I have never had much an appreciation for classical guitar. I would like to believe that it is some mature facet of my being but, in fact, it is the exact opposite and I blame my mother. My parents are directly responsible for my passion for music as it is something that runs deeply within each of them as well. I grew up to the sweet and sometimes not-so-sweet sounds of Bob Dylan, John Prine, The Band, The Who, Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, Dizzy Gillespie, and so much more.

Despite the fact that my parents have enlightened me to music, live music festivals in particular, my mother is also responsible for my dislike of a few particular artists and genres of music. You see she enjoys obsessing over just one album at a time with which she plays on repeat until I go crazy. So now despite my love of folk singer/song writer musicians to this day I cannot stand the sound of Leonard Cohen. Even the mention of his name is like nails on a chalkboard for me. Another victim to the dreaded “mom repeat” is the sound of classical guitar. For months, and possibly even years, the only disk found in my mother’s car was a compilation of the best of Jesse Cook. So for the longest time I associated all classical guitar music to that CD and before even giving it a chance I deemed that I “hated” that kind of music. This suited my life just fine until I became friends with someone whom I personally know is rumoured to be the most talented classic guitarist in Brandon.

Paul Madryga and I first met when I joined the Brandon Folk Music and Art Festival board. Madryga aided in both the recruitment, organization and running of the festival and his passion of music shone through in every occasion. He has since left the board to pursue his other love, teaching. Paul can now credit himself with both the title of guitarist and musical educator. He teaches at Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory of Music and is also a sessional member of the classical guitar faculty at Brandon University. During his limited spare time you can also find Madryga entertaining Westman at Lady of the Lake and the Ginger Cat. It is the Ginger Cat where Madryga is hosting his release party for his second CD “Tone Colour Paintbrush”.

As an avid “hater” of all classic guitar music despite my friendship with Paul I wasn’t exactly looking forward to reviewing his CD. I have certainly changed my mind since. I went on to his Myspace account and found myself mesmerized by the amazing sounds coming from my speaker. Every song carries with it its own emotion where you can almost feel the guitar singing to you. I went through an array of feelings as I listened to not one or two, but all nine songs on the page. I was also listening through mediocre computer speakers I can only imagine the acoustic sounds in store for me at the Ginger Cat Café on Saturday. My negative attitude is gone and I am a real fan of Paul Madryga and perhaps classical guitar music as a whole art form (just don’t tell my mom).

Paul Madryga’s Tone Colour Paintbrush CD release is taking place on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Ginger Cat Café at Tenth and Rosser. The CD showcases classical guitar standards from Andrew York, Frederico Moreno-Torroba, and Léo Brouwer, along with Paul's arrangements of 70's rock standards by Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, and some original work. Admission is $5 with those 12 and under admitted free. I encourage you to go and check him out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
If you want to find out more about Paul Madryga, mail to paologuitar@hotmail.com or online at www.madrygaguitar.ca