Search - Bruce Arnold :: Give 'em Some

Bruce Arnold has built his reputation on his critically acclaimed explorations into twelve-tone structure. He now presents a CD of music that is both muscular and intellectual, bringing together the interactive nature of jazz with the hard driving groove of rock and the bracing, bittersweet flavor of post modern classical sounds. The three musicians, Bruce Arnold, Ratzo B. Harris on bass, and Tony Moreno on drums and percussion have played together for 10 years. They negotiate this landscape with grace and passion, and Bruce lets loose with the fiery inspiration that has made him one of New York s established artists. On first hearing Give 'Em Some a listener might not focus on the stringent form that went into this set of 6 compositions for trio. The pieces, made more accessible by blues or rock structures may sound simpler than Mr. Arnold's previous work. The challenge was that I was soloing over some pretty shifty twelve tone based chord patterns, and rocking out at the same time, says Bruce. But I really let loose on this CD. The Tracks: Blues for Arnie is a piece dedicated to the seminal composer Arnold Schoenberg. Not strictly a blues, it nonetheless embodies the energy and emotion that the blues has brought to American music. The title track, Give 'Em Some is an extremely intricate chord progression supported by a strong and funky groove. Tony Moreno's astonishing final drum solo distills technique and passion into a crescendo of excitement. Smoke journeys into the bluesy wah-wah land of Jimi Hendrix, the great artist and innovator, whose influence lurks in the playing of all electric guitarists. Time Line is an extended rock ballad reminiscent of Jeff Beck, another guitar icon. Along with delving into the richness of 12 tone harmonies the tune also explores the time relationships of 4 against 3 and metric modulation. Techtonic is reminiscent of Bruce s early work with a deep harmonic palette, contrapuntal lines and interesting 12 tone vamps. Rush is a pastiche of groove and a gamut of evocative electronic guitar sounds with bookends of effects processed solo work. Funky Timeline Breakdown uses the bass line from Time Line as a vehicle for soloing I loved soloing over that one! says Bruce.