Spirits On The Rise (European Import - Digipack plus booklet) $2.89

About Spirits On The Rise (European Import - Digipack plus booklet)

At the age of 13 somebody gave me Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced" album and from then on I was a Blues devotee tells Julian Sas. One of my father's friends had a huge collection of blues albums. Through him I got to know other guitarists like Rory Gallagher, Alvin Lee, Freddy King, Elmore James and Peter Green. I was totally impressed and as soon as I could afford it, got myself an electric guitar. Three months later I started my first band. Playing guitar enriched my life. At last I was able to express my feelings. JULIAN

Asked about influences, Sas replies; when I hear Jeff Beck play it starts to itch. He plays with such simplicity and at the same time with such fanaticism. Unbelieveable. I am a real Jimi Hendrix fan too. He has not yet been surpassed. Stevie Ray Vaughan I think is fantastic, but the difference between him and Jimi is that if you were to hear him every night you will notice there are only minor differences in his playing. Whilst Jimi could be stumbling over his strings one night and the next night be so brilliant that you would seriously consider selling all your gear. Jimi knew no boundaries. When he was doing Hey Joe, his mind was already busy with totally different things. What he wanted to do with Miles Davis I think is fascinating. I am a real Miles Davis fan. He is the Jimi of the Jazz world. When I was just 16 I saw Buddy Guy. He played with great dynamics. Dynamics, in my opinion, are one of the most important tools in music; a quiet song with a strong bridge or a loud song with a very quiet bridge. And of course Rory Gallagher, my greatest hero. I had the privilege and honour of playing with his band 3 times. The Allman Brothers Band is fantastic too. Once they get started, there is no stopping them. Just like us.