Premonition [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The classic rock & roll of the '60s has been milked fervidly for years now as bands reform, re-record, and license their trademark tunes until the cream is squeezed from each note. Creedence Clearwater Revival's oeuvre may be the one towering songbook from its era left fallow by its creator. Until now. After shunning his classic songs for decades, Creedence chieftain John Fogerty has embraced them as if they're long lost pals. Premonition presents 18 live tracks performed last year by Fogerty and a four-piece backing group. While there's a sampling of new material, Fogerty's first live solo album is dominated by songs he recorded in a remarkable burst that ran from 1968-72. Premonition proves that Fogerty was the Chuck Berry of his period, with classic songs that are simple, yet profound. While most topical material from the Vietnam era hasn't dated well, "Fortunate Son" still pulses like an open wound, perhaps because it wasn't inspired by noble convictions so much as blunt resentment. The majestic "Who'll Stop the Rain," removed as it is from the turmoil that inspired it in the first place, now sounds almost Biblical. --Steven Stolder

Entertainment Weekly
For those who still revel in the art of the air guitar--and you know who you are--Premonition is manna from rock heaven....

Premonition [Live]

Tracks:

Born on the Bayou
Green River
Susie Q
I Put a Spell on You
Who'll Stop the Rain
Premonition
Almost Saturday Night
Rockin' All Over the World
Joy of My Life
Down on the Corner
Centerfield
Swamp River Days
Hot Rod Heart
Old Man Down the Road
Bad Moon Rising
Fortunate Son
Proud Mary
Travelin' Band

Customer Reviews:

For Fogerty and Creedence Fans Alike.......2007-06-18

As Creedence was pretty much the John Fogerty Show, it is nice to see and hear him on a concert tour. It seems that he has retained the same upbeat spirit that has endeared Creedence fans everywhere. After all, there are many 60's retreads out there, like Eric Clapton amd Paul McCartney still going strong, so why not John Fogerty?

Fogerty expertly recreates and reprises many Creedence hits such as the hypnotic Born on the Bayou, the easy Proud Mary, his stirring covers of I Put a Spell On You, and Susie Q,, and simple but energetic rockers like Travelin' Band and Fortunate Son. Singing and guitar playing are in top form here, and the backup band is every bit as compliant as the old Creedence, albeit less thin-sounding. New songs like Centerfield and Swamp River Days get an extra shot of adrenalin. And then there is one hearfelt ballad, Joy of My Life, with a fine slide guitar accompaniment.

If there is anything for me to be less than ecstatic about, it's that Fogerty really hasn't shown much growth or progress in his musical career. Not to worry. The album is still worth getting if you really like him and crave Creedence.

Fogerty.......2007-06-10

Great value. If you remember the 60s' and 70s' you will love this one.

John at his less than best.......2007-03-13

Fogerty goes through the motions with his CCR tunes and his own solo works, producing little more than a live version that could have been made in a studio with a canned crowd track. Banter in between songs is rehearsed sounding, and there's no good jams a la early Creedence Clearwater here.

Worse yet I forgot this CD and bought it again months later, being so excited to get a chance for a Fogerty album of any kind!

John Fogerty- Loud, Live And Rocking All Over The World!.......2007-03-04

I have always felt that the true measure of an artist lies in the quality of his live peformances where he cannot depend on the technical wizardry to be found in a recording studio. Mr. Fogerty delivers the goods in this excellent live CD. He sums up the American fascination with baseball in the song "Centrefield" and I was delighted to hear him perform his relatively unknown song "Almost Saturday Night" . His distinctive guitar work is a joy to listen to and he also entertains his fans with stories between songs aout the love of his life Julie and how he has been using the same amplificaion rig since Woodstock. Naturally 5 stars for this CD.

check this out too.......2006-07-08

I am a huge fan of John Fogerty's solo music and his music with CCR. If you enjoy his roots-rock style then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
1) 24 Hours A Day by The Bottle Rockets
2) Chooglin': A Tribute To The Songs Of John Fogerty
3) Banjos and Sunshine by Sixty Acres
4) Trace by Son Volt

Average customer rating:

Premonition

Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000NJL0CU
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

Premonition
Linda and Jim
Severe Severing
Roommates and A Liar
Inconsistencies
Something's Really Wrong
If Tomorrow Is Wednesday
A New Life

Average customer rating:

grossly overlooked
Severely Underrated
Sly must of had a Premonition.
Actually the first Survivor album was called "Survivor"
It's really their first!

