Press Quotes & Reviews
PRESS QUOTES & REVIEWS
Mike Campese
GuitarNineRecords: July, 2002 (https://www.guitar9.com/totalfreedomrev1.html) Review of “Total Freedom”
By: Wayne Klinger
An amazing resume lines the history of this guitar player; practically this could be a novel but we’ll keep it to the point. Besides learning,
studying and teaching, Mike composes his own songs as well and that’s all reflected on this 12-track CD of melodic and passionate fusion.
Nothing really heavy on here but authentic music for the serious player as well as listener. I’d say “Indian War”, “Space” and “Freedom”
(Guitar solo Opus 1) are the “guitar hero” type songs that capture that punch some listeners look for (like myself). Fans of Blackmore,
Malmsteen , Becker and Rhoads will find Campese very challenging. When he’s not tickling our senses, Mike teaches over 60 students a
week. Past achievements include a lesson in Guitar Player Magazine in March 2001 and an ongoing column on Guitar 9. He also has
studied at GIT in Hollywood with classmates Paul Gilbert, Norman Brown and Keith Wyatt. Private instruction currently includes
Wayne Krantz and the finger-picking wizard, Stanley Jordan. This guy has done it all and has many special appearances over the years
and album credits. Check his stuff out; well worth it! © Wayne Klinger / Quintessence
GuitarNineRecords: 2003 (https://www.guitar9.com/vibe.html) Press Release “Vibe”
“Vibe” is Mike Campese’s 2003 CD release, and it finds the guitarist boldly developing the ways and means of a rock player.
The album features thirteen instrumental tracks and three vocal cuts, but it’s clear the music revolved around the guitar, and what can
be done on the instrument. Cinematic suites (“Aries Suite No. 1, 2 and 3”) alternate track time with funked up blowouts, semi-symphonic
progressions, acoustically embellished embroidery, neo-classical fireworks and improvised Whammy pedal explorations – all tied together
by Campese’s single note bonanzas. Clocking in at slightly over 72 minutes, this is a guitar player’s album full of new surprises around the
bend of each phrase. The “Guitar Concerto No. 1 In C” closes the CD – a nine minute, classically inspired, electric guitar ode to some of
the most memorable concertos yet written.
Modern Guitars Magazine: September 2, 2005 (https://www.modernguitars.com/archives/001109.html) Press Release “The New”
Mike Campese is back with his 4th solo CD, The New. The 18 song,72 minute CD features some of Mike’s best work to-date.
The New CD features 11 instrumentals and 7 vocal tunes. Campese proves on this CD that he is one of the top versatile guitarists, with a
strong sense of melody. There is something for everyone on this CD. Shred lovers will love Mike’s blistering solos throughout the CD.
“All Or Nothing” and “Before A Storm” are some of Mike’s most ferocious guitar playing.
Plus, there are some nasty grooves on the disc, like in the fusion burner “Chompin at The Bit” and in the tune “Swing Thing”, which,
features some scary 32 note vocal scat lines. “A Cry With No Tears” and “Crying For Freedom” feature some of Mike’s strongest melodies.
Mike breaks out his acoustic guitar for the epic “Majestic Rays” and the romantic piece “Fur Ariel”. Guitar Virtuoso Mike Campese
constructs some well written compositions on this disc that people will love. He knows when to shred and when to be melodic.
GuitarNineRecords: 2006 (https://www.guitar9.com/hiddentreasures.html) Press Release “Hidden Treasures”
The fifth solo release from guitar virtuoso Mike Campese, Hidden Treasures, is a mainly all acoustic release, featuring some of Mike’s
best guitar playing to date. This is not your ordinary acoustic CD, as if offers a very colorful mix of different musical textures, featuring
Mike’s virtuosity on the acoustic guitar. From the super fast, acoustic shred lines on the song “Behind The Wheel”, the high speed
Flamenco-style picking on “The Race Across The Desert”, and the percussive slapping on “Y-Not”, to the beautiful fingerstyle picking on
“High Above The Clouds”, Hidden Treasures has a blend of rock, jazz, blues, new age and classical styles. The track “Not Just Jazz” clearly
proves this. Campese even does a tune with mainly all harp harmonics titled “Sunkin Ships”. Mike sings on two tracks “Hawaiian Nights”
and “Promises” – both tracks featuring catchy, beautiful melodies. This is the CD Mike always wanted to do to express his passion and love
for the acoustic guitar.
