California Guitar Trio - Whitewater


Year of Release: 2004
Label: InsideOut Music
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 43:14:00

Being biased against music without vocals, I figured this would be a tiring tirade of instrumental tripe. Instead, Whitewater turns out to be so much more. It's an enjoyable escapade on a delightful day.

The journey is navigated with refined skill. Complex maneuvers are done with ease. Passengers on this ride will be greatly impressed with the prowess of these pilots. The scenery along the way is breathtaking. The segments of the trip are short and easy on the senses. There is something awe-inspiring with every new embankment that is crossed.

The trip starts with "The Marsh." The song is slow and mellow. Water trickles down the hill slope. It gathers speed as droplets congregate into pools and join creeks that lead into streams.

"Atlantis" and "Skyline" lead further down this river.

"Mee-Woo" is a whitewater rafting experience. While the rapids move in a coordinated fashion, there is still erratic behavior with each rock that's encountered. The trio never capsizes. No man is thrown from the vessel.

The water is a sparkling clear blue in "Prelude Calculation BWV."

The musicians continue on their voyage in "Cantharis." Here they are in complete control of their instruments. Every note is sequenced with another. The guitars harmonize as each note skips, slams, and splashes to a frantic pace.

The sounds of nature come to the forefront in "Cosmo Calypso." Every pluck is a bird's chirp. The wind blows with each strum.

The title track is a harrowing piece. The ship is jarred out of alignment. The oarsman work diligently to retain their desired course.

"Led Foot" brings the expedition over a fierce waterfall. The craft is tossed, tumbled, and dragged into a wild whirlpool. Relative Illusion returns it to the gentlest of waters. After a log blocks the way, "Red Iquana" has the group portaging across the land.

"Ghost Riders Of The Storm" is an instrumental combination of the Rawhide theme song and The Doors' "Riders On The Storm." This is the coolest track due its twist on these recognizable tunes. Jake and Elwood Blues meet Wild Wild West.

Every track captivates and there couldn't be a better tour guide along the way. Tony Levin is credited for producing the album.

The California Guitar Trio has written some vivid pieces that literally jump off the media. These three amigos work spellbinding magic. With cunning slight of hand, the listener is not even aware that the vocals are non-existent. They have left no room in the mix for a single voice. The guitars do the singing. The fingerings are fast, furious, and flawless. The deception succeeds. The vocals are not even missed.


Tracklisting:
The Marsh (4:59) / Atlantis (4:13) / Skyline (4:22) / Mee-Woo (3:18) / Prelude Circulation BVW 988 (2:52) / Cantharsis (3:10 / Cosmocalypso (3:53) / Whitewater (3:57) / Led Foot (4:17) / Relative Illusion (3:39) / Red Iguana (3:12) / Ghost Riders On The Storm (3:22)

Musicians:
Bert Lams - guitar
Paul Richards ? guitar
Hideyo Moriya - guitar

Discography:
The Bridge Between
Yamanashi Blues
Invitation
Pathways (1998)
An Opening Act: Live On Tour With King Crimson
Rocks The West (2000)
Monday Night In San Francisco
Live At The Key Club (2001)
CG3+2 (2002)
A Christmas Album (2002)
The First Decade (2003)
Whitewater (2004)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: August 8th 2004
Reviewer: Joshua "Prawg Dawg" Turner
Score:
Artist website: www.cgtrio.com
Hits: 2750
Language: english

  

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