Tony Savarino – Guitaring (Naked Ear)
A supremely talented guitarist, Tony Savarino made his bones playing in every band in Boston. Okay, maybe not every band, but far too many to mention here. His all-encompassing style has been compared to that of the late, great Danny Gatton, but in truth, so varied are the different styles Savarino employs on “Guitaring” it would be unfair to compare him to any one single player.

So, speed, dexterity, variety, tone and great taste, Savarino has got the lot, and the good news; he’s happy to share. Wholly instrumental, the lack of words detract in no way from this exceptional collection, and standout tracks come thick and fast. Opener “Barrelhaus Gutbucket Chickin' Pickin'” is a country rocker which is as good as its name suggests. “Take One” is a Grant Green-style jazz number that’s over all too quickly, and “Blues For Bb” is wonderfully loungy and thanks to some quixotic Hammond and rolling bass would’ve sounded magnificent on one of Tom Waits early Island recordings.

Perhaps “Deep Blue Day” best represents Savarino’s all-round approach to his music, it noirish, ambient quality sounds quite unlike anything else on the record, yet it quintessentially captures his sound. It’s quite brilliant, and the same can be said for the album as a whole.
www.tonysavarino.com

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