Search - Robert Dick :: Third Stone From the Sun

Not For the Faint of Heart

Gary L Connely | Hercules, CA | 10/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's not a guitarist out there who can play Jimi Hendrix's stuff better than the man himself - so what does Robert Dick think he's doing? Well, first of all, Mr Dick doesn't play the guitar. He plays the flute. And believe me, this ain't your maiden Aunt Mildred's pipe, (unless she was hanging around with John Cage).



Robert Dick is probably the best, and certainly the most adventurous flutist in jazz today, (or yesterday for that matter). On "Third Stone From the Sun," Mr Dick takes on Mr Hendrix's "Pali Gap," "Purple Haze," "Voodoo Child" and, of course, "Third Stone...," as well as three originals. He plays the flute, alto flute, bass flute, F contrabass flute and an A flat piccolo. He overdubs, plays chords, uses circular breathing - flutters and wails - and generally tears up the landscape. He is more than adequately assisted by Jerome Harris on various guitars, Jim Black on drums, the Soldier String Quartet and, on "Third Stone...," Marty Ehrlich on bass clarinet.



New World Records has done an excellent job on the sonics: Clean and precise, with just a hint of warmth.



"Third Stone..." is exciting, cutting edge jazz - but it is not for the faint of heart."