Artist: Tony MacAlpine
   Title: Collection - The Shrapnel Years
   Label: Mascot Records

Another release from Mascot Records this month under the moniker of 'Collection – The Shrapnel Years', the first being the Vinnie Moore collection.

This time it’s the turn of multi faceted musician Tony MacAlpine to get the his years with Shrapnel released as a best of album.  Like the Vinnie Moore album this highlights a short period of MacAlpine career and spans across the albums ‘Edge of Insanity’, ‘Freedom To Fly’, ‘Madness’, ‘Premonition’, ‘ Evolution’, and ‘Chromaticity’.

The difference between Moore’s and MacAlpine’s guitar playing is very evident with the more hard rock sound of Moore, and the definite progressive feel of MacAlpine, but both guitarist have equal standing in the league of guitar virtuoso’s.  The only difference is the fact that MacAlpine is a classically trained pianist and violinist and brings these influences to his guitar playing.

Also like the Vinnie Moore collection there are tracks that stand out, the likes of ‘Edge of Insanity’, ‘ The Violin Song’ and ‘The Sage’, but the die hard fans will all have their own favourites I’m sure.

Like the Vinnie Moore collection this is a must for all fans of MacAlpine's work.

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