Lifeboat

Jimmy Herring | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 21, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Abstract Logix
• ASIN: B001C3MY9E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,372 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest 70's Fusion Album Never Made, November 9, 2008

By 

Daniel Bailey "NoLameMusic" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lifeboat (Audio CD)

This is an outstanding effort from Herring. I was wary of another aimless "jam" effort, (while Project Z has its moments, one must admit that it lacks any real direction or originality,) but the guitarist and his pals have truly crafted something special. "Lifeboat" is neither a jam band record or a guitar hero wankfest...the songs strike a perfect blend of melodic songwriting and improvisation, immaculate arrangements, (there are flutes, alto and soprano saxophones, keyboards/pianos, and one killer bass solo,) and balls-to-the-wall group interactions. Most of the songs would likely fall under the "jazz-rock fusion" category, but there are tracks that fall firmly onto both sides of the line.

Lifeboat is tasteful, original, and flawlessly executed, and as a soloist and the clear musical focus of this record, Jimmy Herring is a 10; you can be different, but you can't be better. He's got unbelievable chops, but he uses them as a means for creating soulful, exhilarating pieces of music, rather than a series of excuses for shredderiffic yawn-athons. What's more, his bandmates are given ample room to shine for themselves, which sets this album apart from 9 out of 10 instrumental guitar albums.

In all, an amazing album with endless replay value. Buy it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for 'spreadheads, November 25, 2008

By 

S. Shirley (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lifeboat (MP3 Download)

I have to say that I was more than surprised at how great this album is. Don't get me wrong, I was well aware of Jimmy's skills as a guitarist as he has been the hired gun of choice for the jam scene for many years now. I had no idea that his composition chops were right up there with his playing.

If you are looking at this album as an extension of a Widepsread Panic (his current gig) show/album, you will want to look elsewhere. These songs are modern jazz concepts rather than loose jams. Not dissing on Panic, it's just there's improv and then there's IMPROV and this is the latter. With that said, the music is still very organic and full of feeling.

If you're primarily a jazz fan and may be a skeptic due to hearing "jam band" in a negative connotation, you needn't worry. Jimmy does not "noodle" on guitar in the jam setting and he certainly doesn't when he's playing jazz. This is just great composition played at a very high level.

Do yourself a favor and get this album. It's a shame that XM/Sirius have decided that nobody listens to modern jazz and have cancelled their outlets for music like this. Word-of-mouth may be the only way that one gets to learn about these guys now. Support these guys.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical Bliss, November 7, 2008

By 

fhnsab - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lifeboat (Audio CD)

From top to bottom, this is a Triple A effort from Mr. Herring. He along with Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Sipe form the core trio of the album. However, there are also many heavily featured guests as well, that fully round out this beautiful album. There is a great mix of fusion rockers, ballads, and some straight ahead jazz stuff that assures this record will be in heavy rotation for a long time to come. Jimmy is a master at his craft and I really enjoy the confidence with which he plays every note. He is able to string together long lines of blazing hot licks like few other players can. Highly recommended. BUY IT NOW!!!!!!