Chamber Works Terry Bozzio

Tuesday, 30 August 2005 15:55

WARNING: Do NOT listen in car stereo!

Terry Bozzio has released his new "Chamber Works" - recorded live in October, 2003 with Holland's Metropole Orkest (conductor: Dick Bakker) - via Favored Nations (available September 6, 2005). The CD shows off Bozzio's classical side with 5 blistering trax (plus a bonus track), with Bozzio on drums beside a 60 piece orchestra!

For those unfamiliar with Bozzio's work, he has performed & recorded with the likes of Frank Zappa, the '80s pop icons Missing Persons, guitar gods Steve Vai (circa "Sex & Religion"), Jeff Beck ("Guitar Shop"), Steve Stevens (the infamous "Bozzio, Levins, Stevens" projects), fellow drummers like Chad Wackerman, and more...including a hugely successful string of solo releases featuring only Terry & his massive drum-set.

"Chamber Works" is nothing like Terry's past work!

From the opening power of "Temenos" to the 10 minute peek into the Bozzio Universe entitled "Hypnotic", Terry's compositions & performances are exquisite. The most familiar feeling of the movements may well be "Untitled", which features his signature tribal-esque, but bends and twists into an off-balance but compelling quasi-Oriental flavored thunder. This Myth-cum-Meth titanic of a piece pounds your senses for 8 minutes, but it somehow seems both longer yet over far too soon.

Luckily, it is followed by "Moguli" - a wicked-cool track in 7/8 that is both magical and terrifying, Bozzio's percussion weaving seamlessly into the dashing flutes and majestic horns. The piece builds to near frenzy while managing to maintain it's exotic, hypnotic glow.

"Ibo" comes next, and is just as full of surprises as the rest of the collection. From the brief intro featuring near un-managable call & response between Terry's hands & feet to the crashing of the opening chords to the grand finale, "Ibo" keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The CD is completed with the final cut: "Opus 1: Self Portrait With Scar". This near 13-minute piece is a rollercoaster of events, from soft & reflective to bombastic & frightening.

Bottom line: This disc is not for everyone. The bizarre roads of "Chamber Works" are an acquired taste requiring both patience and bravery. But if you have what it takes to listen, you will relish the ride!

Visit Terry ON-LINE.

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