Customer Reviews

Down the Wire

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This aint no "smooth jazz." Spyro Gyra is a group of some of the best musicians on the planet. Sometimes techincal playing ability can leave a recording sterile - full of tonal gymnastics and rythmic rapidfire, but no emotional connection with the listener. Othertimes mediocre playing skills lend themselves better to banal melodies or tiresome covers of popular music (smooth jazz). It is rare to find a group displaying unmatched chops along with great compositional skills wherein the music is heady for music afficianados, yet accessable at the same time. Spyro does this beautifully. One of their best CDs in years. Has hints of some of their finest melodies from the early 80s, but is anchored in a contemprorary groove that speaks to us now. Spyro Gyra is a national treasure and though they've been at this for 30 years, "Down to the Wire" is some of the most youthful output from the group, ever. Run, don't walk. . . . .

This was no coincidence;
the last album of Spyro I have is "Fast Forward" and I always missed that old sound (70s-80s).
Over the years, from time to time I was checking what was new with Spyro, but none those of the albums in the past 15 yrs. were big deal, at least for me...BUT!!!!
Something told me to check if Spyro has something new for release....and the minute I've heard samples from "Down the Wire" I pre-ordered the album. I don't know, it resonated just perfect and the feeling in those 30secs was so crystal clear.
Let me tell you, I was not wrong at all! In fact I'm still surprised it is SOOO GOOOD! It's GREAT! Jay and the guys returned to their roots. This cd sounds like it was written it the early 80s or late 70s, only the production is digital. It is still hard to believe after a lots of so-so albums that came up with something like this!
And there is even RHODES piano on the album! If I have to nag about something it would be about Tom not doing any Rhodes solo, but hey....
If you are a fan of the old Spyro sound you will not go wrog with this jewel!
Jazz & Funk & Spyro at their best!
Enjoy it for many years, I know I will!
:o)

I have most of Spyro Gyra's (SG) discs, and so have heard their panorama of music from earliest to latest. As a former musician and songwriter, I listen to music not only to enjoy, but also to analyze it instrument by instrument from a technical standpoint. IMHO, "The Deep End" (TDE), from a musically technical perspective, stands as SG's masterpiece and absolute best effort; it is one of my favorite 5 albums of all time. "TDE" exhibits SG in fully matured form, sets the standard of contemporary music (call it "Jazz," if you will), and will continue to be relevant 20 years from now. After some good but less than satisfying efforts ever since "TDE," this latest effort, "Down The Wire" (DTW) sounds like SG made a determined effort to return to that standard they reached with "TDE." This latest disc offers SG skillfully fusing sounds reminiscent of their entire history with fresh, contemporary textures. This album must be digested through a headset on a quality mp3 player to fully appreciate. You will be surprised at the subtle nuances you'll hear not normally perceptible on a home stereo. Studio production is excellent. SG is worthy of highest commendation because Beckenstein and crew have boldly refused to sell out to the "smooth jazz" radio crowd but retained their unique sound throughout the years, and have not been afraid to display their robust talent and diverse songwriting abilities. SG (like The Rippingtons) remains hard to categorize (jazz, rock, pop, fusion, etc?) yet easy to recognize, which has been one of this band's most outstanding characteristics. "DTW" is SG's talent running on all cylinders, as the opening track demonstrates! (Scott Ambush flourishes on this record and puts on a veritable bass clinic.) This disc is a must for any serious SG fan.

I picked up "Down the Wire" yesterday and have listened to it a couple of times. I really like this disc. My favorite tracks would have to be "Island Pond" and "Flowers for Annie Jeannette." Both are slow and smooth.

This is one of Spyro Gyra's best discs since "Dreams Beyond Control."

Now entering their fourth decade Spyro Gyra have continued to release new music every few years or so. These albums have varied greatly in quality of composition and groove. But they've kept this talented and spirited outfit in the public eye between their best quality recent releases. And this easily qualifies as one of them. Helped along by what wound up to be a very inspired recording session,some of which they recorded on video and is seen here on Amazon.com this album is not only one of the bands best records of recent years but perhaps one of their Top 10 releases ever likely. What really makes it work is not so much that it's any drastic change in style but the band use elements they've always had in their music in ways they never have used them previous to this. And somehow this comes out to be a vital change in direction

One of those defining elements of this album is a strong live flavor. The opening title song and the closer "Make It Mine",the latter of which features a JB/Tower Of Power style rap styled vocal possess the flavor of in-the-groove funk with that collective,stagey quality with few production flourishes. In fact they are two of the funkiest numbers Spyro Gyra ever did. "Not For Nothin" is a bit more of a produced variety of modern funk groove,with plenty of echo everywhere. Aside from involved,elongated perussion and horn driven jazz fusion,with a heavy leaning to the jazz end of it on "A Flower For Anne Jeanette","What It Is" and "Ice Mountain" there are also two unique songs. "The Tippin' Point" is one of the more acoustic jazz oriented sound and honestly it's a very strong composition at that. On "La Zona Rosa" the salsa carinval flavor chimes in,only the marimba sound isn't as obvious so again the sound is different,from bassline to piano solo.

As different as a lot of this music sounds for the band it still possesses a lot of that "Spyro Gyra" type of style. And they do have a style. There's a type of melody,refrain and combinations of music that is very much there's. So even over the years when music changes and even this band changes up with the times they have this individual ingredient that makes the difference in keeping their whole sound continually varied and unique. This album is one of their jazziest,funkiest and most musicianly overall and the punchy,mic'd up "live in the studio" sound Jay Beckenstein achieved with a good deal of this music really brought out the best in a band whom most acknowledge are talented and highly influential but,all the same may have been musically treading water. And if this album is the beginning of a trend for Spyro Gyra they are surely entering one of,if not THE strongest period of their musical career.

Down the Wire is simply outstanding! This is one of their best CDs since the early 90's (Three Wishes & Dreams Beyond Control). I have 18 CDs in my collection for SG and this is one I will be listening to for a long time. I've seen SG live several times from Jazz Fests to Straight Away Music Halls and this CD is already one of my favorites. Each track is uniquely arranged. Big contributions here from all the musicians on this CD. La Zona Rosa is one of the most moving tracks on this release where Julio Fernandez' Latin influence really stands out. I downloaded the MP3 for $4.99 on Amazon. Can't go wrong with the price.

Enjoy!

~tom mercer
Lewes, De.

Spyro Gyra new cd Down The Wire is excellent""""""""""""""""". Id go out & buy it right away.

I recently saw this group in person and bought the CD at the performance. However, when I discovered how great it was and how well it resounded in my car, I bought another copy through Amazon for my best friend who just bought a new sports car. He's enjoying it as I am.

I loved the new album. Memories came back of the 1st concert I attended decades ago!
Still a great band!

This is their best effort in years! The 70s-80s Spyro Gyra was the best, and this new disc recalls that era. Great playing/writing/production. The new drummer is great, sings well too!