VERTIGO [2004]

TRACKLIST:

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY:

JOHN 5 ON VERTIGO:

“I think when I released “Vertigo”, my first instrumental album, that was a shock. It wasn’t just metal, there was crazy bluegrass on it! And people said: Oh my god, listen to this, I don’t know, if I like it, but listen to this. It sold so many copies and did really well, people liked it. I haven’t got any complaints yet, people enjoyed it.”

John 5 speaking to Guitar9.com, April-May, 2006

Produced By: Kevin Savigar except * produced by Billy Sherwood
Engineered and programmed By: Kevin Savigar except songs marked with a * which were engineered and programmed by Billy Sherwood with additional engineering by Chris Justice.

Mixed By: Bob Marlette at Henson Recording Studios except songs marked with * which were mixed by Billy Sherwood at 4 Tune’s room.
Henson Recording Studios Assistants: Keith Gretlein & Jon Berkowitz

Recorded at: Satinwood Sound, 4 Tune’s Room and the Office

Computer Engineer: Sid Riggs

Album Artwork & Concept by: John 5 and Mayanne Bilham BLACKSUN
Layout: Taste Design
Mastered at: Satinwood Sound

Musicians:
John 5: All guitars, banjo, bass, mandolin and lap steel
Kevin Savigar: Keyboards
Graham Ward: Drums
Billy Sherwood: Bass & lap steel
Bourbon Bob Bartell: Bass
Jay Shellen: Drums

John 5 exclusively plays FENDER Guitars and Marshall Amps

For the latest on J5 go to: www.john-5.com

This album is dedicated to the memory of William Lynn, Denice Lowery and Dennis Kietley.

Special Thanks to the following: Aria Giovanni, Audrey Lowery, Mark (Go F#@k Yourself!) Friedman, May Kay Kirtley, JT Harding (The Kid), Rodger Carter, Tony Ciulla, John Ciulla, Robert Knight, Steve MaCully, Nick Bowcott, Richard McDonald, Mike Eldred, Alex Perez, Red Dave, Chris Fleming, Nicolle and Jeremy Lowery, Chet Haun, Jacques Van Gool, Ginger Fish, Norman’s Rare Guitars, Suzy Matthews, Les Paul, Jim Marshall, John Greenburg, Tim Heyne, Alex & Hayley, Hans & Kar;a Struff, Emma Ludford, Dave Weidman, Ruta Sepetys, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai and Dimebag.

Additional thanks to: Kenny MacPherson, Jeff Brabec and everyone at Chrysalis Music for their support. Mike Varney and everyone at Shrapnel Records.

This isn’t just your mindless tremolo bar or fretboard wankery either. His shredding is well placed and thought out. He often favors adding melody and feeling to his songs over shredding constantly. Sure, the metal or industrial hits may have the insane metal guitar going for them, but on the other tracks John is creating haunting melodies, plucking away like he’s playing a banjo, or making a nice bluesy atmosphere. This guy knows his music.

For the full review from Sputnik Music click HERE

Set the CD on “random play” and you’re sure to fool others into thinking it’s a compilation of several top guitar shredders. Things kick off with a pair of tracks that are what you’d expect from a former Marilyn Manson guitarist: the over-the-top shredfest “Needles, CA” and the riff rocker “Feisty Cadavers.” But this soon proves to be a completely false assumption, as evidenced by such bluegrass ditties as “Sugar Foot Rag” and a cover of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” the square dance-esque title track, and a blues-rock track that brings to mind the “guitar duel” between Steve Vai and Ralph Macchio in Crossroads, “Pulling Strings.” Although some may automatically write off Mr. 5 due to his ghoulish makeup and attire, Vertigo will certainly please fans of such technically proficient shredders as Steve Vai and Steve Morse.

For the full review from All Music click HERE