Novello, John - Threshold

Year of Release: 2004
Label: Holographic Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 73:00:00

Few in the progressive rock world will argue that John Novello, Hammond B3 pirate of the high-energy trio Niacin, can't play with the blistering urgency of someone hanging on to dear life. Even fewer will pick a bone with his conviction, which, given his lengthy line of credits and credentials, shows that the guy is really into what he does. Practically no one will say that his synthesizer rack doesn't look at least a tad bit impressive. Quite a few, however, will be able to say that his solo effort Threshold simply missed the mark.

A mostly by-the-numbers display of fusion and some jazzier stuff here and there, Novello's solo album features a rock-solid rhythm section, impressively strong production for a live album, and fiery moments of B3 playing that go straight for the gut. Unfortunately, it also features rather tepid (and prominent) saxophone playing and a large number of unimpressive or downright kitschy tunes, which, in the end, does not make out for a positive balance. Take, for instance, the cover of Hendrix's "Voodoo Child," to which Novello opens the proceedings with some mighty nice synth work that emulates the guitar legend's wah-wah sensibility down to a T. Just a little into the fray, however, saxophonist Eric Marienthal accompanies Novello in the original's vocal lines, which wouldn't be a bad idea if it weren't for the fact that Marienthal completely misses the honest and throaty verve of Hendrix's original delivery.

Not that Marienthal can't pull out a good card out of his sleeve here and there, as he has a couple of moments throughout the album in which he finally lets it rip, but it's simply not enough. And unfortunately, the situation with the actual instrumentals is pretty much the same. The album's title track is quite the groovy kicker, dealing out a nice punch combination from the start, but the excitement pretty much dies out throughout its extensive solo section and doesn't really come back until the beginning of "Journey To Nowhere." That's a whole hour in the middle, folks.

And a rather lackluster hour as well, what with the awful kitsch of "Lament" and "Because Of You," the too-typical uptempo fusion of "Discovery," and a couple of blues that are simply too polite to generate any real excitement. Novello himself seems absent a considerable portion of the record, and only gets to playing the hell out of his B3 setup in isolated moments, which he should be doing most of the time instead. Moreover, when things seem like they're about to take a turn for the thrilling, such as somewhere in the middle of "Cee Blues," the band leaves those ideas in favor of safe territory way too soon.

Actually, speaking about safe territory, that is exactly what keeps Threshold down and away from the fields of the titillating. It's simply safe. Way too safe.

Similar artists: Rare Blend, Chick Corea, Return to Forever

Tracklisting:
Threshold (7:52) / Discovery (8:06) / Lucy In The Sky (7:03) / Voodoo Child (10:06) / Cee Blues (7:31) / Lament (7:39) / Bitchin' Blues (10:50) / Because Of You (6:41) / Journey to Nowhere (7:12)

Musicians:
John Novello - Hammond B3, piano, synthesizer
Eric Marienthal - saxophone
Eric McKain - percussion
Melvin Davis - bass
Randy Drake - drums
Del Atkins - bass

Discography:
Too Cool (1990)
On The Other Side (1991)
What's Goin' On (1993)
The Lady Sings The Blues (1995)
Here And Now (1996)
Niacin - Niacin (1996)
Niacin - Live (1997)
Niacin - High Bias (1998)
Niacin - Deep (2000)
Niacin - Time Crunch (2002)
Niacin - Blood, Sweat & Beers (2003)
Always & Forever (2004)
Threshold (2004)
Niacin - Organik (2005)

Genre: Fusion-Jazz Fusion

Origin US

Added: November 5th 2006
Reviewer: Marcelo Silveyra
Score:
Artist website: www.keysnovello.com
Hits: 4633
Language: english