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DARYL STUERMER

Jazz Rock/Fusion • United States


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Daryl Stuermer biography
Daryl Mark Stuermer - Born November 27, 1952 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA)

Daryl Stuermer started playing guitar at the age of 11. Daryl Stuermer drew inspiration from the likes of the Beatles, Hendrix and John McLaughlin and formed the band Sweetbottom.He caught the attention of George Duke of Frank Zappa fame which then led the jazz guitarist to a successful audition with electric violinist Jean-Luc PONTY.

Stuermer went on to play on about four Jean-Luc Ponty albums in the mid late 70's. Whilst enjoying playing jazz fusion he then successfully replaced Steve Hackett as lead guitarist for GENESIS live shows only and became an ever present with Chester Thompson ( drums) on all Genesis live gigs right up until the early 90's. Stuermer recently toured again with Genesis in 2007.He never played on any studio albums for Genesis, however was an able contributor to Phil Collin's solo albums as well as a couple of albums for Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford's amusing Acting Very Strange release.

His technical expertise is most prevelant especially on his solo works. Largely instrumental they contribute handsomely to the progressive genre of Jazz Rock/Fusion. Albums of note would be his debut Steppin' Out and his third solo album, the limited edition release, Waiting in the Wings.

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DARYL STUERMER discography


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DARYL STUERMER top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.95 | 4 ratings
Steppin' Out
1988
2.00 | 1 ratings
Live And Learn
1998
1.38 | 5 ratings
Another Side Of Genesis
2000
3.00 | 1 ratings
Waiting In The Wings
2001
2.00 | 1 ratings
Retrofit
2004
3.52 | 4 ratings
Go !
2007

DARYL STUERMER Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

DARYL STUERMER Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

DARYL STUERMER Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.50 | 2 ratings
Rewired
2006

DARYL STUERMER Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

DARYL STUERMER Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Another Side Of Genesis by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 2000
1.38 | 5 ratings

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Another Side Of Genesis
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by FalconBleck

1 stars #40 Review

I'm going to give the most positive insight on this album... the music works for a fancy Genesis themed restaurant, where they serve the finest scrambled eggs, lamb stews... of all new and old england.

I apreciate this interesting aproach to Genesis music, and i'm intrigued to experience it in its full, i hope that it lives out to the little preview i heard.

1. Follow You, Follow Me 8/10 What a beautyful start, this song feels different and refreshed with this sound, very relazing and everything, sadly, here is where trend starts of Daryl doing dumb overrided with notes solos near the end.

2. Hold On To My Heart 6/10 This version of the song doesn't deviate much from the original, most of the chords are intact and even most of the instruments sound similar, yet the lead voice is replaced with a sweet guitar. While this song keeps it mostly the same, i think that i can appreciate it a little more now, the song had potential for this kind of style already, but i think that it needs to be even more relaxing, Daryl gets crazy near the end and the voices in the background aren't working for me.

3. Taking It All Too Hard 7/10 Another song that i have under appreciated, i really like when different artists give a different perspective on mostly forgotten Genesis songs, so far this one is working really well, i would ommit that bell sound though, i really feel like that sound has hampered the entire record so far. Near the end gives me that feeling of a shopping channel for some reason, not a big fan of that... "SEE OUR LATEST PRODUCT BY STYX CORP, THIS TRANSGENIC MULTI-SPA SOAP WILL SOAK ALL YOUR WORRIES AWAY AND REDUCE ALL HUMANOID POPULATION TO A MAXIMUM OF 4ft SIZE, GET IT AT YOUR NEAREST TESCORP"

4. Throwing It All Away 3/10 I have been a vocal disliker of the original song, and this one doesn't do much to improve it aside from removing Phil Collins annoying lyrics. It even feels worse because the guitar devoids the song from any energy it had and there's also a voice at half the track wich just ruins it even more. Wich helps this song even less is that it has been played so much by now that a new version doesn't add anything.

5. Since I Lost You 4/10 Another song wich i have criticized before because i felt that it lacked something to really portray the sadness in the lyrics, at the beginning i expected this to be the version that would explain to me why was this song conceived like that, but it doesn't, i kind of feel it but not really, the piano kind of does the job, but the guitar and daryl's playing add much more than it should be added.

6. Land Of Confusion 7/10 This song wouldn't work much for a restaurant or shop channel, but damn it sounds like it could be on the game Daytona USA, because of the bass and the brass, i dig this version, it could use more bongoes and even more bass, and it would be better.

