![]() The tempo picks up on "Closing Time," with Fraser again front and center. Their styles are not all that dissimilar, perhaps because all the tunes were written by Stranahan.Īctually, the disc doesn't start out all that loud, though it's a bit on the avant-garde side on "Climbing Somewhere," before going a little more straight ahead on "Neptune." Bassist Aidan Plank gets in a brief solo, while Stranahan keeps things moving along. Bob Fraser plays eight of the eleven tracks, while Mike Barna plays on two and Chris Bober one. Or maybe power trio jazz, because though both trios are led by drummer Paul Stranahan, the unquestioned stars of the disc are the guitarists. Not quite fusion, at least not all the time, this might be more properly called loud jazz. The final track, “Fungus at 5:00/Don't Fall Down,” stands out for its prog-rock overtones and wacky title, suggesting maybe a little Zappa found its way onto this album after all! Stranahan's drumming is never obtrusive but it's dynamic enough to sustain the songs, and bassist Aidan Plank is solid as well. He's a fluid player who goes more for tone than flash, though his solo on “Closing Time” has some bite to it. Guitarist Bob Fraser is prominent on most of the arrangements. The compositions are all terrific and the playing is top-notch. But this is jazz you can put on for a dinner party - not that that takes anything away from it. This is a guy, after all, who cites John Coltrane, Frank Zappa and Meshuggah as influences. Given the wide range of Stranahan's repertoire, Climbing Somewhere is his most conventional outlet. All Rights Reservedĭrummer Paul Stranahan plays with the fusion band Rare Blend, the experimental trio Barna, Charmek and Stranahan and the techno band From Within. Tracks: Climbing Somewhere, Neptune, Closing Time, Fifty Four, Mellow Tune, Get Off The Sofa!!!, 5/8 Tune, Hot And Humid, Corinne, Charlie, Fungus At 5:00 / Don't Fall DownĪrtist's Website: Reviewed by: John GilbertĬopyright© 2004 ®. One could say that this recording is fusion rather than con-fusion and certainly will be a welcome addition to the collection of the heartiest of fusion-o-philes. The drums do not try to overpower the ensemble, they tend to soothe rather than bombast and that is the gist of the percussionist's role and Stranahan achieves this with soulful discretion. They do not rush headlong into individual statements, but rather adhere to the feel that the piece engenders. The musicians on this disc complement each other with deference to the messages inherent in Stranahan's songs. Review: Paul Stranahan's fusion band has everything that the aficionados of this type of music could possibly want.įrom the delicate to the bold, Stranahan has composed 11 tunes that epitomize the fusion movement with a nod to the edginess that seems to permeate his music. Musicians: Bob Fraser, Mike Barna, Chris Bober (guitars, various tracks), Aidan Plank (acoustic bass), Jeff Scott, Wilbur Krebs (electric bass), Paul Stranahan (drums) ![]()
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