 | contacts |
| jazz | ||
|
Ed Palermo Big Band, PROG vs. FUSION: A WAR OF THE AGES (Sky Cat Records) Ed Palermo is not your typical big-band leader. Renowned for his unconventional approach, Ed’s repertoire defies expectations—don’t be surprised if you hear Frank Zappa, Todd Rundgren, The Police, or Pat Metheny at one of his shows, alongside his own lush, twist-filled compositions. As Gil Evans once said: “He was using the instrumentation of a traditional big band, yet his arrangements and songs were anything but that... Ed has the ability to keep that important balance between cohesiveness and unpredictability. Ed Palermo’s music is alive and represents now.” Before forming his own ensemble, Ed toured and recorded with a who’s who of American music, including Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, Lou Rawls, Melba Moore, and The Spinners. He has written for the Tonight Show, Maurice Hines, Eddy Fischer, and even arranged the music for a James Brown concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Over the years, Ed’s inventive interpretations of Frank Zappa, Paul Butterfield, Todd Rundgren, The Beatles, Jeff Beck, Procol Harum, and Jethro Tull have earned him widespread acclaim. His band headlines regularly in Europe—including multiple appearances at Germany’s Zappanale Festival—and keeps up a bimonthly schedule at The Iridium in NYC and The Falcon in Marlboro, NY. “Twenty-first century big-band music doesn’t get more exciting and impressive than this.”—Jazz Times “Palermo’s modern alchemists spin everything they touch into gold.”—DownBeat “(Ed Palermo) is one of the greatest musicians and arrangers in the world.”—Christian McBride On Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages, the Ed Palermo Big Band crafts a musical battleground where two distinct genres—progressive rock and jazz fusion—lock horns in a playful yet highly sophisticated war. Palermo’s arrangements are as unpredictable as they are exhilarating, offering a unique blend of intricate horn lines, electric improvisations, and larger-than-life orchestral sounds. The battle unfolds track by track, pitting iconic compositions against each other in unexpected ways, while showcasing the band’s technical skill and vivid storytelling. Below is a track-by-track guide to diving deeper into this captivating concept album. RESOLUTION (John McLaughlin)The opening track sets the stage for the battle with an ominous bass line and drums, building anticipation before launching into McLaughlin’s complex composition, first performed by Tony Williams’ Lifetime and Mahavishnu Orchestra. Its intense energy and harmonic shifts give a fitting introduction to the war at hand. BLACK HOLE SUN intro/BODHISATTVA (Chris Cornell/Walter Becker, Donald Fagen)In this mash-up, the Ed Palermo Big Band marries the grunge anthem “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden with Steely Dan’s jazz-infused rock classic “Bodhisattva.” The result is a sharp, edgy collision of genres that paves the way for the unfolding battle. THERE COMES A TIME (Tony Williams)This Tony Williams masterpiece arrives in a haunting 5/4 time, its sinister rhythm paired with snaking contrapuntal horn lines. The “battle” narration transitions between the British prog and American fusion generals, each claiming victory with their own style. TARKUS (Keith Emerson, Greg Lake)The military atmosphere from the previous track continues to swell in this Emerson, Lake & Palmer epic, which tells the story of an armadillo tank. The big band’s lush arrangement gives new life to this prog-rock classic, expanding its grandeur into the orchestral realm. VROOOM (Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto)The tension builds with King Crimson’s “VROOOM, ” a piece driven by urgency and intricate rhythms. The band navigates the complex time signatures and powerful soundscapes of this track, adding their unique orchestral twist to its progressive fury. LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND (Jon Anderson)Ed Palermo’s take on Yes’ iconic tune brings out the unpredictability of the original. The band weaves through its progressive complexity, infusing the piece with both a playful energy and surprising harmonic shifts. SNAKE OIL (Tony Newton)Fusion takes center stage with this Tony Williams Lifetime track, a masterclass in driving rhythms and electric intensity. The band channels Williams’ bold compositions while bringing their own flavor to this energetic number. G-SPOT TORNADO / RESOLUTION / JINGO (Frank Zappa/John McLaughlin/Babatunde Olatunji)This ambitious mash-up blends Zappa’s “G-Spot Tornado” with McLaughlin’s “Resolution” and Olatunji’s “Jingo, ” escalating the intensity to a fever pitch. The complex arrangements and intricate time signatures bring the war to a boiling point, each style interlocking seamlessly in a whirlwind of sound. VROOOM VROOOM (Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto)A reprise of the earlier “VROOOM, ” this track sets the stage for the next genre-blending spectacle. The swirling, chaotic energy of King Crimson’s masterpiece continues to build, propelling the album into its next thrilling conflict. THERE’S NO MYSTERY ABOUT MY