Guitar 2024

The lyre-guitar was a fascinating, upmarket instrument that originated in Paris. Its inventor, luthier Pierre-Charles Mareschal, dated its creation to around 1780. It was very popular in the elite salons of Napoleonic era-Europe, between the late 18th and early 19th century. Its refined, elegant shape recalling the ancient Greek lyre, made it a much-vaunted status symbol among women, who believed it enhanced their grace and beauty. As well as being played by noblewomen, it was also used by musicians to accompany singers, including the French tenor Joseph Dominique Fabry-Garat and the Austrian baritone Johann Michael Vogl, a close friend of Franz Schubert.

Martin Cilia is an Australian musician. Cilia is best known for his songwriting skills, and his membership in The Atlantics, where he performs on the guitar. "For this latest release I wanted to make an album that reflects the history of electric instrumental guitar – one that resonates from the early 60s instro/surf sound, but with a modern twist. It was all recorded the old way – real guitars, amps, microphones and with minimum digital interference. While putting the album together I came across an old multi track tape of a song that Atlantics drummer extraordinaire, Peter Hood, and myself were working on. I had a listen and decided to finish it off. The drum track was so good and had so much of Peter’s energy. That song is Terminator. You’ll know it when you get to it! Being a fan and growing up with this style of guitar music it was a pleasure to write and record these new songs. Basically I wanted to make an album of great songs with great sounds. I hope I achieved that."

Born in Torino in 1967, Alfredo Franco was involved in non-classical music in his youth before taking up the classical guitar. He then undertook advanced studies in the historical and critical fields in the Department for Art, Music and Theatre of the University of Turin. He would later abandon concert activity as a performer and focus instead on composition. His now prolific classical guitar output has been well received by important interpreters such as Cristiano Porqueddu and increasingly programmed on the stage and in the studio.

15 sizzlin’ surf guitar cuts recorded at the crest of the genre! Brothers Richard and Thomas Frost, more known for their work as Powder, shred through these surf-rockin’ standards – all tucked away until now!