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PETER
GUSMANO |
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MUSIC
WEB EXPRESS 3000 presents
New
CD My debut
guitar CD is entitled A Flickering Light and is a full length
recording of all original guitar instrumental songs I wrote. All songs
are published under Polar Bear Bulldog Music. This CD is a collection
of songs that have a rock, blues and progressive style to it. Styles
ranging from Michael Landau/Satriani to Alice in Chains. All of which
elicits much emotion through melody. I began writing these tunes years
ago and around the time that my mother fell ill with Lou Gehrigs Disease,
more well known as ALS. I began to think that the celebration of my
debut CD could also lend itself to giving back in a way that touched
my mom...through the gift of music. That is how I began “Guitar
For a Cure”. A project that gives one hundred percent of my CD
sales to Project ALS in the memory of my mother, Lillian Gusmano.
Favorite
Guitars
Musical
Influences
Upcoming
Plans Right
now, I have 5 new tunes in the works. I made some major investments
in my home studio and will be tracking all my guitars here. People
can reach me at: info@guitarforacure.com |
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This
CD’s aspirations are noble with the back cover art indicating
that one hundred percent of all CD sales with be donated to Lillian’s
Journey and Project ALS. The Lillian in mention here is Lillian
Gusmano, the late mother of guitarist Peter Gusmano, who released
his CD A Flickering Light near the close of 2009.
With all due respects to Gusmano for the tragic loss of a mom, it
turns out our shared turf, here on Long Island, is turning into a
veritable hot spot for progressive instrumental rock sounds. Guitar
heroes Steve Vai and Rob Balducci hail from the "Island",
along with Magic Elf, Ad Astra, Synchrony and now you can add guitarist
Peter Gusmano to the list of preferred guitar-based instro proggers
turning on Long Island's music lovers. Mostly self-produced by Gusmano,
the 13 cut
A
Flickering Light CD was superbly mixed and mastered by Carl
Roa at his Magic Elf Studios and features key contributions from
a number of top players backing up Gusmano’s white hot guitar
based compositions and fantastic lead guitar work. Handling all the
lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar work, and midi programming, Gusmano
tastefully crosses over from rock and fusion to the blues and then
back to his natural progressive guitar based instrumental rock sound
that will more often than not appeal to fans of guitar greats like
Gilmour, Trower and Holdsworth. For a good example of the depth and
breadth of Gusmano’s guitar vision, take a listen to track three
“Through The Window”—a dedication to Gusmano’s
dad—and track six “Toxic Anger”. Both cuts are modern
instrumental classics—each superbly recorded and well balanced
by style and content. Recorded at Magic Elf studios out in Commack
Long Island, the sound of A Flickering Light is excellent,
across the board, while Carl Roa’s mastering also imparts a shiny
sonic luster to the final mix. 
Wow.
I've been playing music since the age of 5 or as far back as I can
recall. It was in third grade that I began as a drummer and to this
day continue to drum. Growing up, I performed in marching band, jazz
and orchestra as well as NYSMA (New York State Music Association).
I was awarded medals of recognition for NYSMA for 5 years. After school,
I began a few bands drumming and at times playing bass. Drums was
my life...yet I always yearned to play the guitar. 
Well,
like any other guitarist I have gear that truly moves me and makes
me feel connected to my music. I will say that this project allowed
me to use most all of my gear and truly apply each to the song that
called for it. The guitars that I used for most of the project was
my custom Suhr Standard which was built by John Suhr and company.
A few years ago at NAMM I played Guthrie Govans Suhr and it blew me
away. I also used my Bill Nash black Strat for most all the cleans
on the CD. There is nothing like a Bill Nash Strat and he makes some
of the finest guitars I’ve ever played. The guitar on the cover
of the CD is a custom Warmoth ash body guitar that just has a special
mojo about it. All of the drop tuned parts (tracks "Dispute"
and "Salvation" ) were double tracked with my white Peavey
Wolfgang and my Edwards Jimmy Page Les Paul. Another special guitar
used for the project was a Fender Richie Kotzen Ash Telecaster made
in Japan that opens the CD on the track "Sight Into Soul."
I really dig Swamp Ash bodied guitars with maple necks for my solos
and overdrive parts. I also use the bar quite a bit on my guitars
and tend to like a Wilkenson type non-locking bridge with locking
tuners. All acoustic tracks were recorded with my Ibanez acoustic
and Taylor. I use Dimarzio pickups with the exception of a few guitars
with custom Seymour Duncan's. 
As far
as pedals, I used a Morley Tremonti Wah, Digitech Whammy Pedal, Keeley
Modded BD-2, BBE Soul Vibe, MXR EVH Phase 90 and Flanger, Xotic Scott
Henderson RC Booster and BB Preamp as well as TC Nova Delay and Vox
Satriani Time Machine Delay. I also used a Fernandes Sustainer on
a few tracks that really brought some lines to life. I really love
working with unique pedals to make certain lines stand out within
a song. I feel the point of them is not to overuse them but take the
time to think about what works. 
Some
of my favorite players are Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Joe
Satriani, Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, Richie Kotzen, Joe Bonamassa
Warren Haynes, Guthrie Govan, John Sykes, Brad Paisley, Jimmy Page,
John Mayer, Paul Gilbert and BB King. For me, there are too many to
mention but I love all styles of guitar and lately I’ve been
listening to some amazing country players. Yes, country and boy can
these guys blow me away in a different way. I’m a rock lover
in every way but to me, there is nothing I love more than a ripping
blues jam. It just has no boundaries and allows you as a guitarist
to speak your emotions though your guitar. I also enjoy jamming with
my friends most as they are players that I admire in so many ways.
Ethan Meixsell, who played bass on my CD, is simply a mind blowing
guitarist and I definitely suggest everyone check out his debut CD
Pathos and Logos. Same with Carl Roa and his projects.
I am using an API A2D preamp and I have all my amps miked up to use.
The new material is sounding amazing and I am thrilled with the tones
we are getting. I am letting the writing process take it’s natural
process and the songs are evolving. Some tunes I am working on are
ideas that were not fully formed for the first CD. Rather than rush
the idea, I wanted to grow it. I am also using some different tunings
on my guitars with the new tracks which alters the way I approach
writing. My plan is to have another CD of new material within a year
or so. I can never repeat myself so I want to continue to grow as
an artist on the new project...which I feel is the case with the direction
of the new arrangements. Some of the tracks have a heavier prog-style
to them also.