Just thought I'd post this to stir up some posts....

There ARE some similar qualities in both bands:

Zep, early on--was accused of "bastardizing" the blues by adding celtic, arabic and indian musical influences into their mix. They simply did not know that "it wasn't to be done like that".

Spyro Gyra, as well, used to accused of bastardizing jazz. by adding rock, blues, rythym and blues, latin and other influences into the mix.

Eventually, the critics "caught up" to Zep's genius.

And it's nice to see the same happening to Spyro Gyra.

Works for me.

Jazz is not a bird cage. So let the exotics fly!

I never liked Led Zeppelin that much. I like a few of their songs, but that is about it. IMHO, Spyro Gyra in WAY better. However, the comparison is apt.

Another trait commom to both bands is that neither band had a trace of musical snobbery in them....they listen to and will try anything.

Another trait: monster players at each position...

Another rare aspect: Virtueoso musicians who are not slaves to their chops. They can blow your mind with flurries of notes, and give you the chills with "that one note". That quality is as rare as hen's teeth.

Paul

I was explaining what the band means to me and telling him about the blessing i have to be friends with Tom. The guy told me "So they're kind of the Rush of jazz".....I told him (even though Rush is my favorite band second to Spyro) "No.....they're just the Spyro Gyra of Jazz".!

Yep Mr. Eril--Spyro Gyra is indeed a unique band in a class by itself. Rush improved from it`s Zeppelin and Yes foundations to find it`s own voice. The thing about Zep and Spyro is that they blazed new trails and early on got a huge ammount of undeserved grief from critics even as they built large and loyal followings the world over. BOTH bands blended an amazingly diverse ammount of musical styles added to their base(blues for Zep, jazz for Spyro). The critics eventually caught up to BOTH bands. And both bands inspired hundreds of imitators--none of whom really got it right.

Yep....100% agree Paul

Paul I think you hit it on the nose. And that part about not being
"slaves to their chops" but that they can chill and hit just that one note, that one special note, it makes all the more difference.