Vistors to this site will doubtless be familiar with the history of Zoe’s emergent career thus far and so I needn’t dwell on that aspect. Like so many fans, I became aware of Zoe whilst listening to her play “Argentina” as a child and “Jessica”,”Moonlight Shadow” etc, as a thirteen year old. It seemed to me that this young girl had enormous talent and potential.
Now thanks to Pat Terrett’s support and guidance, the input of proffesional guitarists and Zoe’s sheer hard work, she is fully realising that potential. I was delighted to be asked by Pat to review a pre-release copy of the CD. “Be Honest,” he said “and say what you like. No Flannel. If you think something’s not good, doesn’t work or whatever, then say so.” So, dear reader, these are my unfetterd opinions.
What I do with an electric guitar cannot be considerd as ‘playing’!! What I can bring to a review is an outside, independent view. I’ve been a guitar instrumental fan/collector for over forty years and part-time writer/complier/critic/reviewer for twenty years or more. If you’re undecided about the CD then read my review.
Better still listen to the MP3 - they really say it all. The music speaks for itself. Zoe’s playing has already leapt to an even higher level. Outstanding guitar work in a variety of styles with a very mature sound. Zoe’s MD/arranger is now noted session player Al Steele. Boy, has he and the other musicians done a great job.
Young Zoe rises to the demanding challenges majestically. She plays lead, second guitar, harmony guitar and rhythm too. No expense has been spared as Zoe is backed up by other guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, piano, organ, violins, brass and backing singers (not all at once you understand!!). Zoe’s been spending a fair bit of time in the states recently.
Maybe that explains the thinking behind the track selection. I’m not
an expert on the 80’s AOR scene, but the majority of the titles seem
to eminate from the Meat Loaf/Bonnie Tyler catalogue. Those Jim Steinman
originals were towering mini - epics.
Thanks to superb arrangements and guitar soloing to match, they are now turned
into grandiose instrumentals which really do work because of Zoe’s exuberant
commitment to the performances.
Girls with Guitars swings along nimbly in contemporary C/W - AOR mode, but it’s not merely pastiche. Lots of deft touches and hints of Messrs. Marvin & Knopfler are in the playing too. Plus, any track that musically quotes Johnny B Goode, Smoke On The Water and Sunshine Of Your Love is fine by me. What’s more, it’s fun.
You’re Still The One is simply a gorgeous instrumental treatment of Shania Twain’s tender ballad. So beautiful, it hurts.
In sharp contrast, Livin’ La Vida Loca gives Zoe the chance to unleash some thunderously rockin’ riffs and ‘Tuff’ guitar sounds. Super backing too, making the performance hugely enjoyable.
Let It Be Me is another deliciously subtle and yearning arrangement of the old Everly Brothers fave. Zoe’s tremulous phrasing is immaculate. At the finale are several clever enharmonic shifts which seem to simply melt into each other.
The Mavericks’ good time feel of Dance The Night Away is successfully re - created in this tasteful and classy arrangement played with real elan and bravado.
Read ‘em & Weep - wow! This is a seriously ‘big’ arrangement with Zoe’s poweful guitar sound sweeping all before it. Her playing conveys the dramatic structure of the original, which is no mean achievment. Great dynamic sense too volume and intensity rise and fall at appropriate moments. This ‘heavier’ style of playing means that you somehow don’t miss Meat Loaf’s histrionic vocals.
Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run also works really well as an instro, giving Zoe the opportunity to really rock out in competely different way.
Even Now is another rockin’ ‘n’ riffin’ tour de
force.
It all sounds so effortless and fluid that you take the superb playing for
granted. The backing is fantastic. Even so, everything else depends on the
lead work - and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Bat Out of Hell is so well known that tackling it as an instrumental could have been fraught with problems. No worries. The arrangement is outstanding and Zoe wades in with all the unhibited confidence that goes with youth. Steinman’s vocal ‘mini - opera’ is transformed into an instro ‘mini - drama’. Zoe’s ‘theatrical’ and dramatic playing shines through in this thrilling performance.
At times, Zoe’s ‘axe attack’ reminds me of the vastly underrated Tony McAlpine. An uplifting performance with Zoe cleverly holding back before hurtling towards the finale - a great skill in itself.
Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad is very quiet and laid back. Unlike tracks 2 & 4, this number could have so easily degenerated into sickly MOR schmaltz. The fact that it doesn’t (it works really well) bears testament to the skill of the arranger and the integrity of Zoe’s playing.
In its vocal guise, Faster Than The Speed of Night was another Rockballad type number. Here, it’s transformed into another epic instrumental workout, with Zoe veering between ‘big voiced’ guitar sounds and lightning fast riffing.
Total Eclipse of The Heart was a classic totured ‘Torch’ anthem as performed by Bonnie Tyler. A sense of stately grandeur is conveyed with young Zoe coaxing huge expanses of sheer tone from her Strat.Slow, smouldering phrases ignite into incandescent volcanic showers of sound. The arrangement has been very cleverly worked out and Zoe has the skill to realise the arranger’s aural concept.
Holding Out For A Hero is simply wondeful. Again a powerful and dramatic arrangement.. It’s a genuine ‘plank spanking’ out and out ‘axe belter’ from start to finish with Zoe’s energetic twanging lead holding centre stage in glorious fashion.
The final track is really different as it’s a vocal/instrumental duet between Al Steele and Zoe. A mighty fine performance and it’s a possible future direction to explore. How many fifteen - year - old guitarists of this calibre do we have in the UK? To me, Zoe is a teenage guitar sensation. Guitar fans and guitarists, you won’t be disappointed. I recommend this CD without hesitation. Congratulations to all concerned.
Rob Bradford
