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Tony Levin needs no introduction to those who enjoy a
wide variety of music, and those who have followed his career
as the bass guitar monster with either Peter Gabriel or King
Crimson or the miriads of session work he has undertaken.
His Levin band, which came together around the beginning of
this decade, is equally impressive, and features guitarist
Jesse Gress, drummer Jerry Marotta and Larry Fast (Synergy),
the latter two having served time with Levin in Peter gabriel's
band in the early 80's. This is the same core which featured
on all of Levin's outings on the Narada label. Add Levin's
brother Pete on keyboards and guest spots from Adrian Belew
and Toto's Steve Lukather and you have even more resonation.
It has been a few years since a Levin solo release, with sessions
and touring with Gabriel occupying the bald bass maestro's
time, but well worth the wait.***
RESONATOR may be from the same team as before, but they
certainly don't repeat themselves again. Whereas 2000's WATERS
OF EDEN was awash in new age and world music influences, and
2002's PIECES OF THE SUN was a diverse and proggy instrumental
opus, RESONATOR is different from these: a more song-based
collection which is at once more punchy and lively. Of these
ten tracks, only two are instrumentals this time. Levin's
voice doesn't have the stand-out quality of a 'lead singer'
by any means, though not particularly weak either. It's once
of those albums where the musicians sings in order to just
have vocals on the album, to add their personal touch. There
is that personal touch at least. And the songs sound as if
the team are in synch, and more importantly, having fun. Unlike
many 'progresive' albums out there, there is a general vibe
of musicans having a blast playing this material. And those
who have seen Levin's solo band shows will probably agree.
This is a team of friends who just happen to be some of the
best musicians working today. So, if WATERS OF EDEN is the
rich and reflective album, and PIECES OF THE SUN is the progressive
rock album, RESONATOR is the fun album with some hot chops
and cool sounds by the boatload. At 52 minutes long, it doesn't
wear you out either. Just enough musical fun to get you going
for a bit, then leave you til next time.***
One drawback on RESONATOR is that there is less of the
Chapman Stick this time around, the instrument he pioneered
which requires a two-handed tapping technique. Perhaps he
got bored with the instrument. Larry Fast is slightly subdued
a bit too, but hey, he's on a Levin record, not a Synergy
one. All of the team are part of the big picture and everybody
meshes well together. This is a good band. Here's what you
will hear on the new Levin album:***
BREAK IT DOWN: a modern, almost King's X-like 7-minuter
which starts with the percussive attack of Tony's 'funk finger'
bass playing. Lyrics are about over-analyzing everything almost
to the point of ignoring and losing touch with the basics.
Nice verses.***
PLACES TO GO: a blues number with really just bass, voice
and percussion. The bass playing is funky and snappy, and
bops in an unpredictable manner over some shakin' percussion
sounds and words about the blues of travel and homecoming.
Levin's voice works best on this type of track.***
THROW THE GOD A BONE: a rocking track complete with dog
barks and guest guitar from Adrian Belew. The middle section
is somewhat Beatles, and Belew adds his trademark chaotic
guitar animal-osity throughout.***
UTOPIA: this one is a new version of the track from WATERS
OF EDEN, this time developed into a anthemic ballad with somewhat
Beatles verses and a beautiful instrumental chorus. As this
was one of the strongest cuts from WATERS OF EDEN, I don't
mind hearing it again. Not to take from Levin who sings ok,
but perhaps a different singer would have enhanced the ballad
section slightly better. But that chorus is powerful and emotional.
Oh, and there's a smouldering anthemic solo from Steve Lukather
as well.***
BEYOND MY REACH: a more current-era Peter Gabriel-like
slower track, with 'world' music drumming, vocals and warped
piano sounds/string synth. In fact, I can almost hear Gabriel's
voice on this one. Levin's bass tone is rich and resonate.***
SHADOWLAND: an instrumental which bulldozes overtop a
bed of abrasive drum loops and sound effects. This is a true
band composition and you can hear everybody.***
CRISIS OF FAITH: short moment which pits Levin's 'chant'-like
vocals against some some happening Jerry Marotta drumming.
Levin throws in the cello for good measure to add some extra
chaos. This one reminds me of WORD PLAY DRUM BEAT from Adrian
Belew's OP ZOP TOO WAH album.***
WHAT WOULD JIMI DO?: had he lived, perhaps he would have
eventually collaborated with Tony Levin. This one has a classic
rock feel, and Levin's vocals fit better here than on some
of the softer stuff. Tony's brother lays down some soulful
organ solos as well.***
SABRE DANCE: YES! I love the Sabre Dance, one of my fave
classical compositions. For Tony's version, the Khacahurian
piece gets a slightly slowed-down shuffle feel to it with
some abrasive metallic edges and Marotta pounding away on
the kit. Dig the very brief 'surf' section too. When I first
saw the track listing, I saw 'SABRE DANCE' and thought, 'no,
he wouldn't go there...'. Well he did. As a side note: if
you can find it, dig up this one album by former John Wetton
guitarist Billy Liesegang called 'No Strings Attatched' or
something. It's got a killer Sabre Dance on it, as well as
guest vocals from John Wetton and Glen Hughes.***
FRAGILE AS A SONG: a closing ballad about Levin's experience
playing music with apes. Peter Gabriel was involved in a project
with Bonobo apes involving studying communication and music
as a language. Levin joined him, and there the were- making
music with apes. Here, Levin handles all the music- bass,
piano and vocals. This is a good reflective closer which brings
to life the feeling of wonder of communicating with an ape
through music, which is pretty interesting. Maybe an ape album
one day wouldn't be too outlandish.***
Once again, a decent venture from Tony Levin and his
pals. Not what I was expecting, perhaps I was thinking of
PIECES OF THE SUN or the BRUFORD LEVIN stuff. But an album
of vocal songs? Why not, at least every album has been different.
Well done, and fun. If you liked some of the wackier side
of the Crimson camp, like Adrian Belew's TWANG BAR KING and
things like that, this one will do it for you too. Now to
see this live.
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