Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:14 pm
I really try to keep my mouth shut most of the time, but every now and then something comes along that is so moving I simply must speak. Neil's Abstract #5 brings some things (nearly) full circle for me, and I'd like to share my thoughts on it. The first thing that that jumps out at me about #5 is the chord progression - it is very similar to a Christmas song, "Mary, Did You Know?" I learned just this past Sunday, and probably many others. I am continually amazed at the commonality of chord progressions shared by songs that do not sound remotely similar.
With that out of the way, just listen to #5 about a million times because you need that before you can get past the sheer beauty of the song and analyze it a bit. I have done that, so I can speak now. The beginning and end of the song is "Wish You Were Here" originally done by Rednex and covered by Blackmore's Night, just as Neil said. But the middle of the piece is all Neil, and to my ear it is brilliant. I see and hear some Lead Secrets, some Chord Solo, some key changes, some octave changes, and overall, a simply beautiful and moving piece soloed into a better piece than the original. And he probably did all that on the fly. I'm glad that was fun for Neil, because I had a blast watching it. Truly moving. Truly impressive. And I'm lucky enough to say this is the guy who taught me how to play guitar.
I will never be Neil, but #5 is a brass ring I will reach for the rest of my days, even though Wayne and Garth have me dead to rights.
