Midnight Noon

D'Angelo, Craig Chaquico | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Higher Octave
• ASIN: B0002VYPDU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,040 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Among instrumental artists tagged with the "New Age" label, former Jefferson Starship guitarist Craig Chaquico is one of the few who energized the genre with music bearing a distinctive personal imprint. Chaquico's early recordings (Acoustic Highway, Acoustic Planet) were amiable affairs made memorable by their waves of chiming, glistening chords and refreshing pop-rock propulsion. Yet smooth jazz flourishes gradually crept into his compositions, absorbing his guitar into a generic sax-bass-keyboard mix that obscured his individual stamp. Midnight Noon, his eighth release, is a modest but encouraging move toward more of a middle ground. Chaquico, said to play 50 different guitars on this recording's 10 likeable, upbeat selections, still exhibits an allegiance to jazz (with brassy big-band and Latin accents surfacing at random intervals), yet includes a few pop-infused charmers ("Her Boyfriend's Wedding," "Outlaw in the City," "Always with You") that serve as welcomed throwbacks to his original, looser sound. While at times it sounds as if Chaquico is composing tautly structured television themes ("Jazz Noon"), several of his animated solos (try "El Gato") remind you just how well this guy can play. --Terry Wood

Product Description

Inspired by the expression 'jazz moon' (aka midnight), the tunes of Chaquico's album 'Midnight Moon' explore what happens as a day turns to night. Chaquico draws upon a wide range of styles - jazz, 1950s be-bop, Latin, & of course rock from his own days as the lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship - & incorporates some 50 different guitars into ten groove filled tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Listen!!!!!!!!!!!, September 28, 2004

By 

G. Bates (Rockford, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Midnight Noon (Audio CD)

This may be Craig's most creative release. Craig tells the listener (in the liner notes)the story behind each tune. There is considerable range demonstrated throughout the whole CD. There are soft songs and then there are the guitar jamming songs which made me think that Craig was returning to his (Jefferson)Starship roots. It is said that Craig incorporated over 50 different guitars in the making of this CD. After listening to the entire CD, I knew it was a great listen whether there were 1 or 50 guitars used. Additionally, several tunes showcase Craig's band members. "Equinox" features Ozzie Ahlers with a nice piano solo and "Bobby Sox" probably demonstrates his bandmates more significant contributions with the bass and keys getting the most play. "Dream Date" features a nice back and forth between Craig and saxman Kevin Paladini. Throughout the CD, you will experience the therapeutic effect that Craig has attempted with his work via the American Music Therapy Assoc.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Midnight Noon by Craig Chaquico, September 16, 2005

By 

Felipe Sahurie - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Midnight Noon (Audio CD)

Craig Chaquico was once the lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship but you wont hear a lot of rock and roll polished riffs here on this CD.No, this is no Yanni nor Pat Metheny, but it is Craig Chaquico, a guitarist who has made a unique sound of his own.

Although Chaquico plays mostly amplified jazz-fusion music, his sound is nevertheless well suited for the SACD(Super Audio Compact Disc) treatment utilized here.Normal, standard CDs are criticized, and rightly so, for sometimes being on the cold side. So artists like Chaquico need all the warming-up help they can get.

During the last several years, Chaquico has been number one on many levels and many charts-both during and after his work with Jefferson Starship.A few # 1 mentions:

Number 1 on Guitar Player's Magazine poll; #1 on Billboard Magazine for New Age music, with his album, Acoustic Planet, #1 on Billboard's top Indie tunes with Acoustic Highway.

Listed as #1 tune from album Panorama on Café Carnival; Best of Craig Chaquico, #1 on Smooth Jazz for album Shadow and Light,

This CD was created to inspire you, move and make you think.It accomplishes that goal very well.Below is my track by track review:

1-On Her Boyfriend's Wedding, Craig uses an acoustic guitar and the song itself is an upbeat song that is easy-listening which you can play over and over and you may never get tired of hearing it.This song is inspired by a true story of a woman who was invited to her ex-boyfriend's wedding, where she meets someone new.

2-Dream Date-A dreamy song to follow "Her Boyfriend`s Wedding", telling what might have happened next. A combination of acoustic and electric guitars with sax sets the mood.

3-El Gato-Written and recorded during the Year Of The Cat to loosely follow the story line of the CD. El Gato (the cat) is a passionate song featuring piano, sax, classical Spanish nylon string guitar, acoustic steel string guitar, and finally rockin` electric guitar accented with Latin-inspired percussion and horns.

4-Bobby Sox-Inspired by an old, fat-bodied guitar from the `50s, a vintage Hammond B3 organ with original Leslie rotary speakers, and things that happen between midnight and noon and back again. Envision a nostalgic trip in time where you see those cute little bobby socks with saddle shoes, classic automobiles, and the rounded fenders of Harley-Davidson motorcycles lined up along the curb in front of a diner.

5-Always With You-Day and night, a true love is always with you. Many thanks to April Hendrix for the mysterious and soulful vocals. Her vibe (and just the name Hendrix) inspired the way much of the guitar was played on this song. Acoustic guitar flipped sonically and played backwards in the studio, Spanish guitar, electric funk guitar, plus lush keyboards and sax weave a story of how different musical styles and opposites always attract.

6-Jazz Noon-A slow, sexy song.Perfect song for the title track, which fits perfectly the title of this CD!

7-Dia Del Zorro-My favorite song from this CD, This is the first song on any of Craig's albums played entirely on electric guitars.

8-Girls Night Out-Several distinctive guitars and other instruments are used here to express the different personalities of girls on a night out together. As the `night` continues, the guitars (like the girls) get a bit more uninhibited.

9-Equinox- This song features Ozzie Ahlers with a nice piano solo and a beautiful piano introduction to "Outlaw In The City".

10-Outlaw in The City- This song was inspired by the idea of someone exploring areas outside of their element - like a traditional tribal singer, medicine man, or sacred seer, feeling their unbridled spirits roaming barefoot among the iron horses in a big concrete city, skyscrapers breathing humanity in and out of lungs made of glass and steel.


Using sounds from 50 of his own guitars Chaquico shows exactly what he can do, communicating through his instrument, taking his audience wherever he feels like going.

Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton, mega star Chaquico deserves the recognition he has earned through his years as lead guitar for Jefferson Starship, along with the 20 Gold Records won, making the group one of the most successful, ever.

Aficionado Chaquico connects with his audience through a passion of story telling, emotional weaving of textures, and a flow of rich sound.

With 30 plus years as creator, connoisseur, and master of sound, Craig Chaquico has launched another hit.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Midnight Noon, June 25, 2005

By 

Katherine B. Alves - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Midnight Noon (Audio CD)

This is one of Craig's best CDs. Not only is the music great, but this is a CD you need to have so that you can read the story presented in the CD booklet. It gives more meaning and atmosphere while listening. The variety on the CD is interesting and the vocal track is great.