Guitarist Denis Taaffe
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Guitarist Denis Taaffe

Bloomington, IN | Established. Jan 01, 2017 | SELF

Bloomington, IN | SELF
Established on Jan, 2017
Band Rock Avant-garde

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Guitarist Denis Taaffe 'Alien Guitar'"

A guitarist clearly on the cutting edge where music meets technology, Denis Taaffe recently released his second solo album. The results mirror the astounding sonic depth and futuristic musical altitude so apparent on Taaffe’s ‘99 album, Modern Rock Guitar. Vol 1. - Abducted By Aliens. More than merely a soundtrack to a prophetic sci-fi flick, the newly released Modern Rock Guitar. Vol 2. - Alien Guitar picks up where Vol. 1 leaves off and then some. Concerning his new album Taaffe adds, "I was hoping to find some new guitar sounds and wanted to do a CD that was really different than my first CD. Most of the tracks on the CD are improvised with a worked out underlying structure. I really feel it has let me grow musically." The addition of an array of new guitar technology has further opened up Taaffe’s sound which he still simply describes as "mood music". Taaffe’s been compared to legends like Jeff Beck, The Edge and David Gilmour and not without good reason. Few guitarists bridge the gap between smart guitar playing and modern technology as well as Taaffe. Performing everything himself with just one guitar, guitar loops on the fly and drum programs, Denis Taaffe brings electric guitar music a giant step further into the 21st Century. http://www.dtguitar.com/

Written by Robert Silverstein, 20Th Century Guitar Magazine and mwe3.com
- 20th Century guitar Magazine


"Guitarist Denis Taaffe - review by Muzikman"

After reading Michael Allison's review of this CD on his website The Global Muse (www.theglobalmuse.com), I knew that I had to hear this CD. I have this seemingly insatiable appetite for instrumental music, particularly guitar oriented rock. Denis Taaffe's "Modern Rock Guitar Volume II" is the second volume of instrumental works from this newfound guitar genius. It's a wonder where on earth these great musicians like Taaffe come from. Independent music is so exciting and vital. As far as I am concerned, it's the lifeblood of the Internet.

With a breathtaking combination of rock, jazz, and blues, Taaffe makes his instrument talk…and it has a whole lot to say. What you will hear is live in the studio, all of it. What makes it all that much more incredible is that the tracks are all done in one take. That is the mark of a true professional craftsman.

This guy is a real rarity in today's age of studio wizardry and technological enhancements. Taaffe layers the guitar parts… and what it ends up sounding like is a literal guitar army, but it's only him. He coaxes some unique tones from the six-string; you could easily be fooled to believe that you are hearing another instrument, like a synthesizer. The titles of each song are just what the doctor ordered. "Free," "Courage," and "Formations," serve as pathways to a vision that ultimately fit the words defined by the titles.

Music like this has to be heard to fully understand its impact. It's simply amazing.

-musikman - Music dish


"Guitarist Denis Taaffe - reivew by Michael Allison"

Every once in a while a guitarist comes along that makes me sit back and reevaluate my own style and skill. Denis Taaffe has done just that. Denis is a wizard with effects and a master songwriter and composer. His style is something like Joe Satriani and Jeff Beck but with a uniqueness all his own. The music is a solid rock based guitar style with amazing precision. Denis uses his effects with masterful skill to get sounds that most people wouldn't even dream could come from a guitar. I have to say that I was very impressed by what I heard here. Some guitarist like to lay down a bunch of flashy solos over basic chord progressions in the attempt to impress. Definitely not the case here. Denis can play fast and he can be flashy when he want's to be, but his approach concentrates on melodic phrasing that creates smooth melodies full of pleasant tones.

One of the things that really caught my attention was how Denis uses his effects to become part of the song instead of just adding different tones. The song "Adrenalin" uses the flanger effect to create a cool sound that becomes part of the song. Most would think that this is some sort of keyboard sound. That is because he does it so well. Denis also makes great use of volume swells and a whole host of other cool guitar tricks that create all sorts of great sounds that fit well into the songs. The main thing is, he doesn't overdo it. He works his magic throughout this entire album. This is definitely a guitar album that you can never get bored with.

Denis also sent me a three song demo of him doing this remarkable guitar work live. He used no synthesizers, samplers, overdubs, tapes or midi guitars in this live recording. Denis only used a guitar and a drum machine and created guitar loops as filler, all while playing some amazing stuff. Truly a one man band, Denis pulls out all of his tricks and lays them down on a live recording that is simply magnificent. The songs are slower and more moody on this demo than on the full length album, but it's still worth checking out just to get a taste of his awesome style and ability.

