Greg Howe

Greg Howe - Introspection - 1993 - Shrapnel

Greg Howe is an incredibly gifted and inventive guitarist. After debuting in the late '80s with a fresh, funky take on the "shredder" approach to rock guitar playing on the Shrapnel Records label, he took a stab at commercial viability with his vocally oriented band Howe 2. Once Nirvana and other punk/grunge bands came along in 1991 and swept away each and every musical remnant of the indulgent '80s in one swift gesture (the release of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"), most rock bands with big hair and noodley guitar solos sulked away with their tails between their legs. But Greg Howe just went back to doing what he does best: playing guitar in a completely uncompromised fashion. Rather than trying to couch his ideas in commercially palatable pop-metal songs, he returned to the all-instrumental approach of his first album, Greg Howe. However, fans will notice a significant change in Howe's style on Introspection; aside from the more complex arrangements and fusion-leaning sound, he's stripped away most of the heavy metal bombast in favor of a cleaner tone and -- amazingly -- cleaner chops. Howe's wide-interval scale figures and inspired phrasing -- delivered at light speed -- are truly remarkable. This record recalls the best work of theDixie Dregs and the more accessible moments of Allan Holdsworth's solo career. Howe's playing has evolved so much from his early Shrapnel days that it's hard to believe it's the same person. On the downside, Introspection suffers from rather antiseptic production values, and lacks the edge of Howe's earlier work. Most notably, the triggered drum sounds are totally lame and sacrifice all the dynamic energy of drummer Kevin Soffera. And Howe would do well to incorporate some more variety in his guitar tones. But overall, this is a breathtaking showcase of one of the best rock/fusion players in the world. © Andy Hinds © 2013 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/introspection-mw0000627503

"Introspection", the Shrapnel shredder's second record, followed the pattern of his first release--hyperspeed instrumental jazz-tinged hard rock .This release set standards for the 90's as an instrumental offering comprised of aggressive rock and fusion compositions which showcase Howe's incredible technique, musicianship, virtuosity and flair. Check out the intensity on songs such as "Button Up", "Come And Get It" and "Jump Start" -- there were plenty of wanna-be Greg Howes copping licks off "Introspection" in the early '90s. The track "Desiderata" was dedicated to Jason Becker. © 1996-2013 Guitar Nine All Rights Reserved http://www.guitar9.com/introspection.html

Absolutely superb jazz rock/fusion with a blues touch from the guitar maestro, Greg Howe. This is an album of creative artistry and VHR by A.O.O.F.C. Somebody said that this album “can keep a medium to advanced guitar student in the woodshed for months or even years working this stuff out”. Many people regard Greg Howe as the best guitarist in the world today, but there are so many different guitar styles and musical genres in existence, the word “best” is probably too general a word to use as regards technically brilliant guitarists. Listen to Paul Gilbert and Guthrie Govan who, like Greg Howe are masters of the instrument and are proving that the “impossible” is now “possible” on a fretboard. Check out Greg’s “Hyperacuity” album on this blog and listen to Greg’s 1988 s/t album [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 93.9 Mb]

TRACKS

1. Jump Start (4:42)
2. Button Up (6:16)
3. Come And Get It (5:17)
4. In Step (4:51)
5. Desiderata (2:56)
6. No Place Like Home (4:24)
7. Direct Injection (5:36)
8. Pay As You Go (7:29)

All tracks composed by Greg Howe except Track 4 by Greg Howe & Alsamad Caldwell

MUSICIANS

Greg Howe - Guitar, Keyboards
Alsamad Caldwell - Bass on Tracks 1,2,4,7,8
Vern Parsons - Bass on Tracks 3,6
Kevin Soffera – Drums

BIO

Easton, PA's Greg Howe was a breath of fresh air amidst the seemingly never-ending stream of harmonic minor guitar virtuosos pouring forth from the Shrapnel Records label in the late '80s. While other post-Yngwie Malmsteen players of the "shred guitar" genre were pursuing the dramatic neo-classical vein, Howe brought a sense of funk and groove to the table that was sorely needed. Howe paid his dues playing the Easton/Allentown club circuit in the '80s with the band Duke, featuring his brother Al on lead vocals. When one of his instrumental demos grabbed the ear of talent scout and Shrapnel Records owner Mike Varney, Howe was signed to the Shrapnel label in 1987. His all-instrumental debut, Greg Howe, featuring the talents of Billy Sheehan and Atma Anur on bass and drums, respectively, was released in 1988, to considerable acclaim. Howe's second album, High Gear, released under the moniker Howe 2, was less a solo album than a Van Halen-styled band effort, featuring his brother Al Howe on lead vocals. The band broke up after releasing its more commercially minded follow-up, Now Hear This, in 1990 and Greg Howe returned to making all-instrumental albums in his home studio, taking a decidedly more fusion-styled direction. Howe released Introspection in 1993 and Uncertain Terms in 1994 and has continued to produce albums at a prolific rate since then. Aside from releasing Parallax and Five in 1995 and 1996, respectively, Howe collaborated with fellow Pennsylvania virtuoso and Shrapnel labelmate Richie Kotzen on the Tilt album in 1995 and again on 1997's Richie Kotzen/Greg Howe Project. His last Shrapnel album, Ascend, was released in 1999, followed by his debut on the Tone Center label, Hyperacuity, released in 2000.Outside of his solo career, Greg Howe is also a sought-after sideman who has toured with the likes of Michael Jackson and N'Sync. © Andy Hinds © 2013 Rovi Corp | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/greg-howe-mn0000195552