AQUARIUS

The Dutch guitarist Ruud Dielen has a long history with cover bands , playing songs from Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Toto and Genesis. After many years touring in the more commercial circuit, he decided that it was time to write his own music. Last year Ruud Dielen produced as a one-man-band his first album entitled Aquarius (8 tracks, running time around 35 minutes).

Because I am impressed by the sound of his instruments/equipment, I asked Ruud about that. He anwered very soon, please take a breathe:

'I love vintage instruments, I own a Fender Strat from 1965 (original), a Fender Precision bass, a Gibson Les Paul '59 reissue (the 'holy grail'), a Gibson ES335 (from the 'custom shop') and a Gibson ES175 from 1990. My amplifier is a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King 2 tube on a Marshall 4 x 12" stack. I also own an Ibanez IMG2010 guitar synthesizer that I connect with sound modules ( E-mu Vintage Keys) to create the sounds of the Hammond, Moog and Mellotron. For the drums I have used the Superior Drummer programming. In the final track I play on a Landola acoustic guitar.'

Well, this awesome list of instruments/equipment emphasizes Ruud his very professional attitude to make progressive music on his first solo effort.

1 Aquarius I (4:28) : A dark and compelling climate with a slow and tight drum beat and intense howling guitar runs (with inventive overdubs), blended with Mellotron drops and and soaring synthesizer, especially the final part stronly reminds me of early Black Sabbath, wow, what a starter!

2 Aquarius II - Bearing The Water (4:31) : A slow rhythm, a mellow atmosphere and dreamy guitarwork, a wonderful contrast with the heavy previous track.

3 Aquarius III - Seeding The Future (5:38) : First a slow rhythm and soaring keyboards with fiery electric guitarplay, then a compelling climate featuring exciting interplay between biting electric guitar and awesome Mellotron violins. The final part is mellow.

4 Broken Arrow (2:08) : A short, electronically oriented landscape.

5 Questions (6:03) : Tron-maniacs alert, what a wonderful start featuring mindblowing Mellotron violins, then a slow rhythm with Mellotron and howling electric guitar (with elements from Fripp and Zappa to Hendrix).

6 Healing Colours (4:05) : A mid-tempo composition in which Ruud his guitar alternates between mellow and fiery, using several effect pedals to add special flavours.

7 Old Diamonds Shine Brighter (4:17) : Haha, 'say no more' ' the funny reference to Pink Floyd is more than obvious, this is a tribute to Shine On Your Crazy Diamond with the legendary soaring keyboards, slow synthesizer flights and bluesy electric guitar with echo. A nice idea and strong rendition.

8 Shaman's Journey (4:19) : A dreamy climate with the distinctive sitar sound, some voices and warm acoustic guitar play (with again inventive overdubs). The cheerful sound of the guitars succeed to generate words in my head like 'happiness, hope and love' ' thank you shaman!

To me this debut CD by Glorious Wolf sounds good, sometimes very good, but I think Ruud Dielen can do even better. When he invites a drummer and bass player, goes jamming as an inspired trio and then .. he will rise to the occasion, I am sure about that! Due to his excellent, highly acclaimed guitarplay and inventive use of the guitar synthesizer and Emu Vintage keys. And his huge experience and very interesting musical ideas! I am looking forward to his next work and will keep an eye on this promising fellow Dutchman. My rating: a solid 3,5 star.