The Details: This is a monster album that combines two powerhouses. The California Guitar Trio, who have been under Robert Fripp’s Discipline Global Mobile label since their 1993 debut Yaminashi Blues, moved to new prog-label InsideOut and joined forces with Ex-King Crimson bassist Tony Levin and current-Krimso percussionist Pat Mastelotto for an impressive session. Levin began playing a number of gigs with the CGT in 2000 and a compilation of those performances were released on the album Rocks the West later that year. Soon after, a 2-CD set entitled Monday Night in San Fransisco, which contained a full unedited show, was released. In Early 2001, drummer Pat Mastelotto joined in and a February 2001 show was captured on the album Live at the Key Club. This was to be the first glimpse at the new CGT+2 line-up. Recording finally got underway in September 2001, when the five musicians teamed up with producer/engineer Bill Munyon and recorded the album in Austin, Texas. One year later, CGT+2 hit shelves and sent a buzz around the prog-rock community. I had the opportunity to see the CGT perform a double bill with The Tony Levin Band in April of 2002 and again (headlining this time) in January 2003. Both were magnificent shows. Now to the album at hand – CGT+2 is a great instrumental work. These five established musicians work their magic on classic CGT tracks, prog-rock covers, and an assortment of new songs. It takes quite a few spins to catch all the tricks, but it’s well worth it.
The Highlights: The album starts off with the CGT favorite Melrose Avenue. It’s a great rendition and it’s flat-out harder than the original – this is representative of the new lineup – CGT with a kick. The cover of the Yes classic Heart of the Sunrise is great addition (it had been a fan favorite and part of the live repertoire for a while). Moriya’s Zundoko-Bushi is sure fun for Crimson fans. Eve is a gorgeous piece and the first track to hit if you’re a T-Lev aficionado. Bill Munyon puts his two cents in on quite a few tracks for some interesting developments.
The Bottom Line: This ain’t your daddy’s CGT. Levin and Mastelotto provide a dream-team rhythm section to the excellent works of Hideyo Moriya, Paul Richards and Bert Lams. CGT+2 is an excellent album and should provide the band with a wealth of new fans. If you’re a guitarist, or know a guitarist, or have ever looked at a guitar, you should consider picking it up.
- Dustin Wall
