Randy Ellefson - The Firebard (2004)Guitarosity Records

From the very start I'd like to stress that Randy isn't related to David Ellefson of Megadeth. Many fans mix them up because of the same last names, so I hope that my clarification is enough. Randy is a musician with a magna cum laude Bachelors of Music degree in classical guitar, although their interests go beyond the music and are focused on fantasy stories writing and a programming as well. Moreover, he is a multi-instrumentalist who was able to handle all guitars, bass guitar and drum programming on his debut CD.

Aforementioned stuff is very special for me, since the diagnosis of tendonitis for its composer didn't interfere him with recording "The Firebard"! The album is also distinguished by a wonderful cover painted by Mattias Noren. His picture looks like a real paradise there! Even though there is cloudy, Randy plays cheerful and sunny tunes. Here are some fast solos, however most of them are subdued and feeling-oriented. Yep, most compositions are performed at mid tempos, and technical aspects along with the melodiousness of tracks are well-balanced. "The Firebard" is listener-friendly stuff and easy enough to be asorbed. An American guitar ace's music is an instrumental rock with melodic solo parts reminding me of Andy Roudny's solo works. But the most important thing is that Mr. Ellefson defeated the disease with the help of God and, as another virtuoso Jason Becker, deserved the title "a great virtuoso of the life"!