Billy Sherwood, Fernando Perdomo, Teymur Phell and others are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately …
BILLY SHERWOOD, STEVE MORSE, OTHERS – PROG ROCK CHRISTMAS (PROG ROCK): Only could Yes’ Billy Sherwood could get me to listen to yet another Christmas album. Only Billy Sherwood could also pull off such a strong release with such a group of diverse prog-rock artists. Sure, the predictable “Run With the Fox” is here. Bandmate Jon Davison delivers the Chris Squire classic at a level you come to expect from the singer. Guitar god Steve Morse shows yet another facet of his acumen with a rousing guitar-drenched version of “Carol of the Bells,” while Nik Turner and Simon House turn “Silent Night” is to a near-epic. Throw in a version of “Happy Christmas (War is Over),” and you can’t help but be moved. The album is out now on Cleopatra Records.
[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Billy Sherwood joins Preston Frazier to discuss how he ended up taking over for mentor Chris Squire in Yes before their 50th anniversary tour.]
VARIOUS ARTISTS – POUR ME A GROG (WORLD MUSIC): World music? Funk? I don’t quite know what category this album fits in. The music is aggressive and daring, with the accordion acting as the centerpiece to this densely packed Chilean music. The combination of Brazilian and African rhythms hint at an uplifting theme, but the lyrics tell the story of revolution. The opening track, “Rei So Tabanka” by Ferro Gaita, is infectious yet songs like Nha Boi’s “Tchota Suari e Chando Graciosa” let you know that this isn’t easy listening. Still, Pour Me a Grog a highly engaging effort that can start an international music quest.
TEYMUR PHELL – MASTER VOLUME (JAZZ): The Israeli-born, New York-based bassist Teymur Phell proved to be an accomplished band leader and composer on his solo debut. Master Volume displays the bass chops which have made him an in-demand session player (Simon Phillips, Oz Noy). The lead-off song, “Zero to Sixty,” also shows his excellent arranging skills. The songs are engaging and the production utilizes the skills of Phell’s talented guest artists (Mike Stern and Dennis Chambers, among others) while not showing off a lick for licks sake. Check out the title track. There truly is something here for every jazzer.
FERNANDO PERDOMO – THE CRIMSON GUITAR (PROG ROCK): Fernando Perdomo has been involved in a number of my favorite projects over the last two years. The Crimson Guitar is different than his more recent work, as it is a solo acoustic tribute to King Crimson. The album, which Perdomo calls a love letter to the band, includes elegantly arranged versions of “Starless,” as well as lesser-known works like “Erudite Eyes” and “Moonchild.” Fernando Perdomo has created something new which stands up to the scrutiny of diehard King Crimson fans, yet is wholly engaging on its own merits.
NOOKY JONES – LIKE CANDY (JAZZ / R&B): Minneapolis-based Nooky Jones delivers the good with this five-song EP. Blending elements of jazz, R&B with a touch of hip-hop, the songs represent a bold and – dare I say – old-school feel which is unmistakably authentic. “Pardon Me,” with its Jerry Hey-like horn chart, is infectious. Vocalist Cameron Kinghorn and drummer/cowriter Reid Kennedy manage to shift shades over the five songs (sample the temptations of “Like Candy”) but a constant is the high level of musicianship. Hopefully, we’ll get a follow-up full-length album soon.
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