Paul Gilbert - 'Holy Diver' (Live at Sweetwater)

Holy Diver you're the star of the masquerade
No need to look so afraid
Jump, jump... Jump on the tiger
You can feel his heart but you know he's mean
Some light can never be seen!

Paul Gilbert: εκ των σημαντικότερων κιθαριστών στο ευρύτερο hard rock / heavy metal φάσμα. Τον γνωρίσαμε κυρίως μέσα από τους δίσκους των Racer X και των Mr. Big. Παράλληλα "τρέχει" και την προσωπική του καριέρα με πληθώρα δίσκων - κυκλοφοριών.

Το νέο του album φέρει τον άκρως δηλωτικό τίτλο "The Dio Album" και κυκλοφόρησε στην καρδιά της άνοιξης (7 Απριλίου 2023) από τον Mascot Label Group. Ο δίσκος αφορά τραγούδια που έχει πει ο Ronnie James Dio είτε με τους Rainbow, είτε με τους Black Sabbath, είτε στην προσωπική του καριέρα.

Το album είναι ορχηστρικό (instrumental), με τον Paul Gilbert να "παίζει" τις φωνητικές μελωδίες με την κιθάρα του. Τον ακούμε και τον βλέπουμε να αποδίδει τον ύμνο "Holy Diver" στα Sweetwater Studios, με τους δημιουργούς του βίντεο να μας λένε σχετικά:

Hot off the heels of releasing The Dio Album, Paul Gilbert stopped by Sweetwater Studios to talk all things riffs, gear, and the legacy of the late Ronnie James Dio.

Oh, he also treated us to a searing performance of his cover of Dio’s “Holy Diver,” aided by Sweetwater’s own sound hounds Nick Bowcott, Don Carr, Nick D’Virgilio, and Sweetwater Sales Engineer Andy Rice, on guitars, drums, and bass, respectively.

Besides honoring Dio’s extensive catalogue of timeless tunes, Paul took a distinct approach to voicing by eschewing vocals and expressing those lines on the guitar, resulting in a unique take on these classic tracks that retains the unbridled spirit that defined Ronnie James Dio’s work throughout his life. Take a listen!

Δελτίο τύπου: «It was pure chance that led Paul Gilbert to recording the music heard on latest release The Dio Album. The American guitar virtuoso was in his car when he saw something that made his heart start beating faster in a moment of unexpected, unadulterated joy.

This was not a high value item of interest or even particularly rare, simply a baseball cap with the word ‘Dio’ emblazoned across the front. Sometimes, even for the biggest of guitar legends, it’s the little things that hit us in the most profound ways.

On his drive home, a plan was being formulated. Why not capture all of that raw energy and excitement on an album devoted to Ronnie James Dio’s most celebrated tracks - spanning across his career from Rainbow to Black Sabbath and the singer’s own solo endeavours?

Gilbert is no stranger to instrumental music, but an entire album dedicated to replicating well established and world-famous vocal melodies on his trusty six-string genuinely felt like new territory. This was already shaping up to be a challenge that he would truly relish.»

Artist / Band: Paul Gilbert
Video: "Holy Diver"
Album: "The Dio Album"
Type: Full length
Release date: April 7th, 2023
Label: Mascot Label Group

Track listing:
01. Neon Knights
02. Kill the King
03. Stand Up and Shout
04. Country Girl
05. Man On The Silver Mountain
06. Holy Diver
07. Heaven and Hell
08. Long Live Rock 'N' Roll
09. Lady Evil
10. Don't Talk to Strangers
11. Starstruck
12. The Last in Line