Matt Thorpe

REVIEW: I WORRY FOR MY CHILDREN
By BANKER 5th Dec 2002
This is a very down n dirty slow blues groove. It has
a distinct "live" feel to it and that B3 running the
constant mood of the song sends chills through ya.

This is a much better kinda groove tune suited to Dave
Edwards emotion packed vocals. The guy reminds me of
great R & B singers... not for the similarity in sound ...
but because of the raw emotional appeal of the vocal sound.

The lead guitar drips with passion soaked notes and riffs.
I don't have the words to describe the feeling of
grabbing this tune, cranking it up, listening in close and
deep with my eyes closed and swaying to the rhythm of the
B3 while drifting away in a soul wrenching guitar and vocal
performance. This is the blues.

LOVE IS LIKE AN ANGEL (featuring Patti Sterling) - Review by BANKER
"A Soul Groove with a touch of Classic Motown and a bit of Whiteboy Blues. John "Aardvark" Cohmer lays the foundation with solid and touching organ work and sets the mood. The distinctivly emotional sound of Matt Thorpes Axework provides a Rich Texture and Fullness of Spirit. And Man ...once the Pure Sweet vocal sound of Patti Sterling caresses your ears you find yourself drifting, drifting on an emotional sea swell of hypersensitive love nerves. The production on this number is so professional, so clean, you cannot tell it was a long distance collaberation. From Manchester England to Ohio, and all the way to California. Each and every detail was caressed into place. The back up singers, the drum work of Filippo, bass and electric piano.. a grand production of the highest quality. This tune cries out to be listened to. Make More! " Dec 2001

REVIEW by BOBBY BENSLEY: AWAKENING "Let me start out by saying that Matt is one of my favourite’s guitarist on MP3 He ranks right up there with such other great MP3 guitarists as Dave Beegle http://www.mp3.com/dannycowangroup Danny Cowan. This tune is no exception as always Matt presents a very professional sound. Moving from one theme to the next this tune travels through a wide universe of melodic emotion. Some artists use the guitar to reinforce lyrics Matt uses it to write them :- Awakening from the emptiness, You take me from the abyss of the dream I see the sun shine for the 1st time like it has never shone before Awakening from the loneliness, I feel the heart beat of the happiness You took me from the depths of star cloud slumber and woke me to the dawns first rays etc. The point is that this is what I hear when I listen to a guitarist like Matt Thorpe. While I am sure others may only hear the technical skill and mastery Matt has learned over his guitar. I hear the voice that he has taught it to sing with. Great piece very thought provoking and full of imagery that takes little effort to see and step right inside of. I can not think of anything higher to aspire to for an instrumental artist then to write music that transcends the boundaries of reality and carries the listener into the realm created by the music. Matt has accomplished that and then some with this piece of music. A highly recommended listen." Peace, Bobby Bensley http://www.mp3.com/bobbybensley

MAKE ME UNDERSTAND - Review by BANKER March 12th 2001 "I believe this could be one of Matt Thorpe's finer works. The show piece of the effort is the haunting soulful sound of Matt's Electric Guitar played with such an emotional strain...you feel it. It pleases, tickles and torments your psyche...and you don't mind at all. Intertwined throughout is an acoustical melody filled with melancholy and purpose. You are carried through the waves of sound and sight by its gentle persistance. In this one he also adds the expressive sound of a Hammond Organ and synths to create cross currents of mourning and elation. They ebb and flow like the waves carressing your ship of dreams. The overall production presents multiple themes of expressiveness and sound giving you a thouroughly enjoyable experience. The final three part guitar harmony near the end is almost magical. This piece empathises with the Valar's emotion near the end of their efforts, looking down on their creation with mixed emotions, however ultimately pleased and satisfied with it. Stringing out this experience with a few additional bars and softly fading out would create and leave the listener with a more complete experience. Having said that, however, I downloaded the tune and have listened to it many times, and I will listen to it again. Matt, Make More!"

"I just popped onto Matt Thorpes page to listen to his newest blues offering to us who are starving for his soulful style. I clicked on “Blues Infusion” and the intro started and I said; yes sir, that’s Matt. Then Matt graciously backed out and this beautiful sax began crying out loud some whailin’ notes. It was Canada’s own Bob Johnson. The mellow runs from his heart and soul made me close my eyes and lean back. The world drifted away as I continued to enjoy this work.(Amazing to know that these to have never met but collaborated thru the net over the Atlantic to bring this to us the public and their listeners.)As I was lost in the song Bob dropped out and Matt came in with the guttiest blues licks the likes of which I have not heard since Duanne Allman and the “Live At Fillmore East” miracle. I was stunned at the way Matt cleverly applied both his own licks and the reminiscent fluid riffs I had heard back in the late 60’s and early seventies when Duanne was blowing us away with his patterns and movements which were so easily followed by the ear but very difficult to imitate as a picker. There was a luscious movement of the fingers as Matt glided through the remarkably basic blues progression. In the background a B3 organ keeping it all full and a walking blues bass so solid that kept stride with the likewise drummer. All the while this tune was telling the story of electric blues done as close to perfect as anyone can get. I know that Duanne is smiling in heaven today and so am I." Thanks Matt John Cohmer Lead Guitarist for Crisis Crisis! @ MP3.COM