Premonition
Survivor
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Survivor
Too Hot to Sleep
Eye of the Tiger
When Seconds Count
Vital Signs

ASIN: B00005OAJA
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Chevy Nights
Summer Nights
Poor Man's Son
Runaway Lights
Take You On A Saturday
Light Of A Thousand Smiles
Love Is On My Side
Heart's A Lonely Hunter

Customer Reviews:

grossly overlooked.......2006-01-19

This was one of my favorite 80's cds. Just a great feel good effort. Great melodies and vocals from Dave Bickler. I felt like Survivor went bubblegum after he left. This one had at least 4 potential radio hits and never got any air play. That sort of thing started happening alot after MTV cranked up and injected cancer into the american music scene. This cd rocks. You definitely won't be sorry you bought it. Their first cd is very good as well.

Severely Underrated.......2005-08-10

One of the most unfortunate things about the band Survivor is that some of their greatest works did not appeal to general pop culture. In other words, they were at many times independent from most other rock bands from that era, not giving into media demands to perform a certain way. This was no more apparent than with their first two albums. Slightly softer than their hard-core first, this one brought more power-ballads to the table. The sensational vocals of Dave Bickler (Survivor's early 80's era singer) give the ballads a true feeling that's very rare. These include 'Summer Nights', 'Runaway Lights', and 'Heart's a Lonely Hunter'. They spell out the true difference, although the rocker's such as 'Chevy Nights' and 'Take You on a Saturday' hold up as well. That being said, the only one that matched the early 80's sudden music change was 'Poor Man's Son' (as high as #33 on the billboard charts). While they would eventually alter their musical style slightly (most notably with 'Eye of the Tiger' the following year), this one remains overlooked and deserves some bit of credit.

Sly must of had a Premonition........2004-08-27

When Sylvester Stallone was looking for a new song for ROCKY III
he listened to this album. Survivor had finally made the top 40 with "POOR MAN'S SON." I'm sure he had no idea just what would happen when he asked them to write the theme song. So I guess you could say that if not for this album, the words "EYE OF THE TIGER" would be nothing more then words form a script.
What we have here is a great album of rock. From the opening riff of "CHEVY NIGHTS" to the b-side of "EYE", "TAKE YOU ON A SATURDAY", this album was self produced by the band,(just look at the album cover) which means no "CORPORATE ROCK" here.
Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan wrote all of the songs. Every one of them finds way to tug at your heart. The haunting "HEART'S A LONELY HUNTER" (which by the way is my favorite) to the rock n roll fantasy "LIGHT OF A THOUSAND SMILES" (which is something everyone of us has done at least once in our lives) not to forget the homecoming tear jerker "RUNWAY LIGHTS" this album will make you feel good when you listen to it.

Actually the first Survivor album was called "Survivor".......2004-03-29

And no, there was no possible comparison between Dave Bickler and Jimi Jamison. Bickler rocked. Jamison crooned til your lunch revolted. I loved the edge Bickler's voice gave to the early recordings, including the vastly overplayed "Eye Of The Tiger" which deserved ever bit of praise it ever got. (I just wish the classic rock powers that be hadn't killed it for me.) "Poor Man's Son" and "Summer Nights" were my favorites here, despite the balladish nature of the latter song.

It's really their first!.......2003-07-17

I remember hearing "Poor Man's Son" on the radio in 1981 and wondering who that was, really liking it. I'd never heard of Survivor and would not hear of them again - until the next year.

