Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl3NuiryV-A


Bob B.
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Wow! I can hardly wait.

Hey Bob,

I was in your town on Tuesday for some little community parade. Had you heard of it?

Ohhhh....Yeah!!! Sounds Like A Winner.....Of Course!!

The CD Cover reminds me of "Grafitti" for some reason!!!

I was thinking the same thing, Eril. Love it!

COOL! Man oh man! 2009 sure does rock so far. The new President stopped the torture at Guantanamo, the Ripps in March, and Spyro Gyra in April ... my universe is coming together nicely. Peace and goodwill.

Closing Gitmo is probably a good thing in terms of America's image around the world, but I'm not convinced anybody was tortured there.

hehehe....We're in Sync Woody!!

Got Schuu???

I posted a comment on the UTUBE prom that it is apparent that this is not only a band the peak of it's powers, the band just seems to be getting better and better and tighter and tighter. Really five working as one. And ERIL....don't tell me you did NOT just love that straight ahead thing that played over the last third of the promo!!!! Schuuuu....whew!
Loved Jay's sax and what IS that guitar that Jules is playing..(it ain't his custom Ronaldo)?

Peace<
Paul

I can't wait, either. I'm pre-ordering "Down the Wire" as soon as it's available on Amazon. I have a lot to look forward to in jazz over the next three months.

I agree with Paul. The band keeps on getting better and better. I think it's the longest lasting band that has ever done that, and each member getting closer and closer. Can't wait!

I loved the interview. It sounds like Jay's been opening up the composing and creativity to the band as a whole, and what we're seeing in their music is the collective talents and synergies of the band as a whole.

I'm glad; I played in a band once where we had a bit of dictator. It was all about his own music and the way he did things, and after 2.5 years, it stunted my growth, and I left the band. The rest of the band followed me and we started our own. I'd like to see some of the other popular bands out there adopt the same philosophy to see what comes out of it.

Man, that's some serious groovin from Bonny & Scott just at the beginning! This sure sounds promising... I must say that I haven't been this amped about a Spyro release since "The Deep End"!

Oh, and I love the cover artwork as well, got that sweet old school-vibe!

...and the album, "Down The Wire" will have a traditional "title track" entitled "DOWN THE WIRE!" What a concept!!!!!

Would have been nice if "The Deep End" had the same combination...

It took me a few hours, butI hacked into the Heads Up computer and was able to obtain one or two of the titles of other songs on Down To The Wire....will post them within a few days.

Paul

P.S. Re: The Hacking....that was a JOKE

For those checking here, I am sure I read somewhere here that APRIL 28, 2009 is the officiai release date.

Paul

Many years ago, in a BET Jazz interview, Jay was quoted as saying he "lets a great band be a great band." From what I recall of this interview and the specific question that elicited that particular answer, he was speaking of both giving each band member ample space in live situations as well as welcoming everyone to contribute compositions to each recording. This is not a concept that has just come about in 2009.

Yes, April 28 is the official release date.
Oh, guys, you're gonna love this.
Gerardo Velez is on three tracks, and Marc Quinones joins for one of those.
A three-piece horn section complements.
We are so spoiled. On one hand, I want to say that after three decades of excellence - even a clunker by SG standards is better than much of what's out there - this band continues to improve, yet they do so here. On the other, and this is where spoilage comes in, we expect that.

Yeah!!! Gerardo's back!!! and Marc.....as Jay told me once....they're part of the "Puertorican Connection"...hehehe

I just read my last post and realized that the next to the last sentence, as written, didn't say what I meant it to. Here's what should be there:

On one hand, it's hard to believe that after three decades of excellence - even a clunker by SG standards is better than much of what's out there - this band continues to improve, yet improve is what they do.

