THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

I heard about this album when seeing John McLaughlin and the 4 the Deminsion back in 2007. The program guide had ads in it for various Jazz music and this was one of them. After reading that Jerry Goodman was in it and some of the info on the others (which I really did not know), I downloaded the album and was very pleased with what I heard.

Being a newbie to the site and a layman's approach, I am sure I will not do justice to describing this as well as the "3" previous reviews and this LP is not easily defined. Just imagine a Frank Zappa's instrumental approach/thinking, Mahavishnu Orchestra's aggressiveness, a Dixie Dregs/Steve Morse sound, and a bit of funk, then shake it all up and you get Hectic Watermelon. Here is my quick take on the tracks.

Sacred Watershed - A sort of slow spacey and jazzy mix with slices of mild shredding done tastefully.

The Third Deriviative of James Brown - Sort of a heavier Mahavishnu/Zappa sound with a sprinkle of funk and even some guitar that sounds like the Police.

Bionic Hillbilly - Funk-a-Billy, do I hear a telecaster? This is my favorite of the album. This is Mahavishnu/Dixie Dregs type of mix that changes gears in mid stream to a spy come country funk sound that is quite fun.

F Street Fulano - A calmer track that has some nice Jerry Goodman violin work with a Dregs sound.

Dreams of Concrete Jungles - This abstract track reminds me of King Crimson in a way and is an intro into the next song.

Subterranean Rapid Transit - A Zappa/Steve Morse sound with heavy rythem with lots of violin and guitar noodling in between. Very nice.

Layover in Hamemet - Some abstract violin picking. Little bit of a filler with cars passing by.

Stary Dogs Messaging Project - Oriental Jazzy feel with guitar and violin bantering. Excellent.

Steve's Stunt Double - Another fabulous in sync guitar, violin dual in the vein of Mahavishnu and Dregs with funky bass work at times.

21rst Century Visigoth - The only vocal type track of the album. Very heavy funky driving rythem. Some lyrics and then the use of the voice as an instrument which reminds me of Focus. A very Zappa like tune.

Bullets, Dice, and 30 Megabytes - Mix'em all up for a hard, jazz fusion, funk, rock blend as the ride comes to and end!

If you like Zappa, Mahvishnu Orchestra, Dixie Dregs or Steve Morse solo efforts, you will want this. Its an outstanding 4+ album which rounds down to 4. Great!

Edit: It bothered me I did not spell violin correctly multiple times (violen). Jazz/Rock lovers still should check Hectic Watermelon out!

AEProgman

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