Steve Howe, Alex Lifeson, Pat Metheny, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, Stephen Bennett, Tony McManus, Muriel Anderson, John Knowles, John Williams
Sounds Like
Randy Finney - Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association
Many people have said to me over the last year that the TFGA has changed their life. Some say that they hadn't played the guitar for 10 or 15 years until being inspired by the TFGA to rediscover their forgotten love of the instrument. Some have found a new kindred spirit and mentor in one of the players we have brought here or in one of the other members they have met. Any one of these stories is enough to justify the existence of the TFGA.
David Barrett is one such story. David has toured with well known Rock acts for the better part of 20 years. The first time I heard him play, at least knowingly, was at a TFGA Open Stage a little less than a year ago. My first impression was that he was obviously a very accomplished musician in some musical genre but that, Fingerstyle Guitar didn't seem to be one of them.
However, never have I witnessed someone so single-mindedly immerse themselves in something in order to stimulate their own musical growth and redefine their musical path.
The result, so far, of this immersion is Barrett's first all acoustic guitar solo CD, David Barrett: Music For Acoustic Guitar.
What first strikes you while listening to this CD is that, although it is obvious that he has an incredibly strong command of technique at his disposal, Barrett is more interested in the spirit of the music than he is in "proving that he can play". This immediately sets this recording apart from hundreds of others - you can hear Barrett's musical purpose and you feel invited to come in and share the experience.
Of course, Barrett is well established as a composer of ambient, highly processed soundscapes. However, apart from some tasteful reverb, he lays his soul on line with just the sound of the guitar on this CD. This was a wise choice as his touch on both steel string and nylon string guitar is enough to carry the day.
Compositionally, the material is first rate. (Apart from "Prelude In C-Minor" by Agustin Barrios, and Ava Maria, there are 12 original compositions.) Barrett has a wonderful sense of "letting the melody do what it wants to do". Just listen to the opening phrase of "Song For Claude". Another one of my favourite Barrett melodies is "Leaving Nashville", although I might like to hear it taken at a slightly more relaxed tempo.
There is lots of compositional variety here. "The Roots Of War", and "Hummingbird" are both groove centred tunes which display Barrett's great ability to sound aggressive and laid back at the same time. "Devonshire" has a definite Celtic influence, and is the only track to employ any over dubs.
One of the most adventurous compositions on the CD is "The Way Of No Way". This tune is dedicated to the great John Knowles. When John was here in the Fall, he was telling us about this idea of mastering all systems so you are not limited by any one of them. Bruce Lee did this with regards to the Martial Arts and referred to it as the way of no way.
Lastly, I'll say this: once you have bought this CD and loaded it onto your ipod, I am willing to bet that it will stay in your current playlist for quite some time.
Robert Silverstein - 20th Century Guitar
An amazing album of guitar-based ambience that echoes the majestic ‘70s works of Fripp & Eno, the 2004 CD from Canadian guitarist David Barrett is a three part sixty minute masterpiece of dreamy guitar soundscapes. The moods on The Atomsmasher’s Noisy Trade are glacial and nocturnal while the shifting musical sands also summons the dark teutonic electronica of Edgar Froese and Tangerine Dream. Emerging in the ‘90s with his solo New Age guitar sound, Barrett exceeds his earlier efforts with The Atomsmasher’s Noisy Trade. The three part sixty minute album shines a light on Barrett’s unique ability to combine experimental film soundtrack sounds into an orchestral, ambient context. Performed on Gibson guitars and recorded direct, Barrett’s sonic sojourn is greatly enhanced with a number of digital and vintage analog effects.
1965: David Andrew Barrett, Born May 12, 1965 - in Toronto
1967: Discovers record player and Eddy Arnold and Glen Campbell Lps
1971: Receives first acoustic guitar for 6th birthday, but sadly cannot play it
1976: Began playing guitar at age 11
1977: Receives first electric guitar and amp for Christmas, a beautiful Ampeg "Heavy Stud" Telecaster with Fender Champ
1979: Formed first band Crucial Taunt with Scott Matthews, which later became immortalized in the film Wayne's World
1984: Released independent 7" single with prog rock band Media
1985: Toured Canada with various cover bands, including Firedance Overture
1988: Released live EP and video with enigmatic band Rain
1989: Formed Trouble In Mind and signed publishing deal with EMI Canada
1992: Formed The Breed with Mark Holmes of Platinum Blonde
1993: Produced spoken word/music cd for Canadian poet, Duke Redbird
1994: Played guitar for Amanda Marshall - Played steel guitar for Courage Of Lassie
1996: Formed Vertigo with Mark Holmes and Sascha Tukatsch
1997: Released solo cd Staring Into The Sun produced by Richard Chycki
1998: Appeared with Vertigo on Orange Alert Soundtrack cd - played guitar on Esthero single Heaven Sent
1999: Released no.9 cd - toured Canada with Platinum Blonde (1999-2002)
2000: Played guitar on Mark Holmes cd, Are You Sitting Comfortably?
2001: Played with Kush, on The Temptation Sessions cd
2002: Recorded soundtrack for the Canadian short film, No Rest For The Wicked
2003: Played for Canadian rockers Galore
2004: Released solo ambient guitar cd, The Atomsmasher's Noisy Trade - produced music for The Tube Music Network
Hey Dave - great to meet you and to hang out last night! Thanks for looking after us too - Will check out your tunes in a bit at the airport now, like the cover...does remind me of something... Speak soon cheers! Dylan
Wanted to let you know have been listening to the new album....damn fine stuff, Dave!! I mean really!! And it was great to see you do your stuff...adds such an enlightening perspective to your music :) Thanks for the visit and that stellar red wine....hope all's well...
thanks dave!
