LA-based guitarist Andrew Synowiec is the latest in the long tradition of first call studio guitarists (like Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour) for albums, gigs, TV shows and film, keeping his chops warm with his own music at The Baked Potato. This latest release of his, with fellow Angelenos Gary Novak/dr, Jorgen Carlsson/b, Carey Frank/B3 and Pete Karpola/perc has an exciting live feel to it, showing the guitarists chops as well as taste on this collection of originals.
His style is reminiscent of a cross between Eric Johnson’s lyricism and Richie Blackmore’s dark drive. In fact, tracks like the boogie-ing “Lead Foot” and the chunky swamp of Mississippi with a swirling Strat sound like vintage hard core Deep Purple in their hues. There’s a tasty chime to his understated blues on “Dreamland” and the team flexes its muscles well on “Salvation Army”. Most clever is the mixing of sitar sounds that sound like a meeting of India and Appalachia on “Everything Is”. Tasty understatement on the frets teams with Carlsson’s sleek bass line for a big soul of “Late To The Party”, and the gentle echoes floating around Novak’s drums on “Gone Too Soon”.
As Sonny Rollins used to say, an album is an invitation to a concert. This album deserves an RSVP.