Customer Reviews

Peripheral Vision

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have all of Carl Filipiak's work, and this CD is a great starting point for fans of rock, jazz, or fusion. The musicianship on this album is unsurpassed with drumming by Dennis Chambers on every track, and more importantly Carl's guitar playing which is phenomenal. I highly reccomend this album to anyone interested in jazz with a great rock edge as well. Its a must have!

Not only is Carl Filipiak an absolutely amazing guitarist, his songwriting skills are top notch. add to that the fact that he has personally taught just about every good guitarist who has come out of Baltimore in recent years. he is a must see live as well - shows are always spontaneous and engaging...

This release from Geometric Records combines some cuts from Baltimore-based guitarist Carl Filipiak's excellent Hotel Reál (reviewed favorably in the $ensible Sound upon its release several years ago) with some older cuts, making this something of a Carl Filipiak retrospective release. Filipiak's name may never be a household word, but his reputation is spreading, based both on his CDs and his live performances. He is a tasteful performer who does not try to overwhelm the music he is playing by engaging in virtuosic overkill; still, his technique is formidable, as a listen to his version of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" readily reveals. He can also be quite lyrical, as he shows on his cover of Stevie Wonder's "'Cause We've Ended as Lovers." Peripheral Vision offers a good overview of the work of this talented and versatile guitarist; I urge jazz guitar fans to check it out.

This is a nice complilation record, but an earlier review incorrectly stated: "Soroka's performance on sax is outstanding and appropraite, and the use of lyricon adds a layer that dives into exciting new grounds." Paul Soroka is a great musician, contributed lyricon as well as keyboard patches, and authored "Forest Flower", but he's not featured on sax.
The sax players on this record include the late great Bob Berg, [wonderful out-takes from original sessions], and Dave Fairall on several tunes including Little Wing. Credit where credit is due.

Filipiak's musical style can easily be described in just one word- killin'. His unique tones and creative runs make his style of playing seem above the label "fusion." Soroka's performance on sax is outstanding and appropraite, and the use of lyricon adds a layer that dives into exciting new grounds. Dennis Chambers is on fire as he lays down beats that are relaxing as a sunset on Malibu, and other times thrilling as a triple-crown winning horse. Perhaps if Carl's music becomes more and more recognized in years to come, fusion jazz may become more recognized, while at the same time unspoiled as it melts into the mainstream. As one of Carl's students, I definetely feel Carl's music should be heard at more than an underground level. And with music becoming ever so easier to obtain, it almost seems inevitable.