Returning with another line-up of top-notch players including bassist Stu Hamm and drummers Tommy Aldridge, Michael Cartellone and Eddie Tuduri, Buffalo-native Steve Fister surpasses his impressive 1997 solo release Shadow King with Age Of Great Dreams. The album is entirely instrumental and produced by Fister who also wrote everything (with a couple of co-writing credits) save for a funky run through of the Steve Wonder-penned Rufus hit “Tell Me Something Good.” Age Of Great Dreams hooks the listener from the opening “Tribal Stomp.” A rumbling percussive opening gives way to peels of jagged guitar riffs, handclaps, and a melody that recalls Gary Glitter’s “Rock And Roll Part 2.” The title track has an epic feel as it builds into a searing crescendo at the end. Other highlights include the bracing “Road To Paris, ” “White Light, ” a bluesy-rock workout punctuated by Fister’s lap steel playing, and the clever, inventive “JB Meets JB, ” dedicated to James Brown and Jeff Beck. “Meat and Three” is Southern-fried boogie with Fister adding banjo and the proceedings close with the stratospheric “Rocket Town.” Muscular and melodic, with flawless musicianship, Age Of Great Dreams shows Fister to be a talented, versatile guitarist with a love and respect for the instruments place in several genres. – Tom Demalon
more »