1982's "Eye Of The Tiger" was a huge hit, as well all know.

What we all seem to miss is the original issue dates of these albums; Premonition was released *before* Eye Of The Tiger. It was *re-issued* after Eye hit it big. If you find the LPs, look at the release numbers on them - Premonition came first. Yet many fans thing it was the second album. Thanks to some good San Francisco rock station, which has long since gone blander than tofu and/or been bought by Clear Channel, I *knew* who Survivor was, sort of, when they made it big.

So, it was neat to see a case of commercial redemption, where a band was able to follow on a hit album by re-issuing their earlier material after it was ignored.

Premonition is mandatory in any Survivor fan's collection. It's raw-edged David Bickler stuff. It manages to capture a great deal of the teen male angst that they tried to appeal to. While it's not the work of art that 'Foreigner' was, it belongs next to it.

Average customer rating:

This is a GREAT Record

Peter Frampton - Premonition - Track List

What a great album!!!!

Premonition
Peter Frampton
Manufacturer: Wea Corp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000DP09
Release Date: 1989-01-11

Customer Reviews:

This is a GREAT Record.......2007-02-06

This record was mostly overlooked by the general public, it should not have been. The album contains some very wonderful guitar playing, great songs, including Lying, the title song Premontion, All eyes on you, some wonderful stuff here. If you are a Frampton fan, and dont have this one, YOU are missing out.
Jenks

Peter Frampton - Premonition - Track List.......2006-02-15

Peter Frampton - Premonition - Track List:
1. Stop
2. Hiding from A Heartache
3. You Know So Well
4. Premonition
5. Lying
6. Moving A Mountain
7. All Eyes On You
8. Into View
9. Call Of The Wild

What a great album!!!!.......2005-06-09

Frampton only made two full length albums for Atlantic Records. While both are awesome albums, this one is the best of the two. It's hard to find on CD! But it appears to be easy to find on vinyl. Best song on this album is the ballad "All Eyes On You". Such a beautiful song.

Average customer rating:

You Move Me
Poi pleases once again
Straddling the line...
A good album but misses the PDP standard
In Seed Comes Fruit

In Seed Comes Fruit
Poi Dog Pondering
Manufacturer: Premonition (Emd)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

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Natural Thing
Wishing Like a Mountain and Thinking Like the Sea
Electrique Plummagram
The Best of Poi Dog Pondering (The Austin Years)
Volo Volo

ASIN: B00009QGDK
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

Had I Known
You Move Me
A Love Rains down
10-28
Daytrippin
Hangover
Keep The Faith
True
So Real
Hotel Seze
Simple Song
In Seeds Come Fruit

Amazon.com

Poi Dog Pondering founder and only constant member Frank Orrall has rarely stood still since forming his group in Hawaii in 1986. He's maneuvered his band through nearly as many different cities as line-up changes. The eclectic outfit has gradually found its niche somewhere between the easygoing acoustic rock of the Dave Matthews Band and the pan-American rock and R&B fusion of Santana. Its ninth album is typically overflowing with ideas and energy, as the fifth line-up of Poi Dog Pondering takes up the experimental bent of 1999's Natural Thing, mixing strains of folk, electronic music, and soul into uplifting tracks like "A Love Rains Down" and "Keep the Faith." --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

You Move Me.......2006-12-29

This has to be one of my all time fav bands, and this one...my fav song!

Great Listen

Poi pleases once again.......2005-07-26

This is your typical beautiful poi cd. Even though it is a bit more synthesized than their earlier stuff, that's what I prefer. If you like liquid white light, natural thing, and their newer sound this cd was made for you. It is powerful...keep bringing it on pdp!