REVIEW BY BANKER: "This Dreamsuite conceptual piece marks a unique combination of Matt Thorpe's synthesizer and guitar playing abilities. His previous mastery of the synthesizer was displayed on Eventune from Don't Make Idle Frets. That song climbed to #18 in the Easy Listening category for all of 1999. Another example of this current blend of synth and guitar is displayed in Epic Finale from the same CD. That tune is a 10 minute soujourn into the aftermath of mans insane desire for world domination even to the point of our own destruction. Part one of The Dream Suite series brings this masterful synth work back to the fore. It is a short piece that sets the somber mood for the introspective dream. Part 2 brings on the intro of soothing electric guitar sounds like only Matt Thorpe can play them. This movement is more uptempo and intertwines the synth and guitar into an almost Floyd like journey into the mind. Part 3 - again the mood shifts with the third movement. Pieces of the first movement are combined with a guitar improvisation that traverses the dream and brings it to its end. It feels reminiscent of Pink Floyds earlier works or perhaps Yes's Jon Anderson...maybe even a little Trower from Caravan to Midnight. Part 4 - Awakening was not part of the original It is however a more than worthy addition to The Dream Suite concept. Full Matt Thorpe styled mourning guitar licks and synth enhanced sound waves. It is as though the passing of night was a vivid remembrance to be savored in the soft peace of mornings light. Exquisite axework here brings out the soul of the mind and heart. Matt, this is good! The CD does not end there at all. In addition there are two pieces that were formerly released on the Gunslingers CD. Add the "melodic and hypnotic" Optilude and a new one Dealers Deceit that brings to mind the unsavory characters that slither in and out of the world of the music business. And there is more. Guaranteed to get your money's worth out of this one. Buy it." - BANKER 18th June 2000

