Guitar Multiverse is the work of none other than LA resident and Argentina transplant, Guillermo Marigliano, a guitar virtuoso wonder with the skills to back it. You can’t put your finger on what it is the virtuoso has, you just know they have it, and this is one who possesses buckets full of purity in his playing, which often feels like you’re at a belly dancing event or a Spanish guitar laden serenade. And you either like this kind of thing or you loathe it, and I like any acoustic guitar piece I can get my hands on, so this being more acoustic than electric, is right up my alley.
URL: https://guillermomarigliano.com/
This artist comes across my plate at just the right time, with summer just beginning and the desire for more laid-back music hits me, so I’ve also been playing his back catalog, which spans many releases. Even if you only hear the first track “Dreams” or “My New Old Friends,” you’re bound to love this instrumental album. “Dreams” is heavenly track which almost steals the show, if not for such a strong set of other tracks behind it. I was captivated the first time I heard it, which usually takes me around three listens to keep it around or pass.
The second track “Fuga y Misterio” takes up much space between it and the alternate version at the end, but rightfully so, as it earns the space it gets with an addicting ambience over two very strong pieces of music. “Dark Void” also gets much airtime with its smooth guitar lines reeling you in for the duration. At this point you’re in it for the entire ride and there is no going back with three top-notch songs in a row you just can’t go wrong with as they light the way through the Guitar Multiverse.
“My New Old Friends” makes its appearance midway through the album and claims its position as one at the top of the achievement zone. Talk about your masterclasses, this is as good as it gets for this kind of music, which comes with all the elements explained and more. I’ll take this over what most so called guitar virtuosos are coming up with lately, and that’s saying a lot to Marigliano’s credit. And if you’re still looking for a peak in them all, “Geometric Field” could be that one you’re looking for, as it sports another world class guitar clinic.
Coming down the back stretch, the majesty of “Bahia dos Sonhos” graces the album with top marks, as it clearly deserves, with Guillermo Marigliano’s chops showing all he’s got on this opus of a song. I can rate it all at the top of the heap, but there are a few higher points than others, as you can see. And the finale of “Fuga y Misterio (Alternate Take)” sums up the album with an echo for those who can’t get enough of the second track on Guitar Multiverse, which puts it over the edge for me.
Trace Whittaker