7. In Too Deep 2/10 This is so much less than the original version because Tony Banks keyboards where hampered a lot, the chords remain but the notes aren't there for most of the time, not only that but there's also an added voice in some parts of the song, i don't think that this version does a great job at anything.

8. Turn It On Again 1/10 This is an informercial song, the guitar doesn't let any of the song breath, in this case i much preffer Phil's voice over the guitar and the brass. This is a totally inferior version of the song that doesn't add anything new, i don't recommend this version at all. This version showed me all the weakneses of the original.

9. Man On The Corner 2/10 Lots of people like the original song and i don't get it, this version does nothing to remedy that. The song its somehow too exciting and not calm enough to work with anything else on the album or in the context of a restaurant or something like that, the drums should've been ommitted and the high pitch notes should've been fixed to set the mood, but no.

10. No Son Of Mine 4/10 This one obviously doesn't work for a restaurant, maybe for a shop... at this point i don't know, i didn't think much about it because it kept happening all the time through this album, i said this will be the last song i reviewed and forgot to look a little further for the next one. Well, i like this version because it removes the "elephantus" noise, aside from that it really doesn't add much, in fact, it maintains most of the song, i think that this one is ok and not annoying, the only exception being the solo near the end wich is too much and gets boring.

11. Never A Time 6/10 Another forgotten Genesis song, and another one that i think works better for the sound that this album portrays and i thing that this one really adds a little more to the original song, wich felt like a rehash from another song in its original album, this one without all the shared synths in the original version gives an overall better exp- NO! THEY DID IT AGAIN!! The voice ruined everything again.

This album gets a 44/100 wich means 1 star, that's pretty low, i'm sorry, i really wanted to bring a positive view on this but i feel like this album was made rather quickly in just a few sessions, wich could explain why this album is like it is, there's a clear direction but the vision went unrealized.

 Go ! by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.52 | 4 ratings

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Go !
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by b_olariu
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Daryl Stuermer is one of the influencial guitarists in prog jazz rock/fusion world in last 40 decades. Specially know for his contribution on albums from Jean Luc Ponty and Genesis live guitarist since1977 Daryl Stuermer build a solid reputention in guitar world. His solo career is lesser known among prog listners and jazz fusion freaks, the debute appear in 1988 and since then he released 6 albums and diffrent compilations. His lates work to date is Go from 2007 issued at InsideOut label. Well, a very nice surprise this release, very energic jazz fusion with a lot to offer to the listner. There are some very nice passages and quite intresting like on Masala mantra, Greenlight with uptempo parts, solid guitar work and some great druming. Another highlights are Meltdown or The archer. All album is instrumental, but is not a problem, Daryl Stuermer really knew to come with a valueble release these days, that means that is still in bussines and in top form after more then 3 decades in bussines. Entartaining from start to finish, a pleasure to listen without any boring moments. From me easy 4 stars.
 Steppin' Out by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 1988
3.95 | 4 ratings

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Steppin' Out
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Guillermo
Prog Reviewer

4 stars In 1991 I bought the "The Mama Tour" concert video from Genesis in the VHS format, and I watched it with a friend who at that time was listening to a lot of music similar to the one which Duran Duran and other similar bands were playing then (and apart from one song, called "Ordinary World" from Duran Duran, I really never liked all these bands that he listened to at that time). I realized that he really didn`t like that Genesis`concert video (he never was a fan of Genesis, but he liked Rush a lot), but he commented about the two tour musicians (Daryl Stuermer and Chester Thompson) who appear with Genesis in that video (and also in others too): "Why these two very good musicians are happy only being session musicians? Are they not frustrated to be only session musicians for bands like Genesis?" Well. I commented to him that I didn`t think so, because I knew that at least Stuermer at that time had released a solo album (this "Steppin` Out" album; Thompson released a solo album later in the nineties, I think, titled "A Joyful Noise", which is also a very hard to find CD in the record shops and it is not yet included in the Prog Archives`s database). At that time I never saw a copy of this "Steppin` Out" album in the record shops of my city, but I knew about it thanks to see it in the record listings of the Schwann Record Catalogues. It was released in late 1988. It was until 1994 when I saw a CD of it in a record shop, but I didn`t buy it then because I saw a copy of Rick Wright`s "Wet Dream" album on CD and that album was also very rare. So, I bought Wright`s CD then as I only had money to buy only one CD. Some days later I went to the same record shop to buy Stuermer`s album,. but I couldn`t find it anymore. So, it was until this year that I found it available for listening in youtube that I fiinally listened to it.

