Greg Marra CD Review Collective Disorder

Once again, I’ve been extremely lucky when it comes to meeting recording artists whose caliber of musicianship is just phenomenal. Besides, y’all know me… I would never turn you on to somebody who isn’t “worthy”. Saying that, I would like to introduce you to a guitarist that is making a name for himself on the Guitar Virtuoso scene. His name is Greg Marra… a man with a mission to conquer the guitar world one riff at a time.

To tell you the truth I can’t remember how we connected. I think it was through Guitar Fusion Ace Prashant Aswani. So of course, I went to Greg’s MySpace page and listened to all of his instrumental tracks several times. Wow! The man can riff, shred, rock out, be melodic, and he definitely has his own arsenal of fret board antics. Greg has an impressive career and what’s so neat… He’s just getting started. Currently, Greg Marra is on tour promoting Dimarzio Pickups who are known worldwide as the premier manufacturer of premium pickups.

I connected with Greg via email and we hit it off right from the start. He promised me his debut CD, and within a few days it was in my hands. ALL RIGHT!!! TIME TO ROCK DA HOUSE!!! Actually, I remember calling Greg and telling him I was taking a spring day drive out in the Texas Hill country and was going to give this Los Angeles area guitarist a very, very close listen to his first instrumental solo CD, Collective Disorder.

Collective Disorder - featuring Glen Sobel (Gary Hoey, Tony MacAlpine, Jennifer Batten, Impelliteri) on drums and a guest guitar solo by Joy Basu (Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Tamyra Gray). Marra has been playing live for years and has advanced his technique to a dizzying level.

Track Listing:

04:14 A Swift Kick

03:35 Liquid Courage

04:49 Lucky 13

04:29 Hoss

04:57 Father To Son

04:33 Self Control Freak

03:30 Sabes Lo Que Digo?

04:03 Friend Or Foe

02:56 Jake's Song

A Swift Kick – The name of the song nails its description. Loud, fast, and full of energy. The tune has that Hot Rod Lincoln type riff that’s speeded up ten-fold. This tune would be a great NASCAR Show opener. You have to hold on tight while Greg shifts into higher gear. The song even starts with its own supped up muscle car engine revving in the background. It only takes you a second to realize you aren’t listening to just another shredder but a guitarist who has a wide vocabulary and has a lot to offer. There are times where I hear reminisces of Steve Vai. However, you really can’t pigeon hole Greg. He is very progressive and his time and meters change constantly. This first tune is four on the floor!

Liquid Courage – Oh! Yeah! The intro has a very fluid motif that will have you floating in a time continuum. The tone on his guitar is just amazing. The grooves go from headbangin’ rock to fast-paced shred breaks. Two great guitar players come to mind on this… Prashant Aswani and Reb Beach. It’s hard not using other musician’s to describe this intricate instrumental music. Greg is really sassy when it comes to killa rhythms that create sonic playgrounds for his youthful and fresh guitar antics. This instrumental will cut through you like a hot knife through butter.

Lucky – Now this tune is just a remarkably written song and the guitar playing is flawless. The tune has that love and tragedy sound to it all most to the extent of some melodrama . In my mind, the song tells a story of hurt, passion, and possible reconciliation. While I was listening to the song, I kept thinking of that old black and white sepia picture show of the early 20’s. You know… the ol’ silent flickers with the captions. Remember the old movie where the Madame falls in love with a Royal Canadian Mountie, and he has to save her from the dastardly villain who has tied her to the railroad tracks. During the main lead solo, I can conjur up images of the Mountie racing neck and neck with the train while riding and lashing his horse full speed ahead. And, of course the studly man saves her at the last second from being ground to mince-meat by the roaring locomotive’s spinning metal wheels. Lucky has a lot of character to it.

The past few years have proven to be eventful for Greg kicking off with the release of his debut solo instrumental cd "Collective Disorder" followed by a feature in Guitar Player magazine May '05 issue in Mike Varney's Spotlight column. Collective Disorder has been broadcast all over the world on several internet as well as college radio and includes memorable performances by Glen Sobel (Elliott Yamen of American Idol, Gary Hoey, Alcatrazz).

Hoss – This song starts out as if you where standing outside the studio and you can hear Greg inside warming up until he finds his groove and then in an instant and in good fashion the full studio sound of the band kicks in high gear. I love the effect that creates. It’s amazing where a song will take you just from one small fuzzy hidden riff… This tune has that ol’ school rock, “let’s jam” sound to it. I love the dark and mysterious lush chordal playing while Greg just rips up the fretboard with his Yngwie arpeggiated playing and Micheal Schenker phrasing. At times I hear many, many great influences. I mean this in the nicest way. Greg has away of paying tribute to his influences with out sacrificing his own identity. I guess that’s the best compliment that you can give back to your peers. By the way… the guitar tone on this is just phenomenal.

Father and Son – I like this tune with the Tom Shultz Boston-esque guitar harmonies. Another musician who comes to mind is Neal Schon… Greg Marra has the ability to reach back in time and pull out some great classic rock writing too. You have to remember that we are talking my generation… the 70’s man. So I guess what I’m saying is that this guitarist has a lot of soul and mileage for his age.

Self Control Freak – Screams Contol! Greg just tears it up on this rip-roaring fire of a song. It’s show time... Man, the arrangements this guy is able to pull out of his top-hat is very magical indeed. He knows when rock, when to be funky, progressive and fusion-istic all at the same time. Just amazing stuff all around.

Greg has been on tour supporting Collective Disorder since 2006 and his live band has included the following world class musicians; Atma Anur (Shrapnel Records studio legend), Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai band), Jeff Bowders (Paul Gilbert, G3 Tour), Bjorn Englen (Yngwie Malsteen band), and Joey Heredia. Highlight dates from the tours include performing to a packed house at the world famous Baked Potato and the Majestic Ventura Theater. Greg was honored with opportunity to open up for the Michael Schenker Band (Scorpions, UFO), in the summer of 2007.

Sabes Lo Que Digo? - Whoa! What the? Talk about a fusion of guitar soundz… I don’t know what the name of the song means or says. I bet it has something about confusion or maybe some type of collective disorder. The lead lines are count / counter point in craze. It’s all most on the edge of a jam session that hasn’t truly peaked yet. It just shows you that Greg has a big colorful set of sounds to paint with.

Friend Or Foe – I can’t help but think of how much Greg’s music takes me back to the day when guitar related music was such the big thing during the classic rock years. Greg’s song at times captures those great big thematic moments that music did a couple of decades ago. Don’t get me wrong… Greg’s music is right up there with today’s guitar oriented instrumental music. Greg’s music doesn’t sound forced. Do I hear the word “TALENT!”

Jake’s song – Simple, if you like Acoustic Alchemy, Al DiMeola and cats like that… Then this is the acoustic guitar instrumental for you. To be truthful… it reminds me of Al Dimeola’s album Eloquent Gypsy. Greg’s technical prowess, timing, writing on this beautiful piece are immaculate! And lastly, what a way to finish a CD…

Greg is endorsed by Dimarzio Pickups, ESP Guitars, Sfarzo Strings, and Xotic Effects. Marra has assembled his best material to date for your listening pleasure, finishing the major guitar work in one creatively productive week in July of 2004. Fans of heavy guitar instrumentals - take note! Instrumental Guitar (Electric (Heavy)/Shred/Hard Rock), total running time, 37:06

Greg Marra Dimarzio Clinic Tour 2008