Don't Be Scared

Paul Wertico | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 15, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 15, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Premonition (Emd)
• ASIN: B00004W55X
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,472 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Clybourn Strut

2. The Underground

3. African Sunset

4. The Visit

5. Liftoff

6. Long Journey's End

7. Taliaville

8. Justa Little Tuna

9. Testament

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After two decades as drummer in the Pat Metheny Group and recording with everyone from blues artist Ellen McIlwaine to avant guitarist Derek Bailey there is apparently no musical style that scares Paul Wertico. Genre mixing is not unusual in the postmodern age, but it remains hard to find artists who blend musical styles in a manner both seamless and personal. Thus, Wertico's trio is a rare find in its ability to range comfortably from the down-home blues of "The Underground" to the Afro-groove of "The Visit" to the King Crimson industrial noise of "Testament"--and without sounding like a different band on each cut. Credit guitarist John Moulder's synthesis of sophisticated jazz licks and raw rock tone for helping to keep the project on course. Though a studio recording, Don't Be Scared Anymore has a live energy that equals or surpasses the group's first outing, Live in Warsaw. Scary good. --Michael Ross

From Jazziz

Listeners only familiar with drummer Paul Wertico from his stints with fellow Chicagoan vocalist Kurt Elling or his tasteful rustling behind fabled word jazz hepster Ken Nordine may be caught off guard by this session. Though Wertico has long traveled as a key component of guitar hero Pat Metheny's multi-faceted orbits, here the drummer chases a more fixed vibe. An effort, he states, to use the studio to its maximum effect, Don't Be Scared Anymore is an unabashed revel in the power-trio slash-and-burn jazz-rock of 1970s .

Guitarist John Moulder evokes the overheated style of Wired-era Jeff Beck - as on the brooding, bluesy "The Underground" - and some of the loopish intensity of art-rock heroes like Robert Fripp, while Wertico and bassist Eric Hochberg keep the rhythms bustling.

It's a more interesting record when Moulder isn't pushing the VU meter deep into the red, notably because Wertico's skillful touch can be more strongly felt. There's a supple stretch of the CD-closing "Testament" that accomplishes this balance beautifully, but as group concepts go, this one aims more stridently towards a form of enlightened jamming that fans of the latter-day Allman Brothers Band would appreciate.

--Steve Dollar, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CD THAT ACTUALLY TAKES CHANCES, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Be Scared (Audio CD)

This CD is one of the most exciting and bold CDs released recently. Rather than resting on his laurels and releasing yet another bland, straight-ahead, take-no-chances jazz record, Wertico actually tries to do something different on this release. The music is intense, exciting, challenging, and original. Yes, some of it is ugly...but some is beautiful as well. The range of tone, emotion, style, and energy on this album is something to behold. If more jazz artists had the courage to release music this striking, the music world would be a much more interesting place. This is music of joy and open minds.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars holy crap!!!, May 8, 2001

By 

Charlie Dresser "Bjork's Lover" (chicago area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Be Scared (Audio CD)

wow. this cd is simply amazing. such power on tunes like African Sunset, Clyborn Strut, and The Testament, and such a great touch on songs like The Underground. Wertico's drumming is perfect for this kind of music and just goes to show how great he is, doing all styles from kurt elling, to larry coryell, to this. moulder's guitar playing is down and dirty (and you would never guess that he's a priest!) and eric hochbergs bass lines just hit the spot. this cd can appeal to anyone, for example, my dad who most may say is sorta a "square" is contantly stealing this cd from me and playing on his way to work. he says it puts him in a good mood. so please buy this cd, and support wertico and his bravery and courage to release a cd this daring and awesome! if i could give this cd more stars, believe me, i would, but ... only limits me to 5! Buy this cd!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! Something different!, December 22, 2000

By 

Sam (Wheaton, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Be Scared (Audio CD)

With the world of jazz today seeming to go around in circles, it's nice to see something that's going "off-road." It's even nicer to find that this CD is also one of the greatest I have heard! Wertico's drumming fits perfectly with the rough and dirty guitar playing of John Moulder, and the repeated bass lines of Eric Hochberg. Odd time signatures and alternating feels are no problem for this very talented trio. We have a wonderful blend of fusion jazz music here. This album would make an excellent addition to your current jazz library, adding a little spice to what may be a very bland mix.