Guthrie Govan: Guitar Wizard Greats

To start off I’m a guy that is nut for guitar solo or any particular instrument solo. I like them all folks. I don’t know about you guys but hearing a perfectly well crafted solo for the first time on any newly discovered album, whether vintage or new, is a treat for me. With the intention of the feelings, the dynamic, and the appropriately non over the top straight up shred fest is a welcoming sound for me. Although I do love over the top fast shredding solo, I tend to like the whole feeling approach nowadays. Over the past few years I endlessly search for modern albums/musician that can really capture the magic of talented work input in today’s overly used electronic music. Guthrie Govan is one of those talented lads that just gave us musician hope for real, raw, well crafted tune.

Its 2015,  and I have been patiently awaiting for Steven Wilson “Hand.Cannot.Erase”. Not only that this album sounds and feel like many hours of passion and careful planning had been put into it, the musicianship skills is certainly out of this world. This is what I been waiting for to see Mr. Guthrie shine again. In general of the album, yeah some people see that (HCE) is a bit poppy than Steven Wilson previously masterpiece ” The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)”  but I look at it in a different way. The last album was more jazz oriented showing all the musician potential but this album to me felt more hollow. This somewhat a good thing as any particular solo can be more centered and more upfront since the songs are more open up and not tight. Maybe it just how (HCE) felt more open and more roomy all together. But nonetheless my ears was satisfied, happy by the one and only Guthrie Govan with his magnificent solo approach to the songs in (HCE). Songs likeAncestral, Regret #9, and Routine are all astounding work of musicianship from Guthrie.

Guthrie express that working with Steven Wilson is always a go for him since he believe that the album will turn out in a positive direction. Guthrie says that Steven always have a clear vision in his head allowing the musician around him to have a clear idea on the final product. In a recent interview with Steven Wilson, his answer to Guthrie playing is quite fascinating saying (His solos are his solos, and they are improvised. To be honest, the usual direction I give to Guthrie is, “Can you play slower?” I don’t really like shredding, and he knows that I don’t. His natural inclination is to play quite fast.) knowing that Guthrie is a natural shredder, working with Steven is quite interesting to hear especially the final outcome.

Guthrie is no fresh player in the world of guitar. He won the 1993 “Guitarist of the Year” award which earn him a praise of recognition in the guitar world. He then earn a job in Guitar Technique magazineas a contributor. Since his early years, Guthrie had collaborated throughout the years with many talented musician and release his own solo work in 2006 with “Erotic Cakes”, another must have album for any guitarist nerd who like a good well thought out riffs with a nice side of tasteful solo to go along with it.

Back to (Hand.Cannot.Erase). For the gears, an interview with Premier Guitar magazine reveal the gears that Guthrie use especially for (HCE) album and it is an awesome list. No  wonder he sound good. The gears are:

Guitars
Charvel Guthrie Govan signature model
Fender American Deluxe Strat
Gibson ES-335

Amps
Victory V100 head though Victory 4×12 cab with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers

Effects
Suhr Koko Boost
Strymon Flint
Electro-Harmonix Micro Synth

Strings and Picks
Rotosound Roto Yellows strings, .010–.046
Red Bear Signature picks (extra-heavy)

Take a peek look in the making of one of the marvelous solo on Hand.Cannot.Erase