Relative to an artist's entire body of work, there may be only a handful of albums that rate 5 stars out of 5. In this decade alone, it's tempting to say that everything they've done rates a 5. Of course, after the newness wears off, there may be some drop-off here and there. But still. In Modern Times, Original Cinema, The Deep End, Wrapped in a Dream, Good to Go-Go, A Night Before Christmas and now Down the Wire - each is impressive in its own way. Not all of them will hold up against Three Wishes (by consensus and staying power, their most solid work from first track to last), but I'd say at least two of them (anybody for three?) should be included in any discussion about their all-time best.
I think I just wrote part of my review.

I just pre-ordered the album on Amazon.

....I heard someone's gonna get the new Album earlier than the 28th, eheh!!!!!

M

was on vacation, and wasn't really paying attention to the release date; just found out it's going to be on my birthday...yeah for me.

Now that's a cool birthday, Brooks.

I agree with jazzwriter about the enduring quality of Spyro's work....and even relative clunkers like Got The Magic had more than enough to redeem them....even if a few tracks had to be editted out of my tape copy. But even Havanna Moonlight was great live, as well as Silk and Satin. Anyway I am ramblin, but suffice to say that I have a gut instict that this DOWN TO THE WIRE is gonna be one of their enduring albums.

Paul

BTW...Heart Of the Night is an incredible set of compositions, click tracks or not.

True, Paul. The title song and As We Sleep really didn't do much for me when I first got it (I grew to like them over time), but from De La Luz to Believe is a continuous experience in "wow." When Evening Falls and J Squared, too.

Heard some the cd and man, if this doesn't win them record of the year, whoever does win better have one hellova record! SG never ceases to amaze me!

FYI: I just submitted my review to AAJ. No, I can't paste it here, but I can give you the link when it's published.
The only reason I mention it is because typically, I comment on 3 or 4 songs per CD. With most artists, I don't have to use a lot of words in those comments. In the case of Down the Wire, I had plenty to say.
Getting to the point: I used up most of my word limit, so one song I wanted to comment on, and didn't, is Make It Mine.
What would I have said?
Well, it would have been something like this:
Anybody feel the spirit of the Godfather of Soul on this one? Bonny's shouts to the "horns" reminded me of James Brown. And Jay's play is a lot like Maceo Parker, the Godfather's saxman back in the day. It's a really good, old-school soul/funk fest.

I just listened to the samples on Amazon.com. It looks like we have another fine CD from SG. I was not too thrilled about the sample of the last tune, but all of the others seemed like winners.

Last night I made a CD of my favorite tunes from Wrapped in a Dream and Good to Go Go. Man! What a fine CD; it will be in rotation for quite a while.

Vital Information and Yellowjackets were my favorite groups when I joined this forum. Since Frank Gambale left Vital Information, Spyro Gyra has replaced VI in my top two.

Peace and goodwill.

I've pre ordered mine.....looking forward to it!!


Chris D.

Man...just listened to the samples....wooohooo...amazing stuff..as always!!

Songs up on myspace!

http://www.myspace.com/officialspyrogyra

Thanks for the "heads up" (pardon the pun), Phil! I listened to the songs this morning. I could hardly stand the wait for the release of this CD and now the wait is just simply unbearable! (but in a good way!)

DAAAAAYYYYYEEEEEMMMMM!!!!!!!!

I gotta see "Make It Mine" live!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man, just listened, don't know what to say really... they've done it again! Bonny & Scott gel SO well, those grooves are unreal! And "Make It Mine".. WOW!!
Can't wait to get my hands on a copy, and to see them live with this material! Keeping my fingers crossed that they'll be coming over to Sweden sometime soon. Last time was 2003... been way to long!!!

I am going to download it so that I can get it quickly, and to save a few bucks. Peace and goodwill.

Mr. Brennan,

Thanks...just heard :Make It Mine....like it upon first spin....

Can't believe I've got NEW SPYRO GYRA and BRAND NEW DYLAN released the exact same day....April 28 2009!

Has that EVER happened in the past 32 years???

Wow! The Dylan track I just sampled is great as well..."Feel A Change Comin on".

Peace
Paul

"Tippen Point".....Schuuuuuuuuuuu penned.....Spyro Gyra.......

