Search - Neil Zaza & Bill "The Buddha" Dickens Bobby Rock :: Bobby Rock & Neil Zaza - Snap, Crackle & Pop...Live!

Peerless musicianship, intensity, and groove!!

Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 03/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Live instrumental rock at its absolute best. Where to begin showering praise upon this gem...Neil Zaza combines the melodic instinct of Satriani with advanced technical mastery and intensity. Showing diversity in his compositional side is the album's intro, which sounds like an sparkling electric sitar. His shredding is furious and creative (see his guitar solo), but another side is revealed with a sensitive rendition of "Amazing Grace", with guitar tones to die for. His song "I'm Alright" is ultra-melodic featuring hooks to rival the best of Satriani. Another Zaza track, "Hailin'", breaks down into jaw-dropping solo spots for Zaza and Dickens before making a reprise.Bill Dickens' ranks up there with the finest bass players I've ever heard, in many ways. Despite his unfathomable virtuosity, his playing within the context of the songs is very tasteful and understated. His note choice and timing complements each song perfectly, and even his mind-blowing speed is just a means to an end. Then his bass solo comes along....and it's simply disgusting -- I still don't comprehend how it is humanly possible to play the bass like this (no, really). Even the incredible Victor Wooten is in awe of the Buddha -- that's saying something, I think.Bobby Rock is easily the _grooviest_ rock drummer I have ever heard after Nick D'Virgilio. His jazz knowledge creeps into play at times during his interplay with the Buddha. On disc 1, 19-minute drum solo "Quadzilla" is probably the single most impressive thing I have heard on a drum kit. His four bass drum, four high-hat setup allows for incredible ambidexterity and there is so much musicality and groove to his playing. Wild single-stroke snare rolls, double-stroke bass drum rolls, 32nd note furies, tribal beats, Latin percussion pieces...you get the works and it's all awesome. His drum kit would probably fill up my entire living room.Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" starts off the set, injected with a funky breakdown where the musicians play off of each other. Each also gets chance to nab the spotlight, so the crowd gets a short-but-sweet taste of everyone's instrumental domination before things REALLY get crazy. Some Bobby Rock songs follow, "Lightworker" and "Fearless", both scorching instrumental rock. A funkified version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" ends disc 1 after the colossal drum solo. On disc 2, "Jungle Groove" is a funky jam-like song. Performances on everything are jaw-dropping technically, but these guys also lend an good ear to song and structure.Simply a great, great album. A must-buy for any fan of instrumental rock or anyone who wants to hear the most amazing bass playing on the entire planet."

Harmonious, Driving, Tasteful Musicianship.

Lord Chimp | 09/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many albums claim to showcase musicianship, but this one does it with style, taste, and flair. Take Michael Jordan copy him two times and make a three man Jordan team and it would be undefeatable. Bobby Rock, Neil Zaza, and Bill Dickens do just that with this instrumental rock album. Undefeatable!!! No other musicians have ever come close to this mammoth, marathon recording. Check it out! Don't leave amazon without it!"

Wow, Zaza is a melodic god

Michael Smith | Calgary, AB, Canada | 10/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a guitar fan for a long time and never have I ever seen anyone as melodic as Zaza. His compositional skills are amazing (check out i'm alright and the intro) and his technical wizardry is truly astonishing. I'm alright is still my favorite guitar song EVER, over anything of malmsteen, moore, impelliteri, gilbert, etc! becker is a close second when it comes to composition. If you like Satriani's melodicism and george bellas' techincal wizardry, this is for you!"