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GARY MELVIN Spare Time
By NANCY QUAEGEBEUR
Staff Writer
When I put Gary Melvin’s “Spare Time” into my computer, I wondered if it was a coincidence that I was about to write this review in my spare time, or perhaps there were some other strange forces at work.
This I cannot be sure of, however, what I am sure of is Melvin’s “art of songwriting.”
“Spare Time” is Melvin’s first solo project and solo album. In 2007, after spending over 15 years as a musician working professionally backing other artists (including Grammy Award Winner and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame member Frank Valli), Melvin decided to embark on his solo journey.
In 2008, he released “Spare Time”, an album that doesn’t pretend to be something it's not. It showcases the true talent of a rising star.
The album opens with a song titled “Make Me Whole.” This song highlights Melvin’s years of guitar playing and a taste of what listeners can expect from the rest of the album. It’s not a flashy album. There aren’t a million different sounds coming from a million different places. Just some good ol’ fashion guitar playing and rocking out.
The song “Life Is Not A Competition” is a catchy sing-along tune that seems to echo the life artists and musicians can sometimes fall into once they hit rockstardum.
The guitar is what guides the songs on “Spare Time.” One can only imagine what they might sound like live.
"Spare Time” is putting Melvin’s mark on the world!
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