Reviews

The Mayfair Mail Zine

"Dean McGinnes is a Scottish guitar wiz and that is under statement.  ‘The Journey of Life' is his self-financed debut release which highlights the wealth of talent that this young guitar player has.  Very impressive solo debut.  I've heard quite a few guitar albums over the years from some very prominent artists, but this album rates well above a lot of those and is worthy of at least a record deal"

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Hardrock House

New Review !!

I have lived with this CD for a few weeks now and have to say some tracks have really got under my skin. Dean gives the listener a real variety of styles and moods on this release and every time I put the CD on I was entertained and at times enthralled. A nice touch in the packaging is Dean’s explanation and thinking behind each track. Dean’s album is a solid effort from a player who draws on real life for his inspiration rather than aping or mimicking other guitarists.

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Sea Of Tranquility

"A talented player who has put together 11 tracks full of melody, fire, and emotion. He has his own style that manages to come through often along with his apparent influences. McGinnes plays most of the instruments here, with help from drummer Eddie Lynch, and the songs range from crunchy rockers, fusiony burners, and atmospheric numbers. Plenty to recommend here from this talented up and coming guitar slinger"

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GuitarChef Italian Guitar Zine

El Retorno Del Gigante Review (Argentina Radio show)

McGinnes is a virtuous guitarist, composer and Scottish producer, student of guitar since the three years of age (and the truth is that is noted), that touched the guitar as sesionista with bands for all its country, and that now published this, its first work like the soloist of titled, independent form "The Journey of Life".

It is a matter of a very good instrumental work, of guitars, a work of concept based on a trip (the personal trip of the very same one Of), that from its influences (as the guitarists; Satriani, Vai, they Go they Find, or bands; Led Zeppelín and Pink Floyd, basically) travels through a musical extremely eclectic like thus also happy journey and achieved.

With large themes that go since the hard progressive (close to Satiani and Vai) of "Going Nowhere" or "Get Up and Go", the climates floydeanos with classical sounds "Mountains of I Throw", the melodic ballads extremely achieved as the most beautiful "New Start" or "The Journey of Life Part 2", the progressive theme "The End Is Near" with changes of rhythms, powerful parts and other calm; the climatic themes like "Hypnotized", by citing Some, that cause travel through us almost forty (cortísimos) very pleasant minutes.

A very achieved work of guitars and good flavor.

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Glory Daze Review

" 'The Journey Of Life' is an instrumental album, which is a smorgasbord of ideas from this obviously creative talent. Dean displays an eclectic variety of styles. Hard out rockers as you would expect, some ambient acoustic stuff, plus some ethereal moments that could well touch on the likes of UK dinosaurs Jade Warrior or Hawkwind . I must point out that 'The Journey Of Life' is an expression of Dean's musical ideas, and as such, he could well reach our ears in future, in whatever genre he so chooses"

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Rating:

Musicplayers.com

The eleven track CD, “Journey of Life,” provides an excellent demonstration of some early guitar work performed by a beginning guitarist and composer. It was encouraging to see the progress of younger, non-tenure musicians dedicating their life and soul to their instrument and, most of all, being creative. Dean McGinnes demonstrates an intermediate level of skill in his writing/playing ability and would receive higher marks on this performance.He performs some great licks, arpeggios, and harmonies.

McGinnes displays some excellent use of guitar tone, and in some of his selections one can easily identify influences such as Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson.All in all, we enjoy having the opportunity to listen to and review new talent; especially those that are at the beginning stages of their career. Dean McGinnes displays some very strong ingredients for becoming a great guitarist, composer and musician.

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Dmitry Epstein Music Website

There's a tangible physicality in the guitarist's delivery, McGinnes' technique seems precise and his thoughts run deep, He might be all over the place stylistically, with a good dose of swagger and shredding, and less convincing with the "Get Up And Go" rock 'n' roll beat, but emotive folk-meets-classical airiness of pieces like "2ism" and "Mountains Of Echo" is gripping. The more the album spins the stronger the grip, A promising talent.

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Alan Lennon - Irish Instrumental Guitarist

"great album.really like it..i have listened to it through a good few times now and i love it.2ism and journey of life part2in particular..definitly got a ry cooder soundtrack vibe to them which i love..
bravo... and satch is all over these too.. i know its not nice to be compared but when you start out its all about trying find your style.. anyway you done a great job my friend.. well done,you should be proud.. "

Raymond Digiorgio - American Instrumental Guitarist

"Right on Dean... LOVE THE DISC! Just awesome"

Public Reviews

"Very Good ! and I'm hard to please when it comes to music. Good variety of music. Well put together, very professional."

Derek

"Great album! lots of different styles to suit all moods, quality riffage, rockin stuff!!!!!"

Darren Sifton

"Just listened to the CD, very good !!"

John Boy

"track 1 heavy rock 8/10, track 2 excellent, puts me in the mind of Brian May(Queen)9/10 Track 6 song that you would maybe hear at WWE ! 10/10 track 7 very relaxing, great fingers ! 7/10, tracks 9&10 again very relaxing and gets better, best track on the CD ! 10/10. All in all very good guitarist, especially like songs 2 & 10."

Ged Dailly