Anyone who knows Michéle, immediatly senses his love for the guitar.This CD contains 12 cuts, four standards such as Manha De Carnaval, Stella by Starlight, Lush Life and eight originals. JJG has published two of his originals and more will be available soon from Mel Bay in a book/CD. Trying to recreate his sound, touch and feel will be difficult for most of us as he has developed his own style and set of complex fingerings. He has recorded these tunes on his 7 string Zimnicki guitar. Besides being proficient on 6 and 7 string, he has now ventured into an 8 string model built by luthier Rich Dicarlo which he debuted at the May NY guitar show. He opens with a beautiful version of Luis Bonfa's Manha de Carnaval which showcases the range of his 7 string guitar. Bass players need not apply as he has the bass, single lines and chords all moving in sync. This is followed by the melodic A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That a catchy tune penned as a tribute to Bucky Pizzarelli. Stella is performed slowly and never straying far from the beautiful melody and harmony. Other tracks are dedications to Jack Wilkins, Howard Alden an Charlie Byrd. If you haven't heard Michéle yet in a solo setting, then treat yourself. This one is a winner. If you are in the New York, New Jersey area catch him in person along with his wife, superb vocalist Heidi Hepler Ramo.
CD Review: "RAMO" - Solo
