Reviewed by Dave Griffiths

I press play just before beginning my weekly ironing session and was soon engaging in some ferocious air-guitar action with a big silly grin on my face. The opening volley of notes in "Dr Thompson's Casebook" immediately proved Conrad Harpham's amazing guitar prowess. There could be no doubt over the following 19 pieces of music that this gentleman, hailing from South West England, is a musical virtuoso of the highest standards. Harpham compiled this album over the last four years using, by the sound of it, home recording equipment. The sound quality various just slightly but the overall nature of the production, mixing and of course musicianship is well above the average. Stylistically, think of Joe Satriani or Steve Vai speed and tone, layered over some rather 1980s sounding backing tracks complete with sampled drums and chug-chug-chugging rhythm guitar parts. He would sound quite at home in Iona as some of his soundscapes are of a similar ambient texture. There are funky numbers like "Electrostasis" and fun little intervals of the blues like "Conrad's Homemade Blues Thing (Live)". Harpham's playing is generally a delight; my only observation is that by the time you reach track 10, the thousand-mile-an-hour finger-tapping and squealing harmonics begin to fade into almost non-entity, because there is just so much of it. This incredible showcase of masterful guitar playing is stunning. However, it's just a bit too long.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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