"OH NO YOU DIN'T"!!!!!

This swings....got's to be put RIGHT INTO THE SETLIST....NOW!

Thanks Spyro! You are still the standard....32 years down the line---er--"DOWN THE WIRE"!

Paul

lol, Paul. I agree. Love the overall project, but you know there's always one that knocks my socks off (more so than others) on first play, and that for me was also Tippin' Point.

Here ya go: AAJ review

Nice review Woody! Let's hope some tunnel vision jazz purests can step out a little for once and appreciate the chemistry and skill of these fine musicians.

Thanks, Steve.

Hey Woody, I enjoyed the review too! Thanks for sharing it here.

On another note... I just bought a new car for my wife that has XM Satellite Radio. I was driving the car yesterday afternoon listening to the "watercolors" (smooth/contemporary jazz) station and they played "Unspoken" from Down The Wire!

Sweet.
Sidebar: There's a men's clothing store that subscribes to one of the jazz channels. It's a good mix of cool jazz, smooth jazz and mellow big band fare. I was in there a few days ago to rent a tuxedo, and they played Jay's "Eye Contact."

CELEBRATION DAY!!!

THE NEW CD IS OUT!!!!

THEY SAY DYLAN HAS "SO MANY SIDES TO HIM THAT HE'S ROUND"!!

I think the same can be said about Spyro Gyra!!!!!

Lovin the latin track(Rosa) right now...the straight ahead and latin sides have always been the Spyro sides I am most drawn to...with the others a very close third!

Paul

I downloaded it last night from Amazon.com. When I made my CD, I left off the last tune, which leaves ten tunes at around one hour total time.

Man! This is one great CD! They did it again. This is the best thing I have bought in 2009. Peace and goodwill.

aNYONE HAVE ANY EARLY FAVORITE TRACKS?

FOR ME, IF I HAVE TO PICK JUST TWO:

1) TIPPIN POINT-SCHUU AND JAY CO-WRITTEN
2) LA ZONA ROSA

I AM AMAZED BY THESE TRACKS AND THE OTHERS, BUT THE BAND UPDATES CERTAIN STYLES EVERY FOUR OR FIVE RECORDS, AND THEY ALWAYS UPDATE IN AN IMPROVING WAY.

AND I LOVE JULIO'S DIRTY SANTANA-ISH GUITAR SOUND AND PLAYING ON ROSA/

JAY'S SOUNF SEEMS TO GET BETTER AND BETTER AND HIS PLAYIING IS THAT OF A CONTROLLED MASTERS FURY.

PAUL

Nice CD. Great long tracks. I also left off the last track as Mark mentioned above.

For now, those are also my favorites, Paul.
Mark, ermoder, guys, big mistake. Not that I would recommend leaving any songs off, but you absolutely MUST have Make It Mine. It's maybe the best album closer since Rockaway to Sunset.

I listened to it, and I still have it on my computer. I am not too wild about the vocals at the beginning. But I will give it another listen. Peace and goodwill.

Tried that last track again and just don't care for the vocals.

So far, have bought two tunes from iTunes off of this one, Down The Wire and Ice Mountain. (NOthing against it, just need more money in my account, time for another gift card )
I have them on my iPod, which I had on repeat while I mowed the yard for about an hour. So, I've heard those 2 tuunes about 5 times each.
Loving it!

And I gotta say, Scott A has got a groove going on, you can just feel it instantly that he's having a ball playing.
Wish that were true in other bands' recent efforts....

Anyway, looking forward to getting a few more tunes- this one reminds me of Three Wishes.

Those may be the best two tracks...wise choices indeed.

Peace and goodwill.

For me: Unspoken.

Thought I'd share these with you guys:
Interview with Jay Beckenstein
A look back 30 years: Morning Dance

Small coincidence. I'm listening to Down the Wire as I type this. Now having heard this several times, Down the Wire and Make It Mine have moved up in the ranks of favorite songs, challenging The Tippin' Point and La Zona Rosa. But at the moment, Ice Mountain is No. 1 - all by its lonesome.

