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DAVIE ALLAN & THE ARROWS Restless In L.A. (Sundazed) Rev up your engines! Davie Allan, the king of 60s instro biker guitar rock is back with his finest album yet. Released by Bob Irwin and the team at Sundazed, Allans 2003 CD, Restless In L.A. rocks with a sense of renewed style and passion. Released nearly 40 years after his first 60s recordings, Restless In L.A. follows the sound and fury of Allans 60s guitar albums. Allan is often referred to as the king of grunge surf and commenting on the album from the incisive liner notes, the guitarist adds, Not since the sessions of the 60s have I felt so at home and totally satisfied with an album. Highlights of the 14 track mostly instrumental set include a remake of Allans big 60s hit, Them From The Wild Angels, Kick Back (described as Link Wray meets Sandy Nelson), Allans tribute to 60 spaghetti western honcho Ennio Morricone (The Loud, The Loose And The Savage) and superb Arrows cover of I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night (a vocal track featuring Arrow bassist Bruce Wagner). Allan adds, We have strived to make an album like this for eight years. Kudos to Davie Allan & The Arrows for a job well done. www.sundazed.com
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STEVE
TRACKS
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MAGIC
ELF Long Islands best instrumental rock fusion band, Magic Elf proves that the finest fusion not only rocks but also swings. The 2003 CD from guitarist / composer Carl Roa, drummer Dave Miranda and bassist Roy Altemus, Heavy Meddle is far and away their most inspiring studio release yet. Roa still sounds clearly influenced by the 70s sounds of Steve Morse and Pat Metheny while theres also an interesting Martin Barre / Jan Akkerman guitar influence (check out the soaring Godspeed) with Roas superb electric guitar work extrapolating from a broad, classically-etched palate of instrumental rock styles. The all instrumental 9 track CD maintains a very high energy and spirit and provides many fine spins for fusion fans. Heavy Meddle features guest appearance Saul Zonana (bass) and Pat Cummings (mandolin) while the amazing cover art is a good barometer of the fearless, soaring music within. www.magicelf.com / www.carlroa.com
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JAMES MANKEY
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JAMES
COHEN
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JOEL
HOEKSTRA On
the rise both as a session player and as a solo artist, guitarist Joel
Hoekstra released his second solo album in 2003. An adventurous jazzy,
rocking guitar instrumental album that will appeal to fans of progressive
guitar heroes such as Frank Zappa and Alan Holdsworth, The Moon Is
Falling blends 14 tracks of skillfully executed jazz-rock tracks.
Recorded in California, New York and Chicago, the album features top
support players including Virgil Donati (drums), Ric Fierabracci
(bass) and Chris Grove (keyboards). A native of the Chicago
area, Hoekstra added to his stellar reputation recently playing in Jim
Peteriks World Stage band as well as in the off-Broadway production
of Love, Janis. Adding to his session credits, Hoekstra
has also played alongside guitar great Sam Andrews and Big Brother and
the Holding Company as well with The Turtles. The follow-up to Hoekstras
debut album, Undefined, 2003s The Moon Is Falling is
a superbly recorded CD of imaginative, kinetic and often daring guitar-driven
sounds. www.joelhoekstra.com
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed
in mwe3.com and 20th Century Guitar. Send to P.O. Box 630249, Little
Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
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