By: Geof O`Keefe
yle Workman has released a magnificent second album that almost defies description. Workman, a studio session cat for artists such as Todd Rundgren, Frank Black and the late Kevin Gilbert (in addition to being a member of Bourgeois Tagg) released his debut, "Purple Passages" back in 1995. "Tabula Rasa" continues along in the style of that offering, mixing layers of acoustic and electric guitars into a blend of music that can't be easily classified. It has elements of fusion, progressive rock, classical, folk, world and pop, sometimes within a single song.
On a track like "Here Comes the Cavalry," beautiful multi-tracked electric guitar harmonies swirl over an acoustic guitar backing, which then leads seamlessly into a section backed by banjo and pedal steel as Workman works out on the acoustic guitar. "The Great Race" starts out with a Holdsworth-like flavor to it, but changes to a lively acoustic segment and is one of three tracks featuring a string section to great effect. The 9:30-long "Rising of the Mourning Son" opens like the soundtrack to some beautiful cinema epic and leads up to the powerful end section, featuring Workman laying down some jaw-dropping soloing, full of fire, blinding speed and melody.
Backed by an impressive cast of musicians, including ex-Toy Matinee drummer Toss Panos and former XTC member Dave Gregory, Workman has created a masterpiece of riches, an album of power and glory, of melody and muscle. My mere words cannot thoroughly describe how cool this album is. If you're reading this website, you're probably a musician or into musicians, and this is one you should support.
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