Rod DeGeorge is probably a new name for most MSJ readers. But, if you love to hear guitar in the tradition of Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, to cite a couple of artists in his style of playing, I think you may want to check out Rod's new release, Cosmic Playground, available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/roddegeorge . I first heard of Rod simply by perusing musicians on Myspace, that vast "cosmic playground" for both the talented and the wannabees, but I can tell you what interested me immediately was the efficacy of this young man's chops. Solid, clean playing and great shredding skills abound, but unlike the modern prog-metal heads who are into shredding without making much of a musical statement, this guitarist speaks volumes in his writing, technique, and phrasing. The other aspect that interested me was the fact that he is from my old stomping grounds, Reading, Pennsylvania, and some of his strong influences are the excellent musicians who have made a significant contribution as performers and teachers in that area, even impacting some of the better known musicians and groups hailing from their more metropolitan neighbor, Philadelphia, just an hour or so away. I ask you to take the time to check out my interiew with DeGeorge, also in this issue, and please buy his CD! You will not regret listening and sharing it with your progressive rock and jazz fusion loving friends!

This is an up and comer to watch for in the future, for certain! Remember the name: "Rod DeGeorge," because I believe you'll be hearing from him!

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2008  Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.