Straddling the line..........2005-07-04

There's a fine line between elevator music (so-called "Musac") and ambient rock, and at times this latest one from Poi Dog Pondering crosses the line. It's not that "In Seed Comes Fruit" is a bad album by any means. In fact, it's quite ambitious when combining world music with sly, pulsating techno waves and rolls. Indeed, like more mainstream acts such as Santana, Dave Matthews Band, and even Moby to an extent, Poi Dog encoporates nearly all types of music (world, jazz, etc)into each album (and occasionally each song). Whether melodic acoustic or soothing piano that resembles something off of an "Air" album, nobody can accuse this album of being narrow-minded.

Unfortunately, however, that's where things stop. The music may be open-minded, but that doesn't mean it's inspired. By the middle of "In Seed Comes Fruit," the listener has heard everything the album has to offer. In a word, the music gets a little tedious. Unlike it's cousin, the rather silently brilliant "Natural Thing" album released several years earlier by Poi Dog, "In Seed Comes Fruit" is hardly a journey. None of the songs posess any real "groove" that wants the reader to, at best, keep listening and at worst, even stay awake.

As other reviewers have said, the members of Poi Dog failed to liven things up at all on this album. Hopefully on their next go at it, they'll turn up the bass and speed a few tracks up a bit. Anything to give the listener something to move to rather than music that simply blows like a breeze (and a breeze that never really goes anywhere, at that).

A good album but misses the PDP standard.......2004-09-25

I'm a huge PDP fan so of course I was excited to hear their most recent offering. After hearing some of these songs live I was somewhat disappointed by the album. It's still pretty good but lacks the energy of its predecessors. It's a good album if you just wanna chill out and relax although at times - it's dangerously close to something you'd hear in an elevator.

In Seed Comes Fruit.......2003-12-30

I've seen Poi Dog Pondering live a number of times and have always loved their energy and vibe, both of which are missing on this CD. In Seed Comes Fruit is a huge disappointment. The songs are totally over-synthesized and all sound the same. I couldn't even make it through the whole CD.

Average customer rating:

Too Rich For Your Blood
Tasteful Diversity
Re-invention
A beautiful voice wasted
Nearly perfect

Café Blue
Patricia Barber
Manufacturer: Premonition
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000020C0
Release Date: 2004-11-22

Tracks:

What A Shame
Mourning Grace
The Thrill Is Gone
Romanesque
Yellow Coar III
Wood Is A Pleasant Thing To Think About
Inch Worm
Ode To Billy Joe
Too Rich For My Blood
A Taste Of Honey
Nardis
Manha de Carnaval

Customer Reviews:

Too Rich For Your Blood.......2006-04-23

In our home town, Patricia Barber is recognized as the ruthlessly in inventive talent that she is. But here, other reviewers seem to ignore her originality in favor of "scathing" assessments of how she uses that originality.

An artist is an artist largely because he or she takes a unique perspective through a disciplined process of invention, often using existing frameworks. This is exactly what Patricia Barber has done for all of us.

In this album, many cuts more than prove out this fantastic originality. But the one that stands out completely is "Too Rich for My Blood," one of her own compositions. It is nothing short of amazing.

They talk a lot about the influence of her lesbianism on her art. I suppose that this is relevant, if not inevitable, discourse. However, once you hear the musicianship of this song, and its complete inventiveness, you won't ever be quite the same again. If you have to be a lesbian to compose and sing this way, I want to be one, too.

Tasteful Diversity.......2006-03-29

This is my first introduction to Ms. Barber. This album is quite diverse in her arrangements. She has outstanding musicians backing her up throughout. If you want the same old jazz don't buy this CD, but if you want tasteful diversity with each track please check this masterpiece out. You won't be disappointed!

Re-invention.......2004-04-23

Like Bird, Miles, Coltrane, Mingus and Monk (to mention a few), some jazzmen simply re-invent and re-direct the art form. (Miles did it multiple times.)
Miss Barber is of that caliber. Her arrangements are scintillating; her voice quality is unique, and the intellectualism and passion she brings to her music are frankly superb. Long may she grace us with her STYLE...

