John Hendow

Tony Levin has released a CD “Soup”. Show your support for artists by purchasing direct whenever possible.
Just who is Tony Levin you ask? Let me tell you. Actually, let’s start with a few quotes from other musicians…

“Tony Levin is one of the best bass players in the world, if not THE best” – Peter Gabriel

“…that’s lovely bass. I love it!…” – John Lennon, during the recording of ‘Double Fantasy’

“He’s really a genius. … he’s creating right in front of you… it’s like watching God make THURSDAY or something” – Ellis Paul

Tony’s musical resume is a musical history of the past four decades. He’s recorded and toured with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Paul Simon, Cher, Seal, YES, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Nicks, Lou Reed, Buddy Rich, Todd Rundgren, Gary Burton, James Taylor, The Roches, Herbie Mann, Judy Collins, Carly Simon, Peter Frampton, Tim Finn, Richie Sambora, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. He appears in the movie “One Trick Pony” with Paul Simon.

Tony has been inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk and celebrated with a lifetime achievement award courtesy of Bass Player Magazine. His personal web diary has been actively updated since being founded in 1995, before terms like “blog” or “the web” were even in common usage. Ask any bassist to name some favorite influences and his name will come up.

He plays fretted and fretless bass, Chapman Stick, synthesizer and tuba. In addition to being one of the world’s foremost bassists, Tony is also an excellent cook, an espresso enthusiast, and happens to be one heck of a nice person. After his performances, people wait patiently in line to meet him, shake his hand, take a picture with him, or just to tell him how much they love his music. I’ve seen this happen every time I’ve been around him. The guy radiates joy when he plays and is a spark plug for musical fun.

Tony’s playing is perfectly groovy. He always contributes the perfect bass line, and it’s often the element that makes the song memorable. I’m primarily a guitarist, but Tony Levin drew me to the dark side… after years of listening to his playing I become so fascinated that I bought as bass *and* a Chapman Stick. Criminey. Then I subscribed to Bass Player magazine. Oh, and I got a fretless bass after that, but Mick Karn can also be partially held responsible for influencing that purchase. I love bass players who sit in that perfect spot in the groove, tying the melody to the rhythmic pulse, and providing that crucial fundamental element of the backbone.

So what makes Tony’s playing unique and interesting? I think there are several important elements. First, he’s classically trained and has experience performing in symphonic settings, therefore he has good bow technique, understands phrasing, and is accustomed to working in a formal ensemble. Second, he is not a frustrated guitarist. The man plays is a bassist. He can solo, and contributes lead lines to many songs, but he’s not playing “lead bass”. Third, he’s a good listener. I think his greatest gift as a musician is being able to rapidly understand and adapt to the music around him. Earlier this year I watched him in concert with Allan Holdsworth, Terry Bozzio and Pat Mastolotto. The quartet performed two full sets of improvised music. That’s adaptability!

This newest CD “Soup” is released under the band name “Stick Men” and features Michael Bernier, Pat Mastolotto and Tony Levin. The music is an combination of great textures, wild playing, and brilliant surprises. The title track “Soup” is a good first taste of what’s to come; listen through headphones to get the crazy overtones off the partially muted Stick notes, liquid modulation effects, and to pick up on subtle percussion elements. “Hands (parts 1-3)” is a rollercoaster with three sections; dig the crazy tones flying by as the piece moves toward the final part – which opens with a Philip Glass-style arpeggio. “Inside The Red Pyramid” has a swirling feel that wafts like desert incense; this track is beautiful. “Fugue” is anchored by a wild percolating Stick pattern (guitar tappers, listen and be appropriately freaked out) then moves into a nice largo at the end. “Sasquatch” is the most Crimsonesque song on the album with interlocking angular Stick parts and rhythm elements. “Scarlet Wheel” is a magic carpet woven from quacking envelope-follower tones, backwards tapping licks, and cross-cultural percussion. “The Firebird Suite” is a wild take on the Stravinsky classic; the third and fourth movements have fabulous arco tones that suggest bowing, but this might be clever playing and EQ. The album’s final track “Relentless” is an aptly named three-movement piece that flows like a river of lava, has a contrasting middle section, and returns with a furious recap of the first two movements. 

I was listening to this CD today at work and one my co-workers (a bassist) came by to ask a work-related question. I said “hey, check this out” and handed him my headphones. His three minute reaction was “hmmm… a solo album by a rock bassist?… wait, this kinda cool… whoah how did he do that?… HOLY CRAP!”

OK, so you get it. Tony Levin has credits and credibility galore, and everybody loves working with him. He’s also one of those important independent voices in music who makes music for all the right reasons. By purchasing this CD directly from Tony, you are participating in a 1:1 transaction with the artist. And that represents a direct source of revenue and support for their work. You’ll also find this new release in your local music stores, and via digital download on iTunes, CDBaby and Amazon. Audio samples are available on Tony’s MySpace page.