Search - Eric Marienthal :: Crossroads

Eric left the elevator

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 08/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not elevator music here, that's for sure. A fusion effort with an extremely talented band. A fusion's who's who. Chick Corea, Russel Ferrante, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, John Patitucci, Terry Lyne Carrington, Alex Acuna (plus more). The music is vital probably due to the fact that the album was recorded live in the studio. Very emotional music, interesting adventuros compositions. It surely deserves to be listened carefully by the music enthusiast. One of the best and deepest album from Eric. At that time Eric left the elevator to record this album and entered the real music floor."

A MUST BUY!

Yanek | GLASGOW, Scotland | 09/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to confess that I bought this great album on the strength of the names of the players on it, rather than being an Eric Marienthal fan [sorry Eric]. You only have to look at his choice of players to know it's going to be worth hearing.



What a line up he has! Vinnie Colaiuta plays drums on most of the tracks, while on the others; you'll hear Dave Weckl and Terri Lyne Carrington as well. John Patitucci plays bass throughout. In addition, with Russell Ferrante on keyboards and Chick Corea on piano, it couldn't fail to be a winner. Interestingly, the main writing credits go to Patitucci and Ferrante, with Marienthal a co-writer on two of the tunes.



Although Marienthal's playing is of course very good, and does play some great solos either on soprano, alto or tenor sax - I feel it's his supporting cast that really grab your attention. Vinnie is stunning, as usual, and plays a cracking solo. However, even when he's just playing through the compositions, it's classic Vinnie.



Terri Lyne also plays superbly. She also gets a solo spot. Of course, Weckl does what only he can do. It's beginning to sound like a drummer's album, rather than a sax player's solo album! Maybe that's just how I hear it.



I would say the writing is what you would expect from a fusion band of that time - a few stand-out tunes, but in the main, it only hits the spot on a couple of occasions. My favourite tracks are probably, "SPOONS", "UPSIDE DOWN" and "RAIN ON THE ROOF".



As I said, it's more about the playing than the actual musical content that makes this album work. Let's face it, with this kind of star line-up supporting you, know it'll be worth a listen. That's why I bought it.



Yanek



"

It's all about "Spoons"

Steve U | Las Vegas | 02/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I got to see and meet Eric Marienthal on my 18th birthday at the Le Cafe in Sherman Oaks (no longer there). He's one of those performers where the recordings don't do him justice. You must see him perform live.



Aside from all the BIG names that are playing on this album, the true beauty is that it was recorded with everyone in the studio playing at the same time. Most recordings now a days are compartmentalized where a musician will lay down tracks, then the next musician comes in to add another layer. NOT THIS ALBUM. Everyone was playing off of one another at the same time and the communication comes through in the music.



Spoons is by far one of my favorite songs of all time. I never get sick of listening to it. Eric Marienthal has been and will always be my idol. He spent the break, between sets talking to me and autographed all my CDs."