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Daily DigestYuck!
 There's a winter storm warning in effect until 7 a.m. on Thursday with another 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. Could be another messy commute. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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Pick of the Week: Arek ReligaBy Keith Hannaleck - January 06, 2008
In Memory Of The Greatests
Arek Religa was honored as the MuzikReviews.com Sonic Bids talent contest winner a few months ago. His amazing guitar-playing talents and his two-hand tapping technique video that leaves your mouth hanging open, made the choice obvious as we narrowed it down to the final three contestants.
"In Memory Of The Greatests" is Religa's tribute the great guitar maestros of our time. Religa hails from Poland. Quite amazingly, he did not start playing the guitar until he was 16 years old.
Getting a late start in life did not seem to matter. This recording is comprised of 13 tracks of instrumental rock, jazz-fusion, blues, and all of that mixed together with atmospheric orchestrated backgrounds created by keyboards to give it a symphonic prog-rock feel at times.
On scorchers like "Viva Carlos," the guitarist cuts loose and gives his best impression of the legendary rock-blues-world six-string hero Santana. That is the only track that is obviously dedicated to one particular artist, while the rest are an intelligent mixture of influences and superb talent inspired by many years of studying the masters and perfecting a unique style.
In the end, when the CD stops spinning, you are convinced that you have found a new guitar hero to bow to and acknowledge, yet another previously unrecognized force to be reckoned with in the vast world of indie music.
This guy can rock, he plays with taste and style, and a little bit of both for the perfect audio elixir that will have you mesmerized in no time flat. As you make your way through this instrumental treasure trove you discover how brilliant the artist is and how using influences from many genres and great guitar players through the ages allows for a most enjoyable and diversified listening experience.
Keith Hannaleck |
Do not let the tranquil cover of the CD put any expectations in your mind of what you are in for; this is an artist with a passionate flame burning inside. It comes flowing through the strings of his instrument one track after another.
I refer to one track on the CD, however; I would prefer to look at it as a whole entity, a project that has a beginning and end with a storyline implicated by the title of each track. Songs without words can paint a canvas that leaves you to your own devices and imagination.
Religa perpetuates this very situation consistently throughout his work in all 13 tracks. The future is now for innovative independents like this; check out this amazing guitar work on "In Memory Of The Greatests."
Tracks
1. Hope
2. Beyond Horizon
3. Viva Carlos
4. Island Of My Dreams
5. Next Step To The End
6. Into The Future
7. It's Going To Be Better
8. On The Road
9. And The Road Goes On
10. Waiting For The Miracle
11. For All My Angels
12. By The Paradise
13. In Memory Of The Greatests
Genre: Instrumental-rock-jazz-fusion
Label: Independent
Web Site: www.arekreliga.net
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck of Adams offers up his best-listening bets as a regular contributor to iBerkshires. For more reviews, www.muzikreviews.com . |
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