That Interview with Jay lists the current band members at the bottom of the page but Scott's name is missing...

Yeah, that pissed me of. It might sound exagerate, but I'm confident saying this:
only three musicians have contributed on changing SG's sound in all these years, Joel, Scott and lately Bonny.
Scott is one of the most important one, IMO. His writing and sound have really stired SG to a whole new (better) direction.
All this IMO IME....

M

Thanks for pointing that out, ermoder. I've requested a correction.

I've been spinning the release on my radio show the last two weeks and think it's another evidence of the band's "staying power." There are no tracks that I dislike and was amazed that even a long time critic of the band on the All-Music site gave it a very good review. It shows that this band can even grow on these guys.

My favorite as you might guess is "The Tippin' Point." However, I've always felt that the band and its writers have always been able to pen ballad-like arrangements that are excellent. "Unspoken," "Island Pond," "A Flower for Annie Jeanette" and "A Distant Memory" contribute to the overall quality of this album.

Normally I look for the compositions from Tom Schuman the first time I get a new release since I have always enjoyed his approach to composing and arranging. "Not for Nothin'" is another example of his continuing contributions to the band. And what can you say about Jay's continuing output? His writing and work on tenor sax on this release is very good as well. And can't we all agree that Scott Ambush's arrangements continue to get better and better? I really like Julio Fernandez' "Unspoken" a well.

I do wish that some of these releases would include a track featuring and turning Julio Fernandez loose on guitar for an extended solo a la jazz-improv. Too often as he is really getting "into it" his solo is used to fade out the track. We've all seen his great solo work during the band's "live" performances. I'd like some of these preserved on a CD-- wouldn't you?

I'm even more surprised that Julio has not put out a solo cd at all!

It's something that has always bother me too..... I'm not a big fan of fade-outs...

M

I've only spun it a couple times and am still digesting it but this is a great cd. I notice that these songs (except last track) are more jazzy and fusiony than the past several releases where many tracks seemed a little more pop instrumental in nature. Also, the ballads work exceptionally well for the simple reason that the instruments are played live with no electronic programming. So many legendary sax players out there and Jay is still my favorite for sure. Just love his tone and expression. No real favorite tracks yet.

Who is Annie Jeanette? Anybody know?

As Phil said, i also listen Tom's tunes first when i get a new relase. As you all know...he's my hero, my main influence and hehe...also my good friend....it still amazes me that thanks to a cosmic reason i got to know him and share some good conversations!!!.

Like Jay said once on an interview, Tom's tunes represent Spyro's other side of the coin. Even though he's evolved and changed his complexity a little bit it's still there,....that...that...sound....that approach. The Tippin'Point is one of those examples and stands out. Also... La Zona Rosa....hey...i'm puertorrican...so you know!!

The funny thing about Spyro is that for us it's normal to listen a wide variety of influences and rythms....for other people that are new to this band is like..."Is that Spyro Gyra too?". From "La Zona Rosa" to "The Tippin'Point"...from "Birk's Law" to "Incognito"....it is still Spyro Gyra!!!

Ahh, I just saw the reference in the liner notes. I guess it is a past relative of Scott's.

Perhap's my favorite song so far...

In Scott's SG bio, his Mother is listed as Jeanette Lofton Ambush. It's somewhat possible that Jeanette Lofton was also known as Annie Jeanette Lofton. Purely a guess...

Didn't he dedicate a composition to his Mother? Was it "As We Sleep? The River Between?"

My liner refers to "the late Annie Jeanette Lofton Ambush."

Wow! This has got to be one of the most spoken about albums on this forum, and rightly so: what magnificent work by our SG boys on this CD.

I feel I have to add another few cents on my fave track - Unspoken. I think the break at approx. 4:05 has got to be one of the most beautiful, thrill-down-the-spine bridge-to-chorus comebacks I've heard in any piece of music for a long long time. So much so that it's at times difficult to keep a dry eye when going through that.

