Comments for Peppino D'agostino & Stef Burns: Fingerstyle Vs The Fret Burner

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Produced by John Diliberto

Other pieces by John Diliberto

Summary: A collaboration between an acoustic fingerstyle guitarist & an electric guitarist
 

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School's Out for the Summer--oh that's Alice

Ugh, this my month to review friends! I’m in a conundrum: stay true to my responsibility as PRX reviewer or suck up to my friends. I hope I don’t fall off the free beer list.

This is a very interesting piece about two artists with very different solo styles who together to forge a third new sound. It’s a wonderful collaboration. A rocker who get spit on at shows and an Italian acoustic guitarist with a sexy accent sure to be the public radio equivalent of Antonio Banderes.

Ultimately the juxtaposition is not sharp enough. That’s bit of an obtuse statement don’t you think? I guess what I am saying, is I had to listen to this piece several times to confirm my feeling that I was missing something. That I was letting the music and story drift from foreground listening to background listening. I even listened at 10 pm, to duplicate the series traditional airing time.

While a great story and beautifully written, it has that public radio feel that inspired the Saturday Night Live skits. The edges are sanded, not sharp. The narration a bit too calm and steady. I keep forgetting that the one guys is rock and roller who played with Alice Cooper. Sure, the narration and guests comments remind us, but aside from a quick opener, the music isn’t there. I know that would be outside the series traditional sound, but a little School’s Out could have jolted me back to listening more intently.

After all Alice Cooper is widely known to play golf regularly now---even his edges have matured!

Review of Peppino D'agostino & Stef Burns: Fingerstyle Vs The Fret Burner

I wish I could describe it as the ebony and ivory of guitars, but that wouldn't make much sense, would it? The contrast in the two guitar player's styles, growing up in two very different world of music, actually makes a lot of sense when brought together. The fusion of influences makes for a very dynamic album. Technically, both players are brilliant, whether D'Agostino 'shredding'on his acoustic guitar, or Burns playing sustained leads on an Ennio Morricone'ish tune. Favored Nations Acoustic is a label founded by the renowned electric guitar maestro Steve Vai. Pavarotti and Friends, watch out!

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Review of Peppino D'agostino & Stef Burns: Fingerstyle Vs The Fret Bur

The idea of Stef Burns (rock god axeman) and Peppino D'agostino (quiet fingerstyle guitarist) collaborating on an album is something that sounds like it would never work. But from the soundclips displayed in this little mini commercial/interview, "Bayshore Road" is going to be an album worth listening to, whether you're a blues-rock fan or a more traditional fingerstyle aficionado. Musically this album sounds like something of a throwback to the Chet Atkins/Mark Knopfler collaboration "Neck and Neck", which can only be a good thing.

The interview itself touches on some interesting background info on the compositions and the motivations the two players had for getting together in the first place. The interview answers are well blended with the soundclips and the voiceover is never distracting.

Most commercials on the radio are something to be skipped and ignored. This one's an exception. D'agostino and Baker obviously love their music, and it shows.