Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Levin, Tony
Label: Narada Productions
Released: 2002
Length: 67:35
Rating: 4.5/5
Tony Levin, one of the best bassists in the world, who mostly makes his living as a session player but is best known as a member of prog rock legends King Crimson and of Peter Gabriel’s backing band, and who also played a key role in popularizing the Chapman Stick, released his third solo album, »Pieces of the Sun«, in 2002. On it, Tony joined forces with guitarist Jesse Gress and two old buddies from Peter Gabriel’s solo band, keyboardist Larry Fast (ex-Nektar, Synergy) and drummer Jerry Marotta. He also brought in all three members of California Guitar Trio, who shine with their acoustic guitars on the track »Apollo«.
»Pieces of the Sun« is, as you’d expect from musicians of this caliber, a deeply experimental and eclectic album. Most of the material is shot through with progressive rock, jazz fusion and, to a lesser extent, a few brief prog metal ‘excursions’. The album is mostly instrumental, though there’s spoken word on the cover of The Champs’ »Tequilla«. The same goes for »Dog One«, with its short shouts of »dog one«, »dog two« and »dog three«, a newly recorded version of a never-released Peter Gabriel composition that Levin, Fast and Marotta originally played on too. The previously mentioned »Apollo« is an explosive blend of progressive rock, prog metal and jazz fusion, with fractured bass lines, furious drum fills and angry guitar runs, which makes for an incredibly energetic start to the album. The slightly avant-garde »Geronimo« features thick bass lines and dynamic guitar improvisations. The relaxing »Aquafin« is an acoustic-leaning instrumental seasoned with classical arrangements.
»Dog One« has slight alternative rock touches thanks to its vocoder-processed vocals, while grooving bass lines and subtle synth curtains create a mysterious mood. The nicely done, jazzy take on »Tequilla« features a crafty use of tenor sax, courtesy of drummer Marotta. The title track, »Pieces of the Sun«, one of the album’s highlights, is laced with dramatic percussion, while guitar runs drenched in effects crank up the drama even further, so that the whole thing, fusing jazz, symphonic touches and hard-hitting rock, has a slight whiff of classic Genesis and King Crimson. Thanks to Fast’s synth textures, »Phobos« has a perfect retro feel of the synth-pop keyboard tech typical of the eighties.
The mystical, psychedelic »Ooze«, which mostly sits at a slowed-down tempo, is brimming with combative bass lines and Oriental-tinged guitar effects. The subtle »Blue Nude Reclining« is another deeply relaxing moment on the album, with a still-life atmosphere and pleasant tenor sax passages. »The Fifth Man«, on the other hand, is again a somewhat ‘wacky’, avant-garde piece, ruled by bouncing bass lines that, paired with an almost mathematically precise drum tempo, create a slightly chaotic mood. Later on, with the help of symphonic synth textures, that mood shifts into fairly dramatic territory. The minimalist »Ever the Sun Will Rise« features a slightly overlong build-up of melancholic atmosphere on cello and synth. The closing »Silhouette« is steeped in exceptionally subtle synth arrangements, while melodic bass lines and weeping guitar passages rocket this one straight up among the highlights of »Pieces of the Sun«.
Levin’s solo albums so far are mostly a treat for fans of his progressive rock and jazz-rock fusion output. The thrillingly eclectic »Pieces of the Sun« is no exception and deservedly ranks among his most beloved solo efforts, with the only real downside being that a few tracks run a little too long. The fantastic execution of some very clever compositional ideas is what makes this record the right pick for all worshippers of jazz fusion. Tony’s solo career did go a bit quiet after 2007, as he preferred to devote himself to a new side project, Stick Men, plenty of guest appearances and the freshly revived King Crimson.
This review is dedicated to Tony Levin, who celebrated his 70th birthday on June 6, 2016.
Line-up
Tony Levin – Chapman Stick, bass guitar, acoustic bass guitar, cello, guitar, vocals
Jesse Grass – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Larry Fast – synthesizer, vocals
Jerry Marotta – drums, percussion, acoustic guitar, tenor saxophone, vocals
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Paul Richards – acoustic guitar on “Apollo”
Bert Lams – acoustic guitar on “Apollo”
Hideyo Moriya – acoustic guitar on “Apollo”
Production
Tony Levin
Track list
1. Apollo (6:49)
2. Geronimo (3:11)
3. Aquafin (5:13)
4. Dog One (5:15)
5. Tequila (5:20)
6. Pieces of the Sun (7:20)
7. Phobos (7:08)
8. Ooze (4:16)
9. Blue Nude Reclining (3:08)
10. The Fifth Man (5:47)
11. Ever the Sun will Rise (9:08)
12. Silhouette (4:37)
