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: : REVIEW : :
 Anyone
who has attended the last two NEARfest concerts probably got a chance to hear Mr.
Howard's hyperkinetic frenzy on the chapman stick. Using a variety of loops and
pedal effects. Howard is quite able to create an impressive wall of sound, and stick
aficionados are usually in for a treat during any of his lengthy improvisations.
This recording dates back to a performance in 1998, though it was only produced and
released in 2002. It consists of 9 separate sections spanning a full hour of chops,
featuring Howard's unmistakable approach to the instrument, though I am
unfortunately unable to say for sure which parts of this performance are at least
structurally similar to the music I have heard Howard perform in the past.
On that note, I should add that for me it is very hard to listen to this album (or
any of Howard's solo performances) from beginning to end with unflagging interest.
The relentless pace of the music inevitably acquires a sheen of predictability, and
frankly, to my ears this is another case of a gifted instrumentalist who really
needs to know how to "leave them
wanting more".
Bottomline: This one is only for stickheads, or those with a predilection for herbal
stimulants. However, I would be doing you a great disservice by not pointing out
that Mr. Howard can also rise above self-indulgence purgatory. Do yourselves a favor
and check out the Greg Howard band's debut disc, "Lift". You can thank me later.
Water on the Moon, is, as it's title suggests, a complete impossibility if you're
thirsty for wankeage-free music.
Rating: 5 Keyboards
Luis Nasser
Visit the artist website:
http://www.greghoward.com/
: : DISCOGRAPHY : :
Shapes -1994
Sol, 1997
Water on the Moon,
1998
Stick
Figures, 1999
Lift, 2000 - The debut CD by the new Greg Howard Band
Sticks and Stones - 2001 |
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