David Kilminster: Scarlet - The Director's Cut (2012)

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: January 6, 2013

David Kilminster: Scarlet - The Director's Cut

Track review of "Big Blue"

UK guitar ace David Kilminster boasts an impressive résumé that includes stints with progressive rock icons such as, keyboardist Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) and bassist John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson), amid his support for rock legend Roger Waters during the ex-Pink Floyd bassist's 2006 tour. A revered session artist, Kilminster's debut solo outing highlights his tasteful and multi-textured chord voicings, spanning progressive pop, progressive metal and a few ballads, featuring strings accompaniment and ethereal background vocals. He doesn't break new ground here, but communicates a solid compositional pen in concert with his largely upper-register vocal range.

Kilminster rocks out on the driving, "Big Blue." Accentuated with howling guitar licks and emphatic vocal choruses, and tinted with a slight rasp, he charts a goodtime and radio-friendly vibe with an anthem-like impetus. Not overstated yet kinetic in scope, the artist showcases his pop persuasions to contrast a disparate track mix. Kilminster also overlays keys to complement his polytonal guitar phrasings and the rhythm section's rousing cadences on select pieces. It's quite apparent that Kilminster possesses the goods to share the stage with many of rock's elite.

Personnel: Dave Kilminster: voice, guitars, keyboards; Pete Riley: drums; Phil Williams: bass.

Record Label: Self Produced