Derryl Gabel

Derryl Gabel - Visions And Dreams - 2002 - Progressive Arts

Guitarists - especially extremely talented guitarists - are a breed apart. Very few people begin playing the drums, for instance, with the intent of going it alone. The same holds true for most other instruments in contemporary music. Only with the guitar do you find a large number of musicians determined to make a name as a solo artist devoted primarily to instrumentals. Thus, the sub-genre of "guitar virtuoso" was born.There is no mistaking that the intent of Derryl and his label is to place him squarely in this group. In fact, the word "virtuoso" appears in the first sentence of the album's press release. Comparisons are also drawn to artists such as Allan Holdsworth, Frank Gambale and Greg Howe, all occupying this corner of the music business either in the fusion vein or the more metallic queue. These may not be household names, but fans of the style know them well. To his credit, Derryl Gabel is indeed a very accomplished musician. It is clear that he can play scales at lightning speed and improvises better than most of the millions of guitar-slingers in the world. In addition, he recorded this album almost exclusively on his own - bass, synth, most of the drum programming and (naturally) all guitars. This shows a musical adeptness sorely lacking in rock music, but also in genres as far-flung as jazz and new age. However, compliments as to ability and work ethic aside, there are problems. Although ambitious, the effect when all elements are combined is rather tepid. It sounds like the rhythm tracks from an album by a contemporary jazz artist such as David Sanborn with guitar meekly inserted rather than sax. The painful analogy must be made - light jazz. It is easy at times to imagine the music playing behind a scene in a television drama while lovers stroll down the beach. Some attempts are made to vary the tempo and feel of the tracks, and some nice rock-ish solos emerge, but it keeps returning to this overall feel and fails to really provide a standout track or tracks. Guitar instrumental music appeals foremost to other guitarists, including the thousands every year who pick up a guitar and strum a few notes before relegating the instrument to a closet for a few more years. Occasionally a crossover will appear in the form of artists like Joe Satriani or Steve Vai. However, it is difficult to imagine fans of these soloists enjoying the more laid-back jazzy style here. It is equally hard to think that jazz fans will pick up on the recording. This is unfortunate because of the skill displayed, but what surrounds the guitar work on this disc is simply not strong enough to push it to the next level. © Jeff Edwards 8/5/2002 © 1996 - 2002 The Phantom Tollbooth http://www.tollbooth.org/2002/reviews/gabel.html

Inspired by artists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Allan Holdsworth, Eric Johnson, and Paul Gilbert, Derryl Gabel's Varney-inspired chops and a Firkins-inspired touch make Derryl Gabel a Grade A gunslinger. Derryl has a keen sense of when to burn and when to breathe. He is an exceptional and highly accomplished musician and is admired by many of the world’s great guitarists including Dweezil Zappa. Listen to Derryl’s "Giant Steps" album which is an arguably better album than “Visions And Dreams” and contains much stronger and challenging material. Check him out @ http://www.derrylgabel.com/ For more music in the same vein listen to Guthrie Govan and Paul Gilbert. [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 105 Mb]

TRACKS

1. Miles From Home
2. Alright
3. Spending Time With You
4. Friends
5. Visions and Dreams
6. Tell Me
7. Song For Jessie
8. Blue Fingers

All tracks composed by Derryl Gabel except Track 2 by Derryl Gabel, James Harris, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis & Track 4 by Derryl Gabel & Bob James

MUSICIANS

Derryl Gabel: All guitar, synths, bass guitar and drum programming except Track 7
Mychal Lukers - drum programming on Track 7

SHORT BIO

Derryl Gabel, born in 1970, began playing guitar late in life (compared to most virtuoso's) at the age of 15. His early influences included Eddie Van Halen, Victor Cross, George Lynch, Warren Demartini, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Macalpine, Greg Howe, Vinnie Moore, Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Derek Taylor, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Joey Tafolla, and Michael Lee Firkins. The early work of Derryl was firmly rooted in the Shrapnel style of Neo-Classical shred, yet there was more to his compositions than just ripping on scale after scale at 1,000 miles per hour. One of his earliest recorded works, "Victor", had Derryl firmly in the league with the likes of Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore and Yngwie Malmsteen. Derryl first introduced this track when he was just 17 years old. In 1992, Derryl had the great honor of dueling with guitar legend George Lynch on his solo release, "Sacred Groove" (Elektra Records). Derryl was given this honor after having been selected out of over 250 guitarists(they originally started with over 750 tapes which were weeded down to 250 by John Stix) in a contest staged by Guitar For The Practicing Musician Magazine. Of the selection process, Mr. Lynch had this to say: "The point is, that after listening to over 250 tapes, there were very few that had an original style. I thought Derryl had an original style. He had all the techno-weenie chops happening, but I thought he was in a space of his own, so I brought him down to play on "Tierra Del Fuego". As Derryl continued to hone his composition skills, he had gotten the attention of the now defunct Legato Records, having had the track "Blue Fingers" featured on the compilation "Guitar on the Edge Volume #4" (1994) and the track "Nathaniel" featured on volume #5. Derryl Gabel, having developed from his early Neo-Classical years into the more sophisticated fusion vein, in which he now resides. Displaying highly developed chops, technique, and an extremely tasteful sense of composition, Derryl's current influences as far as guitarist include Greg Howe, Guthrie Govan, Allan Holdworth, Brett Garsed, Shawn Lane, Scott Henderson, Pat Metheny, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Tim Miller, Nico Stufano, and Frank Gambale. Magazines which have covered Derryl's music include: "Guitar World" Sept. '90 (page 124), "Guitar for the Practicing Musician" May 1992 (page 168), and again in "G..P..M" Oct 1992 (page 11) and in Oct 1993 (pages 93 & 150) Derryl has released two album's Visions & Dreams (Progressive Arts Music Label, Giant Steps, and has appeared as a guest soloist. He has also released many instructional and performance DVD's, as well as an interactive guitar technique e-book. Derryl is currently composing a new album, working on another instructional DVD, and giving online guitar lessons. © 2012 Derryl Gabel. All Rights Reserved. http://derrylgabel.com/