2 GuitarViols - 2GV
author: Mikolaj Furmankiewicz
I guess that most of you, Dear Readers, have never read about such a band to present. Hardly ever hard rock and metal musicians-traditionalists try to "force in" something original into their music.
Now, you have a chance of finding out Jonathan Wilson's innovative idea. It arose in his mind for the love of violin's, cello's and viola's sound. An American has played the guitar, taught people to play, designed the instruments, repaired and sell them since 1976. In the year 1990, the prototype of Electric Arpeggione was designed. Its name refers to a stringed guitar designed by Johann Staufer in 1823 (Franz Schubert composed one sonata for that instrument). Jonathan used a mentioned instrument for eleven years. Some shortcomings into the instrument's structure were a kind of driving force for him to design the next one. His another musical invention was baptized TogaMan GuitarViol. Once upon a time Oscar Islas placed an order with Jonathan. Then he started learning to play viola da gamba, violin and experiment on a new equipment. Both artists decided on founding a duo after a few jam sessions. They needed two supporting musicians on the stage, so were joined by a drummer - Pablo Mendoza (Boulevard Knights) and a bass guitar virtuoso - Chad Watson (David Arkenstone).
Well, I think that Mrs. Wilson and Islas have attempted to defining string and guitar music again. In my humble opinion, their attempt was finished victoriously. Obviously, I realize that the hybrid of a guitar and a viola (so-called bowed guitar), on which you can play with a bow and a plectron, can seem to be something abstract for most of hard'n'heavy listeners. Let's recall Maestro Alex Gregory's accomplishments concerning lutes' making to make you aware of reciprocal nearness of seemingly distant musical worlds. In other words, an instrumentalist can play the GuitarViol both with pulling and striking, haha.
The offer of 2 GuitarViols will surely turn out to be something forward-looking in comparison to traditional bands for heavy music audience. GuitarViol is the instrument that utters a spellbinding and pleasant tone at the same time. The basic elements of Americans' repertoire are a gentleness and ubiquitous tune, so experiments are out of the question! GuitarViols' sound can make you think of electric violin's one. It's not easy to define 2 GuitarViols' genre, because the music isn't banal. I will support myself and use Wilson's and Islas' definition - "heavy mellow". It tallies with the album's contests, because their music is simultaneously heavy and mellow. I realize that hard'n'heavy music's listeners can understand a term "heavy" in another meaning, but I cannot help it. Here is the meeting of many influences - classical music, Latin American tunes, new age (in the style of Govi) and musical impacts of the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty, Al Di Meola and Carlos Santana. Truly revolutionising!
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CD was great! Can't stop listening to it. Thanks!
author: julie
2 GuitarViols is a fantastic CD! At the rate I'm listening to it I'll have to order another one soon! Can't wait to try others. It was beautifully done.
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wonderful
author: shay
In my business I must have my clients feel comforted and, calm. I am a cosmetic tattooist and, clinical skin care...Some of my services are nicer and, kinder. However, during all of my services I will play this CD and, my clients are very moved by it. It's good for my brain too!
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