Payplay.cd: December, 2008 (https://mirror1.payplay.fm/campese5) Press Release “The Meaning of Christmas”
This CD features some of Mike’s, balls to the walls, guitar playing with his own original arrangements of 10 holiday classics and 2 of his
own original compositions. While listening to this CD, you will know why Mike got picked over hundreds of guitarists to work with the
multi platinum band, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Campese reinvents new sections and melodies to these traditional Christmas songs,
like in the blistering version of “Joy to the World” that shred guitar fanatics will love. Guitar virtuoso Mike Campese does not hesitate to
get a little heavier than on his previous CD’s, like in his version of the “Little Drummer Boy” and the rip your face off version of the
“Grinch”.
Curtis from Los Angeles, CA “Fingers Of Fury”
internet radio-very impressive!!! I really liked “A Cry With No Tears” -outstanding!!Also, your renditions of Xmas classics are totally
AMAZING!! “The Grinch” was just too cool.
The Wolf-Pyx-106-Albany, NY- I really like your music, I will be promoting it on my morning show.
Jason Keller-103.1 Albany,NY-Great work as usual! I’m spinning “Deck The Halls” and I’ll use it a bit during the week too
during my morning show and The interview and the music were solid, great stuff.
Steve from “FretNet” radio Australia –I’ve been enjoying listening to your CD’s a lot, makes a really welcome change from the plethora of electric releases
I get sent to me. Your Cd’s are in regular rotation……
Lucos from “R@DIO DIMENSION” South Carolina–Just wanted to let you know I received and listened to the new CD, great album!
I have included for daily rotation the following tracks: – The Meaning Of Christmas, O’ Come All Ye Faithful, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,
Grinch, Carol Of The Bells, I will be including more tracks during the month and our programs still include tracks from all previous CDs from Mike
September 1, 2009 at 11:22 pm by David Malachowski
By David Malachowski
Special to the Times Union
SARATOGA SPRINGS–
On the 2nd stage regional guitar hero Mike Campese killed with some heavy chops and brilliant, fluid playing on “Mission Mars.” The only problem, he should have been on the main stage.
CONCERT REVIEW
MOTLEY CRUE, GODSMACK, THEORY OF A DEAD MAN, DROWNING POOL, CHARM CITY DEVILS, MIKE CAMPESE BAND
When: 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: SPAC, Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs
Length: Crue: 100 minutes, Godsmack 60 minutes, all the rest 30 minutes.
The crowd: 10,500 fans, every other person was wearing a Motley Crue T-shirt.
Highlights: Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood,” “Saints of Los Angeles” and “Girls, Girls Girls,” Godsmack’s “Whatever,” Theory of a Deadman’s “Bad Girlfriend,” Drowning Pool’s “37 Stitches,” Charm City Devils’ “Money,” Mike Campese’s “Mission Mars.”
Shredaholic.com
Mike Campese “The New” Cd Review
by Richard Niczyperowicz
Today we will be reviewing this awesome CD from
none other then the great Mike Campese, a
guitarist who writes in lots of great and different
styles, and even vocals on a lot of the songs! Lets
get going…
The album has a whole lot of different mixture of
songs covering loads of different styles. I hear
Blues, Rock, Neo-classical, Jazz, acoustic, shred,
funk… all sorts! It’s particularly impressive how the
songs on the album gel together and sound great
while still containing this much diversity, and a
testament to Mike’s song writing abilities.
Campese does not overdo the speed factor; he
plays very tastefully and melodically, great phrasing
in his playing as well. Very technical playing as
well, especially seen as he covers many different
styles. Also, the vocals are very good and fitting,
and add even more variety to this album!
This album, as mentioned above, has a great
variety of different styles of songs, which makes for
an interesting listen and is great if you grow tired of
listening to the same style of song over and over.
Overall, it is a very good album and a fun listen! All
the songs are well constructed and sound great,
definitely a recommended disc to check out.
NEO CLASSICAL, PROGRESSIVE HARD ROCK, METAL Reviewed 07-07-10
Mike Campese
Electric City
Mike Campese’s NEW Album “Electric City” has enough power behind it to light up all of Upstate New York and then some. Another masterpiece of neo classical shred extravaganzas to progressive hard rock metal ecstasy…
Mike Campese is an American guitarist and composer best known for being a member of the multi-platinum group Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Campese was picked over several guitarists in 2004 during the band’s fourth CD “The Lost Christmas Eve” and received a gold record for his work. If you haven’t seen Trans-Siberian Orchestra, then please check ’em out… You won’t be sorry. In 2008, Mike released his own rock Christmas CD, “The Meaning of Christmas” and it has been well received all over the world. Campese is an honors graduate from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Ca.
