Hello Frogman. That is some VERY interesting background on SofA and Terry Lavitz. SofA as a recording did not strike me like the usual fusion fare - though it is clearly fusion. I’d be interested in reading more about your personal reasons for liking it. Feel free to PM me if you are concerned about taking up space here.
I had no idea TL wrote all the compositions...even the solos OR that the recording wasn’t done in a single studio/group setting. No offense intended but how did you learn this? On balance those aspects might account for its more ("tempered"?) feel...a good thing, in my mind. I wonder about the reasoning behind doing things that way. (Conflicting schedules is understandable for some of it.) It also makes me wonder about how fantastic hearing them live would have been assuming space allowed for improvisation in that setting. Either way, my appreciation of TL’s talents went up several notches.
I’ll see if I can find your previous posts about the Dregs. I’m not recalling it, although I do know the Steve Morse name and maybe his sound. Some of these guys, TOO MANY NOTES!. Maybe wrong pinning that on Morse, if not fusion guitarists as a stereotype. I’m no expert on him but to my sensibilities, Gambale is generally pretty tasteful.
I did read the Wiki entry on Lavitz, so knew his connection with the Dregs...at several different times, apparently. Also heard of his "Jazz Is Dead" outfit. Love the humor. Need to check that out. Not a huge Deadhead (not even a small one) but Skull & Roses, Workingman’s Dead & American Beauty ARE excellent.
If you don’t know it, stumbled onto an old John Mayall recording...Jazz Blues Fusion Live in Boston & New York. 1971. A very good live recording...music, musicianship and sound quality. Never heard of him previously but a Freddy Robinson (later, Abu Talib) is lead guitar. Talk about tasteful. Very very nice stuff.
Funny coincidence is that my bro-in-law (studio, Hammond organ, musician) had met TL years ago. Leant him a keyboard. Not the same as going to school with the guy of course.
Ciao
I had no idea TL wrote all the compositions...even the solos OR that the recording wasn’t done in a single studio/group setting. No offense intended but how did you learn this? On balance those aspects might account for its more ("tempered"?) feel...a good thing, in my mind. I wonder about the reasoning behind doing things that way. (Conflicting schedules is understandable for some of it.) It also makes me wonder about how fantastic hearing them live would have been assuming space allowed for improvisation in that setting. Either way, my appreciation of TL’s talents went up several notches.
I’ll see if I can find your previous posts about the Dregs. I’m not recalling it, although I do know the Steve Morse name and maybe his sound. Some of these guys, TOO MANY NOTES!. Maybe wrong pinning that on Morse, if not fusion guitarists as a stereotype. I’m no expert on him but to my sensibilities, Gambale is generally pretty tasteful.
I did read the Wiki entry on Lavitz, so knew his connection with the Dregs...at several different times, apparently. Also heard of his "Jazz Is Dead" outfit. Love the humor. Need to check that out. Not a huge Deadhead (not even a small one) but Skull & Roses, Workingman’s Dead & American Beauty ARE excellent.
If you don’t know it, stumbled onto an old John Mayall recording...Jazz Blues Fusion Live in Boston & New York. 1971. A very good live recording...music, musicianship and sound quality. Never heard of him previously but a Freddy Robinson (later, Abu Talib) is lead guitar. Talk about tasteful. Very very nice stuff.
Funny coincidence is that my bro-in-law (studio, Hammond organ, musician) had met TL years ago. Leant him a keyboard. Not the same as going to school with the guy of course.
Ciao