Tony Levin’s seventh solo album, Bringing It Down to the Bass and acts as a kind of autobiography exploring themes from his musical life. It features numerous collaborations spanning his more than fifty-year career, both on tour and in the studio, with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson and many, many others. The roster of guest musicians is not only impressive but also enviable; top drummers Steve Gadd, Mike Portnoy, Pat Mastelotto and Vinnie Colaiuta are among the all-star ensemble that support the legendary bassist/Stick player on the recording of Bringing It Down to the Bass. The double meaning in the title is quite clear, but more on that later.
Tony Levin, the man who attached drumsticks to his fingers to see what the effect would sound like which he called his development “Funkfingers”. He is one of the pioneers and generally regarded specialists of the unique stringed instrument, the Chapman Stick. The American musician, now 78 years old, has created a surprising solo album with the help of some friends from the music world.
Where to start with his achievements? A permanent member of Peter Gabriel’s band as well as part of Stick Men and Liquid Tension Experiment. He’s also known as the bassist/Stick player for King Crimson, Bruford, Levin Upper Extremities, Anderson Bruford Wakeman & Howe, and Bozzio, Levin, Stevens, and more recently, BEAT. He certainly has a penchant for long band names, often with plenty of last names 😉
From progressive rock to jazz fusion, from progressive metal and pop/rock to World music, Tony Levin is an in demand and beloved session player — the list is (too) long, but Don McLean, Alice Cooper, Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and David Bowie are among those who have engaged or are engaging with the talented American. A tall distinctive figure, bald headed with his distinctive moustache, all of which are characterised in the animated video for the album’s title tune…
…and of course there is his resounding voice.
Said voice appears several times across the fourteen tracks with Road Dogs, Fire Cross the Sky and On the Drums being notable examples and the latter track is particularly noteworthy. The song is performed a cappella and the lyrics consist entirely of the names of world famous drummers and with whom Tony Levin has collaborated. A cleverly constructed piece featuring rich layers of vocal harmonies. Steve Gadd and Bill Bruford, in particular, feature in tis rather remarkable track…
But, it’s primarily Variation with a capital V that we hear on this album, with an eclectic mix of funk, hard rock, blues, jazz, and Tony Levin even makes flirts into chamber music, with the cello taking centre stage, on the album’s closing track Coda. King Crimson influences abound, with Boston Rocks, Bungie Bass and Floating in Dark Waters, the latter featuring KC bandleader Robert Fripp providing his trademark ‘Soundscapes’.
For me however, the following tracks stand out: Espressoville, a Snarky Puppy-esque song with maestro Steve Gadd on drums and Jeff Beck-esque guitar playing by Joe Caro; Beyond the Bass Clef, with Indian sounds produced by cello, violin, oboe, and English horn and Chapman Stick; and finally, Fire Cross the Sky, an emotional ode to John Lennon – a solo piece with Stick and vocals/recitation by Levin…
This album is definitely not your typical bassist solo album, and it’s also not your typical prog album, but it is a truly captivating, often surprising and definitely interesting listen.
TRACK LISTING
01. Bringing It Down to the Bass (5:34)
02. Me and My Axe (4:22)
03. Road Dogs (5:30)
04. Uncle Funkster (2:31)
05. Boston Rocks (5:14)
06. Espressoville (4:59)
07. Give the Cello Some (3:43)
08. Turn It Over (2:49)
09. Beyond the Bass Clef (4:41)
10. Bungie Bass (5:27)
11. Fire Cross the Sky (5:28)
12. Floating in Dark Waters (3:37)
13. On the Drums (4:44)
14. Coda (2:01)
Total Time – 60:40
MUSICIANS
Tony Levin / Bass, Cello (3,7,9 & 10), Chapman Stick (3,4,5,9 & 11), Vox (3,5,7,8,11 & 13), Piano (14)
~ With:
Manu Katche – Drums (1)
Dominic Miller – Guitar Solo (1)
Pete Levin – Keyboard (1-3 & 6), Organ (7)
Chris Pasin – Trumpet (1)
Alex Foster – Alto Sax Solo (1)
Jay Collins – Baritone Sax (1)
Jerry Marotta – Drums (2 & 7), Percussion (12)
Steve Hunter – Guitar (2)
Larry Fast – Keyboards (2)
Jeremy Stacey – Drums (3)
Markus Reuter – Bridge Rhythm Touch Guitar (3)
Vinnie Colaiuta – Drums (4)
Mike Portnoy – Drums (5)
Earl Slick – Guitar (5)
Gary Husband – Keyboard (5 & 9)
Steve Gadd – Drums (6)
Joe Caro – Guitar (6)
Josh Shpak – Trumpet (6)
Chris Pasin – Trumpet (6)
Don Mikkelsen – Trombone (6)
L. Shankar (Shenkar) – Violin (9)
Colin Gatwood – Oboe, English Horn (9)
Pat Mastelotto – Drums (10)
David Torn – Guitar (10)
Robert Fripp – Soundscape (12)
Linnea Olsson – Cello (14)
Bess Brydolf – Cello (14)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Flatiron Recordings
Country of Origin: USA
Date of Release: 13th September 2024
DISCOGRAPHY
Bringing It Down to the Bass (2024)
Stick Man (2007)
Resonator (2006)
Double Espresso (2002)
Pieces of the Sun (2001)
Waters of Eden (2000)
World Diary (1995)
LINKS
Tony Levin – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
