Search - California Guitar Trio :: Echoes (Dig)

Echoes (Dig)
California Guitar Trio
Echoes (Dig)
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (9) - Disc #1

The California Guitar Trio have always played cover versions but on Echoes, these graduates of Robert Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists go over the top in paying homage to their roots. From progressive rock to arena roc...  more »

     
2

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: California Guitar Trio
Title: Echoes (Dig)
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: Inner Knot
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 5/20/2008
Genres: Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Progressive, Progressive Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 633367771629, 633367771643

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The California Guitar Trio have always played cover versions but on Echoes, these graduates of Robert Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists go over the top in paying homage to their roots. From progressive rock to arena rock, art music to classical music, they bring it all to their 18 strings. Although their primary instruments are acoustic guitars, they aren't averse to a little electric processing and that helps them when they tackle two progressive rock epics, Pink Floyd's "Echoes" and Mike Oldfield's ?Tubular Bells.? They compress them both in time, but hit the highlights, exposing new, pastoral nuances in "Echoes" and just ripping into "Tubular Bells" to reveal its minimalist roots. These two tracks alone make Echoes worth it. CGT violate the purity of their trio concept with side musicians on a few tracks, including bassist Tony Levin and stick player Tom Griesgraber, who allow them to plug into the electric energy of some of the music. Although the two vocal tracks at the end, sung by Bonnie "Prince" Billy, a.k.a. Will Oldham, seem out of place in this instrumental setting, the closer makes it worthwhile. CGT responds to that bane of all progressive rock concerts, answering the shouted request for Lynard Skynard's "Freebird" by actually playing it, albeit in a reggae groove. -- John Diliberto
 

CD Reviews

Finally! This has been long awaited.
E. Minkovitch | Montreal, Quebec | 07/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another superb album from these guitar maestros. This album is a bit of a breather from their usual mind-boggling complexity and sophistication, but not for the reasons you might think - the arrangements and the music are just as complex as ever, but this time the music is very familiar. Nearly all the pieces are well-known in popular or classical music. Their arrangements are nothing short of spectacular and offer new insights into these time-tested masterpieces. Although very faithful renditions, they are not mere copies, but rather original interpretations. I particularly like Pink Floyd's Echoes, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells and of course, the showcase - Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, reproduced note-for-note, solos, choruses and all - without vocals. Bethoven's 5th, first movement is done in a surf-rock style of the Ventures, whose "The Cruel Sea" is also included. There is a Celtic-like footstomper from Penguin Cafe Orchestra, and a movement from Beethoven's Pastorale arranged in a traditional classical manner. A very atmospheric song "And I Know" with vocals (can anyone comment - is it a cover or a new song?) and "Free Bird" conclude the album. The latter is a real surprise, the slide guitar and the fiery dual guitar leads are faithfully Skynyrd-like (I cannot imagine playing those leads on hard acoustic guitar strings), and the exaggerated vocals sound as if the singer downed a bottle of good southern whisky before going to the studio. Someone put in a bit of light percussion to fill out the sound, and the cover version turns out as good as any I've heard of this classic song. For me this is a special album, since I saw them do these songs live at the Montreal Jazz festival in 2007, hoping they would record them, and here we are. This album captures the magic of that concert very well. A must for CGT fans."
Echoes of a Masterpiece
Hill and Dale | Atlanta, GA USA | 09/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The exquisite notes from this project will echo gracefully through your mind and soul long after you take your first listen. California Guitar Trio have surpassed themselves once again on this latest cd. Surprise after surprise comes with some very familiar covers of some of Progressive Rocks greatest songs: Pink Floyd's Echoes and Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells. Each with a special touch that brands it CGT while remaining incredibly faithful to the original. The classical pieces are also treated with the same panache. Two rock classics are also included that Garth and Wayne would be especially proud of: Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and Freebird by Lynard Skynard. Get your lighter's out folk, CGT has triumphed again. For fans and newbies this is a must have."
Echoing my support for this album
Darla | Los Angeles, CA | 06/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a long time fan of the CGT, my expectations are high with each release, and their latest, 'Echoes', exceeded my expectations. The Trio's technical skills always astound, but the variety of music on this disc makes it truly special. With vocals on a few tracks from Bonnie Prince Billy, this is a must have CD for true music aficionados."