None of us will forget the tragedy that occurred at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017. From his room in the hotel, a deranged gunman decided to take aim on a crowd gathered at an outside concert, resulting in 59 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Nearly three years later, guitarist, producer and engineer Brian Tarquin, along with a few famous friends, dedicates Vegas Blue to the victims and their families of this senseless tragedy.
Steve Morse and Tarquin go toe-to-toe with sweeping guitar strokes on the opening “Distant Light.” Phil Naro, frontman of Billy Sheehan’s band, Talas, lends his considerable pipes the vocal songs with “Know Me” being the best example. It’s the instrumentals, however, that move me the most — from the bluesy title track where Tarquin shows off his speed, to the semi-funky “Evil In Men’s Heart” and the big growly “Hallowed Ground,” featuring one-time King Crimson member Trey Gunn.
Along with other guests, including keyboardist Tony Carey (Rainbow), guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns ‘N Roses), and guitarist Hal Lindes (Dire Straits), keyboardist Tony Emmy-award winning Tarquin, whose credits have graced numerous television scores and 38 albums, lends his considerable playing, composing, and production talents to make Vegas Blue a brilliant, musically satisfying CD for guitar fans, as well as supporters of the musician’s continuing altruistic efforts.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
