Ben Granfelt “It’s Personal” on A1 Records,
release date 30.5.
BEN GRANFELT’s 21st solo album “It’s Personal” is a special release, as not many artists are releasing their albums on CD and vinyl these
days. Not to mention a double CD/double LP as a combination of studio and live album.
“I’ve been so inspired to play lately and a lot of people have been asking for instrumentals for a long time… here you go, one instrumental
album coming up,” comments Ben on the studio Cd/LP of “It’s Personal”.
Ben playing guitar for the sake of his own enjoyment, no rules nor restrictions but a fine collection of musical statements.
The instrumental CD/LP features songs with melodies, riffs, different sound textures and yes, of course there are solos but they are kept as
a part of the songs rather than the songs being an excuse for endless noodling.
About the recordings says BEN GRANFELT: "Together with Masa Maijanen (bass) and Jari Salminen (drums) I recorded the basic tracks live
in a big room, then I locked myself into my little studio and had the most wonderful time recording guitar tracks and creating sounds. I
honestly think I've done something very special and personal. I'm very proud of the result."
The live CD/LP proves that Ben is also an excellent singer and at the same time it's a further testament for a band having maximum fun
doing what they do. Recorded in the same Power Trio line-up with Masa Majanen on bass and Jari Salminen on drums during the 2024 tour
of the anniversary album "Gratitude", (Ben's homage to Jeff Beck, Robin Trower and Gary Moore) it shows that no two BEN GRANFELT
concerts are alike. There is a lot of jamming and the songs change from the recorded studio versions quite a lot.
In addition to BEN GRANFELT originals, the live CD/LP also includes the Robin Trower song "Bridge Of Sighs", the nine-minute "Breathe" by
Pink Floyd and the classic "Cocaine" by J.J. Cale, all in Ben’s very personal versions.
The first digital single from the instrumental album is “Crash Test Dummy” which Ben descibes as follows:
“This is my inner Jeff Beck coming out in the riffs, I'm not trying to hide it at all. The repetition of the first riff gave me the idea for
the name, those stops are like some kind of crash. Instead of having a normal blasting speedy solo I decided to create something mellow
and melodic before we go back to the riff again.”
Ben and his band will tour to support the release of “It’s Personal” starting early June in Finland through the summer and then in
September/October in Germany.
