01	Melrose Avenue						02:18
	02	Skyline						04:42
	03	Dancing Ann						03:38
	04	Heart Of The Sunrise						07:15
	05	Hanagasa						03:33
	06	Zundoko-Bushi						03:37
	07	Blockhead						03:47
	08	Dance Of Maya						07:14
	09	Swapy Space						03:40
	10	Swapy Return						02:10
	11	Train To Lamy						05:13
	12	Eve						04:16
	13	What I Am						06:28
	14	The Chase						07:39

California Guitar Trio - CG3+2

Band Lineup:
Bert Lams - Guitar, Tenor Guitar
Paul Richards - Guitar, Slide Guitar
Hideyo Moriya - Guitar, Mando-Cello

Additional Musicians:
Tony Levin - Bass, Chapman Stick
Pat Mastelotto - Traps and Buttons

Credits:
Produced by: Bill Munyon & Pat Mastelotto with the CGT & Tony Levin
Released:
September 2002


California Guitar Trio with Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto - CG3+2

Released: 2002
Label: InsideOut
Cat. No.: IOMA 2043-2
Total Time: 63:16

Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, September 2002
How much better can California Guitar Trio get? Most groups reach a certain point in development then everyone moves on. Not CGT. It seems each time I hear something new by this group of incredibly diverse and talented men I am just awe struck, left with my mouth hanging open. Well, they did it to me again. Tony Levin, the best bass player in the world, is onboard again for another smorgasbord of progressive rock. In addition, Pat Mastelotto is present to do all the tweaking and technical wizardry in the studio. The three members of CGT are quite enough talent by themselves ... then to add more outstanding talent to their already capable repertoire pushes the musical envelope a bit further, sending the entire project into the another musical realm that stands by itself.

The problem for me is I do not know where to start with this CD; the entire performance blew me away! Keep in mind I have a definite fondness for instrumental music, particularly progressive, so please forgive me for being so partial, and having a favorite genre that I like to rant and rave about. Of course, there has to be something legitimate to carry on about, and CGT always gives me enough ammunition.

One of the more captivating tracks is "Heart of the Sunrise." They use the intro to the Yes classic "Long Distance Runaround" to open the song then strategically place it at different points to keep you off balance and wondering when its going to pop up again. This group can be masterful in disguising and utilizing other memorable tunes then blending them into their own. I notice that they do it frequently, but not so it is not an original composition, they never fail at improvising, manipulating, and making it their very own. They always sound like a different band on every song, it is really rather astonishing. "Zundoko-Bushi" is another amalgamation of modern day rock. It is a Japanese traditional song with excerpts from the celebrated King Crimson track "21ST Century Schizoid Man." Then they suddenly whisk you off to another time and place thousands of years ago in their version of John McLaughlin's "Dance Of Maya." Their music is truly worldly, and very worthy of that all encompassing reference.

This is yet one more classic progressive rock masterpiece to add to your CGT collection. If you have not started one yet, now would be as good a time as any.

Rating: 5/5

More about CG3+2:

Track Listing: Melrose Avenue (2:16) / Skyline (4:41) / Dancing Anne (3:38) / Heart of the Sunrise (7:16) / Hanagasa - (3:32) / Zundoko-Bushi (3:37) / Blockhead (3:47) / Dance of Maya (7:12) / Swampy Space (3:40) / Swampy Return (2:10) / Train to Lamy (5:11) / Eve (4:11) / What I Am (6:29) / The Chase (7:36)

Musicians:
Tony Levin - Bass, Chapman Stick, Producer, Photography
Pat Mastelotto - Trap Kit, Buttons, Producer, Photography
Paul Richards - Guitar, Slide Guitar, Mixing
Bert Lams - Guitar, Guitar (Tenor), Mixing
Hideyo Moriya - Guitar, Mandocello

Contact:

Website: www.cgtrio.com
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

The Bridge Between (1993) as Robert Fripp String Quartet
Yamanashi Blues (1993)
Invitation (1995)
Pathways (1998)
An Opening Act: Live On Tour With King Crimson (1999)
Rocks The West (2000)
Monday Night In San Francisco (2000)
Robert Fripp String Quartet - Live In Japan (1992) (video)
Live At The Key Club (2001)
CG3+2 (2002)



The California Guitar Trio consists of three revered musicians who aren't actually natives of the "Golden State." Actually, two of the members aren't even from the United States! Bert Lams is from Brussels, Belgium; Hideyo Moriya is a native of Tokyo, Japan; and Paul Richards hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. The technical wizardry of the California Guitar Trio is breathtaking, and so is the wide range of instrumental music the group performs -- everything from unique originals to dazzling, cleverly arranged reinterpretations of classical, jazz and surf rock pieces. Elements of blues and country are blended into the California Guitar Trio's style too. Their diversity is unparalleled. There's simply nothing the California Guitar Trio can't do musically.

