Artist description Critically-acclaimed guitarist from Canada who has just released his third record 'One Step Closer'.

Music Style Acoustic and Electric based instrumental guitar music ... seductive, visual and emotional.

Musical Influences Michael Hedges ~ Miles Davis ~ Pink Floyd ~ Dan Lanois ~ Jimmy Page ~ and lots more.

Similar Artists Michael Hedges ~ David Gilmour ~ Mark Knopfler ~

Artist History Ray Montford began playing guitar professionally in 1987 and soon developed a reputation among Toronto musicians for his clean, economical style. This led to work as a back-up musician with several of the city's best songwriters and players. Between 1994 and 1996, Ray toured extensively in Canada, the US and Europe with the Juno Award-winning folk/pop group, The Rankins, and in 1997 with Mary Jane Lamond. Any time off found him doing what he loves most: recording and performing his own music. In 1997 he released the critically acclaimed shed your skin and since then has been dedicated to his solo career. In June of this year he released his third record 'One Step Closer' featuring some of Canada's best players. Ray's music continues to get featured prominently in both film and television.

Group Members Rich Brown ~ Rob Greenway ~ Ed Hanley ~ Greg Thomas.

Instruments Acoustic and Nylon string guitars, Strats and Teles, tabla, durbecki, drums, 5 and 6 string, as well as upright basses, piano, B-3, voice.

Albums 'One Step Closer', 'shed your skin' and 'The Light Within'

Press Reviews Guitarist Montford is at his imaginative best… the songs he creates suggest people and places of interest as he keenly examines the possibilities of acoustic and electric guitar… many steps above the average. (Toronto Star) ~ One of Toronto's most brilliant guitarists… Ray Montford is relentless in his search for new and interesting sounds. (Toronto World Arts Scene) ~ Montford plays a mean guitar and leads his band mates through a maze which results in amazing music, indeed. ~ (The Inner Ear Report) ~ All in all, this is quite an impressive release, outstanding sonically and enjoyable musically. (Sensible Sound) ~ shed your skin can be compared to Peter Gabriel's Passion in it's "taking the listener on a journey" feel. This soundtrack should be listened to with the lights off while lying very still in order to appreciate the excellence of the recording and the beauty of the songs... shed your skin finds it's voice throughout all 11 tracks. (HMV Indie Nation) ~ Montford's guitar work echoes Michael Hedges more than anyone else...his compositions reflect many different styles (rock, folk, Latin) and tend toward elaborately sketched soundscapes. At times aggressive, other times meditative, but never less than intriguing, Montford has created a recording that is both challenging and rewarding. (Dirty Linen) ~ His musical intuition is unique, weaving the listener through countless sonic worlds and emotions, often in one piece. (Don Ross) ~ Montford explores rock and blues, calls on the spirit of John McLaughlin, winks at Mark Knopfler, pays homage to Paco de Lucia, but never falls into the new-age trap. shed your skin stuns, seduces and dazzles. (L'Express)

Additional Info If you love this music, you should buy the real CD (sonically much superior) by clicking the link on the previous page which will take you directly to my site. You would be doing yourself a favour as well as supporting this artist.

Location Toronto, Ontario - Canada

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