01	Train to Lamy						04:56
	02	Zundoko Bushi (with excerpts of 21st Century Schizoid Man)						03:43
	03	Blockhead						03:36
	04	Punta Patri						05:33
	05	Apache						03:26
	06	Sketches on Sunset						06:48
	07	Discipline						04:51
	08	Misirlou						01:58
	09	"Many people ask us..."						03:05
	10	Melrose Ave						02:15
	11	Dance of Maya						05:54
	12	Heaven's Bells						06:56
	13	Heart of the Sunrise						07:22
	14	Caravan						05:28
	15	Eve						04:05

California Guitar Trio - Live At The Key Club

Released: 2001
Label: Pepa Papa Music
Cat. No.:
Total Time: 69:56


Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, February 2002
The California Guitar Trio came into being in 1991 after Bert Lams (Belgium), Hideyo Moriya (Japan), and Paul Richards (USA) met at a Robert Fripp guitar seminar in England. Fripp was impressed enough to take the trio on tour with him on the now infamous "Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists." The result of that successful internship helped the three men decide to break off of the Fripp troupe and start their own group. CGT was born and the rest is history.

Live At The Key Club with very special guests Tony Levin, bass player extraordinaire, and the in demand percussionist Pat Mastelotto (Mr. Mister, King Crimson) is an indispensable performance consisting of the amalgamation of the group's awe-inspiring surf-progressive-rock sound. A special inclusion to this set is the classic Surf tracks "Miserlou" (Dick Dale), "Apache" (The Shadows), and King Crimson's phenomenal "Discipline" to wet your diverse musical palette. If that isn't enough for you then John Mclaughin's "Dance Of The Maya" will set your soul afire. This group sounds like a literal guitar army, with an emphasis on the army. Keep in mind this is all acoustic guitar, although it doesn't keep the sound down at all. With the addition of the incredible Tony Levin and the rhythmic percussion of Mastelotto, CGT is given more depth and breadth in their sound, and, put quite simply, it is out of this world. Wizard engineer Ronan Chris Murphy mixed the recording so they got the very best in that department; it's more than obvious right from the start of the first track that Murphy's stamp is on the mix. They do an ultra fast version of "Heart Of The Sunrise." According to the group in the liner notes it's true to form when you listen to it. Three dueling guitars at warp speed is something to witness. If you were there seeing it happen or in your living room, it will be as captivating as anything you have ever heard. Intricate notes are weaved in multiplicity to create their three man guitar sound. I have to give full credit the guests' rhythm section, it must have been incredibly difficult to keep pace with and create the proper exchange between the drums and bass without allowing the guitars to drop out of sync. They couldn't have chosen a better due than Levin and Mastelotto.

For me this is my maiden voyage into the CGT world. I am actively reviewing progressive bands and I keep hearing their name mentioned, and for good reason. I was absolutely blown away by this group's sound. What more could I possibly ask for? My two favorite genres on one CD! This CD is like a clinic for musicians. Listen to the Real Audio links I have provided from the CGT site and see what a revelation in sound this really is.

[See also Steph's review - ed.]

More about Live At The Key Club:

Track Listing: Train To Lamy (4:56) / Zundoko Bushi (3:43) / Blockhead (3:36) / Punta Patri (5:33) / Apache (3:26) / Sketches On Sunset (6:48) / Discipline (4:51) / Misirlou (1:58) / "Many people ask us..." (3:05) / Melrose Ave (2:15) / Dance Of Maya (5:54) / Heaven's Bells (6:56) / Heart Of The Sunrise (7:22) / Caravan (5:28) / Eve (4:02)

Musicians:
Bert Lams - guitar
Paul Richards - guitar
Hideyo Moriya - guitar

Guests:
Tony Levin - bass, Chapman Stick
Pat Mastelotto - drums




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)