Lams, Moriya and Richards first met when they all attended one of King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp's guitar seminars in England in 1987. They toured as part of Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists until deciding in 1990 to form their own group. The men had gathered in Los Angeles and by early 1991, Lams, Moriya and Richards had selected the name California Guitar Trio. They toured the West Coast extensively and built up a strong following by playing coffeehouses and small clubs. Guitar fanatics quickly embraced the trio. CGT signed with Fripp's Discipline Global Mobile label and released its debut album, 'Yamanashi Blues,' in 1993. The trio maintained a demanding tour schedule and released its second album, 'Invitation,' in 1995. After touring worldwide with King Crimson in 1995, the California Guitar Trio benefited from the wider exposure and reaped the rewards of dramatically increasing its fan base.

CGT kept touring, often utilizing guest musicians including bass guitarist/Chapman Stick player Tony Levin, King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto, saxophonist Bill Janssen and percussionist Jarrod Kaplan. The third album, 'Pathways,' was released in 1998. Given the California Guitar Trio's relentless touring pace, it's not surprising that several live albums have been the result. In 2001, 'Live at the Key Club,' featuring Levin and Mastelotto, was the first release in the ongoing CGT Direct Collector's Series; these CGT Direct titles are sold only through the band's web site or at concerts.

2002 marked a significant new phase in the California Guitar Trio's career. CGT signed with InsideOut Music, a label specializing in the kind of progressive music for which the California Guitar Trio excels. It's a perfect match. The first album under the new deal is 'CG3+2' which is set for release on September 3, 2002, and features Levin and Mastelotto. The holiday album '10 Christmas Songs' is coming November 5, 2002, and it was previously only available through www.cgtrio.com.






CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO - CG3+2 (2002, INSIDE OUT MUSIC)
Paul Richards, Bert Lamy and Hideyo Moriya - all guitars;
Tony Levin - bass, Chapman stick;
Pat Mastelotto - drums

For those of you unfamiliar with these guys, they've recorded a huge body of work both in the studio and live. They met at one of Robert Fripp's guitar clinics and then toured with his League of Crafty Guitarists. None of them are from California (lol). I've always been very wary of reviewing guitar instrumental albums as I can't play myself, but Chris Francis (Ten guitarist) once told me that didn't really matter. As long as my reviews conveyed a sense of the music, the lack of technical details is not important:and besides, it makes the review interesting for other non-musicians, and it's fair to remember lots of non-musicians enjoy instrumental albums too.
This is a great album for the most part. No question about it. These people are excellent musicians and this album contains instrumental pieces in all different styles. 'Melrose Avenue' is a world music piece with a heavy bias towards an eastern sound, fast picked acoustic guitars at fifty paces. 'Skyline' may have been a more accessible opener with it's W.G. Snuffy Walden (the G must stand for genius - I love that guy's work) meets Led Zeppelin III approach. The track also features Levin's first shining moment here, with some tasteful fretless work. 'Dancing Ann' is conventional by CG3 standards, with its ordinary time signature and under-stated lead work. 'Heart Of The Sunrise' is an instrumental re-working of the Yes classic. Tony Levin got to play this so much when he was on the Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe tour in the late 1980s, he can probably play it in his sleep. 'Hanagasa' comes straight out of left field, with a reggae base and twin lead work on acoustic guitars. Very nice indeed. 'Zundoko-Bushi' leaves me cold, as I've never been a fan of surf instrumentals, though I'll make exceptions for Gary Hoey, but regardless, CG3 give it everything they've got. So, how do they follow the breeziness of the surfboard? With the tribal roots of 'Blockhead' (naturally), featuring huge drums from Mastelloto on the 'choruses', and Steve Hackett-esque 12-string guitar on the 'verses'.

The album then takes a severe turn to the left, as the CG3 start wielding their electrics for the aggressive slide guitar blues 'Dance of Maya', which again, reverts to semi-acoustics for its mid-section, and the rootsy 'Swamp Blues'/ 'Swampy Return'. Just when you think these guys have settled in for a blues groove for the rest of the disc, 'Train to Lamy' comes like a slap in the face. The blues-fuelled slide guitars are there for the first half, and then for the second half, the track becomes a full-on bluegrass finger pickin' stomp. 'What I Am' revisits a guitar sound similar to that used on a couple of tracks earlier in the album, but the use of drum loops is off-putting (was Mastelotto on a tea break?) and the track comes across as one of the album's weakest due to its lack of real direction. Both this and 'Eve' sit uncomfortably here, I feel, as they don't really have the urgency of the other compositions. They sound as if they'd be better suited to a film soundtrack. 'The Chase' sound like a sprawling mass of every idea CG3 could think of. Again, it sounds more like experimental soundtrack work and the Future Sound Of London style drum loops may again be off-putting to some of you.

