Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
4 stars out of 4
How much better can California Guitar Trio get. Most groups
reach a certain point in development then everyone moves on, not CGT.
It seems each time I hear something new by this group of incredibly
diverse and talented men I am just awe struck, left with my mouth
hanging open. Well, they did it to me again. Tony Levin, the best
bass player in the world, is onboard again for another smorgasbord
of progressive rock. In addition, Pat Mastelotto is present to do
all the tweaking and technical wizardry in the studio. The three members
of CGT are quite enough talent by themselves...then to add more outstanding
talent to their already capable repertoire pushes the musical envelope
a bit further, sending the entire project into the another musical
realm that stands by itself.
The problem for me is I do not know where to start with this CD; the
entire performance blew me away!
Keep in mind I have a definite fondness for instrumental music, particularly
progressive, so please forgive me for being so partial, and having
a favorite genre that I like to rant and rave about. Of course, there
has to be something legitimate to carry on about, and CGT always gives
me enough ammunition.
One of the more captivating tracks is "Heart of the Sunrise." They
use the intro to the Yes classic "Long Distance Runaround"
to open the song then strategically place it at different points
to keep you off balance and wondering when its going to pop up again.
This group can be masterful in disguising and utilizing other memorable
tunes then blending them into their own. I notice that they do it
frequently, but not so it is not an original composition, they never
fail at improvising, manipulating, and making it their very own.
They always sound like a different band on every song, it is really
rather astonishing. "Zundoko-Bushi" is another amalgamation of modern
day rock. It is a Japanese traditional song with excerpts from the
celebrated King Crimson track "21ST Century Schizoid Man."
Then they suddenly whisk you off to another time and place thousands
of years ago in their version of John McLaughlin's "Dance of Maya."
Their music is truly worldly, and very worthy of that all encompassing reference.
This is yet one more classic progressive rock masterpiece to add to
your CGT collection. If you have not started one yet, now would be as good a time as any.
1. Melrose Avenue - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 2:16
2. Skyline - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 4:41
3. Dancing Anne - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 3:38
4. Heart of the Sunrise - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 7:16
5. Hanagasa - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 3:32
6. Zundoko-Bushi - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 3:37
7. Blockhead - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto
- 3:47 8. Dance of Maya - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 7:12
9. Swampy Space - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 3:40
10. Swampy Return -California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 2:10
11. Train to Lamy - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 5:11
12. Eve - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 4:11
13. What I Am - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 6:29
14. The Chase - California Guitar Trio / Tony Levin / Pat Mastelotto - 7:36
Credits:
Tony Levin - Bass, Producer, Photography, Chapman Stick
Pat Mastelotto - Producer, Photography, Trap Kit, Buttons
Paul Richards - Guitar, Slide Guitar, Mixing
Bert Lams - Guitar, Mixing, Guitar (Tenor)
Hideyo Moriya - Guitar, Mandocello
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