Reeves Gabrels - The Sacred Squall of Now (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

David Bowie collaborator steps out with solid effort

WHM | 05/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gabrels has been a, well... controversial David Bowie collaborator, but I for one would gladly pick a fistfight with any one of his detractors. "Firedome", written by applying the piston firing sequence of a Firedome's 8 cylinder engine to a major scale (7 degrees, plus 8 = octave), is all he will ever need to secure his place among the greats of rock's avante-garde. The remake of the Bowie/Gabrels penned "You've Been Around" (with actor Gary Oldman [!] on vocals for the second verse), and the slow, noisy cover of "Bad Moon Rising" are definite highlights. A few of the Gabrels-written songs are weak lyrically ("119 Years Ago"), but all in all this is a fine album. 3.5 stars (I'll round up, I guess...)."

Amazing Guitarist

Timothy M. | Boston, MA | 12/02/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album demonstrates why Reeves Gabrels is widely known as one of the best and most innovative guitarists around today. On this album he combines his mind-blowing fretwork and effects with melodic rock songs. The highlights are 119 Years Ago with Frank Black on vocals and a re-make of David Bowie's You've Been Around. A must buy for fans of innovative guitar work."

WOW...

Timothy M. | 08/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WOW. This is an interesting discovery. Longtime David Bowie guitarist Reeves Gabrels, Parker Nitefly in hand, recorded this disc while still in Bowie's band. The songs are really good and the guitar playing is frightening. Bowie even makes an appearance. I would like to hear more instrumental work from this guy. If you aren't already familiar with Reeves Gabrels I'd recommend getting "ULYSSES (DELLA NOTTE)" as an introduction. It's newer but probably the best introduction, and has guests like Robert Smith, David Bowie, Dave Grohl, and Frank Black. Then get this CD!"

Magical mystical tour-de-force

Timothy M. | 12/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A magical mystical musical tour-de-force of sonic imagery, poetry and passion. Listen especially to the contrast of the philosophizing words and protesting guitar cries on the sweet lament Say That Now. Or the modulation from melancholy to discovery, from losing the way to finding love, in B.N.Y. (Blue New Year). Two story lines about the telephone, one historical and one personal, and two distinct songs intertwine on 119 Years Ago. The instrumentals Husnu and Firedome evoke Eastern meditation and Western mechanization, respectively. And the sensual intensity of Gabrels' voice and guitar in his version of J.C. Fogerty's Bad Moon Rising will raise every fine hair on your body. Prepare to be blown away."

More than an album

Said Head | MN, USA | 07/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album drives through many rock-related genres (basically anything that uses a guitar can be heard in this album). With that said, I don't mean it as this album doesn't know what it wants to be, but rather its many elements are placed precisely where they work the best. In the liner notes Gabrels explains that no electronics are used herein, only guitar, guitar, guitar, and like most rock albums, the guitars are so varied and often strange you won't easily be bored listening the whole way through. This album also comes with many small, yet great, perks: many great featured guests, including David Bowie and ex-Tin Machine drummer Tony Sales (who both appear on the track 'You've Been Around', which was originally to be used for Tin Machine's second album); also, you get to hear the first of Gabrels 'Thirteen' series instrumentals (I don't know what's with his slight obsession with that, but it's still great) along with some other great instrumental stuff. Another perk would be the vocals; not only does Bowie co-write and sing in a few tracks, but you wouldn't expect Gabrels to have such an amazing voice!

I would consider my favorite tracks to be: 119 Years Ago, Hushnu, Problem, and King of Stamford Hill. I think some weaker tracks would be BNY and Come Back, but that's just my opinion."

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	Reeves Gabrels The Sacred Squall of Now [CD on Demand] Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock Track Listings (11) - Disc #1 119 Years Ago Say That Now Hushu You've Been Around - Reeves Gabrels, Bowie, David Thirteen Problem B.N.Y. Firedome Come Back The King of Stamford Hill Bad Moon Rising - Reeves Gabrels, Fogerty, John
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