G-SPOT (Chick Corea/Frank Zappa)In this fusion of Zappa’s “G-Spot Tornado” with Chick Corea’s “No Mystery, ” the band creates an inventive arrangement that pairs Zappa’s avant-garde wit with Corea’s melodic brilliance. The track’s unexpected turns make it a standout moment. SPANISH G-SPOT TORNADO (Chick Corea/Frank Zappa)“G-Spot Tornado” once again takes center stage, this time inviting the jazz standard “Spain” into the fray. The fusion of styles feels seamless as the band explores new rhythmic textures and harmonic interplay. MYSTIC KNIGHTS OF THE SEA (Tony Williams)The Ed Palermo Big Band delves into a hidden gem from Tony Williams’ The Old Bum’s Rush. This track brings out Williams’ compositional genius, with intricate arrangements and dramatic shifts that showcase the band’s full creative range. ON THE MILKY WAY EXPRESS (Wayne Shorter)Palermo takes on one of his heroes, Wayne Shorter, with this evocative piece from Shorter’s High Life. The track unfolds with a cosmic, expansive quality, taking listeners on a journey through complex harmonic landscapes and soaring melodies. TAKE A PEBBLE (Greg Lake)Keith Emerson’s arrangement of this soulful Greg Lake composition, receives a grand new treatment in Palermo’s orchestration. The melancholic beauty of the original is magnified as the band’s intricate brass and woodwind parts elevate the song to new heights. ONE WORD (John McLaughlin)A return to the Mahavishnu/ Lifetime cannon, this track pulses with frenetic energy, highlighted by the virtuosic performance of violinist Katie Jacoby. The song works as a perfect bridge between the fusion and prog elements, setting the stage for the following epic. THE FISH (Chris Squire)A quirky, complex instrumental from Yes’ Fragile, “The Fish” is given a full-band arrangement, with the horn section capturing the vocal lines originally sung by Jon Anderson. The track shines with a playful energy and intricate musicality. FRED (Allan Holdsworth)The band takes on Allan Holdsworth’s intricate guitar composition with a fiery arrangement, laced with Zappa-inspired riffs that provide a surprising twist to this fusion masterpiece. BLACK HOLE SUN (Chris Cornell)The grunge classic by Soundgarden receives a soulful makeover, with Bruce McDaniel’s emotive vocals and Mike Keneally’s fiery guitar playing making this the album’s emotional centerpiece. It’s a stunning example of the band’s ability to reimagine a song while staying true to its essence. PICTURES OF A CITY (Robert Fripp, Peter Sinfield)The album’s grand finale, this track from King Crimson’s In the Wake of Poseidon serves as the perfect closing statement. The band’s arrangement enhances its unusual and haunting quality, bringing the “War of the Ages” to a stirring conclusion. Ed Palermo’s Prog vs. Fusion isn’t just an album—it’s a celebration of musical innovation, an epic journey through the complexities of progressive rock and jazz fusion, and a showcase of the Ed Palermo Big Band’s exceptional skill and creativity. From exciting arrangements to playful genre-bending mash-ups, this record delivers an exhilarating listening experience from start to finish. Music lover’s will find endless inspiration in the way Palermo’s band brings these monumental tracks to life. TRACKS, TIMES COMPOSER: 1.RESOLUTION (John McLaughlin) 1:14 2.BLACK HOLE SUN intro/BODHISATTVA (Chris Cornell/Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) 1:07 3.THERE COMES A TIME (Tony Williams) 3:02 4.TARKUS (Keith Emerson, Greg Lake) 1:04 5.VROOOM (Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto) 4:04 6.LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND (Jon Anderson) 5:33 7.SNAKE OIL (Tony Newton) 3:48 8.G-SPOT TORNADO/RESOLUTION/JINGO (Frank Zappa/John McLaughlin/Babatunde Olatunji) 2:48 9.VROOOM VROOOM (Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto) 1:18 10.THERE’S NO MYSTERY ABOUT MY G-SPOT (Chick Corea/Frank Zappa) 2:26 11.SPANISH G-SPOT TORNADO (Chick Corea/Frank Zappa) 0:23 12.MYSTIC KNIGHTS OF THE SEA (Tony Williams) 3:18 13.ON THE MILKY WAY EXPRESS (Wayne Shorter) 5:12 14.TAKE A PEBBLE (Greg Lake) 3:22 15.ONE WORD (John McLaughlin) 1:04 16.THE FISH (Chris Squire) 2:18 17.FRED (Allan Holdsworth) 1:47 18.BLACK HOLE SUN (Chris Cornell) 4:47 19.PICTURES OF A CITY (Robert Fripp, Peter Sinfield) 6:40 PLAYER, INSTRUMENT: THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND ED PALERMO – arranger, bandleader CLIFF LYONS - alto sax PHIL CHESTER - alto sax, soprano sax BILL STRAUB - tenor sax BEN KONO - tenor sax BARBARA CIFELLI - baritone sax RONNIE BUTTACAVOLI - lead trumpet JOHN BAILEY – trumpet AUGIE HAAS – trumpet BOBBY SPELLMAN – trumpet CHARLEY GORDON - lead trombone MIKE BOSCHEN – trombone MATT INGMAN - bass trombone, tuba BRUCE McDANIEL - arranger, vocals, guitar KATIE JACOBY – violin BOB QUARANTA – piano TED KOOSHIAN – keyboard PAUL ADAMY – bass RAY MARCHICA – drums and special guest MIKE KENEALLY - guitar, backing vocals TOTAL RUNNING TIME OF CD: 55:08 min. CREDITS: Artist: Ed Palermo Big Band Album Name: PROG vs. FUSION: A WAR OF THE AGES Label: Sky Cat Records Street Date: April 18, 2025 Add Date: April 28, 2025Your Website url: www.palermobigband.com |
| |
| jazz | ||
© 2007 | ||