PAUL GILBERT
05.12.2010, Sofia Live Club, Sofia - Bulgaria
words by Maya Davidoff, photo: Alexander Popoff

A little over a year ago Mr. Big played their first ever Sofia show. That was the Tangra Mega Rock night within the Arena Muzika 2009 festival. The previous year Paul Gilbert performed a solo gig in Plovdiv before an enraptured audience.

And now, here he is again, in Sofia, just a month before Mr Big's new album hits the stores worldwide. He's here to promote his very own latest solo work 'Fuzz Universe'. Phew, productive or what?В В 

Sunday night isn't exactly the liveliest part of the week, but there are about 300-400 people crammed inside Sofia Live Club and they're well up for it too.

After all, nothing beats the intimacy and atmosphere of a sweaty club gig. And Paul has brought a pretty impressive band with him - Tony Spinner (touring guitarist with Toto from 1999-2008), bassist Craig Martini and drummer Jeff Bowders (who was briefly in Oz band Mementowhen they changed their name to Nine Times Bodyweight).

Gilbert himself describes his rhythm section as "thunderous". No shit! At 44 Paul looks fresh, energetic and plays with the same passion and excitement he probably had when he was 15 and sent his first demo tape to Mike Varney of Schrapnel Records.

Tonight there's music for everyone - shred freaks get plenty, including some riveting stuff from Gilbert's latest solo album (he opens with two brand new compositions from this, his third instrumental work).

But it's not all blitzkrieg fretboard wizardry and Racer X. Not at all - we get some really fine rhythm'n'blues, some hard rock and, of course, some Mr. Big, as in Green Tinted Sixties Mind, whose intro alone is enough to merit Paul a place among rock'n'roll's greatest ever guitarists.

Not that it's technically impossible to reproduce (although it's far from easy), but the idea and melody are just genius. With no Eric Martin around, Tony Spinner takes over lead vocals, while Gilbert and bass player Martini do the vocal harmonies.

Spinner himself has a fair few fans here tonight, as Toto are dearly loved in Bulgaria. The crowd is quite versatile - rock fans, rock chicks, musicians and, of course, guitar geeks.

The latter naturally spend most of the gig with eyes transfixed on Gilbert's fretboard and fingers. As expected, the show was long, but never boring. The crowd got what they wanted and Paul thanked everyone for turning up more than once.

I didn't find out whether anyone took the opportunity of the very interesting VIP guitar lesson package Gilbert is offering on his current tour. For more info on that check his official website.В 

GALLERY