Customer Reviews

Rocks the West

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

CGT's "Rocks the West" is not a rock album but an innovative smorgasbord of classical (Beethoven's Symphony #9), rock (Bohemian Rhapsody and Mirsirlou), country/southern/Spanish (Caravan) and jazzy/experimental (most of the rest of the album). Two of my favorites are Bohemian Rhapsody and Misirlou. Bohemian Rhapsody is true to the melody the Queen version, but really highlights its compositional brilliance as it branches into complimentary guitar pieces and great bass-lines. Misirlou is a fast-paced old Ventures tune that rocks without losing any intricate guitar work. The cut after Misirlou is Rokudan, which abruptly changes the mood into a simple, hauntingly beautiful Japanese-sounding tune. Unfortunately it's less than 2 minutes long! I also like the new-agey meditative Puntra Patri, although they speed it up too much near the end. Most of the cuts work for me, but some sound weird and experimental. I usually skip past Blue-eyed Monkey because it sounds like creaking doors in a haunted house, although the cheering fans on the album apparently disagree with my assessment. Likewise, the percussion solo in Caravan is certainly innovative, but "squeaky" and not well mixed. My other grumble is that some songs mix too many different styles and techniques. Pictures at an Exhibition, for example, sounds like a talented but confusing combination of Beethoven, jazz fusion, the Ventures, and a church hymn! The abrupt change of styles within and between songs can be a bit disconcerting. However, every cut has excellent studio-quality sound, even though this is a live album recorded at various venues. CGT is not only about talented guitar work, but amazing guitar tone. Just as a good golfer selects the right club to play each hole, CGT selects high-end fabulous sounding guitars that fit perfectly with each song. Despite my grumbles, this cd is worth a spin to hear these skilled, versatile musicians and high-end guitars.

I never heard of this group before last night the Ann Arbor Folk Festival. There was one group there that completely COMPLETELY brought down the house, the California Guitar Trio. Three guys with guitars playing instrumental music that was a combination of classical, rock, and....SURF. But get this...they played the ENTIRE back end of the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th...on three guitars....including the bit at the end where it goes to warp speed and there is an entire chorus on stage. (It's on this album too.)

It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen live, because once the audience recognized what CGT were going to do, and yet couldn't imagine how it could be done, they got completely breathless in anticipation. When they hit those last notes the crowd stood up and cheered, 1500 people. In a folk music concert!

I immediately acquired this album to try to re-live this experience. On listening I miss the thrill that came from the live performance, but enjoyed it regardless. When you listen, close your eyes and concentrate. It's not just some studio trick, it's just three cool guys playing amazing guitar. LIVE!

CGT is an amazing trio of innovative guitar players that come from or are inspired by the Robert Fripp school of guitarrist. These live interpretations stand as a great overview of both their work and the ability to transform different styles and other's work into the trio's musical style. The three guitar arregements are clever and sometimes so good that it's almost scary. A fine example if Queen's Bohemian Rapsody... It truly blew me away the first time I hear it through my stereo. The trio is also augmented by Tony Levin (another King Crimson member with Fripp) and this provides the needed bass sound to make the trio's sound more complete.

This is a band and album for those looking for challeging music in both intelectually and performance wise.

The California Guitar Trio honed their skills under the tutelage of Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft. Moving beyond his lessons, they have incorporated their own interests in surf, classical, and original music to bring a unique blend to this CD. Live performances by the Trio bring more life to their playing and find enthusiastic audiences reacting to the joy and precision that the Trio bring to the stage. Adding to the attraction of this CD are appearances by sax player Bill Janssen (who played on Adrian Belew's early albums) and bass player Tony Levin. I recommend this as a great introduction to the CGT.

I had heard of these guys for quite a few years but just never bought anything. On a whim purchased this partly because of Tony Levin. Just the first 30 seconds made me think, 'Oh my God this is gonna be good.'And it is. I've purchased everything the've made, have seen them 3 times and am just in awe seeing and hearing them live. Buy this

Funny thing about these three California dudes is that one is from Belgium, another is from Japan and I don't even know where the third guy is from. Tony Levin (from Brookline, MA) appears on 7 songs. Very cool acoustic mix covering Beethoven and Mussorsky to Duke Ellington and Queen.

