Michael Angelo Batio - Hands Without Shadows
Bobby with bassist William Kopecky and Michael
This page features
a brief interview with Bobby about doing the CD and, a little further
down the page, the official M.A.C.E. Records press release about Hands
Without Shadows.
A
Few Questions with Bobby About the New Disc
Question: It's been quite a few years since you and Michael Angelo worked together. What was it like working with him again on his latest solo record?
BR: We had a blast doing this record. It was a fantastic experience from beginning to end. Michael's the consummate pro, so everything was first-rate. And, as you'll hear, Michael's chops are simply ridiculous. The guy really is king of his own domain. Plus, he's super easy to work with.
Question: Most of the tunes on the CD are remakes of songs from artists who influenced Michael through the years. And the CD features several special guests. No shortage of great bass players to work with, huh?
BR: Actually, there were only two guys. William Kopecky, who's a bad-ass 6-string bassist from the Milwaukee area. He's pretty well-known in prog circles and is a joy to play with. Serious pocket, great parts, excellent chops, a very musical and intelligent player. He's the glue that holds Michael and I together as we go off! Rudy Sarzo also laid his big-ass groove down on a couple tracks, but only the Randy Rhodes tribute track made the disc. Still, it was cool to have him on that, given his history with Randy.
Question: Perhaps the most complex tunes on the CD are Michael's original compositions. How was it preparing for those, and doesn't the title track go through like six or seven different time signature changes?
BR: I'm not sure...I lost count! (Laughs.) Seriously, that was a fun one to play. As was the case for every track, I prepared a basic studio chart and wrote out all major changes and most key grooves. Because I'm such a visual learner, it's almost easier to have a photographic reference for some of the really crazy shit, then to rely solely on hearing it. I've always been that way. Plus, I had a chance to run the tunes down in pre-pro with Michael and William, so by the time we hit the studio, it was no big thing.
Question: We understand that "Burn" was a one-taker, and that it was also one of your favorite tracks from the record. Tell us about it.
BR: Well, as a lifelong Deep Purple fan, I grew up listening to this track and was happy to hear that Michael wanted to cover it. As you may recall, the original version had Ian Paice doing this very busy drum solo-like part through the verse sections and a bunch of cool, Buddy Rich-style fills throughout. We decided to maintain that vibe, but try to take it all to the next level...sort of an Ian Paice on steroids approach. (Laughs.)
As for the experience of recording it...it was definitely a moment. This was a very physical tune, with a bunch of aggressive, solo-type of parts. We decided to take a shot at it toward the end of the night after I had been playing all day, so I had that feeling you get when your hands, feet and arms are completely warmed up and you feel like you can play anything. The sweat was flowing. I did a couple takes of the tune that were decent, but I felt like I had a better one in me. Sure enough, the third take was a start-to-finish keeper. I remember having a weird feeling as I was playing it...like I was an observer to what was going down...like some strange force had stepped in and my hands and feet were just moving in the right place at the right time. It was effortless...a true Zen moment. (Laughs.) I even went back to the hotel that night and wrote about the experience in my journal. After the take, I went into the control room and we listened back to it. It was like, "Okay then. Done. See ya tomorrow." It was trippy. We live for these moments.
Question: Can we look forward to any live appearances with you and Michael in the coming year?
BR: I'm pretty sure. Michael's huge in Asia, and we were supposed to go over there in August for a short tour, but it got postponed. That might happen early next year. We've also talked about doing some other shows together here in the states. I'm looking forward to it.
From the Official Press Release:
Legendary heavy metal bassist Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DIO) and Doug Marks (man behind the Metal Method series of instructional videos for guitar) are among the guest musicians appearing on the new CD from world-renowned progressive rock guitarist Michael Angelo Batio, entitled Hands without Shadows.
Hands without Shadows or "HWS" (M.A.C.E. Records) is Michael's most ambitious work to date featuring additional guest appearances by Mark Tremonti of ALTER BRIDGE and CREED, and virtuoso guitarist Bill Peck, and more. Bobby Rock (VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, NELSON) played drums on the entire CD. The primary bassist William Kopecky is a six-string and fretless virtuoso. Chris Djuricic engineered and mixed the CD, Dean Guitars graphic designer Stephen Jensen designed the "HWS" artwork and the disc was mastered by Trevor Sadler.
"HWS" is a blend of Michael's own originals and classic covers requested by his fans. Michael's unique guitar tone and technical abilities are prominent throughout the entire CD while featuring guest performances from the above mentioned "master musicians." The title track "Hands without Shadows" promises to be his new signature song with a feel and skill level that listeners have come to expect and enjoy from Michael Angelo Batio.
Tracks on the CD include "Burn" (DEEP PURPLE), "Zeppelin Forever" (described as "a LED ZEPPELIN medley like no other"), "Wherever I May Roam" (METALLICA), "Pray On, Prey", "Tribute to Randy" (Ozzy with Randy Rhoads), "Dream On" (AEROSMITH), "All Along the watchtower" (Jimi Hendrix-inspired) and more!
Michael Angelo Batio is the inventor of the "Double V Guitar" and has been heralded in the major guitar magazines as the "No.1 shredder of all time" (Guitar One) and one of "heavy metal's top 100 greatest guitarists" (Guitar World). Hands Without Shadows is sure to gain the admiration and respect of critics and fans alike.