What I'd do to see/hear this performed live! Perhaps SG will spoil us soon again out here in SA.

You know me Paul....i just noticed that i've been here for 10 years now....WOW!!! time flies when you're having a good time!!! i was by the name of ERIL..but for some technical reasosns i had to make my profile again a couple of years ago...anyway....you're right....this cd is insane!!! I love it more and more!!! Great cover art Phil!!!!

And...hmmmmm....Tom's pic inside the cd looks like the one on "Stories Without Words" a bit!!!

hehehe....i like when Bonny says "Go Tommy, Go Tommy" in Make It Mine....also the Stevie Wonder sound starting at 2:34....very cool!!!

Ok....Tippen Point has retaken the lead for the number one track on this great new record.

It is a great sign that these compositions have staying power this many weeks 'down the wire'....

Look out...I am back to La Zona Rosa....it is sneaking back in on the outside.....!!!!

We are lucky fans are we not??

A couple of the the other venerable bands in contemporary jazz have released discs this year that have been an overall disappointment to most of their core fans. We are fortunate that this has been and extremely rare occurance with Spyro Gyra....and even those records (TT aqnd GTM) had moments that redeemed those records overall.

Peace, and thanks again Jay Tom, Julio Scott and Bonny B!!
Paul

TT? Am I having memory lapse or what?
Paul, you're analysis sounds like a horse race. Maybe that can be the title of their next project, eh: something along the lines of Run for the Roses. heh heh

"TWENTY TWENTY" TT........
OK 20/20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or "Triple Crown"

Or "In to the STRETCH!!!!

But that would have been a prequel to down the wire.

"La Zona Rosa" is in heavy, heavy rotation right now......one of the best puertorrican percussionists playing in that song....priceless!!!

Aw, man. Down the Wire just now got out of my rotation, and now you guys are making me want to put it on again.
A typical cycle for a CD is 3-4 weeks, to be played all the way through at least 4 times. A new release gets up to 3 additional spins for first-listen and review purposes. DTW got 10, and that's not counting the repeat plays on The Tippin' Point and Ice Mountain.

Thought that I would finally comment after starting this back in February. Initally, I just wasn't getting the "feeling" as in previous new releases. But as I was driving home from work a few weeks ago, I cranked up "A Flower for Annie Jeanette", "La Zona Rosa", "What It Is", and "A Distant Memory". This group of songs did the trick as I went "Down the Wire". Compositions by Julio, Scott and Bonny are exceptional, and just add to the entire group's ability to explore and create new music. "Down the Wire" is as good as it gets.

Has anyone published any recent set lists? I am curious what the boys are playing live from "Down the Wire".

I think my computer at home has fallen in love with Ice Mountain, too. The updated Windows Media Player has a flaw. I normally play ripped songs on random. With previous versions, if I choose "unrated," that's all I get. But with the new version, it will show me only the unrated songs but after so many tracks, it will call up several rated songs.
Ice Mountain has come up 5 times this week.

It's a great tune.....kind of reminds me of the old days!!

Okay, got "Down the Wire". I can now claim that CD is the only CD case that now has a crack in the top of the case. Duh, I leaned on it - oops.

Saying that any album is better than another is like saying that each album is not different or distinct. Sure there is always "Incognito" or "Catching the Sun" or heaven forbid - "Morning Dance", although "Stories without Words" seemed to be a bit fast from 20 some years ago. But Tom, did the Fender Rhodes die because forever will I listen to "Paula/Paw Prints? Just joking. But, from Alternating Currents to your Point of View onto your Fast Forward to your BreakOut onto your Rites of Summer to your Freetime (always still) to the new listeners, the only thing that interferes with "Spyro Gyra" seems to be the rest of this planet.

Got to go! (Paula/Paw Prints out the door.)

Did anybody understand that?

What? You do not know the name of Spyro Gyra's albums. Paula/Paw Prints is a song on the first album - Spyro Gyra.