As much as I hate the term "new age," it's probably inevitable that some of the CGT's music at least gives some people that impression. It's a shame, since they're far too talented and eclectic to fall under what's become such an inane label. I think their selection of covers and original material has something to do with it; their "Bohemian Rhapsody" here almost sounds like background muzak for some department store. Sometimes it's unavoidable that some music usually given the full power of a band or orchestra will sound a little empty when stripped down to three guitars. On the other hand, "Misirlou" and some originals such as "Scramble" and "Pathways" (both from their truly fine Pathways release - also worth looking into) bring the house to its feet in a live setting. The music won't shake the walls like Deep Purple, but it's not meant to. For this live recording they're also augmented by Tony Levin's bass/Stick work and some playful sax from Bill Janssen, who only add more spice to the mix.

New to the CGT? Rocks the West serves as a fine introduction to the group and an overview of what's come before. Not a perfect album, but a highly enjoyable one.

I'll be honest here. Before listening to this CD at a local music shop, I'd never really given the California Guitar Trio a try. I am a big guitar fan, with favorites ranging from Joe Satriani to Billy McLaughlin, but somehow this little group managed to avoid me. But, one night after having an argument with my wife, I took off for a drive, and ended up at a music store. Why, I don't know, but that's where my car took me, so I went in and made my usual circuit. Along one wall they have CDs on display that you can listen to, and when I saw the word guitar I stopped. The guitar is a soothing instrument for me, and in the mood I was in (dark and ticked), I thought that I should give it a listen. Well, thank the gods I did, because this CD just blew me away, and the shining moment was early on: Track 2, Symphony No 9. I must have stood there and listened to them play Beethoven's best work three times in a row. I was enraptured! It was extraordinary! They played with such passion, skill, and joy! Immediately I snatched a copy of the CD from the wall and bought it, and I haven't looked back since. If you have the means, this CD is so choice. No, not great all the way through, but the moments that shine really *shine*! I give it a big positive thumb's up!

If California Guitar Trio's connection to Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, King Crimson, and prog rock are turning you off to trying this excellent band, put those things aside and just listen to the band play. These associations are not unimportant, but pigeonholing this band by those associations may keep you from taking a rewarding musical journey. My wife and I discovered the CGT at the Troubadour in LA. They were warming up for Leftover Salmon [I think] and they were in the pure trio incarnation. We didn't know about the associations at that point. THEY BLEW US AWAY! It was three guitars playing as one with a truly eclectic song selection, plus they turned out to be nice, humble guys [I went up at the break and asked them about their unusual looking, matching guitars]. We have since heard them with Tony Levin and Pat M. on bass/stick and drums. Last night we saw them in trio mode again. LISTEN TO THE MUSIC PLAY!

Rocks The West is probably the best place to start. The tracks were recorded live [the way they should be heard], some with Tony Levin and some without. Put on the CD, turn up your stereo, and LISTEN. Listen to the interplay of the pure trio on Bohemian Rhapsody and Beethoven's 9th. Follow the notes from guitar to guitar. Listen to the guys play with Levin on Punta Patri, a CGT staple in concert. Listen to Miserlou with the guitars, bass, and saxophone. LISTEN!

If you like guitar, a wide range of music, good interplay between musicians, and, dare I say, musical virtuosity, then you are cheating yourself if you don't listen to the California Guitar Trio on Rocks The West.

The best CGT album yet, with a bit of everything, and everything is great. From the opening original rocking track, to Beethoven's ninth symphony, to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, and that's just the first 3 tracks. My favorite is their cover of Duke Ellington's Caravan, complete with 'drum' solo on the guitar wood. Other highlights include Mussorgski's 'Pictures at an Exhibition', which is the best version since EL&P. With surf music, classical, and rock this has something for all tastes. Everything is done with a sense of style and fun. Enjoy!