CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO: The First Decade CD. pop, jazz, Americana, world music other diverse sounds. Check samples

Description

https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-first-decade-mw0000038782

Containing over 10 years of musical adventures from California Guitar Trio, “”The First Decade”” is a Best Of collection of CGT’s favorite original works presented in chronological order that follows their musical journey during their time together. It’s a musical documentary which represents moments of inspiration and ideas from three talented guitarists that have been alchemically transformed into a single statement that highlights the magic of their work

Track listing:
1. Yamanashi Blues
2. Melrose Avenue
3. Beeline
4. Carnival
5. Blockhead
6. Kan-Non Power
7. Train to Lamy Suite – (Pts. 1-3)
8. Punta Patri
9. Train to Lamy – (Pt. 5)
10. Above the Clouds
11. Arroyo
12. Pathways
13. Great Divide
14. Scramble
15. Kaleidoscope
16. Ananda
17. Invitation
18. Happy Time in Fun Town
19. Train to Lamy – (Pt. 3, reprise)
The three talented members of the California Guitar Trio met in 1987 at a guitar workshop taught by Robert Fripp. Like Fripp, the CGT favors a trebly, textured sound and expresses its unity in complex but sweet fugues that fuse elements of pop, jazz, Americana, world music, and other diverse sounds. This 10-year retrospective begins with “”Yamanashi Blues,”” (the title track from their highly acclaimed first album) in which acoustic guitars imitate kotos and mirror the relentless beauty of Mt. Fuji. Other selections display the trio’s awesome technical skills. “”Pathways,”” another title track from a much-beloved album, rocks mightily despite having no drums and then segues into an intense classical-derived number. Other CGT favorites here include the vaguely sinister “”Happy Time in Fun Town”” and three-fifths of the furious “”Train To Lamy”” suite. For the uninitiated, this retrospective is good place to start.
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5.0 out of 5 stars The Trio’s “”Decade”” is an excellent first ten years.,
The California Guitar Trio’s latest release “”First Decade”” is a culmination of the bands best work in the last ten years.
And what a tremendous bunch of music they recorded in those years. These three talented guitar-playing gentlemen go from country, world, jazz, rock; you name it they play it and they play it well.
If you’ve missed the first ten years of these talented gents career go out and buy this disc and see what you missed. They can play!
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5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Overview of CGT’s Original Material.,
The California Guitar Trio have now been performing and recording together for over 10 years. During the past decade, the trio of Japanese-born Hideyo Moriya, Belgium-born Bert Lams and American Paul Richards have entertained audiences around the globe with their unique original compositions and outrageous three-guitar adaptations of classical, rock and surf music.
Now in 2003, California Guitar Trio’s “”First Decade”” compilation commemorates 10 years since the release of their debut album “”Yamanashi Blues””. Included on this CD are 19 original compositions from the trio’s first five albums. There is no new material included on this compilation but, it is a real treat to have tracks such as “”Train To Lamy””, “”Yamahashi Blues””, “”Punta Pantri””, “”Pathways”” and “”Invitation”” together on one disc. The strong interplay between Lams, Richards and Moriya never ceases to amaze me. I can only hope that The California Guitar Trio will release a “”First Decade Volume 2″” containing their brilliant arrangements of Bach, Beethoven, Mason William’s “”Classical Gas”” and Queen’s “”Bohemian Rhapsody””. Until then, “”The First Decade”” serves as an excellent overview of the California Guitar Trio’s best original material. If you’ve never heard them before, you’re in for a real treat. If you like this, you’ll want to pick up all of their CD’s to hear the full scope of what these three guitarists are capable of. You won’t be disappointed either.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
I had heard so much about this band but I never bought a CD. Then I caught their show in Portland and I was just floored. I enjoy playing guitar, but who knew it could be played like that? I can see where they get their reputation from. The combine great talent with a taste for music you actually want to hear.