Neil Zaza - When Gravity Fails 2006

Genre: Instrumental Rock
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 2006
Label: Melodik Records

1) Something Anything

2) Purple Plush

3) Cinematic

4) In My Dreams

5) Bleed

6) Celestine

7) Danza Della Notte

8) Heavyocity

9) My Only Son

10) My Dearest

11) Ultra

12) The Awakening

13) Before the Throne

Neil Zaza (Lead, Rhythm, Baritone & Bass Guitars, Synth)

Michael Anthony (Bass)

Timothy M. Bradford (Keyboards)

Bill Cioce (Drums)

Peter Frampton (Guitar)

Doug Johns (Bass)

Scotty Kormos (Drums)

Mark Leach (Hammond B-3 Organ)

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Keyboards)

Bobby Rock (Drums)

Jordan Rudess (Keyboards)

Steve Smith (Drums, Percussion)

T.M. Stevens (Funky Bass)

David Strieter (Keyboards)

Garry "GMan" Sullivan (Drums)

Anyone that is familiar with Zaza’s work will know that his work is a near perfect marriage of

melody and flash and "When Gravity Fails" is perhaps his ultimate exercise yet in this art form.

"When Gravity Fails” is a superb instrumental album. I defy anyone to listen to this album and not be blown away. Zaza really has come up with an ace with this record, and whilst "Melodica" was a very good album, ‘”When Gravity Fails” can be considered to this point Zaza’s magnum opus. Stylistically it has all the right ingredients, yet there is an element of passion here that is

often missing from instrumental works even from the perceived big name instrumental market leaders. On the basis of this album (not to mention Zaza’s back catalogue), Neil Zaza deserves to be at the very top of the guitar elite. ESSENTIAL. - Virtuosityone.com

Now comes When Gravity Fails, the Ohio native's eighth CD loaded with 13 melodic hard-rock gems, jaw-dropping solos and an even more impressive guest list than Staring at the Sun that would make better-known players squeal. Unlike other instrumental guitarists, Zaza is smart enough to retain control of his playing. Sure, When Gravity Fails lifts off with lots of soaring, high-pitched arena-rock soloing (part of what makes the record so refreshing and endearing), but nary a single note sounds out of place. Nor does Zaza ignore his fellow musicians. In fact, “Cinematic” emerges as one of the album's prettiest and best songs precisely because Zaza allows Rudess a mesmerizing piano solo in the middle, accented by Frampton's classic-rock fretwork. The man's example is one that many younger players - and even some older ones - should heed. We need more musicians like Neil Zaza. - Sea Of Tranquility ~