A SHOWCASE OF GUITAR MASTERY

It is not too often that a proper international rock musician gets to perform in Dhaka, and when news broke out that Guthrie Govan, considered one of the most skilled guitar players in the world today, was performing here, fans of the genre were not going to miss out. 

The concert, organised by The Rock Project and held at the city's KIB auditorium on Sunday, also featured Bangladeshi guitarists spanning three 'generations'. Wasiun Khan and Samir Hafiz, two of the most recognizable representatives of Bangladesh's underground music scene of the 2000s, shared the opening slot with the band Quanta. They both started off with their original guitar pieces, “Dancing Force” and “Becoming Rain” respectively. Wasiun then picked an Yngwie Malmsteen piece, “Far Beyond the Sun”, to showcase his incredible speed on the fretboard. Samir, not to be left out, followed it up with another rock instrumental classic, Micheal Angelo Batio's “No Boundaries”. The technical dexterity of the duo, and their affinity to neoclassical heavy metal are well-known to fans of Bangladesh's rock scene, and the duo did full justice to their repute.

Up next was X-Factor, the rock instrumental project of Miles' Iqbal Asif Jewel. Along with seasoned campaigners -- Manam Ahmed on keys, Aldnane Alam on bass and Rafa on the kit, Jewel displayed his maturity as a guitarist and composer. In “Flight of the Sparrow”, he touched down on various genres of rock, in “Spiritual High” he went into a mystic, heightened state of mind, and after a superb drums solo by Rafa, closed his set with a track called “Circle of the Sixth”, in his musical interpretation of the six seasons of Bangladesh. The years of experience showed in Jewel's playing – in terms of progression and dynamics of his compositions, and the feel and technical mastery.

Ershad Zaman, the man behind the guitar solos of Bangladeshi rock giants Artcell, took the stage next, and took the audience on a nostalgic journey. He opened with a composition titled “Megalodon”, but then switched up to a medley of the most recognizable solos of Artcell hits – “Bhul Jonmo”, “Onno Shomoy”, “Chile Kothar Shepai” and “Odekha Sworgo” – guitar pieces etched into the minds of the audience note for note. He then played a new composition, a bit of the band's ballad anthem “Pothchola”, and closed with a piece called “Welcome to Dhaka' that he created especially for Guthrie, who he termed an inspiration.

Rasheeq Rayhan, CEO of The Rock Project Dhaka then gave a brief presentation, elaborating the project's targets to provide an avenue for an internationally-accepted graded certification for musicians, as well as teaching diplomas. The ambitious music education project seemed ambitious, but at the same time in capable hands.

Guthrie Govan took the stage with two supremely talented musicians – drummer Gino Banks and bassist Mohini Dey, and left a lasting impression – among fans and first-time listeners alike. Opening with “Bad Asteroid” from his rock supergroup The Aristocrats, and moved on to solo work “Sevens” which he termed a 'charming little ditty.' Despite issues with the monitor sound, Guthrie kept the spirits up with his witty exchange with the audience. “Wonderful Slippery Thing”, his next piece, was a masterclass in funk guitar, with slaps and slick grooves galore. “Furtive Jack”, the next track, is written about a guy likes to steal things, Guthrie said before launching into it. In “Slidey Boy”, he showed his prowess of muted and harmonic notes, in a jazz-like groove. His set included “Fives”, “Erotic Cakes”, the title track of his first solo album, “Ner Ner”, and finally as the closing number, the one he says he is most requested at gigs, “Waves”. While Guthrie's mastery of the guitar – and ability to play various styles but still have his own touch was quite remarkable, credit must be given to Gino Banks and Mohini, two big-stage rockers from India who, in a display of their own incredible playing, elevated the performance. The audience was not massive in numbers by any means, but avid, discerning followers of rock music in the country, and they left with more than their money's worth.

As part of his tour, Guthrie also held a guitar clinic at Gulshan Shooting Club yesterday.

Closeup was the brand partner of the event, while ABC Radio and Radio Dhol were radio partners. Limitless, Analyzen, Gaan, Platinum Suites and Core also assisted in the initiative.