EXCURSION Liner Notes:
It all has to do with time. Time is to the musician what the canvas is to the painter. He fills it with sound, manipulates it, defines it, and is bounded by it. Tones become colors. Tempo and counterpoint provide textures. Performance and technique bring it to life. This is what EXCURSION is all about; a guided tour to some intriguing impressions and experiences . . . in time.
The influence of John Renbourn is evident throughout this album; particularly in the first selection. I used the form of a 16th century pavan to create Master Corwin, complete with bass counter-melody. Lord Chumley's Revege exchanges a signature riff among the instruments creating an explosive cartoon chase.
The daily morning rush becomes a hectic ballet in 4 Cups O' Coffee. Doubled unison guitars employ rhythm patterns of 5-5-5-6, 3-3-3-4, and 4-4-4-5, in The Labyrinth. Inspired by Brubeck and the group Oregon, Q.I. takes a simple melody through a 3-3-3-5 rhythm. M' Lady's Jewels depicts a love scene. Madman's Waltz experiments with shifting the emphasis in ¾ time, as if one were trying to dance wearing a ball-and-chain. Specters of J.S. Bach emerge from a visiting spaceship in The Swordsman. Named for a piece by early mentor, Peter Lang, Bituminous Waltz provides the parade finale.
© 2007 Steve Gillman
WMA