The last few tracks let the side down a little, but don't let that put you off checking this out. It's definitely worth a shout.

Review By: Lee J Aspin (09/10/02)
URL: www.cgtrio.com : www.insideout.de
Rating: 7.5
Bookmark #CG3




California Guitar Trio - CG3+2

Release Date: September 2002

Very interesting release! A pleasant surprise from the Inside Out label, as this is more acoustic-driven music, with some forays into acoustic rock, folk music, world rhythms, and guitar-fusion. Not metal by any means, but definitely HEAVY in regards to the performers, and the music. Melodic and rhythmical, harmonious and powerful, subtle and melancholy, serene and bombastic. And it's the Guitar Trio! Imagine a slightly-less chicken-picken Hellecasters, with a more nuanced acoustic bent, and snide asides of surf music, a touch of hellish hillbilly tones, and there you have it! Heavy metal acoustic music, man! But don't be totally scared of offput, there's some (and I mean slight!) electric gee-tar and slide gee-tar here and there, but it's still, overtly, acoustic guitars moving the soul. But - I'm still trying to figure out HOW the Arabic sounding/flamenco-ish opening track, 'Melrose Avenue' has absolutely ANYTHING to do with the name. And, ah yes... a nice acoustic take on Yes' 'Heart of the Sunrise'... Oh yeah, did I mention Tony Levin's subtle washes of Chapman stick here and there? Bodacious, man...

Song Highlights: Melrose Avenue, Dancing Ann, Blockhead, Eve
Rating: 7/10
Reviewed By: Scott Mosher




The California Guitar Trio - CG3 + 2
Country of Origin: USA
Format: CD
Record Label: Inside Out Music
Catalogue #: IOMCD 107
Year of Release: 2002
Time: 65:39
Info: Click here
Samples: Click here

Tracklist: Melrose Avenue (2:18), Skyline (4:41), Dancing Ann (3:38), Heart of the Sunrise (7:16), Hanagasa (3:32), Zundoko-Bushi (3:37), Blockhead (3:47), Dance of Maya (7:12), Swampy Space (3:40), Swampy Return (2:10), Train to Lamy (5:11), Eve (4:11), What I Am (6:29), The Chase (7:36).
The California Guitar Trio (also known as CGT or CG3) are Bert Lams, Paul Richards and Hideyo Moriya. They first met during a guitar workshop by Robert Fripp. After they toured as part of Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists, they formed their own group in 1990. On their latest studio album "CG3+2" they got help from bass player Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) and Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson).


This album is my first acquaintance with the music of The California Guitar Trio. I was expecting some kind of "unplugged" music by an acoustic guitar trio, but found out that was not the case. The music on "CG3+2" has a strong "full band" feel, with quite some electric guitars and some synths added. Also, the two extra members -Levin and Matelotto- sound like full fledged band members, making substantial contribitions, and are by no means playing just a supporting role.

Despite all the prog rock references mentioned above, "CG3+2" is not a typical progressive rock release. Some proggy influences are there, but the overall feel of the album is more like jazz rock or fusion (a genre I have never been too comfortable with). The music goes true a wide variety of styles, combining elements from jazz, rock, country, blues, rockabilly and surf music.

The album contains 14 instrumental tracks, all with lots of acoustic guitar virtuosity. The musicianship is high class, and the mixture of styles is often surprising. But for some reason the music never really grabbed me. To me, it all sounded a bit emotionless and sterile. Also, I wasn't overly impressed with the quality of the song material, only half of which I found really interesting.

Best moments are the album's opener, Melrose Avenue (a very original sounding oriental piece), Dancing Anne and Dance of Maya (two more proggy jazz rock pieces). Also very enjoyable is the funny surfrock track Zundoko-Bushi (with some unexpected snippets of King Crimson's 21st Century Man thrown in). And finally, I must mention the cover of the Yes song Heart Of The Sunrise (which Tony Levin also played when he was the -nameless- fifth member of Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe). A great track of course, but this new version comes with no real surprises.

All in all, this album is not really my cup of tea. I would recommend it only to followers of the Crimson family, and proggers who are open to jazz rock. For me, this is the kind of music I prefer to hear in a live environment (preferably with some nice covers of prog rock classics)!

Conclusion: 6 out of 10.

Rob Michel