The 3rd tune “Heavy Thing” is definitely a keeper and one for the skool of rock books… I totally dig the vibe on this ambitious track… I like the parallel universe space ride vertigo feeling along w/ the analogous jungle of drumz and the Zakk Wylde heavily crunchin’ percussive filled riffs. Mike is a master guitar player who can shred one second and be as tastefully fluid as warm honey pouring over hot buttered pancakes the next…
Maestro Campese has appeared on the Jason Becker tribute CD “Warmth in the Wilderness”, which was released internationally on the Lion Music record label and his music was featured in a Lions Gate movie called, “Vampire Assassins”. Mike has been featured in national magazines such as Guitar One, Guitar World and Guitar Player and is a Columnist for these publications. Mike also writes many online guitar columns on sites such as Guitar Nine, Premier Guitar and Shred Academy. Mike has released 7 solo CD’s under his name, his second album “Full Circle” was featured on National Public Radio (NPR) stations across the country and was on regular rotation.
The indigenous auditory tune “Cruisin’ Across the Mojave’ ” has a really neat acoustic drive to it w/ the acoustic sounding drums, shakers, wood blocks, and other stringed instruments dancing in the background all the while weaving in and out of the tight marching rhythm section. This is the first song Mike displays to us that he can sing and also to let me know this isn’t an all Instrumental CD. Another tune Mike also sings on is the happy-go-lucky tune “Kauai Blue”. The song “Closer to the Sun” is a nice little jewel in the style of Steve Vai’s infamous albums “Flex-Able” and “Passion and Warfare”. Same goes for “Napali Coast” … These two tunes back to back really give you a good idea of what Mr. Campese can really do with an Electric Guitar. Mike’s guitar tones on this production are second to none. His guitar tone at time is reminiscent of another very talent guitar player and that’s Nuno Bettecourt.
The rest of the Album follows up very well with all of the tunes flamboyantly written and methodically produced by Mike himself. The last adventurous tune “Camelryde” and it s harem of musical notes will have your head spinnin’ like an over indulgent wine-soaked drunken conqueror in a foreign land.
Without a doubt, Mike Campese is on the forefront of today’s Electrified Guitar Players and is out to show the world there are no substitutions & Betcha Can’t Play This !!!
Scott Thomas 5 out 5 starz
CashBox Magazine
Campese, Mike: Electric City
In the vein of Steve Vai and Yngwie
Malmsteen comes the latest album from
Mike Campese entitled Electric City, his
seventh to date. Like those artists
mentioned Campese is a guitar virtuoso
and is not afraid to show it throughout
his latest release.
Born in New York City, Campese started
playing at the age of thirteen and moved
to California after high school to enrol in one of the top guitar
schools in North America, GIT. He graduated with top honours and
moved back to New to ply his trade. His resume includes guitar
instructor, writer, session musician, member of the Trans-Siberian
Orchestra and has toured with many artists including Michael
Schenker, Lou Reed, Kip Winger and a lot more too numerous to
mention.
On Electric City Campese pulls out all the stops and does not hold
back. Over seventy-five minutes of Campese’ patented neo
classical shredding and lightning fast finger work. This is heavy
guitar based rock with elements of fusion and his playing often
ventures into jazzier territory which helps to keep things fresh and
exciting. Campese is such a technical player it almost works as a
detriment as the shredding almost gets a little tiresome at times
but fortunately he mixes it up just enough to keep things
interesting.
Campese’ chops are evident right from the start with “Eleventh
Degree”, a song boasting enough blistering fretwork to fill an
entire album let alone one song. “Shred Machine” is just what the
title implies, although this one plays out more like a guitar
exhibition than anything else. Much more interesting is the Eastern
inspired “Cruisin Across the Mojave” where Campese shows he is
more than a neo-classical shredder and a pretty good vocalist to
boot. Another excellent tune is the catchy “Kauai Blue” with its
balladesque beginning and lush vocal harmonies. The mix of
Eastern and fusion sounds works amazingly well. The mellow
sounding “Closer to the Sun” has Campese slowing down the
tempo while still including his patented fast as lightning fretwork.
The album ends with the progressive sounding “Camelryde” with
its Floydish beginning of guitar and keys before expanding into
more guitar pyrotechnics with a decidedly Eastern flavour.
Campese lets his guitar chords slowly sink in making for a greater
emotional impact.
