Across the Bridge CD reviewed by... Bridge Guitar Reviews

[mtmikey]

and they said...

"Mike Golay's debut album Half Pint received critical acclaim by the press and his fans. Now Across the Bridge is a logical step forward in his composing skills and techniques he uses, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, slapping and tapping. This said, Mike Golay is an extremely well-balanced composer. Mike uses a lyrical approach, with an intimate stylistic approach towards music. All the pieces are written in open tunings and also some with a capo to avoid any resemblance to the typical DADGAD sound. The guitars used are a Berkowitz J6CW custom jumbo cutaway and a Gold Tone Weissenborn Style 3 copy on one tune. Special guest on this album is Al Petteway, who is assisting on 4 tracks: "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled," "Peggy Gordon," "Resolucíon" and "Welcome To Funkstown." The chemistry between both players works extremely well and a good balance and structure is found in all pieces with rich percussion on "Welcome To Funkstown." Mike's gentle and warm touch of the strings creates a wonderful intimate ambiance, which is excellent treat for any heart. "A&P," "Anam Cara," "Pukana la Kalalea" are representing for instance these passionate feelings. "Between The Rains," on the Weissenborn lap slide, has a moody and melancholic interpretation. The title track "Across The Bridge" is effective yet challenging, as is "The Handsome Young Maidens," an arrangement of this cheerful Irish traditional song. "Second Chance" is one of my personal favourites, played with well-skilled techniques and has a fantastic melody line and a remarkable balance. Mike Golay succeeded in making an album which absorbs one from the beginning to the end with rich melodies, appealing and noteworthy writing skills, and which will find its way to any guitar enthusiast and music lover who likes a guitarist with a unique and alluring creative signature."

-Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
http://www.xs4all.nl/~guitars