Brett Garsed Interview: Liquid Virtuosity

Liquid Virtuosity Part One: Early Days Down Under

I first heard Brett Garsed's playing whilst half asleep, stuck in a traffic jam in North London on a foggy Saturday morning in late 1990. Cutting through both the external and internal fog (a result of cracking student party hangover...) were the most eloquent, sinuous and melodic rock guitar lines I had pretty much ever heard! Now properly awake, I asked my AOR loving driver who was playing: none other than the much derided 'Timotei Twins' of rock: Nelson!

The album playing was their debut 'After The Rain' - a great example of supremely well-crafted melodic pop rock that was destined, only a couple of years later, to be deemed severely passé - nonetheless this album is well worth a fresh appraisal in 2007! As I listened to yet another great guitar break amidst those pristine vocal harmonies, I searched through scattered cassette box's - yep, showing my age here! - to find out who this axeman was... and first encountered the name Brett Garsed.

What I immediately got from Brett's playing (and something that I found very rarely other players, with the possible exception of some of Vinnie Moore's playing) was a sense of utter elegance and sweetness of touch - every note serving a purpose and making utter melodic sense. Brett also utilised some pretty cool jazzy/fusiony choice of notes and phrases, yet all delivered within a context palatable enough for my very 'diatonic' and under developed 'rock ears'!

Throughout the 1990's Brett work rate was prolific, appearing on records such as 1991's fusion shredfest 'Centrifugal Funk' from Mark Varney' now defunct Legato Records label (where, in my book, he came off the best in many head to head guitar duels with Frank Gambale and Shawn Lane) and collaborations with Eight Finger Tapping innovator and melodic genius TJ Helmerich, not to mention his highly regarded REH Instructional Video.

Brett's signature hybrid picking approach resulted in beautifully executed arpeggio, legato and wide interval lines and this combined with a unique approach to playing outside as well as a love of odd groupings and rhythmic displacement resulted in much acclaim form serious fusion and rock guitarists the world over. After teaching stints at LA's world renowned Musicians Institute, Brett came home to Australia at the turn of the decade.

His 2002 solo release 'Big Sky' is a beautifully recorded and moving album, featuring some sublime melodies, often highlighting his increased use and distinctive approach to slide guitar. AOG spoke with Brett a number of times during 2007 in order to bring to you arguably the most in-depth and complete interview and feature yet published on 'The Wonder From Down Under'!

In Part One of 'Liquid Virtuosity', Brett gives us the rundown on his early influences and playing experiences - and life as a jobbing Aussie guitarist/plumber!