I read in one website the liner notes from this CD, written by Phil Collins, introducing Stuermer`s music and his first solo CD with a lot of jokes. Anyway, Stuermer is supported in this album by two other very good session musicians who like Stuermer and Thompson also played in Collins`s touring band several times (Leland Sklar and Brad Cole). The sound of this album in production is very typical of the eighties, particularly in the sound of the drums and the keyboards, and with the use of a drum machine in some tracks. The predominant musical style of this album is in the Jazz- Rock Fusion style but also it has some commercial Jazz and even some Pop Rock influences in some arrangements. For my taste, the songs which are the best and are the most influenced by the Jazz-Rock Fusion style are "Venturing Ou" (the best of all), "Electric City", "Night Flyer" and "20th Century Lady". Don`t expect very complicated time signatures, as the rhythms and the drums playing are really very conventional, very accessible. But as expected, the main instruments are the guitars, of course. Stuermer is a very good guitarist and all the songs of the album are instrumental and full of melodies and very good guitar solos, plus also very good rhythm guitars, all played with different sound textures. So, I think that with this album Stuermer had his first chance to show how good he is as a composer and as a soloist (there is also one song , called "Only You Know and I Know", co-written with Collins and also released in one of Collins `s solo albums, but played in this album as an instrumental and with a different arrangement).The recording and mixing are very good, very clear, but maybe very eighties in sound, as I commented above. Stuermer has a very long and respected career as guitarist, and the members of Genesis have commented that he and Thompson became very important to the live sound of the band during the years they played with them on tours. They also commented that Stuermer helped a lot to remember how a song was played in the past. This is a very good solo album and the only solo album from him that I have listened to until now.Unfortunately , I think that it is now out of print.

 Retrofit by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 2004
2.00 | 1 ratings

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Retrofit
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Chris S
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

— First review of this album —
2 stars This is Daryl Stuermer's smoothest fusion sounding studio album. Not as raw and energetic sounding as the follow up album Go! but it is still an enjoyable experience. There are some really great tracks like Zanzibar and Midnight Traveller. Incidentally the last track The Least You Can Do ( much better sounding here) written by DS but also covered by Phil Collins on his Testify solo album. Overall two opposite spectrums of sounds. Some very good material and some not so strong fare. Smooth fusion is the best description for Retrofit but there are other albums I would recommend first from his catalogue if you are new to his music. Two and a half stars.
 Go ! by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.52 | 4 ratings

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Go !
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Chris S
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Go! hints at an energetic album or theme and thankfully it is just that. A definite return to form for Daryl Stuermer and along with his debut release Steppin' Out this is another studio release that fits much more comfortably in the progressive/fusion vein. From the opening track ' Striker' to the closer 'Omnibus' there is an electrically charged mood all over Go!. Darker and heavier sounding also than his previous releases, listen to the excellent track ' Meltdown' or the eastern influenced ' Masala Mantra' and you will find more rock tinged songs but with all the frenzied fusion feelings that Stuermer, once he gets in the mood, can deliver so well. A true return to form and highly recommended if there are any doubters out there but also any enthusiasts that enjoyed his debut release. Three and a half stars.
 Another Side Of Genesis by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 2000
1.38 | 5 ratings

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Another Side Of Genesis
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Chris S
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

1 stars A bit to syrupy for my liking. Granted Daryl Stuermer had every right to do an album of Genesis songs especially as he had played them so many times live over the years but why did he not try and keep that energetic formula together captured many times live. Instead we have Genesis Lite intrumentals which if anything negate his reputation for the riffs and tecniques he is so usually adept at. What we have is Another Side Of Daryl Stuermer to be honest with the songs never really testing any ground and all too easy on the ear. All you need is some Zamfir like flute playing and you will be heading for the nearest exit. Sure it is the artists interpretation but one would expect so much more. A good point in comparison is Steve Hackett's brilliant Tokyo Tapes with his versions of Genesis/King Crimson/Asia tracks albeit mostly live. Sorry but this is too wishy washy for me. Highlights few and far between but probably ' Taking It All Too Hard and Abacab's ' Man On The Corner edge it. For completionists only.
 Another Side Of Genesis by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 2000
1.38 | 5 ratings

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Another Side Of Genesis
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer

2 stars Interesting view of Genesis mid to latter day songs by someone who actually played them a lot with the band. Although Stuermer never recorded with Genesis in the studio, he has been their live guitarist since Steve Hackett left the group. And he did record with Phil Collins regularly since the early 80īs (and also with Rutherford and Banks, although less frequently). So, he does have enough credentials to actually legitimate this album, I guess. Actually, I was anxious to hear his own interpretatiosn, since he had not very much freedom to do so with Genesis.

