Ozric Tentacles and Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
I think I was smiling the entire event, from the time I walked into the venues entry way where the Ozrics were prepping for the show, to meeting so many likeminded music fans (thanks Art for sharing awesome photos of some of the greatest fusion artists of our time) who reminisced about Pink Floyd, Weather Report, Jean Luc Ponty, Al Dimeola, Alan Holdsworth, and the days of fusion past, to the opening riffs of Asheville’s "kid" Cody Wright that gave the most amazing bass playing performance I have ever seen.
It was a night for bass players for sure. Ozric’s bass player, Brandi kicked off her flip flops to perform the whole night barefoot, and was a trip to watch all by herself. A sort of Jaco / Tinkerbell, who swayed as she played, occasionally posing like a ballerina at the height of her rhythmic riffs. She floated and flittered about in front of the stage hugging and talking to everyone before, during, and after the show. Her free spirit especially shown thru when she came out and grooved to Codys amazing performance with the rest of us. Cody’s playing was more like Jaco on steroids, fast furious, direct, innovative, but tasteful. I know the entire crowd was in awe by Cody’s skill, he is a musician with a bright future for sure. Both had fun while they played, which made the experience that much more memorable.
The Ozric Tentacles band worked together well as a team, producing a spacey , pulsating sound that moved from ambient to space chill, back dropped buy a kaleidoscope salad, all commandeered by Ed Gwynn who was an inspiration to watch as he moved between keyboards, and a variety of pedals that kept his 6 string Ibanez sound on the edge of traditional guitar vibes. Silas contributed some very moody leads on the keys / synths stacked in front of him, while Balazs provided the percussive glue that kept each song grooving. The show culminated with a young Asheville native joining the band onstage with his electric violin. Another innovative musician who at points had a Jean Luc ponty type of sound, but ventured far beyond that. He was bowing , picking, strumming, and arpegiating the translucent glowing violin to a sound as unique as the Ozrics ensemble.... This guys needs to play with the Ozrics on a longterm basis! Needless to say, I picked my one show to see live correctly this year, and left me with enough visual and audio sensation to contemplate for a lifetime. Dare I say it was right up there with sitting onstage with Rush (though this show I was standing stage left in front of a big pa column, with Brandi occasionally coming over to give me a big smile). I should end with cudos to the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra band that had something special with the fusion of very intricate steel drum playing and an absolutely proficient drummer from Stanly NC Chaisaray Schenck. Their special blend of music wrapped the opening performance with a very touching instrumental version of Seals kiss from a rose. I spoke with Jonathan afterwards, he was excited to talk about their upcoming tour of Japan, but reminded me several times that they will be performing in Charlotte, nc next week. Advice to my fellow progressive, fusion, music fans.... Don't miss these guys, diamonds in the rough that will blow you away.
Read MoreIt was a night for bass players for sure. Ozric’s bass player, Brandi kicked off her flip flops to perform the whole night barefoot, and was a trip to watch all by herself. A sort of Jaco / Tinkerbell, who swayed as she played, occasionally posing like a ballerina at the height of her rhythmic riffs. She floated and flittered about in front of the stage hugging and talking to everyone before, during, and after the show. Her free spirit especially shown thru when she came out and grooved to Codys amazing performance with the rest of us. Cody’s playing was more like Jaco on steroids, fast furious, direct, innovative, but tasteful. I know the entire crowd was in awe by Cody’s skill, he is a musician with a bright future for sure. Both had fun while they played, which made the experience that much more memorable.
The Ozric Tentacles band worked together well as a team, producing a spacey , pulsating sound that moved from ambient to space chill, back dropped buy a kaleidoscope salad, all commandeered by Ed Gwynn who was an inspiration to watch as he moved between keyboards, and a variety of pedals that kept his 6 string Ibanez sound on the edge of traditional guitar vibes. Silas contributed some very moody leads on the keys / synths stacked in front of him, while Balazs provided the percussive glue that kept each song grooving. The show culminated with a young Asheville native joining the band onstage with his electric violin. Another innovative musician who at points had a Jean Luc ponty type of sound, but ventured far beyond that. He was bowing , picking, strumming, and arpegiating the translucent glowing violin to a sound as unique as the Ozrics ensemble.... This guys needs to play with the Ozrics on a longterm basis! Needless to say, I picked my one show to see live correctly this year, and left me with enough visual and audio sensation to contemplate for a lifetime. Dare I say it was right up there with sitting onstage with Rush (though this show I was standing stage left in front of a big pa column, with Brandi occasionally coming over to give me a big smile). I should end with cudos to the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra band that had something special with the fusion of very intricate steel drum playing and an absolutely proficient drummer from Stanly NC Chaisaray Schenck. Their special blend of music wrapped the opening performance with a very touching instrumental version of Seals kiss from a rose. I spoke with Jonathan afterwards, he was excited to talk about their upcoming tour of Japan, but reminded me several times that they will be performing in Charlotte, nc next week. Advice to my fellow progressive, fusion, music fans.... Don't miss these guys, diamonds in the rough that will blow you away.
