Maestro Alex Gregory - 12 Jokes For Heavy Metal Mandolin (2000)Nidus Music Productions/Fartissimo Music

You could read a bit about Mr. Gregory's profile in one of DoV's previous issues, but I'd like to share a few new facts on his artistic activity with you, my Dear Readers. No many people are aware that Maestro recorded the stuff called "Middleton, Airey, Gregory" as a collection of takes from several English sessions in the years 1981-1984 with Max Middleton (Jeff Beck), Don Airey (Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne), Chris Farlowe (Colosseum), Jack Bruce (Cream) and others. The worst thing is that it has never been released. By the way, some of you could have a chance of listening to Alex's track titled "Paganini's Last Stand" on Priority/Capitol Records compilation - "Rock Guitar Greats" (1991) next to the likes of Eric Johnson, Steve Morse and others. "Paganini's Last Stand" is also a title of Maestro's solo debut CD which achieved a platinum status as a bootleg (over 1 million items sold!). Moreover, Alex Gregory plays the 7-string Stratocaster and thought up some own instruments like "piano guitar" and 4-string "XXI century electric mandolin".

Quite! This latter one is also called "heavy metal mandolin" that is the hero of aforementioned album. Maestro Gregory, inspired by Niccolo Paganini's "24 Caprices for Solo Violin", originally was going to record exactly the same amount of jokes. Why jokes? Since "joke" is often used as a synonym of "caprice" indeed. Alex recorded them between 1994 and 2000, but, as you can spot above, prepared half as much.

The line-up for this release is following: Maestro Alex Gregory (rhythm guitar, heavy metal mandolin), Mark Craney (drums) and Matt Bissonette (bass guitar). The concept of "12 Jokes For Heavy Metal Mandolin" concerns in including well-known excerpts in Maestro's original compositions, e.g. "Symphony No. 40 in Gm" or "Tales from the Vienna Woods". Skeletons of these fragments are clearly audible and harmonize with a great deal of stylistically diverse record album. The stuff is relatively accessible, however Alex Gregory isn't a pulp artist, so instrumental intricacy is patency. Alex's solos are brisk and distinct with gallant guitar's sound being spread around. His exercised fingers boisterously get about the guitar neck. Jack Bruce's "Sunshine Of Your Love" is a bluesy kickshaw for Cream's buffs, however the most successful track as regards commercial is "Plugged In Strauss" - the Winner of Billboard (U.S.A.) Pop Music Award! It is a splendid heavy metal waltz with a characteristic pulsating bass by another virtuoso - Matt Bissonette.

What about music genre on this disc? I can call it instrumental rock and mention jazz/fusion interpolations in places, but with no obstacles I have the cheek to write that it is rock'n'roll hidden behind the neoclassical virtuosity in general. The whole lot of David T. Chastain's and Michael Harris' fanbase should be convinced to a British ace. An instrumental guitar music by Maestro Alex Gregory is really awing!