Volinist David Garrett made an appearance on the Today Show this morning. I don’t know his full story, but he said that he came to the US at an early age (I think seven) and studied at Juliard.

He played snippets of some pop and rock tunes and movie music. Then he performed Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” I would call the performance “listenable.” He’s definitely an accomplished violinist. I was impressed with his accuracy, even though he tended to be a bit ahead of the beat on “Smooth Criminal” (I’m being picky here, but if you’re going to play Michael Jackson and make it sound cool, you don’t want to be on the front edge of the beat!)

Garrett has a new CD out and a US tour underway. I’m conflicted about this CD. On the one hand, I was really impressed with Garrett’s playing. On the other hand, why why why can’t this talented musician offer the world something original and personal. Do we really need a rocking violinists version of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”?

Here the tracklist off the CD:

1. Summer (Vivaldi)
2. Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
3. He’s A Pirate
(”Pirate’s Of The Caribbean” Theme)
4. Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson)
5. Csardas (Gypsy Dance)
6. Who Wants To Live Forever? (Queen)
7. Thunderstruck (AC/DC)
8. Ain’t No Sunshine
9. Carmen Fantaisie with Paco Pena
10. Air (Johann Sebastian Bach)
11. Zorba’s Dance
(From “Zorba The Greek”)
12. Chelsea Girl
13. Rock Prelude
14. Dueling Banjos (Dueling Strings)

The answer is, no, we don’t. Also, we don’t want to hear Bill Withers on the violin. Or, if we do, you can bet we’ll only listen one time. It’s kinda like an M Night Shyamalan movie… it’s gimmicky. So is most of the CD.