My first four questions:

Does Dave Samuels make his traditional appearance, as he has on every other Spyro Gyra studio release to date?

Do any of the tracks feature the No Sweat Horns?

Do all members have a part in the writing or at least co-writing credits(seems as though someone mentioned that Jay had asked all the band members to go and write for the next Spyro Gyra epic)?

If there are any tracks with vocals, and if so, are they of the wordless(De La Luz)type, or the scat(Sierra)type.

Chime in with your own questions!

Peace!
Paul

Now that they are at Heads Up, which does enhanced cd's it will fun to see what little extra bits they put on the cd.

I think that we'll have an excellent production (as usual). Heads Up is a great label and their artists always come up with great albums. Given the fact that SPYRO is now with them , what do you think!!!!!!!!!

I hope that they keep the same formula as always. The No sweat horns, Dave Samuels's interventions, you know, the works.

Eril.

My only hope for the new record is that they stray from the smoothness. While I enjoyed Got the Magic, it just seemed like they were starting to sound like every other smooth jazz band. More solos in a song, and a lot of upbeat, possibly fusion-esque tunes, would make their next disc a great one. Just a thought.
Peace

Well, it seems that our friend, Chuck Loeb, helped produce this newest cd so I'm sure that it will be on the 'smooth' side of things! He also happens to use sequencers and drum machines! This may all be an effort to get more radio friendly. And to boost record sales. So although I love Spyro Gyra and all of their accomplishments, I may not be a fan of future works unless they go back to that 'live band in the studio' vibe.

David, unfortunately, I tend to agree with you. Not that I won't like the cd but for some reason I think the days of pieces like Conversations, Incognito, Whitewater etc. could be behind us. Spyro Gyra please prove me wrong!!!

Don't paint of picture of gllom and doom just yet. I did like Got The Magic, but I also agree it was not the music we have grown used to and I would like to see a return to more of the old style. One of the reasons I was hoping the band went to Heads Up was becasue they have shown desire to record artists who fall outside of the normal smooth jazz area. I think with the band long standing in the genre it will be up to Jay and fellow producers to shape the direction the band will take.

It has been suggested numerous times here and by industry types that what worked for bands like Spyro, the Rippingtons, Yellowjackets, etc. years ago, does not work now in radioland. I wish it did as I'm sure many others here do.

What a struggle it must be today for such bands to retain their identity, creative edge and fanbase while trying to support themselves. I've begun to think we may tend to over-simplify what they face by always spouting the "smooth" or "give me the good old days" themes. Coming up with a winning production that pleases loyal fans, radio audiences and the industry powers-that-be has to be a ever mounting task that is difficult.

When in the past did successful groups like Spyro draw upon the talents of other artists/composers/producers like Chuck Loeb or Chieli Minucci when putting together their albums? Spyro's band has always been known for penning their own original compositions using only their regular core of writers like Jeremy Wall. There must be a reason for going in this direction--perhaps that winning combination that will click with listeners, fans and radio-types.

I guess this is just brainstorming.

[This message has been edited by Phil (edited March 01, 2001).]

I agree Phil that Spyro and others should not change their sound unless that is what they want to do. I get just about as upset with fans who expect the band to forever play the same kind of stuff as I do with radio stations who try to dictate a sound the music should take.

Spyro has been around long enough to give many variations on that sound while still staying true to the "Spyro Gyra Sound". But if Jay should desire to take it somewhere else using other writers then we as fans owe it to him and the rest of the guys to remain loyal and let them make that effort. Now if the changes are made trying to comply with radio, well that is indeed sad.

Should you feel compelled to buy every cd just to prove you are loyal. No, if you don't like it don't buy it, but let's not be to judgemental if thy go in a direction other then what we all perceive to be the correct one.

Besides, we know those killer live shows will never go away!

[This message has been edited by Dave Shrader (edited March 01, 2001).]

Ditto to what Dave posted...

A record that sells well makes the 100-125 dat tours possible.

They will hit a balance I am sure, some stuff for the radio, and some deper cuts for themselves. Plus, the band likes to come up with melodic songs anyway.

Peace!
Paul

Ditto to what Dave posted...

A record that sells well makes the 100-125 dat tours possible.

They will hit a balance I am sure, some stuff for the radio, and some deper cuts for themselves. Plus, the band likes to come up with melodic songs anyway.

Peace!
Paul

I am in no way putting the band down. I also like the songs that they come up with. I just wish that they would record the tunes live in the studio. NO SEQUENCING!! Does the average listener actually like a drum machine over a real drummer? And that in turn pushes them to buy the cd? I find that hard to believe. But hey, that is my opinion.

[This message has been edited by david_walmsley (edited March 02, 2001).]

YES NO SEQUENCING PLEEEEEEEEASE!!!!!!

Eril.

I'd like Dave Samuels and the No Sweat Horns as guest artists; other than that, no one.

Yes, the No Sweat Horns are great! And I know Scott Kreitzer. Great guy. My ex-wife is joining a band he is putting together.

Peace

Although I enjoy the speculation from everyone here, I thought I'd share a couple of things with y'all.

First of all, the album title has definitely changed and it is "In Modern Times."

Guest artists are few. There's David Charles & Marc Quiñones on percussion, a fine trombone player named Andrew Lippman and, and yes the No Sweat Horns. Lots of live drums and good energy.

I don't think that you'll be disappointed.

Thanks for listening.

Mr. Brennan,

Thanks for the update...and for the title of the new record...."IN MODERN TIMES".

Great to see Marc Quinones contributing again...he was possibly Spyro's best pecussionist ever. I'll never forget(and Marc won't either)how the band broke him in...by having him start the concerts on his first tour with the band onstage by himself before the rest of the band joined him!).

Looking forward to a strong record...after all the guys in the band have had two years to store up musical ideas!

Thanks again!

Yep, Paul I remember that too. It was the Fast Forward tour and they opened with Heliopolis. I've always missed Marc since then. Darn those Allmans!

All this talk about the new album is exciting me greatly. Plus I just found out they'll be in the general area on June 16.

Rob

Hmm...guest percussionists, a trombonist, and the No Sweat Horns! Woohoo! Phil, any confirmation or denial about the appearance of Dave Samuels?

Yeah that's right....he did not mention Dave...but maybe that's because his involment with all the Spyro Gyra studio recordings(even after he became only a part time member)makes it kind of a dumb question for me to have asked in the first place.

I hope Dave does make an appearance on a least a few tracks, just to make it official!

Also, I hope Jay has carried his recent love of the tenor sax in the live setting into the studio.

Peace!
Paul

Hey Dave, was not really aiming y coments directly at you. I know you are as much a die hard Spyro Fan asI am. As fans we jut become used to a certian sound an if it starts to drift we become upset, I have to watch myself at times. I do agree with you thoughts o live drums in th recording sessions. The one thing I have enjoyed from the band over the past several years is that the round band is the recording band is one in the same. Far too many bands do not to that.

I am looking forward to a summer show, but so far the Tangier in Akron is about as close as they get. Oh well have jazz will travel.

Dave,

I hope to be going to that show in Akron. Where do you live? If you end up going maybe we'll see each other there.

Rob

Well SG is going to be in my hometown of Peekskill, NY on May 5th. I can't wait. I hope to get as close the stage as possible.