Tausig, Jay: Aries:The Fire Within

Although Jay Tausig may be a new name to you and I, he has been yearning to create music since 1967. His first steps into the water were with a piano his relatives owned. His early influences, at the age of seven, came from across the ocean and musical genres. ELP's "Tarkus", and Joni Mitchell's "Blue", were two of his biggest influences. So he set out to bring these two worlds together. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, he started playing guitar at age nine. The drums and other instruments were added to his arsenal over the years. He began recording and releasing his own music on his own label. Many of the tracks included covers of some of his favorite bands, like Genesis, King Crimson, to name a few, some brilliant covers of some famous tracks off Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" album, Pink Floyd classics, Steve Hackett, Yes, and Todd Rundgren to name a few more. Tausig released two independent solo original recordings, "The Implications of Invisibility" and "Ipse at Non Solus", between 2010 and 2012. He plans another full length release in 2012, "Delirium" on Mellow Records out of Italy. He has teamed with Ed Unitsky, who provides the art for "Aquarius" and the other 11 solo instrumental records, which follow and combine for a "Trip Around the Sun" package, to be released each month during 2012. Ed's artwork, as always, captures the vision and realm of dreaming and space Tausig takes you to with his musical art.

If you're old enough to remember hearing your first Hendrix album, you will be pleasantly surprised to hear Tausig's music, which, like Hendrix, challenges and amazes you at the same time. Tausig adds layers of keyboards to his experimental guitar work and brings along a bass which sounds like a Chris Squire whip, punctuating each section of his mini symphonies.

Jay Tausig returns with the next album release for the project: "Aries:The Fire Within".

.. Jay's wife, Rhi Jenerate, does another great job of kicking off this album with some…well…interesting narration on "Aries Ignited". This time with some great backing guitar and drums ala Rush or maybe Zappa…with a little "Leftoverture" thrown in for fun. "I am the beginning…the spring…fast fiery, flirtatious and free". "Come with me if you choose. But do not try to hold me back or control me". 'Nuff said, eh? Let's rock!

Saxophone and guitar fill the air to open "Determination". There is a strong…well…determination to vary the groove on this new addition to the "Trip Around the Sun". The synths and keys are beautiful and ever – present. They weave softly in and out of the production as Jay adds new instruments to replaces others, keeping the mix interesting. A flute replaces the power sax for example, with nice transitions.

"Vernal Equinox" opens with some awesome '60s era "wha" "wha" guitar, nice bass, and some cool shimmering synth keys from Kerry Chiccoine, that pulse like a strobe light. Otherworldly and cool. The keyboards and guitars set off on a relaxing, yet complex journey with the saxophone tracing behind in their footprints. Cyndee Lee Rule adds some soft violin to the mix.

"Focus and Flame" opens with very cool lead synth, soft electric guitar and echoing sax played so soft and nice. Definitely the focus before the flame which will rise as the song develops and builds. That Hammond sounding organ adds a wonderful element to the mix. About three minutes in there is a cool guitar solo that will capture you attention, amongst the sax notes bouncing off the wall.

Very cool and powerful electric lead guitar solos flow in and out of "Betwixt the Fish and the Bull", as the surrounding keys and synth orchestration fills the room with sound. But it's the guitar solo at the 4:45 minute mark that really leaves you speechless. Cyndee Lee Rule adds violin that blends well with the poem written by Keith Waye.

"The Fire Within – Part I" brings the sitar, cool bells, and chimes with an excellent guitar solo cutting straight through the middle of the sound. Yeh…imagine that. Sounds better than words can describe. Best track…so far. But we're just about to get to….

…"Aries Fire Horse", is the epic 10:07 minute track on the album. This one opens like something out of a Pink Floyd "Saucer Full of Secrets" dream, with Bill Berends on guitar. Very cool bass and electric guitar soothed with cool keys bathing the soundscape in soft elegant sound. Yeh…nice.

"The Birth of Intention" opens with excellent spacey synth keys, ala the Alan Parsons or that era and generation of sound. The power lead guitar that plows through the middle brings back memories of early Pink Floyd.

"The Fire Within – Part II" opens with deep vocals and surrounding sitar. The soundscape is filled with echoing synths and keys. The singing takes on a hum or chanting effect, as the rhythm builds and slows, like breathing.

"The Quest for Mars" opens with gong like sounds and slow synths, pulsating throughout the soundscape, from Violet Eternia. Yeh…imagine dawn on the Mars landscape. You can feel it all around you within this music. Rhi Jenerate delivers her poem with softness and care.

Slow strings, then bass and lead electric, followed by Jay's wife's narration, bring us to the center of the "Aries" figure, "Ram". Cool effects and surrounding keys, gliding guitars, "stirred but not shaken", with soft drums.

"Aries Spent" is the closer and finale, and just like Aries, it will not go gentle into that sweet night. The echoing synths weave and roll with the launching electric guitar chords creating a magical chemistry and soundscape.

Track Listing:

1. Aries Ignited
2. Determination
3. Vernal Equinox
4. Focus and Flame
5. Betwixt the Fish and the Bull
6. The Fire Within – Part I
7. Aries Fire Horse
8. The Birth of Intention
9. The Fire Within – Part II
10. The Quest for Mars
11. Ram
12. Aries Spent

Added: May 4th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Jay Tausig.com
Hits: 3197
Language: english

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