Jazz Articles about Tony Levin

About Tony Levin

Album Review

While he's often (and understandably) considered the creative force behind perennial art rockers King Crimson, cofounder/guitarist Robert Fripp is, in fact, a far more democratic leader than he's given credit. Bassist/Stick man Tony Levin--one of the fundamentals behind the 1980-'84 and 1994-'97 incarnations of Crim, recently returning to the fold after a hiatus during the group's 2000-'03 years--makes clear his contributions to the ever-expanding Crim with Stick Man. Then again, it may well be a case of chicken ...

781

Extended Analysis

The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson Volume Two: 1981-2003

by John Kelman
November 30, 2005

While Robert Fripp—erstwhile leader and only remaining member of the group that literally shook the foundations of the rock world in 1969 with In the Court of the Crimson King (Discipline Global Mobile)— rankles at those who call the continually evolving band King Crimson a progressive rock band, what band better fits the term progressive? Merriam-Webster defines the word progressive as: “making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities," and “moving forward or onward." ...

189

Album Review

Tony Levin: Prime Cuts: From Tony Levin's Magna Carta Sessions

Read "Prime Cuts: From Tony Levin's Magna Carta Sessions" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
April 22, 2005

A pre-eminent bassist and proponent of that oddly-tapped guitar/bass hybrid called the Stick, Tony Levin began his musical life in the late '60s as an in-the-pocket jazzer, playing with artists including vibraphonist Gary Burton and early incarnations of the groove-centric band Stuff. But he's since moved on to become one of the most in-demand session players in genres including rock, pop, and progressive rock... many of the various subgenres that have emerged over the past 35 years, in fact. He ...

154

Album Review

California Guitar Trio: rocks the west

Read "rocks the west" reviewed by Michael Askounes

by Michael Askounes
October 1, 2000

Somewhere deep within the town of Precision – which lies perilously close to the active volcano, Mt. Pretension – lies the California Guitar Trio. The three acoustic guitar virtuosos that make up this eclectic band, Bert Lams, Paul Richards, and Hideyo Moriya are summa cum laude graduates from Robert Fripp’s League of Crafty Guitar Players. This pedigree is not surprising once you’ve spent some time listening to them - their guitar playing is practically flawless, both rhythmically and melodically. Their ...

130

Album Review

Tony Levin: Waters Of Eden

Read "Waters Of Eden" reviewed by John W. Patterson

by John W. Patterson
June 1, 2000

Ah, well this was a surprise for me. Levin is a legend. His bass playing is incredible time and time again on many releases. I expect fascinating things from Levin. But what about this solo release? Well . . . it has its moments. First track called to mind a great 1990 release by Jai Uttal called Footprints. So here we go in a Levin-driven, near-Indian, ethnic raga, smooth-age rock modality. Interesting but after that the rest of the CD ...