Karma [Import]

Nick D'Virgilio | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Inside Out
• ASIN: B00005NTUP
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,329,500 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. River Is Wide

2. Dream in Red

3. Forgiven

4. Karma

5. The Game

6. The Waters Edge

7. Come What May

8. Will It Be Me

9. Anything

10. Paying the Price: Dysfunction

11. Paying the Price: Paid the Price

12. Paying the Price: Unknowing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The multitalented NDV., October 17, 2001

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Karma (Audio CD)

If you aren't a Spock's Beard fan, chances are you're checking this disc thinking: "NDV? Who's that?"

NDV is Nick D'Virgilio, the virtuoso rock drummer of the mega Spock's Beard, today's finest progressive rock band. However, D'Virgilio's profile extends well beyond the Beard... this man's been around. Having played with Genesis, Kevin Gilbert, Tears for Fears, and he was even a session musician for Jennifer Love Hewitt (remember her? Hoi), it was obvious enough he was an outstanding drummer. His performance on Nick n' Neal - Two Separate Gorillas affirmed that he could play a mean acoustic guitar and sing like it was nobody's business. No one would deny D'Virgilio's musical abilities, but what kind of songwriter was he? His solo album Karma will let you know.

NDV takes his album in a number of directions, so it's hard to nail down. It's not that it defies easy categorization, but the album amalgamates so many of D'Virgilio previous personalities that "eclectic" is the best word to describe it. The title track "Karma" is completely unlike your run-of-the-mill song, consisting entirely of exotic, polyrhythmic percussion and voice. On this album, D'Virgilio does more than just hit stuff, though. He plays piano, keyboards, guitar, and bass throughout the record. He gets help along the way, too. Mike Keneally contributes some guitar, like on the rock & fusion opener "The River Is Wide." Alan Morse from Spock's Beard stops by to play cello on the powerfully melodic, richly epic "The Water's Edge." D'Virgilio also revives a song he wrote with Kevin Gilbert several years ago called "The Game." NDV and Gilbert were close, and you can hear Gilbert's influence in a subtle way throughout the disc. The rock/pop balladry ("Come What May" and "Will It Be Me") here is warm and beautiful, and I think one of the real tests of a songwriter is the ability to write emotionally affecting ballads. "Dream in Red" reveals a bit of a soul influence in a hooky song peppered with funky drumming. The band's epic is the three part suite "Paying the Price," full of rockin' riffs and a demonstration of D'Virgilio's intuitive lyrical abilities.

It's entirely possible that this review is biased, since I love Spock's Beard so much. Yet I think NDV's album is different enough from the Beard that the bias doesn't come into play. All that matters is that Nick D'Virgilio is a phenomenally talented man. For those wondering about the sheer breadth of his ability, this is you best opportunity. If you're not a Spock's Beard fan, pick this up anyway. It offers something for everybody, and it's by far one of the best albums of the year.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Expansive vision, technique, AND feel, September 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Karma (Audio CD)

This is a fine first solo album from Spock's Beard drummer Nick D'Virgilio. While it doesn't hurt that many of Nick's past collaborators appear (including Mike Keneally, David Baerwald, Alan Morse, Ryo Okumoto, and the late, great Kevin Gilbert), D'Virgilio proves himself to be an able writer and singer in his own right. No embarrassing lyrics here, and the songs vary from melody-driven pop to "Beard-like" prog epics, and include a couple of strong ballads. Most unique, and perhaps the most worthy of this solo project, is the entirely percussion and vocals-driven song "Karma." It's unlike most anything you've ever heard and yet it's instantly captivating and ultimately rewarding. Much like the whole album.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooray for drummers!, September 13, 2002

By 

"elpfan09" (Burke, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Karma (Audio CD)

It must be said that I am a drummer. I have a bias towards drummers. I own the Carl Palmer Anthology. I have bought magazines with Mike Portnoy on the cover. I can play In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida in my sleep. I need help.

And here to help is Nick D'Virgilio (pronounced Nick D-"something Italian"). The drummer from Spock's Beard has stepped out from behind the (massive) shadow of Neal Morse and recorded his own CD. For those expecting just another drumming showcase, be prepared to expect much more. Nick can sing, play guitar, keyboard and write music. Quite a talented trained monkey. And it's not just Nick locked in a room making noise by himself, either. There are some big names that guest on this record, including other members of the Beard, Mike Keneally, Rick Mussallam and even the late Kevin Gilbert. (God bless demo tapes.)

The album hosts a wealth of variety in his songs, ranging from prog ("The River is Wide," "Paying the Price"), rockin' ("Dream in Red," "Forgiven," "Anything"), powerful ("The Game," "Will it Be Me"), percussive ("Karma," "Untitled") and Moulin Rouge ("Come What May"). The last one is a "different" (read "better") version than that featured in the "movie" (read "waste of money"), but it's the same song, oddly enough.

Overall, this album is fantastic. From beginning to end, there are no spots that lack energy, excitement or entertainment. Spock's Beard fans will probably enjoy it. Drummers will most likely appreciate it. All should love it. This is an exceptionally good solo record. Even for a drummer.