Recognized and revered around the world as one of the top elite guitar virtuosos on the planet (alongside Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Eddie Van Halen) and whom I have the unique privilege of having one vital key thing in common with musically (sharing the same lead singer as a bandmate in the great Stanley Rose aka Whiskey Diamond), Marty Friedman made a stop here through Dallas Texas (Trees) this past mid-August weekend while on currently his North American tour promoting his latest project: Wall Of Sound (www.martyfriedman.com).
The first time that I ever heard of Marty was when he was the lead guitarist for Megadeth on two of my favorite albums: Rust In Peace (1990 - 1991) and Countdown To Extinction (1992 – 1993). However, it was during the summer of 2012 that I began to learn a little bit more about Marty Friedman in general when I met Whiskey (Stanley) for the very first time to form 33 Love Child along with Ricky Stanberry (Guitarist) and Dave French (Drummer). At first glance, I must admit that I didn’t initially believe that Whiskey actually knew Marty Friedman personally; let alone, recorded an album and toured with him. Not to mention that the Marty Friedman’s fourth studio album that Whiskey helped to co-write and record on, True Obsessions (Shrapnel Records/Toshiba EMI - 1996), is the only non-instrumental solo album in Marty Friedman’s entire discography catalog. If someone would’ve told me, 16 years after True Obsession’s release that I would end up recording an album and sharing the stage on 6 music videos with the vocalist for Marty Friedman, I would’ve looked them eye while swearing up and down that they were in some sort of delusional cult. Then again, I hadn’t the faintest idea by a long shot that at the start of the very week of Marty’s arrival into Dallas Texas that I would end up meeting The Legend himself in person as a VIP special guest hanging out with him on his tour bus with Whiskey and the rest of Marty’s band.
The show, itself from top to bottom of the very first note to the last, was absolutely organic and raw while also being powerfully alive with an abundant flow of pure electricity at the same time. One of the top main reasons why I myself am so genuinely thankful and grateful for the blessing of being a musician/performer is because of the privilege bringing the artistic joy of music to the audience hoping to entertain and inspire the crowd in some positive way, shape, form, or fashion. On this particular night, I truly believe without a shadow of a doubt whatsoever that I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy “reaping what I had sown” over the course of my career as a live musician. From the moment the curtains opened until it was over, I was literally glued to my seat with no desire at all to move or even make time for a restroom break. After all, it is not often or a regular occurrence to have the privilege of watching a true genuine Guitar Hero perform live on stage in all his full glory. Even as a proud humble bass guitarist myself, I’ve always imagined myself being on stage backing a guitar virtuoso like Marty on stage growing up; but to even watch him perform live for the very first time with my own eyes was far beyond what I could have ever imagined it would’ve ever felt like to experience.
The new Wall Of Sound album is by far a major conceptual change artistically that is “outside of the box” from Marty’s original normal style. My personal favorite track off the album would be Whiteworm and the video for that track is pretty cool as well. Miracle would be my second favorite track, but I have to be honest and say that it is even much better live than the studio track itself. Then again, Marty’s power level of stage energy and presence is completely off the charts which only magnifies and enhances his music that much more. As a member of The Recording Academy, I truly wish that I could vote for this new album to be considered for a Grammy; but then again, it is absolutely inevitable that a space is already set aside in reserve for his bust and guitars to permanently reside in Cleveland Ohio at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.