- musicdish/global muse


"Guitarist Denis Taaffe- review by robert silverstein"

Crossing the boundaries of hard rock, instrumental metal fusion and ambient space rock with ease, Indiana-based guitarist Denis Taaffe takes listeners on a sonic joyride that delivers more than just a few thrills. Performing all the instruments himself, Taaffe began the recording of his first solo album back in '97. Although it took two years and a barrage of financial hardships to make, the wait is clearly worth it. Consisting of 13 kinetic instrumentals and two ambient-rock vocal tracks, Abducted By Aliens is at times reminiscent of recent high-octane albums by giants like Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer, although Taaffe's enthusiasm and dynamic audio sensibilities helps to give the album it's one of a kind sound and vision. Essential listening for rock enthusiasts and jazz-rock fusion fans looking for an intelligent guitar instrumental album that really rocks, Denis Taaffe's Abducted By Aliens is a compelling introduction to a new guitar luminary with a high-tech and electrifying sound. www.dtguitar.com

-Robert Silverstein, 20th CENTURY GUITAR MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 1999 125

- 20th century guitar magazine


"Guitarist Denis Taaffe- revew by earbuzz"

uitarist Denis Taaffe has assembled a versatile mix of guitar hero instrumental pieces in his self composed/self recorded solo effort, "Modern Rock Guitar Vol. 1, Abducted By Aliens". His musical vision in composition is wonderful - with many changes and musically interesting transitions within a myriad of different music styles. The record starts out with a Floydish pedaling muted single line guitar in "Abducted by Aliens" and moves into a cool single line that is off key/dissonant, and perfect. "90210" (Beverly Hills?) is a well written poppy instrumental that should find its way onto some TV show or background to a film, it is extremely well composed. Another gem on the disc is "Plymouth Rock", a lighter more classically written tune that is the most ambitious musically on the records - somewhat reminds us of Steve Morse's style - while remaining true to Taaffe's individuality. And as far as Taaffe's playing - he's a solid player with great feel and command of his instrument - his range is well documented on the CD as he darts in and out of different styles with the occasional lighting flurry to guide us. Cool stuff. As a bonus, Denis includes a sealed "Kradl" pick inside each of his CDs - the pick looks designed to fit between your fingers more securely...anyway...good music. - earbuzz.com


"Guitarist Denis Taaffe review by guitarsite"

In this new release for 2001, Denis combines regular guitar, blistering solos and guitar loops done on the fly to create a unique multi layered guitar style. This is all done live, with no samplers, synth or tapes, just guitar plus drum programs. All tracks are "one take", done live.

The CD has a melodic, hypnotic, honey-sweet yet haunting quality... cascade-echo effects and delay-loop achievements build nostalgia, pathos, weirdness, tension and relaxation - it has it all!... The music compels you to listen to its sonic swells and riveting riffs, as the music builds and enmeshes you... as if we have, indeed, been abducted by aliens!... trapped in an infinite loop of siren-sound, it is hard to stop playing this one over and over... It not only grows on you with each play, but grows over you - its tentacles seek, sooth and captivate their audience...

Like most good music, it is best played LOUD and repeatedly - unlike much music, there is no boredom from repetition, as the sound builds and builds, track by track, play by play, until you're totally hooked by this Alien Guitar...

- guitarsite.com


Discography

full length Albums
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Modern Rock guitar vol.1 'Abducted by Aliens' - http://www.dtguitar.com/album1mp3pay.html

modern rock guitar vol.2 'Alien Guitar'
http://www.dtguitar.com/album2mp3pay.html

Modern Rock Guitar vol. 3
http://www.dtguitar.com/album3mp3pay.html

Modern Guitar vol.4 "An Evening With Guitarist Denis Taaffe"- http://www.dtguitar.com/album4mp3pay.html

Modern Rock guitar vol. 5 '2 Worlds' (live double CD)-
http://www.dtguitar.com/album5mp3pay.html

modern rock guitar vol.6 ICE -
http://www.dtguitar.com/album6mp3pay.html

other recordings
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ax-vacation compilation CD
songs of the big list compilation CD
songs of the big lsit 203 compilation CD

Photos

Bio

 Guitarist Denis Taaffe (pronounced tayf) based out of Bloomington, IN has created a unique style which is truly a revolution in conventional music and instrumental guitar. He has been playing guitar for many years and has reached a level that few ever reach and has had the good fortune to develop a unique style which he has been perfecting for several years. By using regular guitar and guitar loops done on the fly to create unusual layered instrumental guitar compositions, he has created a revolution in his approach to music and instrumental guitar. Denis not only improvises during his compositions, but improvises the compositions as well on the spot.. As 20th century guitar magazine stated in a review of his 4th CD:

“Denis remains at the cutting edge of improvisational guitar”-Robert Silverstein, 20th century guitar magazine, April, 2004

Denis has endorsements with Elixir strings, Seymour Duncan Pickups, Kradl guitar picks and Boomerang pedal boards. He has released four independent CD’s, the last three of which have been considered for a Grammy award by NARAS in several categories including Best instrumental performance and best instrumental composition. Denis also writes a monthly instructional column for Musicians Hotline Magazine, a national magazine which appears in print as well as on the World Wide Web. He has been writing the column for three years so far He also plays concerts throughout the Midwest. Denis has a strong following locally, online and is known among guitar circles. Denis appeared in his first national feature in the July, 2004 issue of 20th Century guitar Magazine. He is continuing to develop his unique musical style with the release of his Modern Rock guitar series of CD's.to date,denis has completed and released 210 albums since his debut in 1999.

Band Members