A beautiful voice wasted.......2003-07-24

I found her voice which I had heard on the Lady Sings the Blues compilation to be absolutely wonderful. I found the material and especially the instrumental arrangements to be quite awful. Sometimes droning on in repitive long stretchs that remind one of machine music rather than creative movement where ideas are explored. Often they are in dischordant sounds that seem to seek strangeness rather than musical meaning.
Listen carefully before ordering this if you are not familiar with her material. It goes straight to my "Sell" pile, I'm afraid.

Nearly perfect.......2003-02-11

I like this record a lot. The first time I heard it, I was shopping for new speakers for my stereo. The salesman at a high-end audio store played it for me, saying that it is a staple for demonstrating audio gear. Which is to say, it's really nicely produced and has lots of interesting sounds across the sound spectrum. He went on to say that 90% of the people for whom he plays the record go on to buy it. So that is how I came to acquire it.

Patricia Barber is a gifted songwriter, and the lyrics to her songs are clever, witty, and engaging. So you might be wondering "why only four stars?" The reason I withhold the fifth star is that Ms. Barber goes off on a couple of vocal tangents where she completely loses her way. For example, on the second track "Mourning Grace" she sings off key for nearly an entire minute. Frank Sinatra made an entire career out of singing off key, but I hope Ms. Barber does not continue to follow his lead.

Premonition
Average customer rating:

The best music ever made!

a Heavenly album!!!

Premonition
Paul McCandless
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pat Metheny Group - The Way Up - Live

Metheny / Mehldau

ASIN: B000000NIH
Release Date: 1992-07-14

Tracks:

Robin
Punch
Rainland
Two Moons
At First Sight
Winter Creeper
Last Bloom
Rendezvous
Can't Stop the Wind
Premonition
Turning to You
Robin Reprise

Customer Reviews:

The best music ever made!.......2005-09-16

This is my favorite album ever since I took it in 1997. There is nothing like that. I have never heard any other album with music similar to that. The music is accessible yet complex. Everything is intellectual about it. I am still able to find something new in it although I am listening to it almost every day. In fact the only other album that I am able to enjoy more and more with the years is Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis but that's a completely different genre. Thank you, Paul McCandless!

a Heavenly album!!!.......2005-03-16

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul a few times, and while we talked once, we discussed this album and he described the making of this CD as 2 weeks of Heaven.

I can't disagree. There isn't a wrong note to be found.

The combination of Lyle Mays and Paul McCandless is indeed Heavenly.

I hope it becomes widely availably again, and that they get together to make another (I know Paul looked forward to that too!)

If you can find it, grab it. It's a gem.

Average customer rating:

This is an essential album for any reggae/dub fan

Premonition
DRASTICS
Manufacturer: JUMP UP
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Chicago Massive

ASIN: B0007M8IQO

Product Description

Debut album from Chicago's top live roots reggae dub experience. Heavy jazzy Jamaican riddims with guest vocals from Dr Ring Ding, King Django, Craig Fujita from Pressure Cooker and more.

Customer Reviews:

This is an essential album for any reggae/dub fan .......2005-02-26

Trust me I'm a DJ (haha). This record is one of the finest reggae records to come out in a long time. Lots of echo, dub, bass, and at the same time tight rocksteady and great pop hooks with the horn section. This hasnt come out of my player yet (going on 2-3 weeks in rotation).

Average customer rating:

It's not like Pat Metheny Group music
holy crap!!!
Finally! Something different!
A CD THAT ACTUALLY TAKES CHANCES
Weak effort from a sideman trying to step out on his own

Don't Be Scared Anymore
Paul Wertico Trio
Manufacturer: Premonition (Emd)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

StereoNucleosis
Yin and the Yout

ASIN: B00004W55X
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

Clybourn Strut
The Underground
African Sunset
The Visit
Liftoff
Long Journey's End
Taliaville
Justa Little Tuna
Testament

