Guitarist
Bill Perry is a big fan of the Henry David Thoreau epic book from
1854 Walden, going back to the 1980’s. Perry continues
to read Walden and in 2009 he released a CD of exquisite acoustic
guitar instrumentals appropriately entitled Songs Of Walden. New
Age guitar fans will simply love this thoughtful and meditative 16
track CD. From Perry’s sterling track by track liner notes he
writes, ‘Thoreau’s message of simplification, conservation
and living with nature continues to grow in influence and is as important
today as when it was first published in 1854.’ Some of the Walden
tracks are slightly reminiscent of Leo Kottke and Will Ackerman’s
Windham Hill concept, while others echo some of the more pop instrumental
side of classical masters such as guitar icon John Williams. Either
way, if you appreciate the scenic, atmospheric grandeur of the nylon
string acoustic you’re going to love Perry’s Songs Of
Walden. While every track here holds infinite fascination and
maintains the rapt attention of the listener, the whole album seemingly
explodes with the godliness of nature on the final cut “Spring.”
Perry explains how his track fits into the concept of Walden adding,
‘In the final chapter, Thoreau in great detail describes that
slow and at first almost imperceptible change from the gray cold and
dark of winter, to the warmth light and colors of spring. A single
guitar starts slowly in the introduction and the song gradually builds
in intensity with the use of multiple guitars in an orchestral style,
leading to the final chorus.’ Perry’s song is just bursting
with the concept of regrowth and regeneration of nature and is a fitting
finale to a fantastic album of acoustic guitar magic. www.BillPerryMusic.com
/ www.Eroica.com
MUSIC WEB EXPRESS 3000 presents BILL PERRY
Guitars Center Stage
Guitarists making waves in the music world,
their new recordings and gear!
Musical Background
I was
and artist when I was very young, but always had a great interest
in music and I have always found it easier to write my own music than
to play someone else's. Around the age of 15 I bought and started
playing my first guitar. I am self taught on electric, but dropped
it completely to study classical privately for several years in my
20's. I then went back to the electric and taught both electric and
acoustic and toured with several bands in New Hampshire for about
ten years before quitting altogether. In 2002 I recorded and released
my first CD, A Christmas Carol on the Eroica classical label.
New CD
The
title of my new CD is Songs of Walden. I think most people
are familiar with Thoreau's book Walden. Basically I composed
a song to go with each chapter of the book. I really like the idea
of the concept CD. It gives me a great amount of inspiration. I actually
started recording the CD in 2005 but had to stop due to tendinitis.
I got back to recording in the fall of 2007 and it took about a year
to finish. I recorded it at Blackwater Sound in Webster, NH and mixed
and mastered at Cedarhouse Sound in Sutton NH. On this CD I composed
and recorded all of the songs on my Taylor nylon string. Also I used
12 string and steel string guitars on "Brute Neighbors"
and "Spring". I really enjoyed getting an orchestral sound
from the use of multiple guitars on some tracks and the production
work that went into making this CD a reality. I am exploring this
further on my new CD.
Favorite Guitars
Right
now I am exclusively using my Taylor NS24ce. Being an electric guitarist
for so many years I really like the action and feel which is similar
to an electric guitar. I use a normal gauge string and no effects.
I like the pure sound of the guitar. When I record I use mikes but
also go direct into the board to give the option during the mix to
bring in a little more clarity and brightness if needed.
Musical
Influences
As
far as my musical influences are concerned, on electric I am a huge
Jeff Beck fan. Robin Trower's album Bridge of Sighs is still
one of my favorite albums. Alan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin come
to mind as far as jazz/fusion is concerned. I bought Christopher Parkening's
first two albums Parkening Plays Bach and Romanza and
they inspired me to study classical. Though I do not play classical
music per se, my music is classically based. I am also a Don Henly
fan. He's not a guitarist but being a composer, I love the way he
crafts such beautiful songs.
Upcoming Plans
Though
I have just released Songs of Walden and am busy promoting
it, I am currently hard at work in the studio working on my third
CD. It is another all acoustic concept album and I am very excited
about the way it is turning out.
Web Site
www.billperrymusic.com
e-mail: perry.re@comcast.net
