Andy Timmons Band: Plays Sgt. Pepper

I have been a fan of Andy Timmons guitar playing since the 80's when he was in the Hair Metal band, Danger Danger. Now understand I NEVER liked Danger Danger, but they shared the stage many a time with bands that I DID like but even through their not so good (I'm playing nice here..) music, Andy Timmons stood out like a sore thumb, being such a great guitar player stuck in a bad band. This was the case quite a bit back in the 80's, but Timmons was then and is even more so now a tremendous player but never got his just due,not to mention that Andy is one hell of a nice guy. Our paths would cross quite a bit here in NY back in those days and we get the chance to talk here and there and like I said he is a really good guy and a MONSTER player. So when theAndy Timmons Band Plays Sgt. Pepper (Timstone Records) rolled across my cluttered desk, I was anxious to hear his take on the cultural milestone of The Beatles and the 60's generation.

All of the songs on Sgt. PepperSgt. Pepper album and it is given a great once over. What is important to understand with this recording is that it is done with ONE guitar, ONE bass and drums! And was also arranged completely from Timmons' memory of the originally Sgt.Pepper album and NEVER once referring back to the original works for guidance.This allowed Timmons to have some artistic license and lend his ear to the already complex work that had been set forth over 40 years ago.

Andy Timmons' guitar is so creamy and velvety smooth that the lyrical expressions that he is able to put forth on every song are just downright amazing. Coupled with the fact that this was all done from memory and done with a single guitar makes this an absolute marvel. This instrumental rendition of The Beatles classic gives Timmons so much room to stretch out and improvise with his guitar prowess, while at the same time allowing him to show his arranging skills while making sure that Beatles fans feathers are never ruffled.You can take your pick on any of the 14 tracks included on this CD as a highlight. For sure the second half of "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite" is completely awe-inspiring, but that is the case of the entire record. This is quite honestly a really cool idea and record, that is masterfully pulled off. Band mates, Matt Daane on bass and Mitch Marine on drums, round out this trio and the music they are able to recreate, check that, reinvigorate, is stellar.

Now admittedly, I am not the biggest Beatles fan on the planet, BUT this record was able to keep my interest from beginning to end. And if Timmons was able to grab me, a very casual Beatles fan, at best, a bigger fan will be hooked. This record is just simply really cool and is done very respectfully.Beatles fans will love Timmons and Co.'s take on this musical masterpiece from the Fab Four, with its lyrical guitar expressions pushing this impressive instrumental album. Andy Timmons gives an all world performance on all 14 tracks of Beatle classics while carving out his own unique stamp on each and every tune. Timmons delivers a beautiful record that any Beatles fan or any guitar fan needs to check out. Andy Timmons does NOT disappoint and I for one hope that this record begins to give Andy some of the spotlight that he has deserved over the past 20 years. This is some good stuff.

Track Listing

1. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
2. With A Little Help from My Friends
3. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
4. Getting Better
5. Fixing a Hole
6. She's Leaving Home
7. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
8. Within You, Without You
9. When I'm Sixty-Four
10. Lovely Rita
11. Good Morning, Good Morning
12. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
13. A Day In The Life
14. Strawberry Fields Forever (Bonus Track)

Added: December 31st 2011
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 2150
Language: english

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