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24 Strings: 24 Strings

24 Strings: 24 Strings

Instrumental Guitar
Rating: 4.25/5.0

Lion Music
www.strings24.com
www.myspace.com/strings24
Added March 21, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft

Another guitar instrumental album from our friends at Lion Music should come as no surprise to anyone. But 24 Strings is a bit different even though the name gives it away: three guitarists each playing an 8 string guitar. The principals are Italian axemen Frank Caruso, Stefano "Sebo" Xotta and Gianluca Ferro. Their promo material best expresses intent and talent of these musicians:

'These three axemen coming from different musical experiences decided to mix their styles into a new band dedicated to guitar, with the aim to raise its musical expression and compositional potential ... The three guitarists of Strings 24 have identifiable styles. Sebo is a typical rock player, very pentatonic oriented with a passionate vibrato coming from the Gary Moore, Zakk Wylde, Marty Friedman school of thought. Frank is a perfect blend of Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen, very precise with solos and really powerful with riffs! Gian's style is best defined as "liquid", because his arpeggios and licks are really like water coming out from a bottle. Very prog metal influenced, Gian's composition style is really complicated, but in a very musical way. These three variations on rock guitar are important in bringing a different style and touch to the songs, creating the unique Strings24 style.' (Lion Music)

For the listener, the real question is 'Are the styles of these three men identifiable in the song compositions?' Generally, the answer is positive, but it is better on some songs than others. Those songs are 'Running In The Wind,' 'Schizophrenic Disorder,' and the immensely enjoyable 'G String Song.' I would consider all three the best songs on the disc if it were not for 'Remember Blues.' Being a major blues fan, I found this the most dynamic piece on the album. However, though the trio is great, it's really keyboard player Alessandro Del Vecchio who outshines them all. Kudos should also be given for the skill and originality on 'Besides Nowhere, the histrionic jamming on 'Double D,' and the destined to be a crowd-pleaser, 'Go Down Peter,' a terrific spin on the Peter Gunn theme.

24 Strings is an excellent and creative spin on the whole guitar instrumental album. Caruso, Xotta, and Ferro know how to rip it up, keep you entertained, and more importantly work together under one well-deserved spotlight. Good stuff!

In Short

24 Strings is an excellent and creative spin on the whole guitar instrumental album. Caruso, Xotta, and Ferro know how to rip it up, keep you entertained, and more importantly work together under one well-deserved spotlight. Good stuff!

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