Amazon.com

After two decades as drummer in the Pat Metheny Group and recording with everyone from blues artist Ellen McIlwaine to avant guitarist Derek Bailey there is apparently no musical style that scares Paul Wertico. Genre mixing is not unusual in the postmodern age, but it remains hard to find artists who blend musical styles in a manner both seamless and personal. Thus, Wertico's trio is a rare find in its ability to range comfortably from the down-home blues of "The Underground" to the Afro-groove of "The Visit" to the King Crimson industrial noise of "Testament"--and without sounding like a different band on each cut. Credit guitarist John Moulder's synthesis of sophisticated jazz licks and raw rock tone for helping to keep the project on course. Though a studio recording, Don't Be Scared Anymore has a live energy that equals or surpasses the group's first outing, Live in Warsaw. Scary good. --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews:

It's not like Pat Metheny Group music.......2002-02-23

If you want to buy this CD, make sure that you listen to the preview songs first; don't just read the review cause might make the same mistake as I did.

I bought this CD hoping that the songs will sound like Pat Metheny Group music. Nope, it's completely different. To me, this album is like an abstract sounding music. Some people might like this kind of music, but not me. I guess I just have to stick with Pat Metheny Group albums if I want to hear the classic "PMG" sound.

holy crap!!!.......2001-05-08

wow. this cd is simply amazing. such power on tunes like African Sunset, Clyborn Strut, and The Testament, and such a great touch on songs like The Underground. Wertico's drumming is perfect for this kind of music and just goes to show how great he is, doing all styles from kurt elling, to larry coryell, to this. moulder's guitar playing is down and dirty (and you would never guess that he's a priest!) and eric hochbergs bass lines just hit the spot. this cd can appeal to anyone, for example, my dad who most may say is sorta a "square" is contantly stealing this cd from me and playing on his way to work. he says it puts him in a good mood. so please buy this cd, and support wertico and his bravery and courage to release a cd this daring and awesome! if i could give this cd more stars, believe me, i would, but ... only limits me to 5! Buy this cd!!!!

Finally! Something different!.......2000-12-23

With the world of jazz today seeming to go around in circles, it's nice to see something that's going "off-road." It's even nicer to find that this CD is also one of the greatest I have heard! Wertico's drumming fits perfectly with the rough and dirty guitar playing of John Moulder, and the repeated bass lines of Eric Hochberg. Odd time signatures and alternating feels are no problem for this very talented trio. We have a wonderful blend of fusion jazz music here. This album would make an excellent addition to your current jazz library, adding a little spice to what may be a very bland mix.

A CD THAT ACTUALLY TAKES CHANCES.......2000-12-09

This CD is one of the most exciting and bold CDs released recently. Rather than resting on his laurels and releasing yet another bland, straight-ahead, take-no-chances jazz record, Wertico actually tries to do something different on this release. The music is intense, exciting, challenging, and original. Yes, some of it is ugly...but some is beautiful as well. The range of tone, emotion, style, and energy on this album is something to behold. If more jazz artists had the courage to release music this striking, the music world would be a much more interesting place. This is music of joy and open minds.

Weak effort from a sideman trying to step out on his own.......2000-12-03

Paul Wertico has been a satisfactory if uninspired drummer for Pat Metheny for many years now, but given the penchant for playing with great drummers that Metheny has (especially his amazing recordings with true greats like Roy Haynes, Jack Dejohnette and recently, the immensely talented Bill Stewart), many fans have wondered what it is he obviously seems to value in Wertico.

I bought this record thinking that I may have found some behind the scenes clue, and what I found was that Metheny has been doing Wertico a favor by focusing on his strengths (crisp cymbal playing and high frequency grooves) rather than all of his weaknesses that are in supreme evidence here.

Wertico's own playing is a blurry mess here, rhythms are often muddled up with too many notes and all attempts at being aggressive wind up sounding like the most tired of fusion cliches. Also on display is an apparent inability to sustain an intense groove for more than a few bars at a time. His sidemen also manage to indicate just how far away he is from the high level that Metheny generally acheives in all of his recordings by sounding either clonelike (the guitarist offers up one Scofield cliche after another) or faceless (the bassist just sounds like he could be anyone) to the point where what is supposed to be urgent or "angry" sounding music just sounds ugly; and what is unforgivable is that it is a boring kind of ugly at that.

