Ultimate Guitar Zeus

Over the years, drummer Carmine Appice has played with some of rock's all-time guitar greats, including Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, David Gilmour, Jim McCarty, and Ted Nugent. So it would make sense for Appice to call on a few six-string pals to lend a hand for a pair of solo releases from the mid- to late '90s -- Guitar Zeus and Guitar Zeus, Vol. 2. In 2006 the Ultimate Guitar Zeus compilation was released, collecting 14 highlights from both albums on a single disc. Standouts include some truly hellacious guitar work from Nugent on the album-opening "Days Are Nights," Zakk Wylde ripping it up throughout "Code 19," and a hard rock reworking of the Appice co-penned Rod Stewart hit "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy," which features Pat Travers. And you've got to love an album that features hot-blooded tennis great John McEnroe on guitar (on the track "Stash"). While hardcore Appice fans will probably want to pick up each individual release, the streamlined Ultimate Guitar Zeus packs quite a wallop. ~ Greg Prato|