Pieces of the Sun

Tony Levin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B00005Y1JN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,957 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Like John Paul Jones and Jeff Beck, Tony Levin is a musician's musician whose collaborations sparkle (in Levin's case with such eclectics as Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, and Lou Reed), but it's his solo stuff that really sails off the chart. And like the aforementioned players, Levin is anything but an oldies machine; he uses each new recording as a way of further juxtaposing his primary instruments (bass and Chapman stick) against the weirdest, most challenging stuff he can score. Consequently, Pieces of the Sun is, predictably, wholly unpredictable, with Levin and his 2001 touring band lighting into a set of headphone-melting instrumentals best described as pulsing prog-rock built on the kind of awesome playing that, in a concert setting, attracts packs of drooling amateurs to the stage to watch the musician's hands. "Dog One"--an unreleased recording with Gabriel--appears rerecorded here as a jittery, piano-and-guitar speckled opus with muffled call-and-response vocals, while the percussive "Tequila" shines the spotlight on a mournful tenor sax before turning things over to ambient synth and lazy electric guitar. With the exception of the languid and loose closing track, "Silhouette," everything on Pieces of the Sun feels urgent, with Levin once again acquitting himself and his generation of charges of stagnation. --Kim Hughes

Product Description

Japanese edition of 2002 release featuring the exclusive bonus track 'Hellos'. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lightning Strikes Again, February 14, 2002

By 

John Hendow (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pieces of the Sun (Audio CD)

When you take a look at Tony Levin's discography, it's astonishing to see the sheer number and variety of recordings where he is credited. Tony seems to always find the right bass line whether he's playing with John Lennon, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, or Peter Gabriel. Yes, the guy can play. Everybody agrees on this.

The tricky thing is that most of the time when a great instrumentalist releases a solo record, you wind up listening to an hour of them beating you over the head with their acrobatic chops.
"Pieces of the Sun" is Tony's second CD release where he takes the role of bandleader. Like his previous solo albums, this one contains predominantly instrumental tunes. Wait, the plot thickens... there are three other virtuoso players on this CD... Larry Fast (synth), best known for his albums released under the name SYNERGY; Jerry Marotta (drums), ace studio drummer and producer; Jesse Gress (guitar), who plays in Todd Rundgren's band and is the music editor of Guitar Player magazine.

What makes this band work is that everyone here is leaving space for the music to be heard. Instead of wrestling for the spotlight, these individuals play together unselfishly. Chalk one up for musical maturity. They stretch out and develop ideas over several minutes. Five songs on this disc are over six minutes long, hinting at classical exposition/development/recapitulation structures.
The CD includes a take on an unreleased Peter Gabriel song called "Dog One" (Tony, Larry and Jerry were in the Peter Gabriel band together for years). You might recognize the Synergy tune "Phobos", formerly a synth-only composition, here rearranged for rock band. And yes, they really perform a version of "Tequila"(!)

The balance of the compositions are Tony's, ranging from progressive rock to minimalist ballad. You'll find a good share of soaring solos (on "The Fifth Man", there is a ripping duel between guitar and Stick) and tricky time signatures (try tapping your foot along with "Phobos"), but nothing here is gratuitous. It's always about the groove, and the cohesive musical feel of this CD is a testament to the band's musical sensibility. There are also a few of those trademark Levin tones, including some funk-finger bass on "Pieces of the Sun" and tasty fretless work on "Silhouette". Overall, this CD is terrific. The players are top-notch, the music is great, and the recording/mastering is crisp and detailed. Take a listen! Then get out there and catch this band live (see tonylevin.com for a touring schedule).

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pieces Of The Sun - Tony Levin, February 14, 2002

By 

Mark D. Swidler (Sterling Heights, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pieces of the Sun (Audio CD)

I have been a big fan of the (so called) Art Rock music (YES, Genesis, King Crimson, ELP, Peter Gabriel, etc.). Tony Levin has been a member of several of these groups off & on. His new album brings together his extensive knowledge of Art Rock into a package which extends way beyond what any of the classic groups have done in the past 5 years! Every piece of work from this CD is great. Since Tony is a bass player, you would be wise to watch your volume levels so as to be kind to your sub-woofer. I promise you, that if you get this CD, you won't be disappointed! I can't wait to see this show live (in about a month).

Mark

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Prog Music, February 27, 2002

By 

Luis C. Diaz (Mason, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pieces of the Sun (Audio CD)

Tony Levin's Pieces of the Sun is a refreshing return to his prog rock roots. Of course, he never left them but as a solo artist he has explored new horizons through world music .

Levin has assembled a great band that has provided the background sound to a solid and well played record. The record was written and produced with a prog rock band in mind and not only as a showcase for Levin to play bass.

The songs on this record remind the listener of great tunes by Yes, Genesis, King Crimson but they are original and interesting. After all, Tony Levin has had a starting role in many of these bands music over the years.
In this recording Tony Levin has structured his performance on heavy use of the Stick Bass and in the texture and sounds that this instruments adds to the music.

Mr. Levin and Co. plan to tour behind this album for what promises to be another innovative set of prog material for old and new followers.