Sorry, but my stereo mainly only knows - Spyro Gyra.

(while I am listening to "Down the Wire" again, once again.)

This has all been going on for over 30 years now.

Usually I would not even mention just one song. You see, other people have this idea that some songs are better than others, say on "Spyro Gyra" albums. I have a cure for this - you play the entire album.

Now when "Down the Wire" was just played, the entire 'album' was played. This cures most problems that other people have.
(You see now, the entire "Freetime" album is playing. You insert these 16-bit CD's and press 'play' and sound comes out of these speaker thingys - like a Fender Rhodes piano sound. There was a cure for that earlier instrument also - it is called a very, very, very, small drop of superglu on the springs of the tines - thus insuring that the Fender Rhodes pre-made before synths electronics came out piano - would never go out of tune again.

Now, you can also stick in your DVD player those new 24-bit albums like "Down the Wire" also and sound comes out of those speaker thingys and the amp that powers those speaker thingys.

Alf, I'm going to say this once and try to be nice about it.
CHILL OUT!

Alf, first-off welcome to the board. We do appreciate your enthusiasm as well, but it would help if you read the contents of this board/thread before knuckling down.
Fact is, mr Jazzwriter happens to know more about SG than most of us here, and moreover, this partioular thread pertains specifically to Down The Wire, so your comments seem a little directionless.

Once you've taken a good look around here, you'll notice that the members are well-oiled, learned folk. So bear that in mind when commenting, and enjoy your stay.

"What It Is"
"A Distant Memory"

ALF--Welcome to the Spyro Gyra family, to THE place to discuss the world's greatest jazz band. Your post indicates that you might be a Spyro fan from way back. Awesome. But I gotta back up jazz writer. Your post was disjointed and it's point mysterious. Even your follow up clarifying post was more confusing than Ornette Coleman or Roland Kirk. Please--post here often....but try to avoid posting stuff reminicent of Dylan's 'Tarantula' or Kerouac and Ginsberg. PEACE! Paul

Thanks, Roger and Paul.
Now with all that said, welcome to the family, Alf.
Now let's talk music.

Although I really don't want to belabor this on, I was merely talking about keyboard action of a certain keyboard (fender rhodes) long ago on the first Spyro Gyra album vs. keyboard action of new digital electronic synthesizers vs. electronic type piano keyboards. Compared to a real piano, to me, they still do not have it, although I am not up on Kuweil (spelling) or some others brands. In other words, playing any musical instrument demands a lot of work and practice and effort. I always get the idea that most people have no idea what effort it takes and instead want to talk about if the songs move them, or this and that, without fully realizing how difficult that can become to swing, or funk, or anything different on any such song as Spyro Gyra plays or record. That also means that not everyone is going to take the time and disipline to discover any of that along the way of even one band that has played in the jazz so-called freedom arena.

The new album to me is a monumental effort on the part of the band to put it all together especially when I listen to the first song I mentioned on the CD - "What It Is".

Now, lighten up!
A person could mention well that is the way that it is in this type of music, but frankly I find that people who only listen to the music and do not even attempt to play a musical instrument usually leave me disgusted at times. So go on, talk your talk.

If you attempt to play along say with a song like "What It Is" or even if I do, it would not be the same probably, and in my case, I know that it would not be the same as what is that song on the album. No, I am not exalting Spyro Gyra, although there is a place for that, I am just saying that they took the effort on the album to be more funky then perhaps many people may realize.

