In a world full of fast guitarists, Paul Gilbert is the one who makes speed feel like the least interesting thing about his playing. The Mr. Big and Racer X co-founder has spent four decades developing a technical vocabulary that is genuinely intimidating — alternate picking at superhuman tempos, rhythmic precision that most musicians consider unreachable — and then using that vocabulary to write songs rather than just demonstrate his command of the instrument. He brings a full night of guitar music to Daryl’s House in Pawling on May 3rd, supported by Greg Koch.
Gilbert’s solo career has moved through a surprising range of styles — hard rock, pop, Beatles-influenced melodic rock, even occasional forays into classical territory — and his live shows tend to feature material from across the full scope of his output. Mr. Big’s catalog naturally appears (“To Be With You,” “Just Take My Heart,” the technical showcase of “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy”), but Gilbert’s interest in guitar as a vehicle for ideas rather than mere athleticism means the set rarely feels like a greatest-hits exercise.
Greg Koch opens the evening and presents his own formidable guitar work — Koch is one of the more entertaining guitarists working the Americana/rock spectrum, with a comedic stage presence that belies his serious instrumental chops. The combination makes for a full evening’s worth of quality guitar playing.
Daryl’s House in Pawling is one of Hudson Valley’s finest rooms for this kind of intimate, musicianship-first booking. Tickets are available through TicketWeb. Doors at 7:00 PM.