Search - Monte Montgomery :: Mirror

Great guitar, great lyrics, great voice, Great Music!

Bruce A Waldrop | Lexington, Kentucky | 04/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard "When Will I" on one of our public radio stations and was completely floored. Monte Montgomery? Where has this guy been? This CD (Mirror) showcases a rare combination of songwriting, singing, and guitar-playing ability. The unbelievable musical and technical feats that he pulls off is even more impressive in that its all done with an acoustic guitar! The opening track on the CD, "Hopin' that you'd slow down", gets you hooked on its melody from the start. The next track, "mirror" (over 6 minutes long) really showcases his guitar prowess, making it hard to believe he is wringing this sound out of an Alvarez Yairi acoustic guitar! Controlled overdrive feedback with an *acoustic*? Its true. You can almost picture a kid in high school pulling off Hendrix and Buddy Guy riffs with a beat up electric-acoustic and cheap amp. "Let me go" and "I know you by heart" slow down the pace a bit with beauiful melodies and lyrics. The catchy "All I can do" and "Tear down the wall" makes you wonder why the pop-radio stations aren't playing these songs every 40 minutes. But what sets them apart from mainstream, generic pop music is the truly intelligent, *meaningful*, crafy lyrics that stand behind these songs. Monte hits the minor chords in "Took too long" in Mark Knopfler-esque fashion. "Whirlwind" really drives -- with more great "acoustic" guitar and lyrics: "it must be hard to look so frail while sharpening your claws". The highlight of the disc is the live Austic City Limits "When Will I". He absolutely tears up the fretboard and your fingers will hurt just *listening* to this song! The inside harmonics he hits its truly a feat in and of itself. An added plus is that you can watch the video clip since this is an enhanced CD. The closing track "Magnolia" is a beautiful ballad that eases you back down to reality. Can't say enough about this CD. He will equally appeal to Eric Johnson and Stevie Ray fans as well as James Taylor and Jim Croce fans. Music that truly crosses many genres and is appealing to the casual listener as well as to the musician."

One of the best....ever?

Kurt Nielsen | alexandria,VA | 10/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"super-quick picking efficiency combined with waves of emotional rifts...this guy is a talent to be reckoned with...would anyone care to buy my guitar? I won't be using it anymore (just kidding honey).I'd love to see him in a "guitar battle" with someone like Mark Knopfler or Lindsey Buckingham...his Alvarez against their weapons of choice...the only blood that would be let would be from my own hands from clapping too hard.the enhanced CD is a wonderful tool...used especially well here to give the listener a feel for just how important a guitarist this fellow really is...anyone who sees him work will know immediately that this man is taking acoustic guitar to "11" (sorry for the Spinal Tap reference).Do yourself...or someone you love...a realy big favor...Buy the work this group has put out...it is some of the best listening music around. That is MY opinion."

The most solid album ever created.

Ben Sheppard (gitarvoodo@aol.com) | USA | 10/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No joke, Monte tears into his electrified acoustic guitar with tender power on every song while his band reacquaints the listener with the true meaning of the power trio. Monte literally tops my list of favorite artists ever, beating SRV and Jimi even. He is a guitar virtuoso, a great singer, and and wonderful songwriter and this is his masterpiece. Highlights include: Took Too Long, Mirror, I Know You By Heart, and, of course, When Will I. Also, check his equally stellar 1st and Repair album."