Although trained as a classical guitarist in his native Italy, Alex Masi has become known as a down to earth shredder. Ripping blazing runs up and down the fretboard, like a drag racer redlining his engine, Masi redefines the meaning of "speed" playing. However, unlike a lot of "speed shredders" whose depth of playing is limited to the speedy scales, Masi is a dynamic player, just full of robust classical training and knowledge. This is very apparent on In The Name Of Bach.

The CD contains 15 tracks from one of the greatest composers of all time, Johann Sebastian Bach (not to be confused with the former singer of Skid Row, but then you knew that, right? <grin>). The songs were written for keyboard and violin, but have been masterly performed on the guitar by Masi. While most songs are performed on the acoustic guitar, a few are performed on the electric. Personally, I would have preferred the entire CD be presented on the acoustic guitar, because I feel that the music translates much better that way. As a matter of fact, the first piece, "Toccata and fugue in D minor BWV 565", is a piece that should be very familiar to any music fan. Masi plays most of the 10-minute piece on acoustic, but small parts on the electric. I personally found the electric parts to be a sort of "interruption" within the song. A bit irritating actually. But that's just me and my opinion, you may find it exhilarating. Aside from the occasional outburst of electrified distortion, the only other aspect of this disc that bothered me was the heavy reverb. Masi has chosen to bombard the disc with reverb that really isn't needed at all. In some cases, the echoing reverb cut into the solemn and peaceful mood that some of the pieces induce feelings of. But what do I LIKE about this disc?

Well, first off, I applaud Masi for bringing classical music to the ears of those younger folk who might never listen to anything so "un-cool". By presenting the music in this way, it's not only "acceptable" for a younger kid to listen to it, but its actually "cool" to tell your friends that you own it. For any kid that thinks that playing has to be fast and furious to be cool, you wont find a lot of discs out there more fast and furious than this. The steep passages that Bach is known for, along with the heavy layers of the fugue, lend themselves all to well to the speed of a player like Masi. Normally, this style of music is very difficult to play on guitar, in a clean and tasteful manner. Masi dazzles you with his overly apparent finesse and technique on every track. I also found that this disc is the perfect "work" CD. I have been listening to it heavily at my office; I actually put it on repeat and just let it go. It's that good!

To a classically trained ear, it's equally pleasant. I had a friend who is classically trained pianist and vocalist listen to it (Thanks Nan), and she loved it. She said that any fan of classical music, and especially of Bach, would put this disc in their "best of" section of CD's. The only note I will make here is that because Alex IS a rocker after all, he does slip some improv in here and there. Some of the lines and passages are quite a bit faster then Bach had originally written them to be. But then again, if you've got the shred, use the shred!

All in all, this CD is great! I will be one of those who keep it in my "best of classical" sections, and on special occasions will let it find its way to my "shredder's shrine" section. If you're a parent of a child that listens to heavy metal shred, this would be a GREAT disc to pick up for Christmas. Your child will learn a lot about both Mr. Masi and Mr. Bach, as I have. All of my friends will be learning, too, when I talk them into buying this CD for their collections!

(Instrumental guitar fans might also want to hunt down a copy of Alex Masi's first solo album, Attack of the Neon Shark. That record received a Grammy nomination in 1989 for Best Rock Instrumental, and featured many special guests, including Masi's guitar idol, Allan Holdsworth.)

Reviewed by Les Robertson

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