| The
Review |
In the progressive rock community I think you’d be hard
pressed to find people who don’t know who Daryl Stuermer is.
Some will remember him for his guitar playing days with Jean
Luc Ponty from 1975 to 1978; others will more likely remember
him from his days performing with Genesis from 1978 to 1992.
Some outside the prog community might even have heard his
name from the solo Phil Collins tours that he’s been on since
1982. But whatever the case you will have heard his name.
You may even have some of his records or CDs in your collection
after all Stuermer does have at least seven CDs currently
available. Well now you can add an eighth to that list with
the Unicorn Digital release of Rewired – The Electric Collection.
***
Stuermer has gone back over his body of work and selected
ten tracks that feature the electric guitar. Each of the tracks
is in the four-minute (plus or minus) range and showcases
a variety of styles all with an overriding funky, fusion feel.
Most of the material is medium to up-tempo and as he’s the
composer spotlights a variety of guitar playing styles and
sounds. There’s a hint of jazz in one track, a hint of Latin
in another, some Celtic in a couple others and so it goes.
Unlike many guitarists on the rock side, there is no shredding
here, no crunchy-double-kick-drum-antics. Instead the guitar
is presented clean and the playing is sharp. Stuermer not
only plays the guitar but is performing some of the bass,
keyboards and electronic percussion duties as well. But he
has also collected quite a list of supporting musicians including
Brad Cole, Leland Sklar, Eric Harvey and others who’ve played
with him on previous releases. The musicianship as you would
expect is first class. These are seasoned veterans of not
only the live stage but the studio as well. ***
Daryl Stuermer fans will want to add Rewired – The Electric
Collection to their collections, for no other reason than
these selections have all been remixed and remastered. It
may or may not be worth mentioning this is not to be considered
a progressive rock recording, rather it’s the solo work of
a guitarist that is more akin to the work of guitarists such
as Eric Johnson, Eric Gale, Al Di Miola or others in the jazz-fusion
world. That said there’s really nothing wrong with this collection
at all so if you’re a fan of the man or the style you’ll be
wanting to rush out and secure a copy. There are some tasty
performances to enjoy. ***
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