Hi all,

Just getting settled into the flow of things here in Rome, with rehearsals this week and shows starting on 10/22. It's a different pace for sure. Last night's dinner was about a 5 hour affair!

Many of you have no doubt heard by now that the California Guitar Trio have released a brand new album called Andromeda. You'll find this through many different retailers, including my own web store at http://www.thossounds.com I'm happy to pass along though that in addition to the always great guitar playing from Bert, Paul and Hideyo, you'll also find Stick cameos from myself and Tony Levin on a few tracks. Here's one Stick player's perspective:

As their last album "Echoes" was exclusively covers (and some great ones like Tubular Bells, Echoes and Bohemian Rhapsody), the CGT set themselves the goal of making this new album exclusively original material. Part of my role in things was as an editor. Somewhere along the recording path, they spent time in a studio doing group improvisations, which to my ears seemed to be based around a few premeditated musical ideas. They sent me files for about eight of these "tracks" and basically let me have my way with them, editing their recordings, adding a few effects, and of course adding some Stick bits along the way as well. It was great to really be that deep into the creative process with things! I wound up adding parts in multiple registers and with multiple tones, ranging from palm muted bass to a wild Eventide backwards delay/distortion and even my first attempt at a Don Schiff inspired Stick slide moment.

Most of the album revolves around the CGT's compositions though. One of my favorites on the disc is called "Turn of The Tide" and features some great Stick work from Tony Levin. Other guests on the album include Julie and Erick Slick (Adrian Belew's power trio rhythm section) and Tyler Trotter.

You'll find more info and sound clips from every track online at: http://www.thossounds.com/cgtandromedacd.html

Enjoy!

Tom Griesgraber
http://www.thossounds.com