Description

“Gilrock Ranch” features Night Ranger’s Brad Gillis ripping through eight instrumental guitar cuts, many co-written with keyboardist Derek Sherinian. The two vocal numbers feature guest Gregg Allman on lead throat. Brad’s effort on this release is tremendous. His ability to write the guitar parts of songs shines through. The strength of Brad, and of his Night Ranger bandmate Jeff Watson, has always been to fit his playing into the context of the song or piece of music. Where some guitarists like Malmsteen will go completely off track with a solo, Brad’s solos have always fit perfectly within the bounds of that particular track. So it is no surprise that this effort, Gilrock Ranch, stays true to itself in each piece of music. Brad isn’t trying to prove his virtuosity (years of critical acclaim have already done that). He isn’t trying to prove himself as a musician (again, that is a known quantity). What Brad does here is let out his creative side, and he does so very well. While his later solo effort, Alligator, is a much better listen, this freshman solo project stands up well on its own. One note of criticism, more lyrical content, which Alligator has, would have been well suited on this effort as well.

Track list:
1. Stampede
2. Honest To God
3. Opus Winfrus
4. Monster Breath
5. Slow Blow
6. Mr. Lollipop
7. If Looks Could Kill
8. Lions, Tigers And Bears
9. Shades Of Pomposity
10. Gilrock Ranch