Artist: Paul Nelson CD Title: "Look" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 10/1/2001

A big step in music boundaries for this smoking chop fest!   Its going to keep you on your toes the whole way through, trying not to miss all the licks, rips, and tricks.  Night of the living shred, but of a different color!  This album is 100% Grade A Fusion.  Fusion, but where's the shred?  This album has go so much shred, it will rip the ears right off your head!  But, this is a shred of a different style.  Fusion blends a lot of styles together, mainly Jazz and Blues. For a unique musical experience pleasant to the ears.  Paul has really demonstrated his abilities as a guitarist, being ultra versatile and creative.  Paul is a artist mastered in any arts of guitar, whether it be Fusion, jazz, blues, rock, or METAL.  

    Remember 80's Metal band Liege Lord?  Well, Paul Nelson was a young gun back then tearing up the fret boards for them.  Today, Paul has many projects to keep him busy.  Paul's even got the chance to score music for the WWF's football league the XFL.  Delivering balls to the wall guitar for their broadcast loops.  Being aired all over the United States 2001.  He also appeared on a Jason Becker Tribute Album put out this year (2001) by Lion Music.  

Live at Wacken 2000.

    Track one, "Diagonal Blast" easy going, mid-tempo Fusion chop fest.  Great song writing, great structure, and class. This track really carries itself the whole way through.  The song has great backing music, the guitar riffs really jam.  The bass lines are really cool as well.  A stellar part to bring up is the main restating guitar lick beginning for the first time at at 00:20.  Its catchy, and has a great vibe to it. Paul really shows his talent all the way through.  His guitar tones are very clean, and have just enough effects blended to give you that smooth as ice sound.  Seems like a lot of time was spent dialing in tones one this record. Also, another highlight to mention is the smoking guitar line 00:40, ouch!  Do yourself a favor and listen to the leas section starting at 1:54, its got a of feeling, and really captures the essence of Paul's playing style. As far as the rest of the song is concerned, listen very closely for all the cool, leads and phrases.  They aim to please.

     "Complicated"  track two, starts off with a very airy sounding lead, that just reaps tons of soul. Then clocking in at 00:30 start off a jamming Fusion riff.  This song has a great vibe.  The bass and drums really help move this song along.  Many walking bass lines can be found throughout this song.  At 1:55 Paul's guitar takes on a voice of his own. One thing to spotlight on this track is all the effects he blends into his guitar tone. These effects really add a lot of texture to his sound.  My favorite lead begins at 3:42, Paul starts of catchy slow moving lines that scream melody.  Lots of bends and trem bar usage can also be heard in this section  Then he rips some fret boards later on at 4:07. 

     Track three "Rocking Chair, starts off with a cool bluesy keyboard line that helps build the backing foundation of the song. This song is a slower paced, and moves along like a turtle in the hot sun. The name was well selected.  I could see my self sitting on a porch, sipping on a glass of lemonade on a hot day, in the bust bowl.  Lots of visualization in this song, it really helps you image the concept of the song.  Paul Nelson's guitar work is very tasteful in this track as well, I really like some of the hooks and lines he uses.  I really love the part at 2:38, it just goes to show that you don't have to cram 1 million notes into a guitar line to make some one say "Whoa, that was cool!" Also, please listen to some of the backing guitar in this song, its mostly clean. Clean is another word that can easily describe Paul's playing abilities.  His playing is so clean and crisp, never a sour note.  You can tell this guy really spent a lot of time practicing and honing his skills.  This record really shows that.  

     "Full Blast,"  track is the albums rocker with out a doubt.  Starts off with a screaming Heavy Metal intro, he takes his leads to new ultra sonic heights on this one.  Defiantly my favorite song on the whole CD. Check out the part starting at 00:11 - 00:35 this reminds me of some of the lead work of George Lynch.  After hearing it you'll know what I mean. By no means does it sound exactly like a Lynch solo, but if you through it into a Dokken song, it would fit right in.  Killer medium speed shred at 1:30 bends and note accents, very well put together.  Shred fest alert at 1:47, rocking runs. I love the doubling Guitar/Bass line at 1:53. Then to finish it off we get a Vinnie Moore style lead ending, very tasty, fast and packed with melodic shred at 1:57.  Also check out the neat guitar lines beginning at 2:15. Learning these would defiantly be a hardcore hand work out. As far as the rest of the song is concerned is that the whole thing just rocks. You wanted shred, so Paul delivered!

     Last but not least, "Out of Nowhere" ends the album on a tasteful not.  It really is an sounds like an exiting track. Its very moody and upbeat with cool guitar lines and rhythms. The Keyboards in this really help emphasize parts in the song. I really enjoy listening to it. 2:20 starts a very interesting part of the song. Paul's guitar weeps!  Lots of of volume swells. Cool bluesy pentatonic part at 3:42 that's worth learning. Paul's guitar work just sings from 4:10 - 4:26.  That's about one of the coolest leads I've heard in a while. Very tasty, has lots of feel, and the short lines merge into each other perfectly. Another track to pay attention to closely, Nelson troughs in so many great guitar lines, that you might miss some if your not listening attentively. The sound quality is great one this disc.  Very Professional sounding.

     All in all I think this rather short CD rocks. The only bad thing is that it ends to fast, because the album is only 22:15 minutes long. So its more like an E.P., you could say. It left me dieing to hear more of his guitar playing. It really opened a new avenue of guitar that I was never really exposed to before. I really enjoyed the listening experience, that came along with it. The CD is never harsh, always catching you with a smooth guitar line and capturing you right into the middle of his "Dream like" guitar playing. So if your looking to add some new spice into your playing Paul Nelson is one shredder to check out! 7/20/01

Other noted comments:
"Perfect balance of taste and technique."
Guitar One Magazine