Twangorama are Jimmy Robinson (guitar), Paul Clement (bass), and Mark Whitaker (drums), the core members of the New Orleans fusion band Woodenhead, who are joined by notable fellow New Orleans guitarists Cranston Clements and Phil DeGruy. Together these five N'awlins musicians have created a heck of a smolderin' stew pot 'o' gumbo on their new self titled release. Twangorama is all instrumental guitar rock, but withouth the histrionics and flash that you normally find on these types of outings. Sure, there's plenty of smokin' and sizzlin' guitar pickin' goin' on, but these three dude play with fire and from the heart, choosing to churn out stuff that is more reliant on melody and emotion than technical chops. However, expect to be wowed, and often, as pieces like "New Wine" or "Mode Rage" are simply mindboggling with their mix of subtle, ethnic New Orleans flavor, and jazzy, sometimes King Crimson-ish complexity. The band's reworking of "Friday On My Mind" is a joy to listen to, and the mix of Allman Brothers Band style Southern Rock boogie with Discipline era King Crimson prog on "Sew What" is like nothing you have ever heard. "Creature of the House" might just be the most laid back and enjoyable piece on the CD, with swinging grooves that again remind of the Allmans, but the players throw in some tasty melodies that recall Eric Johnson and Jeff Beck. The fiery "Son of Samba" is a real Latin styled burner that sees drummer Whitaker laying down some intense grooves amidst some tasty soloing from the three axe masters.
On the CD are a few solo spot pieces so you can hear each player on his own, helping you kind of get a sense for their style and pick them out among the ensemble tracks. Twangorama have given all us guitar nuts something to really sink our teeth into and enjoy here. This is expertly played, rustic guitar fusion of the highest caliber, and a CD that guitar lovers will want to return to over and over again. Bravo guys!
Track Listing
1. Rat Dust (5:35)
2. New Wine (5:34)
3. Friday On My Mind (3:33)
4. Mode Rage (6:08)
5. Sew What (5:30)
6. Big Blue (3:05)
7. Creature Of The House (4;18)
8. Whymn (6:09)
9. Who Can I Turn To/My Romance (4:53)
10. Son Of Samba (5:15)
11. Beck And Call (2:40)
12. Other Neighbors (4:53)
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