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	Song Reviews
	REVIEW: I WORRY FOR MY CHILDREN By BANKER 5th Dec 2002 This is a very down n dirty slow blues groove. It has a distinct "live" feel to it and that B3 running the constant mood of the song sends chills through ya. This is a much better kinda groove tune suited to Dave Edwards emotion packed vocals. The guy reminds me of great R & B singers... not for the similarity in sound ... but because of the raw emotional appeal of the vocal sound. The lead guitar drips with passion soaked notes and riffs. I don't have the words to describe the feeling of grabbing this tune, cranking it up, listening in close and deep with my eyes closed and swaying to the rhythm of the B3 while drifting away in a soul wrenching guitar and vocal performance. This is the blues. LOVE IS LIKE AN ANGEL (featuring Patti Sterling) - Review by BANKER "A Soul Groove with a touch of Classic Motown and a bit of Whiteboy Blues. John "Aardvark" Cohmer lays the foundation with solid and touching organ work and sets the mood. The distinctivly emotional sound of Matt Thorpes Axework provides a Rich Texture and Fullness of Spirit. And Man ...once the Pure Sweet vocal sound of Patti Sterling caresses your ears you find yourself drifting, drifting on an emotional sea swell of hypersensitive love nerves. The production on this number is so professional, so clean, you cannot tell it was a long distance collaberation. From Manchester England to Ohio, and all the way to California. Each and every detail was caressed into place. The back up singers, the drum work of Filippo, bass and electric piano.. a grand production of the highest quality. This tune cries out to be listened to. Make More! " Dec 2001 REVIEW by BOBBY BENSLEY: AWAKENING "Let me start out by saying that Matt is one of my favourite’s guitarist on MP3 He ranks right up there with such other great MP3 guitarists as Dave Beegle http://www.mp3.com/dannycowangroup Danny Cowan. This tune is no exception as always Matt presents a very professional sound. Moving from one theme to the next this tune travels through a wide universe of melodic emotion. Some artists use the guitar to reinforce lyrics Matt uses it to write them :- Awakening from the emptiness, You take me from the abyss of the dream I see the sun shine for the 1st time like it has never shone before Awakening from the loneliness, I feel the heart beat of the happiness You took me from the depths of star cloud slumber and woke me to the dawns first rays etc. The point is that this is what I hear when I listen to a guitarist like Matt Thorpe. While I am sure others may only hear the technical skill and mastery Matt has learned over his guitar. I hear the voice that he has taught it to sing with. Great piece very thought provoking and full of imagery that takes little effort to see and step right inside of. I can not think of anything higher to aspire to for an instrumental artist then to write music that transcends the boundaries of reality and carries the listener into the realm created by the music. Matt has accomplished that and then some with this piece of music. A highly recommended listen." Peace, Bobby Bensley http://www.mp3.com/bobbybensley MAKE ME UNDERSTAND - Review by BANKER March 12th 2001 "I believe this could be one of Matt Thorpe's finer works. The show piece of the effort is the haunting soulful sound of Matt's Electric Guitar played with such an emotional strain...you feel it. It pleases, tickles and torments your psyche...and you don't mind at all. Intertwined throughout is an acoustical melody filled with melancholy and purpose. You are carried through the waves of sound and sight by its gentle persistance. In this one he also adds the expressive sound of a Hammond Organ and synths to create cross currents of mourning and elation. They ebb and flow like the waves carressing your ship of dreams. The overall production presents multiple themes of expressiveness and sound giving you a thouroughly enjoyable experience. The final three part guitar harmony near the end is almost magical. This piece empathises with the Valar's emotion near the end of their efforts, looking down on their creation with mixed emotions, however ultimately pleased and satisfied with it. Stringing out this experience with a few additional bars and softly fading out would create and leave the listener with a more complete experience. Having said that, however, I downloaded the tune and have listened to it many times, and I will listen to it again. Matt, Make More!" "I just popped onto Matt Thorpes page to listen to his newest blues offering to us who are starving for his soulful style. I clicked on “Blues Infusion” and the intro started and I said; yes sir, that’s Matt. Then Matt graciously backed out and this beautiful sax began crying out loud some whailin’ notes. It was Canada’s own Bob Johnson. The mellow runs from his heart and soul made me close my eyes and lean back. The world drifted away as I continued to enjoy this work.(Amazing to know that these to have never met but collaborated thru the net over the Atlantic to bring this to us the public and their listeners.)As I was lost in the song Bob dropped out and Matt came in with the guttiest blues licks the likes of which I have not heard since Duanne Allman and the “Live At Fillmore East” miracle. I was stunned at the way Matt cleverly applied both his own licks and the reminiscent fluid riffs I had heard back in the late 60’s and early seventies when Duanne was blowing us away with his patterns and movements which were so easily followed by the ear but very difficult to imitate as a picker. There was a luscious movement of the fingers as Matt glided through the remarkably basic blues progression. In the background a B3 organ keeping it all full and a walking blues bass so solid that kept stride with the likewise drummer. All the while this tune was telling the story of electric blues done as close to perfect as anyone can get. I know that Duanne is smiling in heaven today and so am I." Thanks Matt John Cohmer Lead Guitarist for Crisis Crisis! @ MP3.COM REVIEW BY BANKER: "This Dreamsuite conceptual piece marks a unique combination of Matt Thorpe's synthesizer and guitar playing abilities. His previous mastery of the synthesizer was displayed on Eventune from Don't Make Idle Frets. That song climbed to #18 in the Easy Listening category for all of 1999. Another example of this current blend of synth and guitar is displayed in Epic Finale from the same CD. That tune is a 10 minute soujourn into the aftermath of mans insane desire for world domination even to the point of our own destruction. Part one of The Dream Suite series brings this masterful synth work back to the fore. It is a short piece that sets the somber mood for the introspective dream. Part 2 brings on the intro of soothing electric guitar sounds like only Matt Thorpe can play them. This movement is more uptempo and intertwines the synth and guitar into an almost Floyd like journey into the mind. Part 3 - again the mood shifts with the third movement. Pieces of the first movement are combined with a guitar improvisation that traverses the dream and brings it to its end. It feels reminiscent of Pink Floyds earlier works or perhaps Yes's Jon Anderson...maybe even a little Trower from Caravan to Midnight. Part 4 - Awakening was not part of the original It is however a more than worthy addition to The Dream Suite concept. Full Matt Thorpe styled mourning guitar licks and synth enhanced sound waves. It is as though the passing of night was a vivid remembrance to be savored in the soft peace of mornings light. Exquisite axework here brings out the soul of the mind and heart. Matt, this is good! The CD does not end there at all. In addition there are two pieces that were formerly released on the Gunslingers CD. Add the "melodic and hypnotic" Optilude and a new one Dealers Deceit that brings to mind the unsavory characters that slither in and out of the world of the music business. And there is more. Guaranteed to get your money's worth out of this one. Buy it." - BANKER 18th June 2000 GULLIBLE BLUES: Review by BANKER 3rd May 2000:- "Matt Thorpe comes through again. 'Gullible' is a hard driving Blues Rock tune featuring the the great jammin fingers of the UK phenomenon named Matt Thorpe. In this tune he tempers his fabulous Blues sound with the screaming wail of the rock riff and gets your whole body into the rockin mood. Accompanied by the fiesty vocals of Dave Edwards this duo recreates the dynamic sound of the better parts of their former band Down N Dirty and gives it a fresh feel. I gotta say, this tune rocks."


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