Levin Band, Tony - Double Espresso

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Papa Bear Records
Catalog Number: 72435-42523-2-7
Format: CD
Total Time: 111:57:00

2002 has turned out to be an excellent year for Tony Levin. He is currently up for a Grammy for the song "Apollo" (from Pieces Of The Sun and touring the world with Peter Gabriel for Up. Along with that, he has been busy touring the US with the Tony Levin Band. Having witnessed the band live, they are an exciting musical experience, especially in the small clubs where you can see everything. Tony works the crowd very well, and is a friendly genuine person.

Double Espresso is a live recording, and Tony puts a great set list of covers and originals together. He plays a few Crimson tracks ("Elephant Talk" and "Sleepless") that go over very well. His band consists of Jerry Marotta on drums (who also sings quite well), guitarist Jesse Gress, and keyboardist Larry Fast. Marotta sounds great on the cover of the Genesis classic "Back In NYC". This is a band you must see live to appreciate. Guitarist Gress really cuts through, putting some metallic solo flourishes against Levin's lush instrumental tracks. He also tackles the Crimson stuff, capturing the sound and essence of those songs. Other covers include Zeppelin's "Black Dog" and a reworking of "Tequila." It is amazing to watch this band perform, effortlessly playing these difficult tracks, and enjoying every minute. The opening "Pieces Of The Sun" runs through numerous rhythmic changes and wonderful melodies brought forth on guitar and keyboards. The pulsing bass and drums of "Geronimo" create an almost bouncy feel as Gress toys with his guitar over the top.

The California Guitar Trio (his buds) makes an appearance on the track "Peter Gunn." Side Two opens with the ambient "Pillar Of Fire" and seeps right into the bass heavy "Ever The Sun Will Rise". If you have a chance to see the band, make sure you do. Best wishes to Tony and the band on Grammy night, I hope he takes one home.

Tracklisting:
Disc One: Pieces Of The Sun (7:15) / Geronimo (3:27) / Silhouette (4:35) / Dog One (5:36) / Tequila (5:15) / Black Dog (5:35) / Ooze (4:33) / Apollo (8:44) / L'Abito Della Sposa (4:06) / Sleepless (6:58)

Disc Two: Pillar Of Fire (6:59) / Ever The Sun Will Rise (7:48) / Phobos (7:01) / The Fifth Man (5:56) / Back In Nyc (6:13) / Utopia (7:39) / Elephant Talk (5:51) / Peter Gunn (3:48) / Belle (4:24)

Musicians:
Tony Levin ? bass, cello, stick, acoustic guitar, vocals
Larry Fast ? synthesizers, bass drum
Jesse Gress ? guitars, vocals
Jerry Marotta ? drums, sax, vocals

Guests:

The California Guitar Trio
Doug Stringer ? drums
Peter Levin ? keyboards

Discography:
World Diary
From The Caves Of The Iron Mountain
Bruford Levin Upper Extremities - Bruford Levin Upper Extremities (1998)
Liquid Tension Experiment - Liquid Tension Experiment (1998)
Bozzio Levin Stevens - Black Light Syndrome (1998)
Liquid Tension Experiment - Liquid Tension Experiment 2 (1999)
Bruford Levin Upper Extremities - B.L.U.E Nights (2000)
Waters Of Eden (2000)
Pieces Of The Sun (2002)
Double Espresso (2002)
Resonator (2006)

Complete discography at www.tonylevin.com

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: February 23rd 2003
Reviewer: Eric Porter

Artist website: www.tonylevinband.com
Hits: 2423
Language: english