When a producer studs an artist's debut with an impressive all star guest list, he runs the risk of overshadowing the leader. Not the case with a new CD by
Gil Parris. Although half of
Fourplay (
Bob James and
Harvey Mason),
David Sanborn,
Mark Egan and
Will Lee were invited to
Parris' coming out party, it's obvious that the 28 year old guitarist wasn't intimidated.
Parris shows an equal facility for electric and acoustic and clearly has been influenced by
Larry Carlton. He also holds his own by writing engaging melodies, by adeptly shifting dynamics (often employing distorted electric sounds and graceful acoustic tones on the same piece) and by hitting solo heights that would please fans of both
George Benson and
Eddie Van Halen. On
"Starting Over," Sanborn plays a simmering harmony behind
Parris' lead. Then the two soar together on the hook before
Parris takes a crunching rock flavored solo.
"What Will It Take" displays an even greater build-up, moving from a fluffy, tropical flavored intro to a blistering fit of aggression.
Parris also varies the clarity of his tone to good effect. On the melancholy
"An Ardent Man," he uses a dark murky sound that in the company of
Egan's gloomy bass, creates a fog of romantic confusion. Then, on
"Midnight Rendezvous," the crispness of his sound evokes a brilliant moon passing through the clouds. On
"It's a Lie," Parris alternates between that clear,
Neal Schon like tone and a crying country twang. All in all, an impressive beginning. ~ Jonathan Widran
![The Sting [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0008811183622_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "The Sting [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]")
