Bozzio Levin Stevens is a supergroup power trio of rock, fusion, jazz and instrumental classical music, consisting of drummer Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, U.K., Missing Persons, Steve Vai, Jeff Beck), bassist and Chapman Stick player Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Liquid Tension Experiment) and guitarist Steve Stevens, (Billy Idol, Michael Jackson). They have recorded two albums via Magna Carta.
Situation Dangerous is the second studio album by the supergroup Bozzio Levin Stevens, released on August 8, 2000 through Magna Carta Records.
The hurried nature of this supergroup's first outing, Black Light Syndrome,
gave it an urgency and focus that is somewhat lacking on this release,
replaced by a textural density that rewards repeated listening.
"Dangerous" sets the tone with alternating metal and noir sections,
complete with Led Zeppelin and Perry Mason quotes. Former Billy Idol
sideman Steve Stevens spices up the proceedings with his signature
flamenco influences and electronic textures, tossing in with some Jeff Beck-like guitar on "Melt." King Crimson
bassist Tony Levin lends the rock-solid bottom that has made him a
sought-after session man, but this is clearly Terry Bozzio's baby. On
"Spiral," the former Zappa
percussionist spins out of control, bashing and crashing with gleeful
abandon. Elsewhere, his unique cymbal work and melodic toms add
personality to otherwise straightforward compositions.
Situation Dangerous is the follow-up to 1997's Black Light Syndrome from this powerful trio of seasoned rock musicians. The incendiary title track leads off the album with guitarist Steve Stevens demonstrating that he's capable of much more than testosterone-laden Billy Idol
riffs of which he was most commonly associated prior to the formation
of this band. Here he conjures up comparisons to manic sound frequently
delivered by Robert Fripp particularly on King Crimson albums like Red and their reformed, early-'80s period. But in subsequent tracks, Stevens
plays jazz, fusion, classic rock, blues-rock, and flamenco passages
with accomplished ease. "Crash" sounds like an outtake from or a salute
to the lone classic recording by an earlier supergroup, Armageddon. In
other instances he combines the fusion and flamenco leanings of
guitarists like Al DiMeola and John McLaughlin.
This is an instrumental album, so it is imperative that the tracks
display a diversity of tempo and style to distinguish themselves from
one another. Historically, instrumental rock trios haven't been overly
successful in that regard. These three, however, pull it off admirably. Tony Levin
has been one of the most creative and "in-demand" bassists for the past
25 years and his entire repertoire of influences and skills seems to be
encapsulated on this recording. He also tackles the variety of
compositions in his inimitable smooth yet complex manner. Drummer Terry Bozzio offers his most explosive and perhaps his most defining work since Danger Money from 1979, but it's Stevens' versatility that dictates the course of this album and its ultimate success.
This album is a good example of outstanding good music executed by
excellent musicians. Situation dangerous is a mixture among flamenco,
heavy metal, jazz, i.e, progressive music. You can appreciate the
difference between this album and the first one released in 1997,
because the songs are more structured and "it's not as extended or
jam-oriented" as Terry Bozzio says in an interview. Indeed there are
more flamencoish parts in songs like "Tziganne". There is a remarkable
influence from Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson and this is
because Tony Levin's bass. This guy is the best rock bassist of all
time. And last but not least is Terry Bozzio, whose drumming is one of
the most interesting in the last ten years owe to his style that mixes
jazz, arabian music, flamenco, metal. He made a great job also in
"Explorers Club" album, in which you can appreciate his performance
with very talented musicians like John Petrucci(Dream Theater) and
Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) If you don't have Situation Dangerous, please
go for it.
It's hard to beat the "sophomore slump" syndrome, but the
Bozzio-Levin-Stevens troika has superseded their first effort
gloriously. The overall feel of these eight composition is a much
richer musical, mystical tapestry which begs repeated listenings. When I
first encountered BLS I was a little wary, knowing the fruits of
guitar/bass/drums PLUS keyboards, as exemplified by Mike Portnoy's
Liquid Tension Experiment. I thought that without the benefit of an
additional tonal pallet this "power trio" would be deprived of the
textural richness that a foursome can bring...let's just say I needn't
have worried.
Steve Stevens, quite simply, fills all--and I do mean
ALL--of the holes where a keyboardist would normally be, overdubbing
layer upon layer of guitars, nylon-string guitar, electric sitar,
treated guitars, guitar synth, and industrial noise samples. He's like a
flamenco-ized Fripp, weaving his lush textures in between strident
Spanish nylon-string flourishes and screaming slabs of metalist fury.
Tony Levin is no less remarkable, treating the listener to his vast
arsenal of lower-register instruments such as funk-fingered bass,
upright bass, electric cello, and Chapman Stick, often counterpointing
Stevens and anchoring the manic songs with solid, indestructable
grooves. Terry Bozzio presides over the progressive smorgasbourg like
an ancient shaman or drum master, mystically wrenching a thunderous
fabric of restless rhythm from his forest of gongs and cymbals, keeping
time with his kick/tomtom polyrhythms and ostinatos like an entire Taiko
drum troupe.
If there is any disc of progressive rock/fusion which
NEEDS to be purchased and cherished this year, it is this. The combined
magic worked by these men will draw you into a more dangerous kind of
musical alchemy than you bargained for.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Terry Bozzio, Tony Levin and Steve Stevens.
1. "Dangerous" 6:40
2. "Endless" 10:10
3. "Crash" 5:08
4. "Spiral" 4:37
5. "Melt" 3:48
6. "Tragic" 6:58
7. "Tziganne" 4:27
8. "Lost" 6:24
Total length: 48:13
Personnel
Steve Stevens – guitar, engineering, production
Tony Levin – Chapman stick, bass, production
Terry Bozzio – drums, production
Marcus Nand – additional guitar (track 7)
Many thanks for this!! Also looking for Group 87 for which Mark Isham, Peter Maunu, and Patrick O’Hearn were all co-founders.
ReplyDeletelinks down
ReplyDeletehttps://www116.zippyshare.com/v/RIy5oO4R/file.html
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/UdsfP3KkXSA