Tracks:

2% Body Fat
Bread And Water
There Goes The Neighborhood
Wade In The Water
The Tease
4:00 Wash Up
Corner Store
Bakery Blues
Swap Meet
My Babe
Luck

Amazon.com

Robert Walter got his start in the early-'90s as one of the founding members of the Greyboy Allstars, a popular band on the then-fledgling groove circuit that also featured saxophonist Karl Denson. After Greyboy broke up, Walter struck out on his own in 1998 by leading the 20th Congress, which gained favorable notices on 2000's Money Shot. Walter still keeps the Congress in session, but this time out he opted to work with the veteran crew of Harvey Mason, Phil Upchurch, Red Holloway, and Chuck Rainey, all players who were there when the funk hit the jazz fan back in the '60s. The session has a nice loose feel to it where we can even hear the players hooting and hollering on "Bakery Blues." Backed by this stellar crew, Walter rips through some burnin' keyboard solos, stepping aside to let other guys get some. Fans will recognize a few tunes from the Congress songbook, but this is definitely an album of new music, with "2% Body Fat" being an absolute killer opener. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

she looks better from the side..........2002-01-08

Hey man when i heard the frollicking-fingered-fella had a new project out I did not hesitate. I got two copies because, knowing the Money Shot's intensity and grooves, this one had to be just too sweet. I, Like the other reviewer from the UK, had this masterpiece turned up loud.This disk, which includes so many cagey veterans,was all the way live. The Tease and Wade in the Water are supperb pieces. Walter co-wrote many of these great pieces of music with the veteran laden lineup.This is a keeper and meant to be placed near your stereo at all times people. Help came from all areas including his 20th Congress Percussionist, Chucky Prada. Harvey Mason is amazing and a steadying force on the drum kit. My personal favourite is the last song on the disk. Luck has nothing to do with it. The piano playing is unbeleivable here. Thanks Robert for mixing things up and creating a butt-wiggling, jazzy party experience.

she looks better from the side..........2002-01-08

Double Wow - Plus!.......2001-11-25

What a storming assult on the senses this album is! Being of a certain age I can best describe it as a funked up,freaked out Johnny and the Hurricanes set. Walter himself plays thunderous keyboards, with an awful lot of Hammond B3, but is supported by a band that thrusts forward at every twist and turn. Phil Upchurch provides a huge breadth of guitar styles - with a lot of wah, whilst Red Holloway plays tenor sax with an urgency that underlines just how spontaneous the recording must have been. The rhythm section of Chuck Rainey and Harvey Mason underpin everything magnificently.Standouts are difficult to pick, but the title track represents the cohesion that the group achieved. I also enjoyed "The tease" and "Swap meet" as well as "Bakery Blues", where Red Holloway supplies the vocals. I always seem to exhort potential buyers to "play this album loud" but this one really does repay listening to flat out and cranked up. Repeated listening suggests that this is going to figure somewhere in my "Best of 2001" list. This is an album that you really ought to take a chance on buying if you like souped up funky soul jazz. Great listening pleasure!

All the Groove you're lookin' for.......2001-11-06

Everyone that has heard Robert Walter's 20th Congress or the even earlier Greyboy Allstars knows that this guy can lay down some of the funkiest and Jazziest keys around. Now, on this album he gets down to funk side of the Blues. Along with some of the most classic artists from the 60's and 70's - Such as Harvey Mason and Phil Upchurch. You totally get a instant smile on your face from track one because it is a wonderful sound of the old blending with the new. It is raw and straight forward recorded only in two days. It is all the groove you could ask for and more. It includes classic covers, and a few tracks from the 20th Congress repetoire, and some completely new originals. All I can say is that when you hear the slammin funk/jazz/blues mix on this album all you can think of is how much fun these guys must have had makin' it and it comes across in the final product. A must have in my book.

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