Best of Marino Europe 86-93
Best of Marino
Vol. 1 Jewel of the North
Europe 86-93
Rainflower Music company or his website www.marinosoundwaves.com
I actually came across Marino whilst searching the net for some pictures of angels for a collage!! Led me to his charity Angels On Earth whilst reading his story I discovered he had been influenced by Carlos Santana and had even played with him on stage one of his most special composition Blues For Salvador. The last straw was that he has worked on quite a few projects with Al Ligertwood one of my favourite Santana all time vocalists. So on first hearing this album I was almost knocked out by the lyrical range of emotions that Marino can squeeze out from his guitar. Though there are some similarities to Carlos melodical style, Marino is definitely his own man, and plays with his own unique tone and characteristic style.
He started paying his dues as a 15 year old playing the blues in strip joints in his hometown of Hull (in the North of England). From those early days people could see that this guy had a special talent. Before long local BBC radio DJ Tim Jibson started playing his music on the airwaves and christened him �The Jewel of the North�. At 17 he moved to London where he opened up for top bands like Thin Lizzy. He was spotted by Oscar winning composer Lionel Bart (Oliver) was so impressed with him as to call him the most talented guitarist to emerge from Britain since Eric Clapton. Lionel took him under his wing and gave him his first professional recording session and introduced him to everyone he knew in the business. His first solo release �Northern Sky� was hailed by the media as a genius who some compared to Carlos Santana and Jeff Beck!! Other albums followed and Marino opened up for guitar legends like Steve Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter and ZZ Top. His third album �The Endless Enigma� was a musical tribute to Salvador Dali. His composition �Salvador� was chosen as the theme for the 92 Barcelona Olympics. His instrumentals keep on being chosen as themes for movies, adverts etc and Marino keeps on gaining more awards.
This best of collection tries to capture the 10 best moments from these albums plus 3 additional tracks recorded in 1998 after he moved to LA. I could make this review quite short by liking this album in spirit to one of Carlos best album Blues for Salvador (minus latin percussion). Its that type of impressive instrumental work, great timing, sustained staccato notes, speed, and gut drenched emotion that we get here. This album is a must for Santana fans and for fans of the electric guitar. Most of the tracks are just Marino on electric and acoustic guitars, only the last 3 tracks feature a vocalist. Instead of being a negative factor they are great tribute to his unique talents and demonstrate that this guy is a true gem. The music always sounds fresh, original, always stimulates the listener with its eloquent beauty. Starting with the atmospheric Northern Sky on which he uses some storm samples to adorn the intro. The Fisherman is an instrumental, which is vaguely reminiscent of another master Al Dimeola. The simple restrained acoustic beauty of the melancholic After Forevers Gone, contrasts to the fiery Salvador-Passion and Grace, it certainly lives up to its name. The samba like Shades of Spanish Sun is incredibly sensual and reminds me a lot of Carlos Santana at his best. Did I say That and Blissed Out are two outstanding rock/blue/jazz work outs for which he is accompanied by bass, drums and another guitarist. The first ten tracks are absolutely great.
The bonus tracks are recorded live in the US in 98 and feature some well known musicians like Scarlet Rivera (Dylan-�Hurricane�), Tommy Eyres (Rolling Stones, George Harrison) tend to showcase his other musical styles. Al Ligertwood vocals (Santana, Average White Band) on Gypsy Lover a great bouncing track to gain Marino radio play. Church of the Blues is an extended heavy blues workout tribute to Hendrix. Shades of Another Kind of Blue is another instrumental this time backed by the whole group and perhaps indicative of his healing type of music. An album you must buy.
If anyone has already got it and would like to add some comments to this reviews please email me at [email protected] .
|