Although I also like "Down the Wire" tune and others on the album, funking out can bring a band down in a hurry if one band member does not apply the appropriate funk at the time it is needed.
I guess in my past for some certain other people listening to funky music this has made them feel uncomfortable to sit and listen to the music, when it comes out - because they can not allow theirselves to enjoy the apparent motion of what being funky really is and listening to the music if it does not have a straight-on beat. I have no doubt that I can though, which is another aspect of a band being able to switch movements around to reflect that aspect of that kind of music.
The end!
Now, get in the groove.
Lighten up, perhaps or perhaps not, to me that is up to you.
So excuse me, if I enjoy that type of music just somewhat better than other types of music. Even though old and a grump (although that could be gramp) yes, there are the people who will willing accept that kind of beat say over a latin beat or any other beat in any music. At most times when listening to music I enjoy the band's togetherness of playing funky. But I also like change-ups, and although it has nothing to do with me except as a listener of the music, I guess other people that I have known can not handle that aspect of music (the funk). I just don't think it makes me any which way, and only those people for kind of demanding that everything be suited to only their way. So enough babbling out of me.

Al-f, I don't understand the defensiveness. It's like you're dissing anyone who doesn't delve deeply into the technical aspects of how difficult it is to write and perform a song.
I honestly do not get the animosity. We're all on the same side, aren't we? You're speaking to people who, like you, love Spyro Gyra and their music. Why does it matter that some of us don't appreciate the difficulty?
Learning an instrument or how to read music may be difficult. Maybe it's just me, but I think these veteran musicians and songwriters find it no more difficult than Kobe Bryant finds a jump shot difficult. It takes practice and effort, but I'm not so sure the work is as difficult as you think. And by the way, most of us have been fans of the group since its beginning. To even think that anybody participating in this discussion doesn't recognize Spyro Gyra's funky elements is laughably ridiculous.
In another topic, you speak about the jazz traditionalists and how many of them don't like Spyro Gyra because this band doesn't fit neatly into the box that the traditionalists think jazz is should always be about.
You're just as bad - or worse - suggesting that to really enjoy the music, you have to be a musician who knows exactly what they went through to create a song. I know personally some professional musicians who, if I asked them a question about 400 mhz tuning, they'd look at me like I just stepped off an alien spaceship. Music has as much to do with emotion/feeling as it does the technical aspects of putting it together. I'm sure that when you eat at a restaurant, you don't question the chef about oven temperature, how long it's at that setting, where the vegetables were grown and how often the farm was irrigated before you make up your mind whether the meal pleases you.
I never understood the mentality that a person has to experience a thing before being allowed to talk about it. One doesn't have to get shot to talk about a war. And it's a safe bet that most of us here have never given birth to 8 children at once, but several have commented on the "octo-mom."
Oh, and, just a friendly suggestion:
Stock up on Pepto Bismol. I'm one of those disgusting people who listen to music but does not play an instrument.

Now that some time has gone by to give me a chance to listen to this more: I LOVE it! This is favorite CD of 2009, so far. Any other CD will be hard pressed to overcome it. Peace and goodwill.

P.S. Does a drummer count as a musician? (LOL)

I'm not sure what the objective of this recent discussion, but wonder if a new breed of listener hasn't surfaced on the site. I've heard of a "jazz purist" but do I now detect a "Spyro-purist?"

Whether that may be the case or not, I'm always ready to be taught new things about the music I care about. So Alf, stick around and perhaps we will grow on each other.

Phil, I think our resident alien life form has moved on.

Moved on? I hope not! I was starting to like the guy!! Anyone who goes so far back in his Spyro Gyra appreciation-well, he's needed and welcome here.
I hope our minor requests that he post his thoughts in a more focused fashion didn't cause him to run away.
Paul

Phil-
Forgot to ask-which cuts from 'Down The Wire' have made it on to your radio show, 'Catching The Sun'? Did any DTW track break through the Broadcast Arch glass ceiling to make on to widespread commercial radio?
Paul

Phil-
Forgot to ask-which cuts from 'Down The Wire' have made it on to your radio show, 'Catching The Sun'? Did any DTW track break through the Broadcast Arch glass ceiling to make on to widespread commercial radio?
Paul

I agree, Paul, that it's always a plus to have someone with a depth of knowledge to participate.
However, if you look at some of the other topics where he's posted, he hasn't contributed to those since the initial flurry, which might suggest he's one of those fly-by-night posters who drop in, stir a little controversy, and then disappear.
Another possibility is he didn't appreciate being challenged on his idea that expertise on frequencies and experience in playing an instrument are prerequisites to having an opinion.
If that were true, nobody who doesn't play an instrument would ever buy a CD or a concert ticket. Not to put too much value in the voice of an average fan, but why spend the money if your feedback is rejected because you're unqualified?
I hope he'll rethink that and come back, but my gut tells me we've seen the last of him.

