Impressions of Blairnt Central.
author: Owy Thomas
I've always been a champion of the underdog. I fully admit that I can be a wanton obscurist when it comes to musical appreciation. You're more likely to find me at cd baby than Virgin megastore. I'd never heard of Blairnt Central before I came across this cd and the earlier Yakima Chimps cd, which I found at cd baby when carrying out a search entering 'Mike Keneally' as a 'sounds like' search term. I was intrigued enough to order this and the aforementioned Yakima Chimps cd. I feel that it is important to let musical artistes (and indeed others) know if you enjoy their work, and hence I have taken the time to write this little 'review'. Blairnt Central is evidently one of the pseudonym recording names for guitarist Bill Pitts. Bill doesn't appear to be 'professional' as such, i.e. is not making a living out of playing music, is simply enjoying himself. With this cd that definitely shows. It oozes fun from every pore. Regarding the original cd baby search criterion, there are definite similarities here between Mike K and Blairnt Central. It is also amply evident that he is a huge Frank Zappa fan. The recording sound quality is surprisingly high for something which is as 'underground' as this. I have no idea what kind of recording equipment was used, but the production on this is highly respectable, and certainly far superior to the Yakima Chimps recording. This is also a truly 'solo' album- i.e. Save for one or two guest appearances, Bill plays all the instruments (including a more than reasonable performance on the drum kit.... good to hear live drums rather than a drum machine as is so often necessary with these 'cottage industry' productions.) The guitar is audibly obviously Bill's primary instrument, and there is some very tasteful playing going down on this album. The programme is almost entirely instrumental rock, funk and occasionally jazz tinged, with the emphasis on solo guitar playing ability. Instrumentation wise, mainly guitar/bass/drums in format, with the occasional keyboards/efx and George W and other media samples (radio talk shows?). A 'guitar players' album', but without being an album which would appeal exclusively to 'musos'. Anyone who appreciates great guitar playing, and who is interested in someone who can take Frank Zappa influences and fashion them creatively into eclectic yet basically rock based instrumental music without being a copyist will greatly appreciate this record. A very good album which will enjoy repeated listens round my gaff.
Owy- England, December 2006
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All I ever really needed to know, I learned at band camp
author: gsp
After climbing into my truck, I immediately cracked open the jewel case
and
popped it into my stereo. I found myself driving around Grays Harbor for
the
next one hour, eight minutes & 45 seconds as each track mesmerized my
cerebra-cortex.
Mere words do it little justice, maybe that's why there's so few lyrics,
&
being the lyrics kind of guy I am, I was astounded at just how much I
enjoyed each of the electrifying instrumentals. You were able to take me
back nearly 25 years, to the first time I recall hearing you spit out a
nifty little riff in Waynes garage. How I miss those days at times. In
doing
so, you also managed to bring me full circle in realizing just how much
your
talent and tastes have grown.
Like the old days, start with a Bass line, Wayne would add his whacks,
then
"Blairnt" here's BP, next thing you know we're on some trip with no idea
of
where we may wind up. Gotta love those heavy Bass lines! (especially
Track 2, "That Reminds Me", what a great little 52 second slice of life!)
And "Code Of Terror" Holy-crap! You may have just seriously altered my
political posture for life! Actually it's changed a time or two as I
grow
longer in the tooth, & I've always said, "When the ends plays the middle
nothing ever moves".
"Calling Jim" with that church organ keyboard opening is Manzarek in
nature,
but not to carnivalistic.
"For Jef" choked me up, what else can I say?
I really want to thank you for sharing, it's really somethin' BP!!
Overall outstanding!!
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