad, but often I find it very difficult to make out what the guitar is playing. Which is rather self defeating considering it's meant to be a solo guitar album. This is a major pity because a lot of the tracks are really nice. There's some great tunes on here, "Wheel Of Fortune" is a great neoclassical rocker, "Agrionia" is really nice, "Edge Of Insanity" and "No Place In Time" are also favourites. This album really shows off Macalpine's great playing and compositional abilities. His playing is a great Yngwie match - often superseding in interest and style. There's a "live solo" track titled "Quarter To Midnight" - which sounds to me like a normal solo with a crowd track faded in underneath. This is a major pity as the crowd noise really gets in the way of a great solo! The bass duties were handled by the mighty Billy Sheenan who does a great job - it's just such a pity that you can't hear what he's doing a lot of the time. If someone (shrapnel? shrapnel?) was to remix and remaster this CD it would be a great purchase. Or if you can get it cheap pick it up. My ranking: 2 - Didn't enjoy it |
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