Although the album’s running length of seventy-five plus minutes
may seem a little long and the guitar tends to overpower the other
instruments Electric City is a fine CD that will have budding
guitarists everywhere salivating at the mouth. If you enjoy guitar
based music you will probably want this in your collection, I know I do.
Added: September 27th 2010
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf “Sea Of Tranquility”
Mike Campese: ʻThe Meaning Of Christmasʼ CD
rocks (Photos)
MIKE CAMPESE DECEMBER 18, 2012 BY: WILLIAM PHOENIX
If youʼre in the mood for a (Christmas
(https://www.examiner.com/topic/christmas) ) balls to the wall,
guitar hero holiday disc then look no further than Mike
Campeseʼs The Meaning of Christmas. For those who
canʼt quite place the name, Campese is an American
guitar virtuoso and composer best known as a member of
the band Trans-Siberian Orchestra. His 2008 CD, the
twelve-track The Meaning of Christmas, is his sixth solo
album.
Itʼs mainly a Christmas cut cover compilation of intense instrumentals on which Campese himself plays virtually
all instruments. The album opener is “Deck the Halls” This is one of the longest pieces here and that is fortunate as his methodical musical digression might lead listeners astray they donʼt hang on for the wild (sleigh) ride ʻtil he brings it all back home (for Christmas)
The second selection is “Joy to the World”. Not to be confused with a cover of the Three Dog Night classic,
this is his take on the Christmas carol. Again, once one surrenders to this musical, Mr. Toadʼs Wild Ride, it becomes
interesting to extrapolate exactly where Campese where go off on a
solo injecting it with new sections and melodies and just when and how
he will pull it all together in a seasonal shred storm.
The next number is “Little Drummer Boy” Campese rocks on here with his metallic cover of this
holiday hit and it doesnʼt stop as he plows through “Grinch” which is what some critics call a “rip your
face off version” of the Seuss song “Youʼre a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”. He soon changes it up, however, with a very nice cover of “Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” which exemplifies the work for which he earned a gold record with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
“Chestnuts” provides further variety as Campese goes acoustic with a refreshing version of “The Christmas Song”. Lest anyone forget he is
also a composer, however, Campese includes a couple of original tracks including the titular track “The
Meaning of Christmas”. This is the longest cut on the disc not that a listener would necessarily notice. Itʼs a poetic break from all the instrumentals and introduces us to his vocal abilities.
Campese covers “Carol of the Bells” next. This is a fan favorite and is followed
by another acoustic offering his slightly jazz-tinged take on “Silent Night”. Also included is a noteworthy cover of
“O’ Come All Ye Faithful” is the second original song here. The cut contains a memorable melody and also serves as a nice break from the
covers. The closing cut is his version of “Auld Lang Syne” . It includes Jessica Campese
assisting on incidental background vocals and is an apt album end note in that the tune ends both the CD and
the year. It also serves as one final example of why Campese was an honors grad from the Musicians Institute
of Hollywood. Overall, Mike Campese (https://mikecampese.com/) ʼs guitar-driven The Meaning of Christmas rocks and will guarantee listeners anything but a dull, quiet “Silent Night”.
Mike Campese’s ‘Chameleon’
Locally bred guitar hero shows his chops on new release heavy on pyrotechnics
By David Malachowski
Published 2:30 pm, Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Guitar hero Mike Campese is known in these parts as much for his jaw-dropping technique as for his warm smile and friendly manner. The local native has done high-profile work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, been featured in guitar magazines and his rock fusion style has turned heads everywhere he goes.
His eighth solo release is called “Chameleon” and for good reason. He seems to be able to play any style that comes his way. That said, the lion’s share of these tracks is over-the-top guitar instrumentals, which is truly his forte.
It kicks off with “To The 9’s,” a flurry of notes and sweeping arpeggios flying in all directions, like a hornet’s nest that’s been disturbed.
Ace drummer Art Bernstein accents all the right spots, and they both finish with a double-time explosion. Title track “Chameleon” is darker, deeper and industrial and it features — gasp — a vocal by Campese, which is very capable, and quite Ozzy-like. Other highlights include the hard-hitting “Raise the Bow,” jazzy “She Burnt Down the House” and playful “Funky Monkey Man.”
If this wasn’t enough guitar madness, Campese has another shred master — Vernon Reid from the band Living Color — join him for “Do It for the Cats,” producing mind-boggling, fancy fret-work, trading solos and challenging each other.
A true guitar virtuoso, Campese shows not only his chops but his range and writing skills in the excellent release. Fans of the guitar and rockin’ melodies will not be disappointed in this fine record.
Check him out at https://mikecampese.com.
