"Masterpiece" by Musicritical February 2006
This is a must listen, ladies and gentlemen! It could have been released in the 80's 90's or 10 years from now. There is a lot of talent here. It has been ages since I could laugh, cry, dance, and relax all in the scope of one hour of pure listening enjoyment.
Lee plays like Hendrix but writes lyrics that speak to the child in us. He runs around the guitar like Al Dimeola, yet there are voices! Yes vocals! A little soupy sweet sometimes, but Chic would be proud. Lee gives credit to a handful of players, Al included. This band is going places if they want to! They are all studio guys so we may not get a chance to see them. I will buy a ticket if there is a venue!
Lee Nysted began his long journey in the world of music with Classical training at the age of seven and began playing the guitar at the age of nine. He was a bit of prodigy in math and science, scoring 166 on his IQ test. Lee attended Medical school at
Northwestern University at age 17, St. Olaf College in Minnesota, and the University ofMinnesota. While attending college Lee won 1st place in 3 music contests during his stay in Minnesota, one that gained him fame on the St. Olaf campus; for the other two, he received 2 brand new acoustic guitars, providing further impetus to continue seeking music as a personal outlet of expression. Shortly thereafter, he decided he was not “cutout” to be a doctor and yet, he did not like many aspects of the music “business” either.
Lee graduated from the University of Minnesota; then began working on an M.B.A. in Chicago. Using his math background, Lee became a manager of “fixed income portfolios” in the securities industry. He continued his studies of music and the guitar throughout his entire youth and into his adult life, playing and recording with various artists in the Chicago area. Since the time he was in the sixth grade, writing music was a part of his life. Lee wrote mostly rock pieces with an occasional “fling” into choral and orchestral work. His guitar influences date back to Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Neil Young.
Lee was destined to follow in the footsteps of one of his mentors and family friend, Jerry Goodman, world-renowned violinist for John Maclaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra. Jerry was instrumental in teaching Lee a great deal about proper technique and the use of all fingers when playing string instruments. He also learned plenty from guitar great, John Mclaughlin, yet he preferred to focus on more melodic and more rock based guitar works. Chic Corea and Return to Forever had a great impact on Lee’swork as well. Then he had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet the entire Return To Forever band while they were on tour in Chicago. He was so impressed with their music, particularly Al Dimeola’s guitar work and sound, that while playing at the ArieCrown Theater, he gave his unsolicited opinion that Al should continue to use the same gear for the rest of their U.S. tour. On his debut album, Lee gratefully and humbly credits many guitarists for their influence on his work, including Al Dimeola.
Lee is a dedicated single father of three girls, a devoted spiritual man, and grateful to be blessed with sobriety and a healthy lifestyle. Shoot From The Hip is Lee’s debut album on his own Nysted Music label. Nysted embodies the spirit and dedication of all Indie musicians and lives by the D.Y.I. rule, serving as an inspiration and role model for other musicians reaching for the same goals and success.
CDM Profile URL: chicagodigital.stores.yahoo.net/leenysted.html
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