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Ed Palermo: Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages
ByIn doing so, he unravels and redesigns the music of such diverse entities as John McLaughlin {with and without the Mahavishnu Orchestra), Steely Dan; Emerson, Lake and Palmer; Tony Williams; Frank Zappa; King Crimson; Yes; Allan Holdsworth; Soundgarden, Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter. It is an adventurous and varied menu, at times grungy, at others quirky, and one that for many a listener will no doubt be an acquired taste.
This is high-energy music, driven for the most part by brass and rhythm (especially drums) with seldom any pause between the various numbers, making the whole sound much like a suite whose distinctive parts are interconnected yet dissimilar. The woodwinds also play a pivotal role, using the lower register to lend the enterprise diversity and weight. There are 19 themes in all, the longest of whichKing Crimson's elaborate "Pictures of a City," clocking in at 6:34closes the album.
While there is some improvisation, it's clear that this not the fuel that keeps this engine running on all cylinders. Tenor saxophonist Ben Kono solos on "Long Distance Runaround" and "Mystic Knights of the Sea," soprano saxophonist Phil Chester on "Take a Pebble" and "There's No Mystery About My G-Spot," violinist Katie Jacoby on "Snake Oil" and "One Word," pianist Bob Quaranta on "The Fish." Bruce McDaniel adds his voice to the opening "Resolution" and "Pictures of a City," and again (with guest Mike Keneally) on Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." Sturdy impressions matched stride for stride by drummer Ray Marchica and the hardworking rhythm section.
Rating Prog Vs. Fusion is awkward, to say the least, as the music has never before been heard, let alone appraised, by this reviewer's ears. Apparently, Palermo and his band are wholly on board, escorting the muse wherever it leads them. Whether others enjoy the ride is a matter of personal taste and musical experience. While the album landed here with a whimper, not a bang, those who are closely aligned with prog and fusion may find it far more pleasurable and excitingwhich is another way of conceding that this basically uninformed opinion hardly represents the last word as regards Prog Vs. Fusion. Listen carefully and make up your own mind.
Track Listing
Resolution; Black Hole Sun/Bodhisattva; There Comes A Time; Tarkus; Vrooom; Long Distance Runaround; Snake Oil; There's No Mystery About My G-Spot; Spanish G-Spot Tornado; Mystic Knights Of The Sea; On The Milky Way Express; Take A Pebble; One Word; The Fish; Fred; Black Hole Sun; Pictures Of A City.
Personnel
Ed Palermo
saxophoneCliff Lyons
saxophone, altoPhil Chester
woodwindsBill Straub
woodwindsBen Kono
saxophone, tenorBarbara Cifelli
woodwindsRonnie Buttacavoli
trumpetJohn Bailey
trumpetAugie Haas
trumpetBobby Spellman
trumpetCharley Gordon
tromboneMike Boschen
tromboneMatt Ingman
trombone, bassBruce McDaniel
guitarBob Quaranta
pianoTed Kooshian
pianoPaul Adamy
bassRay Marchica
drumsMike Keneally
guitarKatie Jacoby
violinAlbum information
Title: Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Sky Cat Records
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