GUITARIST NETWORK
magazine SEPTEMBER 1993 RON THAL Ridiculous. That is the one word that
comes to mind when trying to describe Ron's music and playing. Well
maybe... Nope. Just ridiculous. Now let's clarify, I
mean ridiculous in a good way. Like, "That's the most ridiculous
arpeggio I've ever heard," or "That interval lick is just
ridiculous." Anyway, you get the idea. Ron sent us a tape with
four songs on it, two of them can be found on Mark Varney's "Guitar On the
Edge 2 & 3," and one can be found on "Ominous Guitarists From the
Unknown" from Mike Varney. There are so many different styles and
techniques here that are so cool, that it is hard to know where to
start. Ron has a sense of humor in his music that puts you in the
mind of Vai, but that is the obvious surface comparison. There is
alot more to this guy than a comparison to only one player can get
across. Ron is extremely fast, but not in the typical "one string
fast" kind of way. He seems to be able to play equally fast whether
he is ripping up a scale or playing some extreme intervals. He also
demonstrates some unique two-hand technique. The thing about his
music is that it isn't just 12-bar blues with riffs, there are stops, time
changes, total chaotic moments, and grooves thrown in for good
measure. Ron is overall a guitar monster, just as good and better
than most of the "big guys," we are glad he is involved with the Guitarist
Network and you can expect to see more of him in future
issues. |
GUITAR PLAYER magazine
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Guitarist: Ron Thal
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Thal's demo tape is amongst the most impressive I've ever received. It contains elements of classical, blues, and jazz, and at times reminds me of Frank Zappa. His transcriptions are most impressive and detailed, so fans of hot transcriptions might be interested in seeing these musical masterpieces on paper. With its clever melodies, contrapuntal lines, intricate rhythms, and ultra-complex ensemble sections, Ron's sheer musicality will surely gain him much acclaim.
Talent scout Mike Varney owns Shrapnel Records and is a successful independent record producer.