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██▌ Artist...: Derek Sherinian ░▐██▌
░▐██ Album....: The Phoenix ░██▌░
▓▐██ Year.....: 2020 ▓▐██▓
▓▐██ Rel.Date.: 2020-12-08 ░▐██▓
▐██ Genre....: Progressive Rock ██▌░
░ ██▌ Label....: Inside Out Music / Sony Music ██▌
▐██ Source...: CD ▐██
░▐██▌ Type.....: Album ▐██▌░
▓▄████ Quality..: VBR, 44.1kHz, Joint Stereo ████▌░
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1. The Phoenix 5:24
2. Empyrean Sky 3:56
3. Clouds of Ganymede 6:02
4. Dragonfly 3:44
5. Temple of Helios 6:03
6. Them Changes 5:28
7. Octopus Pedigree 5:04
8. Pesadelo 6:52
------
42:33
Derek Sherinian / keyboards
Simon Phillips / drums
Ernest Tibbs / bass
+
Ron æBumblefootÆ Thal / guitars
Joe Bonamassa / guitars
Zakk Wylde / guitars
Kiko Loureiro / guitars
Steve Vai / guitars
Tony Franklin / bass
Jimmy Johnson / bass
Billy Sheehan / bass
The music business is in a weird place right now. While platforms like
Spotify and, YouTube and Deezer dominate the sonic landscape and make it
increasingly difficult for artists to make a living, the coronavirus
ruined the last bit of hope they had to have anything marginally
profitable this year. However, every black cloud has a silver lining,
and artists now have a little bit more time on their hands to finish
certain projects that would otherwise have taken a back seat. That is
the case with Derek SherinianÆs new solo album, ôThe Phoenixö, which is
scheduled for release on September 18, but probably would not be
available so soon if he was on tour with Sons Of Apollo.
Releasing an album of instrumental music in 2020 is in and of itself an
act of faith, but also of tremendous trust in oneÆs potential, something
that Derek has clearly demonstrated throughout his career. Once again at
the helm is his longtime partner in crime, drummer extraordinaire and
revered producer Simon Phillips. Together, they honed the initial ideas
that Derek brought and made them into full songs, with the help of an
all-star cast of guitar players: Bumblefoot, Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Kiko
Loureiro and Joe Bonamassa leave their mark throughout the eight tracks
of this release. The bass guitar guest list is no slouch either: Billy
Sheehan, Tony Franklin and Ernest Tibbs are the perfect companion for
SimonÆs boundary-pushing drum parts.
ôThe Phoenixö kicks out with the title track, with the Nord Lead
throwing down the gauntlet and uttering an Eddie Van Halen-like roar.
ItÆs been nine years since his last solo album ôOceanaö was released,
and thereÆs no time to waste. Billy, Simon, Derek and Zakk jump into a
lick trading exercise that mixes jazz and rock, sounding almost like a
fusion version of ôShy Boyö.
Coming up next is ôEmpyrean Skyö, which has already been revealed, and
shows another fusion influence, with Bumblefoot and Derek taking the
partnership they honed up on Sons of Apollo to new territory. This one
is followed by ôClouds of Ganymedeö, which sees the first studio
collaboration of Derek and Steve Vai. They played together at the
Generation Axe tour, and here they create a track which is the perfect
amalgamation of both playersÆ styles. The feeling of genuine
collaboration, as opposed to ôletÆs plug in a solo from a special
guestö, is undeniable. Through its six minutes, the song goes through
crescendos and light moods, with tasty exchanges of keyboard and guitar
solos from beginning to end.
Perhaps the most different song on the album is ôDragonflyö, the first
ever song where Derek plays exclusively acoustic piano. Perhaps in an
effort to impress Simon, he created a unique melody, which wouldnÆt be
out of place in a Protocol album. Having Ernest Tibbs on bass on this
track was a nice touch, and one canÆt help but wonder if thereÆs more
material like that up on DerekÆs sleeve. ItÆs a nice change of pace from
his usual lothario-esque delivery on electric keyboards, and a side of
his musical journey that deserves more exploration on the future.
ôTemple of Heliosö follows a similar path that has been thread by the
keyboardist in his other solo work, both sonically and in the use of
mythological figures to name the songs. And another curveball is thrown
at the listener with ôThem Changesö, with a nod to his past on multiple
levels: this is a cover of Buddy Miles, the first artist he toured with,
and has Joe Bonamassa, his bandmate in Black Country Communion, on
guitars and vocals. Much like he did when he included ôIn the
Summertimeö on ôBlood of the Snakeö, this is a great change of pace, and
a great rendition of a song which never got the praise it deserved.
ôOctopus Pedigreeö brings echoes of DerekÆs band with Virgil Donati,
Tony Franklin and Tony Macalpine, the now distant Planet X. Actually,
the term ôoctopus pedigree,ö half-jokingly coined by his friend Eric
Singer, was widely used by Derek when the Sons of Apollo were put
together in 2017 û parts of this song wouldnÆt be out of place in one of
their efforts either. Guitar and bass sometimes riff together, and other
times feed off each other, in this syncopated number with many time
signature changes.
ôThe Phoenixö ends with a new addition to DerekÆs pantheon of six string
wizard collaborations: Kiko Loureiro brings in his flamenco and
Brazilian music influence to ôPesadeloö, mixed up with the heaviness and
funkiness of the keyboard. Consistent with its title (nightmare in
Portuguese), this song has an unsettling feeling, but also an
irresistible Latin vibe and some headbanging moments as well.
True to their vision, Derek and Simon achieved what is seemingly
impossible for an album with so many guests: a unified sound and a clear
direction. Perhaps inadvertently, they created THE guitar album of 2020,
even though keyboards and drums are the main driving force throughout
the compositions. Any touring plan nowadays is a distant utopia, but I
wonder if this is the album which would warrant a run of shows where
Derek finally unveils the vast material he has previously put out as a
solo artist on a live setting. One can dreamà
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