Instead of doing something grandiose, he decided to play them mostly with acoustic guitar and with some sparse accompaniment: basicly percussion, with keyboards and sometimes little backing vocals. And, in that way, it works, at least most of the time (a couple of songs - like Land Of Confusion - donīt really fit here) I guess progheads will frown at the lack of bold and more imaginative arrangements, the straigh playing and the track list limited to Genesis pop period. All is true, of course. Still, I enjoy this CD: I think he did a fine, if not very creative, instrumental version of those songs (some of them quite underrated) and itīs an easy listening. Production and playing is top notch.

Conclusion: a good, easy listening instrumental album of pop songs, with tasteful playing. But if youīre looking for bold interpretations or anything broundbreaking or even something really new, go somewhere else. This is basicly straightforward pop. Nice, but nothing more. Since I like this style, Iīd give 3 stars, but a more critical look would give it no more than 2. So I guess a 2,5 stars rating would be more fitting. I expected more from such a great musician.

 Waiting In The Wings by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 2001
3.00 | 1 ratings

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Waiting In The Wings
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Chris S
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

— First review of this album —
3 stars This 2001 studio release is an improvement on 1998's Live and Learn. Returning more to the Jazz/fusion elements that makes his music more appealing anyway. 'Waiting In The Wings' is a great laid back song that slowly builds to some catchy guitar riffs. DS has the knack of making very intricate chords sound so easy, sometimes to his detriment. This is apparent on ' Deja Blue' and the excellent ' Copenhagen'. The guitar continues to dance all over the place on the upbeat ' Cross Country'. ' Anthem' is a live version from his ' Steppin Out' album and I have to say the original still holds up better. Overall a good release from Daryl Stuermer and to quote the musician, this is the next best thing to a live album, this was also a limited release from Urban Island and contains mostly new material. Three stars.
 Live And Learn by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 1998
2.00 | 1 ratings

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Live And Learn
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Chris S
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

— First review of this album —
2 stars I think Daryl Stuermer's second studio album was pretty brave, introducing a couple of vocal tracks with him singing on the album title track, the other being Long Distance Love'. I can't help thinking of David Sinclair's Full Circle release as being very similar yet was released five years later and is merely coincidence. Stuermer's guitar work as usual near perfect especially on Urban Island and the build up on Morning Train with some great fusion sounds.' Icering and Icarus's Banjo are a bit too flakey for my liking but the album returns to form on subsequent tracks like Deadline and the Jean Luc Ponty sounding Yin Yang Boogie. This is where Stuermer always shows his best colours, when he plays the most abstract frenzied fusion like sounds. Phil Collin's guests on backing vocals on Live and Learn. I would have to say this is Daryl Stuermer's easiest listening studio release and suffers a bit because of this. Still a very enjoyable album but would have to recommend for collectors only.
 Steppin' Out by STUERMER, DARYL album cover Studio Album, 1988
3.95 | 4 ratings

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Steppin' Out
Daryl Stuermer Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Chris S
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Having already established himself under the tutelage of Jean-Luc Ponty in the 70's and following exstensive touring with Genesis, Daryl Stuermer released this debut album in 1988. The hints of JLP and his guitar style from Genesis tours are curiously apparent in that there are subtle nuances all over the album but at the same time not so easy to shake a stick at ( if you get my drift). The Jazz/Fusion side is the most dominant characteristic on Steppin' Out which makes for an excellent release.

The album kicks off with 'Kyoto Rose', unusual timings but after repeated listens becomes quite addictive to the ears. His version of the Phil Collin's song ' I Don't Wanna Know' is next and he does a great job as an instrumental version. The next three songs are probablty the most progressive sounding on Steppin' Out, wonderfully structured, uneven tempos and dare I say it unpredictable yet all great tracks marking the highlight to this album. ' Anthem', ' Venturing Out' and the brilliance of ' Electric City'. You need to listen to this to fully appreciated his guitar skills.

' The Highlander' closes Steppin Out with distinctive Scottish flavours and brings the album to a frenzied fusion like climax. If you are familiar with Daryl Stuermer due to Jean-Luc Ponty or even Genesis but have not heard his solo work then start with this album, in many respects his best. Not necessarily from a technical viewpoint but more from an atmospherical angle. A worthy four stars!

Thanks to chris stacey for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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