Los Angeles band varies with one of the biggest pools of great musicians in the Nation. For Texas shows, Robert Ware plays bass and Dean Lopes plays drums.
Influences
Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Roy Clark, John McLaughlin, John Fogerty, Pink Floyd, T-Bone Walker, John Nitzinger, Van Halen, Mike Stern, Steve Morse.
A self-described "guitarfreak" who also sings, Brannon offers "Let Love Begin", which intros with an acoustic slide prelude that's nice and moody before blossoming into blistering blues-rock. "Wonderworld" is a rock solid instrumental with a good hook and piquant notes that add a fizz factor to the track. ----Music Connection
"With a wonderful sense of orchestration, Rick Brannon's Angels Highway weaves gutty acoustic slide, densely harmonized leads, and heavy riffage into an amazingly entertaining and cohesive guitar record. Brannon's guitar style is an eclectic mix of high-octane rock, sweaty blues, and adventurous melodicism, making him a bona fide guitar hero in a world that doesn't have many left."
Angels Highway, the latest release by Rick Brannon, is a modern heavy guitar showcase... literally a festival of guitar tones and orchestrations. Recorded in Los Angeles, Dallas and Florida over the last six years, Rick performs all the guitar and vocals. Although currently residing in L.A., Rick refers to himself as a "Calitexan." There is no way to remove the Texas from this axe slinger's style. Raised on Johnny Winter, Freddie King, and John Nitzinger, Rick has used those influences to advance his music beyond the normal southern rock stigma to a new country/metal/blues/fusion style that is red hot.
He has written music for Fox sports and performed for HBO. His multi-faceted style has given him the opportunity to do a wide range of L.A. recording sessions in styles from country rock and retro, to blues, punk, and metal. He has shared the stage and studio with many great artists along the way, and is looking forward to more new opportunities this year.
Angels Highway features drummer Dean Lopes and former Steve Vai bassist Phillip Bynoe, as well as esteemed mixer Fabrezio Grossi. Angels Highway is sure to win over new fans. It is a guitar aficionado's dream come true. Searing, soaring, and soothing. Take a ride on the Angels Highway.
A Texas transplant residing in L.A., Rick refers to himself as a "Calitexan". While living in Austin, Rick worked at the now defunct Musicians Rehearsal Hall on east Ben White Blvd. where locals such as Fabulous Thunderbirds, Eric Johnson, and Stevie Ray Vaughn came to get away from the hassle of their downtown residences. One afternoon, Rick sneaked into SRV's private rehearsal room and could not resist picking up and playing Stevie's infamous SRV guitar. Soon afterwards, he contacted his favorite bassist Tim Bogert in Los Angeles who heard Rick's demo and invited him to come seek his fortune. Rick played the L.A. area for about a year with Tim on bass. Afterwards, Rick joined up with several L.A. bands and was immediately competing with up and coming groups like Poison, Warrant, and Guns and Roses. "Feeling musically frustrated, I decided to change direction" he says. Rick began to experiment with guitar layering and textures on his solo releases "Electric Detective", "Lone Star Guitar", "Guitar Freak", and "Guitar Freak 2". Those experiments became very refined and can be heard on his new masterwork "Angels Highway".
Rick is also an active member of the Los Angeles guitar community having been part of some unique instrumental showcases, as well as given lessons and advice to up and comers.
The story of Frankenfingers:
Warmth In The Wilderness 2
Frankenfingers was created as a benefit and tribute to Jason Becker who has incurable ALS disease. I had always admired Jasons chops and composition, and when Lion music ask me if I would be interested in contributing a track to "Warmth in the Wilderness part 2" I was thrilled to be able to help. Frankenfingers features Dean Lopes on drums and Phillip Bynoe on bass. The basic track was written by Dean and I. It started with Dean's keyboard line and grew from there. The middle section of the song is actually 2 of Jason's melodies that I wove together into a call/response section. Phillip Bynoe played fretless bass on the breakdowns, and regular 6 string bass on the remainder of the track. It was mixed by Dean and I at Dean's home studio. Warmth in the Wilderness is available at www.lionmusic.com. It is a double cd and also has tracks by Marty Friedman and Steve Vai. When you buy a copy of Warmth in the wilderness, you are contributing to Jason Becker's medical care, a great guitarist who has had his guitar abilities taken away by this dreadfull disease.
Hi Rick, dropping by for a listen. Sounding very good! "Frankenfingers" and "Wonderworld" are propably my personal favourites – great grooves with cool melodic playing on top!
Hey Rick, just wanted to stop by and say hi, haven't talked to you in awhile. Been back in LA for about a year now, hope you are doing well... You still can play that sweet guitar.. oh so well... Take Care,..!!! Karen*
Thinking of you..Droppin by to send some love..Hope this finds you well.. Getting excited to see my fav the Scorpions soon here in Tucson & hopefully Vegas..Wish me Luck... Take Care..Best Wishes.. Hugs for you..Keep Rockin..Teri
O'Rileys in Dallas was awesome! We really enjoyed listening to you! You and your band were just awesome! It was a rare treat to share the stage with such talented musicians! Thanks again!!
Wow, Rick!, what great music and playing! Thanks so much for introducing me to your work and thanks for the friend request, its a true honor. Love all of the tunes, especially "Frankenfingers"
