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GMC Forum _ Bands and Guitarists _ Alex Skolnick
Posted by: RIP Dime Feb 20 2007, 10:52 AM
One of my favorite guitarists, and very underrated IMO.
I love how his playing evolved. He started with an awesome thrash metal band Testament, then his next big project was a jazz trio, then later an excellent project that's a Christmas themed orchestra, with classically influenced rock guitar called Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Then back to Testament with a BfA from New School University's jazz program.
He's always been technically amazing, with clean sweeps, awesome speed, and great phrasing. He also has a great ability to solo over big tempo changes, and play in many different styles. Clean live and awesome on record...GREAT guitarist!
Testament(he does the solos)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI8kCnqVkQ0
With Jazz trio- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZdx7zRG5v8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JupZoAPhrGI&mode=related&search=
With TSO(With black hair and Les Paul)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7-le54GgBA
Alex showing his awesomeness live(he has the Les Paul)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwqiZ2B9QmA&mode=related&search=
Posted by: Steelkonsum Feb 20 2007, 12:01 PM
Good to see a motivated Analysis post.
Looking at the first vid now and it seems pretty good.
Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 20 2007, 01:42 PM
I love how his playing evolved. He started with an awesome thrash metal band Testament, then his next big project was a jazz trio, then later an excellent project that's a Christmas themed orchestra, with classically influenced rock guitar called Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Then back to Testament with a BfA from New School University's jazz program.
He's always been technically amazing, with clean sweeps, awesome speed, and great phrasing. He also has a great ability to solo over big tempo changes, and play in many different styles. Clean live and awesome on record...GREAT guitarist!
Testament(he does the solos)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI8kCnqVkQ0
With Jazz trio- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZdx7zRG5v8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JupZoAPhrGI&mode=related&search=
With TSO(With black hair and Les Paul)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7-le54GgBA
Alex showing his awesomeness live(he has the Les Paul)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwqiZ2B9QmA&mode=related&search=
Thanks RIP - its great to see such a versatile guitarist - I wish I could play Metal AND Jazz
(I can't play either well yet!)
Posted by: RIP Dime Feb 20 2007, 01:46 PM
Thanks
I really think Alex is extremely overlooked as a guitar player, technically he's amazing, he's very versatile, and he has a honest feel his music...ya know?
Posted by: InstruMental Case Feb 20 2007, 06:49 PM
I've got a CD by him... I think it's called "Goodbye to Romance". It's an album where he took "classic" rock songs and turned them into jazz pieces. Honestly I didn't care for it much, because there are much better jazz guitarists out there, and I think Alex's strong point is his rock/metal shred guitar playing. You should check out his solo in the classic NAMM jam video (Satriani, Vai, Gilbert, Timmons, Beach, Lane, etc...). He's the one in the Miles Davis t-shirt.
Posted by: RIP Dime Mar 4 2007, 02:35 PM
I didn't like that album too much also, but I'm not a big jazz fan.
If I had to recommend an album with Alex on it, it'd be one of the late 80's Testament albums(The Legacy, Live At Eindhoven, The New Order, Practice What You Preach). Testament is one of the best metal bands ever IMO, and Alex one of the best metal lead guitarists, they are also a highly technically skilled band(Witch seems to be all people care about nowadays). His roots are with metal and Testament, and that's where his best material lies IMO. So check em out!
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