The Guitar Player's Resource
Canadian axeman Bob Melanson submitted his CD-R release Sorta Purple, a razor-edged, instrumental hard rock album with a good variety of tones and a spectacular display of contemporary techniques. Melanson is not a shredder in the 'sweep licks and double picking' mold, rather a melodic guitar hero in the Joe Satriani vein (but who can also dish out flaming legato licks when called upon). He wrote the songs on Sorta Purple between 1990 and 1996 (they were recorded between 1993 and 2000), so the production throughout the album is not as consistent as you might expect, but the music is certainly a rush. Melanson can certainly write memorable hooks too; several of the songs will hang with you just after one or two listens. Several of the tracks feature sound bite intros or samples, which may or may not appeal to you, but eventually morph into instrumental hard rock glory. A rocker with a future.
Bob's music career began on a drum kit when he was 10 years old. He "borrowed" his brother's guitar at age 13 and began playing... he never got it back. Bob's early career had him playing everything from Bon Jovi to Iron Maiden covers in local spots throughout Atlantic Canada with a variety of bands. In 1990, he won the Fender Guitar Warz competition in his area and placed in the top five in Canada. Bob moved to Halifax in 1991 and did session work and live performances with many artists in various styles. Since 1995 Bob has written music for television; shows featuring his music include: Works, What The Canuck?, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made In Canada, The Itch, El Mundo Del Lundo, Works and Snakes & Ladders. Most of his music is available for licensing. Bob has showcased many of his tunes at trade shows while representing Yamaha as a clinician.
Melanson is currently writing music for his next CD, and with any luck, he'll find a small label willing to distribute it.
Bob Melanson
Canada
Web site: www.artistlaunch.com/bobmelanson