Artist: Progressive Arts Music CD Title: "CRUSHING DAYS: TRIBUTE TO JOE SATRIANI" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 7/1/2000

     Time to grab your silver surf boards and get surfing with "Crushing Days" a tribute to Joe Satriani from Progressive Arts Music.  From the colorful artwork to guitar insanity, this compilation is one of the best tributes I've heard in a while.  For one, all the guitarists are smokin' players and really have their games one.  I'd like to mention on Heavy Metal's hottest new guitarists Metal Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD) covers "Driving at Night" which was a real bonus for me being a huge Rob Halford fan.  The rest of the artists are top notch independent artists that have rockin' chops.

     Slav Simanic opens the CD with a hot rendition of "Crushing Day."  He really did a nice job of remaking this song.  Slav kept the song pretty close to the original, and kept that driving melody line moving.  I have to give a shout out to Slav for being a fellow flying V guitarist, here at The Shred Zone, we take a kindly liking to fellow V players.  I liked Slav's touch on this instrumental classic, he's got the chops and melody that keep my interest all the way.

    "Big Bad Moon" was brought back to life by wild guitarist Joe Bochar (aka JOBOJ).  Joe's rendition of this bluesy number rocks the house.  He used a talk box for all the vocals, which made the song even more enjoyable, giving it a real fun and interesting sound.  His chops jam as well, he's a very soulful blues player when it comes to that line of playing.  I also liked Joes use of a million and a half guitar effects.  From the talk box, effect processors, WAH, and the infamous Digitech Whammy Pedal.  Joe covers lots of guitar tones through out the track.  He gave this song a real hoppin' feel and am really interested in hearing what else this guy has to offer as far as other albums.

     Rob Balducci rocked out on "Ice Nice" a real upbeat radio friendly satch number.  Rob cooked up some killer guitar tones for this Antarctic number.  I had to put my gloves on while typing this part of the review.  Well Rob's guitar playing is by far bone chilling.  He lays down a huge groove then tears into the main melody line freezing everything in his path.  I really enjoyed his rendition, it seems to have a bit more life than the original. (p.s. you didn't hear that from me..........)  Rob is a hot guitarist and is one that everyone should check out.  He's got the speed and melody down pat.  He's got a cool website that I checked out and I recommend dropping by it ASAP www.robbalducci.com.

     Kelly Jone's busts a terrifying version "Satch Boogie" and gets the groove on.  Kelly had a tougher song to do because this song has about a million different movements to it.  I liked Kelly's guitar playing for sure.  He really had a fusion vib going on in this number.  You get blues licks, jazz licks and fusion all under on roof.  So if your into diverse players give Kelly a try, I dug him and I think you will too.

     "Summer Song" is brought to you by Carl Roa in a little different fashion.  Carl added a little Latin / Blues / Santana feel into this priceless instrumental classic.  I really loved this one, it was one of the coolest numbers on the compilation.  I can't really explain it just imagine it with a slow groove, maracas and some down and dirty soul.  Roa's playing has so much feel and soul that it just flows from his hands to the guitar like its attached to his body.  Carl Roa's playing is defiantly a huge highlight to this cd.

     Dave Martone's cover of "Crush of Love" is nothing but smooth.  Solid guitar playing and a great groove surrounds this song the whole way through.  Dave even brought in some drop tuned guitars to help give the rhythm a huge sound that will make the hair on any cats back stand up.  His leads are clean and concise.  Dave puts a lot of attention on detail with his playing, and this song shows how much he puts into a song.

     "New Day" was done by guitarist Terry Syrek with an interesting flavor.  This being one of the more experimental songs on the compilation.  It has a very new age feel to it, with the keyboards that were added in.  Terry is a guitarist for fans who love non conventional players.  Terry really has the fusion or "out there" type playing covered.  I had to rewind parts to catch exactly what he was doing.  The song is packed with arpeggios that seem to pour out his hands with easy.  Syrek's playing is pretty out there, so defiantly check him out.

      Track eight brings in one of the hottest new guitarists on the metal scene Metal Mike Chlasciak.  Mike's rendition of "Driving at Night" is just plain scary.  From tremolo picking, tapping and ascending lines to speed frenzied runs, Mike tears down the house.  I'd have to give this song the "chops from hell" label, because Mike blows past sonic barriers on this wild number.  Its no wonder Halford picked up this mega shredder.  Mike really did a number on this Satch number, so hats off to Mike.

     "Why" performed by Steve Mannocchi, defiantly brought back the groove feel back into the light again.  He adds some very melodic playing into this already interesting number.  He gives a stellar guitar performance and I would really like to hear what else this guy has to offer.  I dug the great guitar tones used in song, they are very clean and smooth.  Steve's playing is super clean when it comes to the higher octane parts.  He can go from speedy to a cruise with ease.  I think its safe to say that Steve is a well practiced musician that has lots to offer.

     Ron Thal's rendition of "Always with you, Always with Me" is by far one of the coolest numbers on this cd.  Ron Thal rocks!  He really went overboard on this one with very atmospheric keyboards, beautiful sounding nylon guitars, and his low volume "da da da dant"  vocals (murmuring the main melody lie, in another words).  This song left me with a huge smile after hearing it.  The keyboards have a very 70ish feel, you know that fluty sound I'm talking about.  Ron's guitar playing is smooth and very tasty.  He's a great player and I know you'll dig this rebirth of and old classic.  Immediately after hearing this song I visited his website at www.ronthal.com, so I would if I were you too. Check this guy out, he's hard to miss!

   Last but not least, Steve Brooke lays down a heavy groove with "Hordes of Locusts."  Steve is a very massive sounding guitar player.  This song really builds a huge maze of sound around you.  So don't forget your lunch, it will take you while to recover from this one.  His lead playing in this track smokes as well.  Brooke is a very tight player and knows how to lock with the groove on every note.  He is a well oiled guitar machine.

     Looking back, Progressive Arts really found some great guitarists to perform on this nice tribute to Satriani.  Highlight songs where Ron Thal's "Always with you Always with me," Metal Mike Chlasciak's "Driving At Night."  If I where you I'd check out every one of these artists.  Each one has a distinct style of their own, and they all standout as players on this cd.  It was one of the coolest tribute albums I've heard, and it's great to get a chance to discover new guitarists.  So drop by Progressive Arts Music and pick up your copy today!