MP3 Thomas Leeb - Upside Down

Extreme acoustic guitar

12 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Fingerstyle, JAZZ: World Fusion

Show all album songs: Upside Down Songs


Details:
from Acoustic Guitar Magazine
by Teja Gerken,
This latest recording from Austrian-born, California-based Thomas Leeb may finally make the self-proclaimed âbastard child of fingerstyle guitarâ a household name, at least among fans of progressive acoustic playing in the tradition of Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, and Eric Roche (to whom the album is dedicated). Recorded âlive in the studio,â Upside Down is an energetic set of original compositions and creatively arranged cover tunes. Leeb uses a generous array of extended techniques, including alternate tunings, harmonics, hammer-ons, and two-handed tapping, on his Lowdens. But unlike many guitarists who emphasize similar feats of dexterity at the expense of melody, Leeb produces tunes that youâll find yourself humming long after the CD is over. He also proves that heâs no slave to flashy technique, by confidently taking a âstraightâ approach to such traditional pieces as the German âErzherzog Johann Jodlerâ and the Irish âThe Boys of Blue Hill.â And his hard-rocking opener âAlbinoâ puts Leeb into the rare category of solo guitarists whose music you could dance to. Although his solo arrangement of âI Shot the Sheriffâ owes more to Eric Claptonâs toned-down version than to Bob Marleyâs original, its inclusion (along with Guns Nâ Rosesâ âSweet Child of Mineâ) in such a varied program demonstrates the adventurous spirit that helps make Upside Down so enjoyable.