Don Maloney - Eight Rivers
Don Maloney sets some sort of record in being the first solo guitar CD that I have reviewed that has not a single 6-string on it. The array of guitars that he does use are enough to fascinate any picker: 7-string acoustic, 7-string fretless, and 8-string electric. It is a testament to his artistry that Maloney sounds like himself on each of these instruments, taming them to his musical vision.
This is a highly listenable album, and no doubt would have been even if Maloney had confined himself to conventional instruments. As it is, he has chosen instruments that let him develop favourite parts of his technique and show them to best advantage.
Cruise for Two begins the CD with a pleasant idyll contains of some of the fancy bass work to follow. It also shows Maloney's straightforward, effective sense of melody.
Prince 4 a Day starts with a wonderful, slightly growling bass which grooves along as a sliding melody slithers above it. This 7-string fretless has an incredible sound. (I understand that Don has actually modified a Godin Glissentar.) The bass is full and rich while the upper melodies at times sound like a synth, at others like an oud (betraying the Godin heritage).
Eight Rivers gets off to a flying start with some great string slapping on the bass strings of the 7-string acoustic (an Ibanez), which alternates with a mellow melody, each holding the other in a fine balance. The melody finally seems to win out, until we hear the slaps return to usher out the song.
The Funkiest Snowman lives up to his name. More fine bass playing over chord stabs that alternate with an emerging melody - these are the elements that make up the song. An overdubbed fretless guitar solo in the middle adds a great texture over a simple rhythmic chordal accompaniment.
For M.J.T, Maloney brings out his electric 8-string (a beautiful instrument made by Conklin). What an incredibly rich bass sound this guitar has, with excellent clarity down to the lowest notes. This allows for some very interesting textures and contrasts in register that you will not hear on many other recordings.
Goodnight Arizona is a flowing ballad full of ringing arpeggios and lightly skipping bass notes. Maybe it is just me, but I keep hearing "Goodnight Arizona" in the melody and I feel as if I have to keep making up lyrics to the song. It would certainly work well sung. Very pretty melody!
A Moment to Reflect starts off with a series of raked chords that seem to start and stop over and over. When the song gets moving it does so very softly over an energetic underlying line that soon breaks through to the surface. These elements alternate providing several moments for reflection, and enjoyment.
Maloney comes out flying on Turn Around on his 8-string, and then sings. What a fine voice he has. Often one has to wonder when an instrumentalist feels compelled to add one vocal track to a CD, but in this case I really have to wonder why he did not sing more! The playing here is top-notch, and the funk-blues of the song really suits his voice. And as for his finger work, there are plenty of entire bands that don't get cookin' like this. Great song.
It is back to the 7-string fretless for Walkin' Like a Fox. The texture includes plenty of raked chords and harmonics, but it is the sound of the melody on the fretless neck that steals the show once again.
The CD closes with My Favorite's Favorite. It begins with a hypnotic circling chord, and when it breaks free there is a joyous sense of opening out, enhanced by some very nice left hand hammering. This is a very original song, relying more on timbre and tone colour than melody to hold the ear and get the feeling across. It is a fitting end to a very unique recording.
In summary, this is a fine CD, especially for a first solo effort. Maloney's command of his instruments is excellent, and he gets a wide range of tone colour out of them, all in the service of his musical ideas. I did feel that some of the longer songs went on a bit, but they are in no way unpleasant to listen to. In fact, this is a great CD to put on to listen to with friends. The recording is excellent and every nuance of performance, every subtle tonal shade of each guitar, is clear and present. Definitely worth checking out!
Warning to guitarists: You may never be satisfied with only 6 strings again!
Check out Don Maloney and buy his CD at:
http://www.donmaloney.com/Music.html
or buy it on iTunes.