Add Narada Michael Walden
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Topic: Add Narada Michael Walden
Posted By: Spenny
Subject: Add Narada Michael Walden
Date Posted: February 11 2009 at 09:50
(or is that Walden, Narada Michael).
If you are put off by his progression into disco and pop (like so many other fusion artists) you will not know of his first couple of albums at the height of the jazz rock era of the mid to late 70s.
Jazz Rock musicians seemed to travel in gangs between studios and play lucky dip as to whose name would be on the album. Narada travelled with Santana, Ray Gomez and Jeff Beck (in his Blow By Blow phase) was one of this gang.
The debut album, Garden of the Love Light has several standout tracks, the title track being one, but the intro track, White Night with explosive drums and great guitar work from Ray Gomez sets the tone. The obligatory soppy Santana track First Love is good,though he used this track on so may other solo efforts in this group, and then there is Jeff Beck with The Saint and the Rascal in fine form.
Narada's drumming is exceptional, really powerful, yet controlled and defined rather than a bassy blur. There is some fine keyboard work too. The only downside is the pathetically wet vocals, but fortunately they often serve to counterpoint some stunning heavy guitar solo.
I Cry I Smile is a typical Second Album, Same as the First, Only Slightly Worse and keeps to the same formula with a slightly different troop of musicians. After that we get into the lure of disco and commercial pressures, food on the table and so on - though I quite like a disco record that uses roller skates as percussion.
Iin terms of the jazz rock family tree he also has links to all the major movements - Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra and so on. So, not someone who shaped the musical form, but a debut album that should be in anybody's collection.
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