ROBERT FRIPP & THE LEAGUE OF CRAFTY GUITARISTS: SHOW OF HANDS

A very unusual approach to the progressive classical guitar setting, this excellent studio album introduces new concepts into our ears by dealing with music in a way that could only be the result of a weird and somewhat philosophical seminar like Guitar Craft.

All of these songs are excellently well-developed and have, doubtlessly, been put much effort into. What comes out of each of the virtuoso members of the League can only be described as stunning, and when they all split to perform individual mind-boggling riffs, it is astonishing and remarkable that they cans till hold their pace and make the song work: all the inidividual phrases go great together and complement each other.

Some of the songs are very beautiful and strongly convey the feelings they must have been supposed to convey. From the opening Eye of the Needle to the beautiful Scaling the Whales, up to a somewhat explosive Asturias, you'll feel like shaking your head to each song and listen to the whole thing more than you'd expect to.

Notable, too, are the female vocals that open and close the concert, with a few breaks inbetween the guitar songs to let the listener relax from the tsunami of notes they're being thrown at. These are quite delightful, specially when you get familiar with the singer's unusual and abrupt tone changes, reminding you of someone playing a guitar - maybe Robert Fripp himself? - and with some good lyrics, too.

All in all, a remarkable experience to hear someone break the mold so clearly. Highly recommended, and doubtlessly essential to those interested in its unique style in dealing with LOTS of different players at a time.