Donald Loignon – Like Satriani

Journal Le Soleil – May 4, 1997

The guitarist releases his instrumental rock album
By Michel Bilodeau – Special collaboration

Fully aware that instrumental rock in the style of Joe Satriani is no longer popular, guitarist Donald Loignon was nevertheless determined to fulfill one of his old dreams: to record his first instrumental rock album. The musician from Saint-Georges de Beauce took the bull by the horns and produced and released Maître de ton destin (Master of Your Destiny) on his own.

A few years ago, Joe Satriani could manage to achieve a hit with an instrumental piece. Here in Canada, this wave of instrumental rock also benefited guitarist Donald Charles.

But the landscape quickly changed… and interest waned. Donald Loignon is well-positioned to talk about it, as he made many unsuccessful attempts to approach record companies.

An old dream for the guitarist
No matter! He is determined to record the pieces he has composed over the years and which he has demo versions of, all created by himself.

The guitarist, who can also be heard on Lynda Lemay’s first CD, decided to take action and bring his project to completion. And this, despite all the obstacles he faces.
“Of course, I was aware that it was a tough market and that record companies wouldn’t commit unless they were 100% certain. That’s why I took the project into my own hands. It was an old dream, and I wanted to see it through to the end.”

An admirer of Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen, Loignon now wants to present his album live, because, as he says, it is in concerts that his compositions come to life.
“I learned a lot in the studio, but in a way, you are too limited, constrained. On stage, you can play your piece 80% like the original, and you can also improvise. Improvisation allows you to explore, to add. It’s a great pleasure.”