The Great Kat – Wagner’s War
Official endorser of the Burns “Scorpion” guitar, the Great Kat certainly knows what to do with a six string. The way this lady plays, she probably goes through several a day.
A classically trained violinist, the Great Kat decided she’d have more fun on the axe than on the violin.
This album open’s on a version of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries for neurotics on steroids and speed (both). I don’t know what she’s on, but I want two of each… I don’t think I’ve ever heard a faster guitarist. But not only is she furiously fast, she’s also good and inspired. Rarely do you find these three qualities in one guitarist.
The album then moves into some original material before heading into Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody #2 and closing on Sarasate’s Zapateado where she handles the violin fabulously. Talk about variety!
One is surprised to find that this lady is a violin graduate from the Julliard School and has performed as a Classical violin soloist at Carnegie Recital Hall as winner of the Artists International Competion. She’s also toured as a violin soloist in Mexico, the U.S. and the U.K.
I guess after that she simply went insane… Good for us. By the way, if you are a guitarist or a violinist, her playing might make you want to turn in your instrument. And be forewarned: this might give you nightmares. By the way, there’s a video if listening isn’t enough.
One comment (and I hope she doesn’t come and bust my door down for this) is that the whole visual thing obviously falls into the Ozzy/Alice/Marilyn thing: I don’t think she needs it.
