Page 33 - the NOISE MAY 2016 Edition

THe leGeNdS OF GUiTAR
aNthONy maZZElla’S ONE maN ShOW StORy By MiGUel MONTOYA
“You’ve gotta let Zeppelin possess you if you’re gonna do it right,” guitarist extraordinaire Anthony Mazzella revealed to the audience, deep into his set of the one-man-show Legends of Guitar. northern Arizona music lovers, take notice! It doesn’t get much more perfect than this. The dazzling spectacle witnessed at sound Bites nightclub saw one of the most highly skilled musical artists in the country musically “making love” to his cherished guitars on stage, channeling the raw power of living and deceased guitar legends. The energy
birthed from this musical ceremony held the audience spellbound in its passionate embrace. One thing is for certain, Mr. Mazzella is highly aware of the seductive relationship between the guitarist, his instrument, and its hypnotic effect upon the audience: “when I play, my guitar
becomes an extension of my body. My movements during an epic song are a sensual visual, no doubt. I feel like a guitarist has to be passionate about playing, because it is the hardest instrument to play well.” Mr. Mazzella should know. His skill easily matches the legends he pays tribute to like Carlos santana, U2’s Dave “The edge” evans, and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd — and like all the greats, he has labored since childhood to master his craft.
The guitarist’s storytelling is equally engaging. ever wonder how a musician of this caliber got his original inspiration? As a boy, Mr. Mazzella’s ear tuned out vocalists altogether. “I only listened to the guitar parts on my records. I often had no idea what the singer was singing about. Guitarists are the mad-scientist composers of the band, the rest of the band just kind of falls in behind them. From The who’s Pete Townsend to Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, Mr. Mazzella saw his destiny in his rock idols. you might be surprised his first group was a heavy- metal Iron Maiden cover band! yes, you might get a taste of Iron Maiden, flamenco-style that is, but you’ll also hear jaw-dropping renditions of Jimi Hendrix tunes like “All Along the watchtower”and“Littlewing,”andclassictunesfromstevieRayVaughnandTheBeatles. One local super-fan Isabella Green commented, “Anthony does miracles for me with his guitar; his talent moves me to the very core of my soul!”
After witnessing dozens of epic concerts over the years myself, ranging from Page & Plant, santana and Pink Floyd, it takes a lot to be impressed by interpretations of rock n’ roll classics. with that in mind, Mr. Mazzella’s “tribute” show is more cutting-edge than imitation; a powerhouse creative spectacle equivalent to seeing all aforementioned guitar greats in one room, at their peak, while on acid. Okay, forget the acid, but hey — It’s a mind-boggling experience, which borders on the supernatural. How one man, even with his trademark
“looping machine,” seamlessly weaves such a rich tapestry of hard driving rhythms paired with delicate and soaring guitar leads, in a passion-filled but strangely coherent blend, is deeply satisfying. Maybe this is rock n’ roll heaven? It’s as if the spirits of ten guitarists are on stage simultaneously channeling their mad genius in and through Mr. Mazzella.
while each universally-beloved song, ranging from Zeppelin’s “stairway to Heaven” to santana’s “europa” were showcased in an easily recognizable manner, the astounding feature is the improvisation and flurry of notes and rhythms sprinkled in generously, and perfectly, I might add, to make it all his own. It’s why music lovers go to a concert in the first place — for extended tracks and original jams, which also stay true to the legendary anthems held sacred in the hearts of millions. The result is an unforgettable show fans of timeless rock music will feel privileged to have seen.
The Legends Of Guitar Tribute shows are at Sound Bites Nightclub on Thursday’s this May at 7PM. Tickets start at $10 each. sound Bites is a modern day supper club offering live music 5-6 nights a week and is located at the Hyatt Pinon Pointe shops in uptown sedona. 928/282- 2713, soundbitesgrill.com, anthonymazzella.com
| miguel montoya is on the lookout for music in Northern arizona.
PhOtO By RAecHel RUNNiNG
music@thenoise.us
thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news •
MAY 2016 • 33