Search - California Guitar Trio :: Rocks the West

Amazing talent, guitar quality, & variety

Groovy Vegan | USA | 03/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"CGT's "Rocks the West" is not a rock album but an innovative smorgasbord of classical (Beethoven's Symphony #9), rock (Bohemian Rhapsody and Mirsirlou), country/southern/Spanish (Caravan) and jazzy/experimental (most of the rest of the album). Two of my favorites are Bohemian Rhapsody and Misirlou. Bohemian Rhapsody is true to the melody the Queen version, but really highlights its compositional brilliance as it branches into complimentary guitar pieces and great bass-lines. Misirlou is a fast-paced old Ventures tune that rocks without losing any intricate guitar work. The cut after Misirlou is Rokudan, which abruptly changes the mood into a simple, hauntingly beautiful Japanese-sounding tune. Unfortunately it's less than 2 minutes long! I also like the new-agey meditative Puntra Patri, although they speed it up too much near the end. Most of the cuts work for me, but some sound weird and experimental. I usually skip past Blue-eyed Monkey because it sounds like creaking doors in a haunted house, although the cheering fans on the album apparently disagree with my assessment. Likewise, the percussion solo in Caravan is certainly innovative, but "squeaky" and not well mixed. My other grumble is that some songs mix too many different styles and techniques. Pictures at an Exhibition, for example, sounds like a talented but confusing combination of Beethoven, jazz fusion, the Ventures, and a church hymn! The abrupt change of styles within and between songs can be a bit disconcerting. However, every cut has excellent studio-quality sound, even though this is a live album recorded at various venues. CGT is not only about talented guitar work, but amazing guitar tone. Just as a good golfer selects the right club to play each hole, CGT selects high-end fabulous sounding guitars that fit perfectly with each song. Despite my grumbles, this cd is worth a spin to hear these skilled, versatile musicians and high-end guitars."

LIVE is best!

bensmomma | Ann Arbor, Michigan | 01/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never heard of this group before last night the Ann Arbor Folk Festival. There was one group there that completely COMPLETELY brought down the house, the California Guitar Trio. Three guys with guitars playing instrumental music that was a combination of classical, rock, and....SURF. But get this...they played the ENTIRE back end of the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th...on three guitars....including the bit at the end where it goes to warp speed and there is an entire chorus on stage. (It's on this album too.)It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen live, because once the audience recognized what CGT were going to do, and yet couldn't imagine how it could be done, they got completely breathless in anticipation. When they hit those last notes the crowd stood up and cheered, 1500 people. In a folk music concert!I immediately acquired this album to try to re-live this experience. On listening I miss the thrill that came from the live performance, but enjoyed it regardless. When you listen, close your eyes and concentrate. It's not just some studio trick, it's just three cool guys playing amazing guitar. LIVE!"

Rocks my Stereo

Luis C. Diaz | Mason, Ohio | 01/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"CGT is an amazing trio of innovative guitar players that come from or are inspired by the Robert Fripp school of guitarrist. These live interpretations stand as a great overview of both their work and the ability to transform different styles and other's work into the trio's musical style. The three guitar arregements are clever and sometimes so good that it's almost scary. A fine example if Queen's Bohemian Rapsody... It truly blew me away the first time I hear it through my stereo. The trio is also augmented by Tony Levin (another King Crimson member with Fripp) and this provides the needed bass sound to make the trio's sound more complete.This is a band and album for those looking for challeging music in both intelectually and performance wise."