Live Wires

Joe Deninzon, Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 7, 2004)
• Original Release Date: April 7, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: D-Zone Entertainment
• ASIN: B00022EW50
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,713 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. What's That Thang?

2. The Perfect Storm

3. Pleasurepain

4. Heavy Shtettle

5. Magic Fingers

6. Theme from The Simpsons

7. An Evening Nap in the Afternoon Sun

8. Contusion

9. Acid Rabbits

10. Shock Therapy

Editorial Reviews

Review

Classic fusion lives and breathes via Russian-born, classically-trained Joe Deninzon and his amazing band Stratospheerius. Captured blazingly bright live and in the moment on this 10-song live outing, Joe and his magic band bring old music (Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra) and new music (fans of the Dave Matthews Band's most transcendental moments won't feel lost here) together with a heavenly blend of originals from Deninzon's two previous studio affairs,Electric/Blue andAdventures of Stratospheerius, covers, and previously unreleased material. From the latter disc comes the inspiring "Contusion," the ass-shaking "What's That Thang" and the aptly-titled Acid Rabbits" (think Jeff Beck'sBlow By Blow), from the former; there's also Frank Zappa's "Magic Fingers," Danny Elfman's theme from The Simpsons and "Heavy Shtettle," co-written by ex-Testament guitarist and current jazz ax meister Alex Skolnick (who guests on two tracks here). While Deninzon's studio outings served as fine introductions to the New York-based maestro, this little sonic boom captures him unhinged and unencumbered as he leads his fiendishly good mates into strange and bold new worlds that leave now jaw snapped together, no heart beating at anything approaching a normal rate. Sounding more relaxed and confident than ever, Deninzon unleashes the fury on "Shock Therapy," "The Perfect Storm" and shines in the vocal department on the lovely and amazing "An Evening Nap In The Afternoon." As at home in the world of Grappelli and O'Connor as he is in the world of Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix, Joe Deninzon may very well be our next national violin treasure. --www.f5wichita.com

Product Description

"Live Wires" is the first live Cd by electric violinist Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius. Recorded on tour between 2001 and 2003, it features incredible virtuosic interplay, and jaw dropping jams mixing funk, rock, and world music. This disc re-creates the out-of-body live experience that is "Stratospheerius".

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this man, March 31, 2005

By 

Anne R. Leighton "comforter!" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live Wires (Audio CD)

I'm Joe's publicist, because I was first a fan of his work. This album has great stuff going on with the Simpsons' theme and originals. Joe's voice is also signature....it's in the Jack Bruce vein, except a bit lower in timbre. He's fusion, combining a variety of things including musicianship and great hooks.

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, infectious fun for the ears and feet, June 12, 2004

By 

M. Sherry (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live Wires (Audio CD)

This album will get you moving! Combine a funky, hard rocking, jazz influenced guitar/bass/drum trio (much too powerful to call a rhythm section) with Joe Deninzon's feisty voice and nonstop fireworks on the electric fiddle, and the results are exponentially grand.

Joe's songwriting really impresses me (note to Tipper Gore: please affix your Advisory stamp to all Beatles & U2 albums if you sport any issues with the incisive lyric crafting here). Influences from fusion, funk, progressive rock as well as what makes 'pop' rightfully popular shine through in each track.

A few very choice covers compliment the originals and are arranged with great care. Having seen them perform live their own version of Vince Guilardi's 'Peppermint Patty' I can attest this band makes you appreciate their roots as they impress you with their ingenuity.

Alex Skolnik's appearances help accentuate the dynamic of the whole greater than the sum of its parts, every bit as unique and thrilling as Jake Ezra's unquenchable fire on the Strat.

Live Wires exemplifies what a live album should be: a record that charms your ears and feet into wishing they were at a live performance right now. Until Stratospheerius visits a town near you, this is as good as it gets.

p.s. Unlike other reviewers who deal out 5 stars like Halloween candy, I'm saying with 4 (and an invisible half) that this CD is a Desert Island Disk all the way. 5 = Sgt. Pepper's.