Gosh...I've never heard anyone play quite like this.....the execution, speed, and stylings run the gamut from breath-taking glissandros and arpeggios to some of the sweetest tones that a blue-grass flat-picker can inveigle...the very first track shows off monstrous chops aided and abetted by Michael's great sense of humor and fun...My particular fave track is, "Sargasso Sea"....the mid-break solo will pull your heart out, leaving you wondering , 'howinnahell did he do that?'...Of course, I went ahead n' got all his works, but this, Michael Lee Firkins' first work, is still my fave....My suggestion?...GITCHASUM!!!
I like Michael Lee Firkins CD becuase it represents the best of the late 1980's solo guitar instrumental works.released in 1990 on Shrapnel Records by none other than Mike Varney this self titled CD is just phenomenal guitar playing. Rarely can shredders pull off five minutes of blues soloing as intriguing and consistent as Firkins does on "Déjà Blues," much less write a brilliant chorus to wrap around all the screaming leads. This is one of the best shred guitar CD's put out by Mike Varney and Shrapnel Records. If you love great guitar than you will love this CD. 1. "Laughing Stacks" – 4:21 2. "24 Grand Avenue" – 4:36 3. "Runaway Train" – 3:08 4. "Cactus Cruz" – 3:28 5. "Déjà Blues" – 6:27 6. "Space Crickets" – 3:44 7. "Rain In The Tunnel" – 5:23 8. "Hula Hoops" – 3:50 9. "The Sargasso Sea" – 5:25Read full review
This CD is excellent. I had never heard of Michael Lee Firkins before hearing one of his songs on an Internet radio station. "Rain in the Tunnel" is the song I heard, but everything else on here is great too. I really like "Runaway Train," "Cactus Cruz," and "The Sargasso Sea" as well just to name a few. I really like instrumental music (like stuff by Joe Satriani and Rob Balducci) and this is another excellent artist to add to my collection. His music is very smooth, clear, and full of energy and emotion. Definitely something for anyone who likes instrumental music or even someone interested in hearing it for the first time.
A very creative different album by Michael. It was my first Michael Lee Firkins album. i am not dissapointed by the result.It has great cathcy chops on this album especially, Space Crickets, Cactus Cruz. If you like shred guitar player like Jason Becker or Greg Howe, you won't be dissapointed by this album.
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