4.0 out of 5 stars
We Get It!, July 4, 2009
This review is from: Give 'Em Some (Audio CD)
The editorial review on this page is for some other band. What's up with that, Amazon?
When was the last time you heard a of power trio dedicating a composition to Arnold Schoenberg? "Blues for Arnie" opens this all-instrumental CD with a tip of the hat to the 12-tone pioneer, as guitarist Bruce Arnold, bassist Ratzo B. Harris, and drummer Tony Moreno set off on another 12-tone expedition, skillfully melding jazz chops with sophisticated compositional technique to produce a session that is both entertaining and intriguing.
The closest comparison I can think of off the top of my head is the old Hot Rats album by the late Frank Zappa. Although that album was tonal, Zappa's guitar just kind of took off and flew, and some of the time signatures were a bit out there--but the music rocked from start to finish. The music of Arnold's trio, although the textures are much different from those created by Zappa's ensemble, creates much the same impression of exploring and rocking at the same time. This is the third album that Arnold has made along these lines, and it is the most energetic of the three.
This music really grooves, make no mistake about that, but as with most 12-tone music, you never quite know just where it is going to go. The best thing to do, then, is just sit back and enjoy the ride...
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