Guitarist Shea Welsh is an instructor at the USC Thornton School of Music, and this album makes me want to take a class by him, as he delivers an impressive and flexible collection of tunes. He’s got a gorgeous tone, as he proves on a Johnny Smith-intimate solo read of “Moonlight IN Vermont,” while mixing keyboards and guitars to a pastel-toned “Both Sides Now.” In larger ensembles, he brings in vocalist Michelle Coltrane” for a lovely and lithe “Slowly Falling” while “Out of the Shadows” shows off some funky soul.” On electric guitar, Welsh delivers hints of Al DiMeola on the dramatic and charging “ Sancho T. Panza” and some rock grit is spit out on a hard hitting quartet read on “Sweet Pea.” Versatile and veritable.Shea Welsh: Arrival
Guitarist Shea Welsh is an instructor at the USC Thornton School of Music, and this album makes me want to take a class by him, as he delivers an impressive and flexible collection of tunes. He’s got a gorgeous tone, as he proves on a Johnny Smith-intimate solo read of “Moonlight IN Vermont,” while mixing keyboards and guitars to a pastel-toned “Both Sides Now.” In larger ensembles, he brings in vocalist Michelle Coltrane” for a lovely and lithe “Slowly Falling” while “Out of the Shadows” shows off some funky soul.” On electric guitar, Welsh delivers hints of Al DiMeola on the dramatic and charging “ Sancho T. Panza” and some rock grit is spit out on a hard hitting quartet read on “Sweet Pea.” Versatile and veritable.