Paul . . .

Since the release date I've been giving "Down To the Wire" a lot of airplay. Since the show is artist-based, you seldom hear just one selection from an artist or group. I tend to play mini-sets of an artist's work and will normally put together two or three selections at a time by a particular artist. I've actually played every cut from this CD during May and June, some several times.

The band gets a regular workout on the show. I've also played multiple selections from their "Collection," "In Modern Times" and "Wrapped In A Dream" CD's recently. Of course every show is introduced by the band's composition, as you might guess, "Catching the Sun." I think it's a perfect intro and title for a show occupying a 6-8 am (EDT) commuter time slot (that's 3am for you guys on the West Coast) as the sun rises in the morning.

After the above, please believe that other music and artists get their space as well. Regardless, it's Spyro-time!!!

Phil-
Thanks for your quick answer...and for spinning so-much Spyro. But from what I remember, the first hour and second hour setlists you used to post on another Island forum-were varied, cut across a wide range of jazz styles and eras.
Jazzwriter-you may well be right about alf. But I agree with your points re: ability to appreciate music if you do or do not play yourself. I've sung in my church choir for 19 years-can strum 3 or 4 chords on guitar. That doesn't qualify me. But I can dig music all the same

Exactly. I sing, too. Sang in school choruses for 6 years, and have been a part of three adult community choruses for most of this decade. And a good deal of that involves interaction with more than just a pianist.
As to instruments, it doesn't qualify me as a musician, but I have dabbled in keyboard; once taught myself the melody to As Time Goes By on an alto sax (honorable mention: a slow-as-molasses version of the main theme of Maynard Ferguson's Primal Scream); goofing off on a friend's piano, I figured out the chorus to SG's Whirlwind; and any time there's a hand drum (bongos usually) about when good music is playing, I'll keep time if nothing else.

Tom does a solo at the 3:20 mark of "Not For Nothin". Perhaps it is the register he is playing in but I have not heard that particular keyboard since the "Into Your Heart" release 6-7 years back. Kind of odd.

Have any Islander's caught any Spyro Gyra concerts in April, May, June, or July? Just wondering what ''Down The Wire'' tracks are in the setlist.
Thanks all.
Paul

Shooting into a dead heat with Tippen Point and La Zona Rosa-along the rail.......Scott's DOWN THE WIRE!!!
Like the mighty Zep used to do with Dazed and
Confused and Whole Lotta Love, Spyro turned DOWN THE WIRE into a near completely different animal in the live setting.
So DTW is at least tied with Tippen and Zona.
At least until I see those two LIVE!

It's official. La Zona Rosa has broken into the current favorites.
This is the result of the song repeatedly popping into my head even though I haven't played the CD for several months.
So now it's joined the ranks of:
Ice Mountain
The Deep End
Believe
Whitewater
Breakfast at Igor's
East River Blue
Whirlwind
Heliopolis (AAA)
Incognito
Songs that aren't necessarily all-time favorites, but they're apt to play at random.

Amen to that --PREACH it jazzwriter! We had a thread on Magic Island-Pick 3 from each album...we stopped adding to it several records ago, but it was a fun thread! If revived, I`d list these 3 from DTW: Tippen Point La Zona Rosa Down The Wire Live-last year Scottie`s composition was `Spyro-ized`-turned from the studio blueprint into a majestic mansion more than 10 minutes in length. It seems like the last few records have been REALLY strong--and then that incredible DVD-NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL from the Original Cinema tour. Think I will qo watch it right now.

Cd has been rotating on Dish Network's 'free preview channel' this month.

I feel the need for a live recording soon -- been too long !