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Ledford, Jim: Red Hot Legato

Red Hot Legato is the brand new all-instrumental release on Lion Music by New York guitarist (now living in Pennsylvania) Jim Ledford. Some of you may recall we reviewed Jim's last album a few years back and had plenty of great things to say about it, so we are thrilled that this talented musician is now on a much bigger stage, and he doesn't disappoint on his maiden voyage for the guitar based label. Containing a host of new songs as well as a few that made a previous appearance on his last release, Red Hot Legato is filled with variety and a wealth of different styles, all of which represent much of what Ledford is all about. Want 'red hot legato' shredding? Check out the furious hard rock & metal riffs of "Alien Cat Thing" and "Blood Red Mira", each one chock full of sizzling lead work that is also quite tasty & melodic at the same time, or the wild Joe Satriani-meets-Ronnie Montrose majesty that is "Catholic Girls". Gorgeous, melodic lines permeate the lush keyboard backing tapestries of "Close to the End", while the slightly bluesy "Eyes in a Far Away Dream" features guest lead guitar from the always impressive Brett Garsed, a player who can say so much in just a few short phrases, and he's just marvelous here, Ledford really giving him room to stretch out and dazzle the listener.

Want balls out crunchy riff-o-rama? Look no further than "The Mercury Opera", featuring some killer effects laden licks and solos from Ledford and Domenico Citriniti's nimble bass grooves. Lots of funk and metallic mayhem on "Tenth Passage East", while the rampaging "Voodoo Lust" provides a wealth of heavy metal crunch and blazing lead work from Jim, who simply soars over Jim Dooley's precise drumming. The album closes on a spectacularly gorgeous note with the lovely ditty "Walking Beside You", Jim's tastefully done guitar lines just tugging at your very soul.

In a time where we hear a lot of guitar based instrumental albums that provide a lot of flash and chops but are lacking in heart & soul, Red Hot Legato is a refreshing and welcome change of pace. Jim Ledford is perfectly able to balance some serious musical skills with a melodic songwriting sense that will leave listeners breathless. The next great guitar hero has arrived ladies and gentleman!


Track Listing
1) Blood Red Mira
2) The Mercury Opera
3) Catholic Girls
4) Eyes In a Far Away Dream
5) Close to the End
6) Voodoo Lust
7) Drift
8) Tenth Passage East
9) Alien Cat Thing
10) Walking Beside You

Added: October 25th 2017
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Artist @ Lion Music
Hits: 5377
Language: english

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» Reader Comments:

Ledford, Jim: Red Hot Legato
Posted by Barb DeLorenzo on 2017-11-12 23:15:17
My Score:

Amazing talent thoroughly enjoy

Ledford, Jim: Red Hot Legato
Posted by Steve C on 2017-11-06 10:41:24
My Score:

I downloaded this album as soon as it was available, and I am so glad I did. What makes this album special is the songwriting. Each song is listenable and approachable without the narcissistic overindulgence that is common in many guitar-based instrumentals. Oftentimes a guitar virtuoso will lose sight of the overall musical theme in favor of flashy playing and gimmicks. Thankfully Mr. Ledford is above all that, and has crafted an album that appreciates every aspect of a good song, but still manages to sizzle with brilliant guitar playing.

The style of the music is inspired by straight rock and roll, with flashes of metal, jazz-fusion, and progressive rock. Mr. Ledford's playing never overpowers the song, but drives it, and his playing ability is second to none. But technical ability isn't all there is to music, if that were the case we'd just let computers compose our songs. So clearly there is a mega-ton of talent and technical ability here, but the real payoff is the feeling infused throughout these songs. The songs are melodic, with tons of emotion.
Well done, Mr. Ledford. This album is a masterpiece.




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