Alternating Currents

Spyro Gyra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 17, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: AMHERST RECORDS
• ASIN: B000001O7Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,931 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #70 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little different than before, but no less enjoyable!!, December 12, 2000

By 

Glenn "Glenn98" (Bergenfield, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alternating Currents (Audio CD)

In this CD, Spyro Gyra has a new guitarist--Julio Fernandez replaces Chet Catallo. I cannot honestly say that I prefer one over the other, they just have a different style. The album starts off upbeat with the catchy and upbeat "Shakedown" and then proceeds into a somewhat raucous but still melodic title cut "Alternating Currents". We then slow down into "Taking the Plunge". Honestly, I could do without the scatterbrained "Binky's Dream No. 6" as this is nothing more than mildly amusing. And on no other piece is Julio Fernandez's talent more apparent than on the awesome guitar solo on "PG". Then we move back to the past a bit in "Heartbeat". And nobody can forget the ever hummable "Mardi Gras" after which we slow down into "I Believe in You", just to pick up the pace and end with the mood lifting "Sunflurry".

The group's style has changed somewhat here, but they're just as talented as ever at making good music!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alternating Currents!!!!!!!, August 28, 2004

By 

Chris Covais (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alternating Currents (Audio CD)

This album is a real classic! From the period in the eighties when Spyro Gyra was at their height. After their big success, Morning Dance, Spyro Gyra prooved they could make more great music in the relm of great fusion jazz music. 1985, the group had been around, making records, for about seven years. Since their first album, Spyro Gyra, they have grown, and the music got better and better, but they were pretty well machured when they did come out, just at this time, they were even better. This album, starts off with the classic, Shakedown. A unique, shuffle, based swing. Great saxophone Jay Beckenstein! Alternating Currents, is a great piece. It is hardly a , "normal", song. Richie Morales, drums, delivers some nice grooves! Some other great songs, are PG, and Binky's Dream #5. If you like other classic Spyro Gyra from the 1980's, you'll absolutely love this compact disk!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A review of Spyro Gyra's Alternating Currents., April 27, 2003

By 

James Houser (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alternating Currents (Audio CD)

Alternating Currents is a fantastic Spyro Gyra cd. It was released in 1985. Right in the center of the climax of Spyro Gyra's career. Alternating Currents is part of my music collection, and I'm glad that I have it. This particular album would rank in my top 8 favorite Spyro Gyra cd's of all time.

Alternating Currents has an overall jazz rock/fusion sound to it. My top 3 favorite songs off of this cd would have to be tracks 1,2, and 9. Shakedown is an amazingly well done and put together song. It is, in my opinion, one of their best songs of all time. It has a very cool beat to it and I have listened to it countless times. Alternating Currents is a good song with fantastic guitar parts in it. Sunflurry is a nice, relaxing song. Tom Schuman does a great job on keyboards. All 9 songs on this album are great Spyro Gyra.

Overall, this is a terrific cd. It is well worth it to purchase it. This is classic Spyro Gyra. The cover art is even of a real hurricane! Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.