Happy the Man: The Muse Awakens
Added: October 11th 2004
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score: 4 1/2 out of 5
Website: www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=1765
Happy the Man fans have been clamoring for this new CD since the band regrouped a few years back at the North East Art Rock Festival (NEARfest), and the wait is now over. Long-time members Stanley Whitaker (guitars & vocals), Frank Wyatt (sax, keyboards, & woodwinds) and Rick Kennell (bass) are joined here on The Muse Awakens by former Rainbow keyboard player David Rosenthal and drummer Joe Bergamini, and the results are simply astounding, as if the band never went away in the first place.
Things kick off in typical Happy the Man fashion with "Contemporary Insanity", a blistering yet quirky piece that will instantly remind you of the style of the bands debut and sophomore release Crafty Hands (both from the 1970's), as well as vintage Gentle Giant, with its complex and weaving sax, keyboards, and guitar interplay. The title track, as well as "Stepping Through Time", have more atmospheric and jazzier moments (reminding me a little of early Spyro Gyra) thanks to the classy keyboard work of Rosenthal and Wyatt's melodic reed stylings.
More intricate fusion with a Canterbury twist is evident on "Lunch at the Psychedelicatessen", a symphonic piece that sees Wyatt and Rosenthal once again complementing each other perfectly, until Whitaker joins the party with some wild finger picking that signals the whole band to move into complex prog-rock mode. The majestic "Slipstream" is a gorgeous piece that really shows what Rosenthal brings to the table, as he teams with Wyatt to create sumptuous soundscapes on piano and synths that help propel this song one of the most emotional instrumental prog tunes you will hear all year.
"Barking Spiders" is another beast altogether, as Stanley Whitaker unleashes some raunchy guitar riffs that are backed by some insane rhythm work from Kennell and Bergamini. Whitaker and Rosenthal get into some crazy exchanges here on this one! Wyatt's sax is featured on the smooth and jazzy "Adrift", while "Shadowlites" is a moody and atmospheric piece that also is the only track on the CD with vocals, courtesy of Whitaker. Stan's emotional and fluid guitar work tugs at your heart on the tender "Maui Sunset", a tune that also contains a tasty & melodic synth solo from Rosenthal. This song however is the calm before the storm, as they break out the big guns for the grand finale, the symphonic "Il Quinto Mare." At over 7-minutes in length, it is the longest piece on the album, and shifts through many changes of mood and tempo as only Happy the Man can muster. The band manages to squeeze classical, jazz, hard rock, and prog all into one tune here, and it really works, showcasing what a roster of talent lies in this ensemble.
The progressive rock world has just been put on notice...Happy the Man is back folks, and they are here to stay. The world is also a better place because of it!
Track List
1) Contemporary Insanity (3:24)
2) The Muse Awakes (5:36)
3) Stepping Through Time (6:31)
4) Maui Sunset (5:10)
5) Lunch At The Psychedelicatessen (4:59)
6) Slipstream (4:43)
7) Barking Spiders (4:11)
8) Adrift (4:04)
9) Shadowlites (3:52)
10) Kindred Spirits (5:26)
11) Il Quinto Mare (7:22)
Added: October 11th 2004
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score: 4 1/2 out of 5
Website: www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=1765
Happy the Man fans have been clamoring for this new CD since the band regrouped a few years back at the North East Art Rock Festival (NEARfest), and the wait is now over. Long-time members Stanley Whitaker (guitars & vocals), Frank Wyatt (sax, keyboards, & woodwinds) and Rick Kennell (bass) are joined here on The Muse Awakens by former Rainbow keyboard player David Rosenthal and drummer Joe Bergamini, and the results are simply astounding, as if the band never went away in the first place.
Things kick off in typical Happy the Man fashion with "Contemporary Insanity", a blistering yet quirky piece that will instantly remind you of the style of the bands debut and sophomore release Crafty Hands (both from the 1970's), as well as vintage Gentle Giant, with its complex and weaving sax, keyboards, and guitar interplay. The title track, as well as "Stepping Through Time", have more atmospheric and jazzier moments (reminding me a little of early Spyro Gyra) thanks to the classy keyboard work of Rosenthal and Wyatt's melodic reed stylings.
More intricate fusion with a Canterbury twist is evident on "Lunch at the Psychedelicatessen", a symphonic piece that sees Wyatt and Rosenthal once again complementing each other perfectly, until Whitaker joins the party with some wild finger picking that signals the whole band to move into complex prog-rock mode. The majestic "Slipstream" is a gorgeous piece that really shows what Rosenthal brings to the table, as he teams with Wyatt to create sumptuous soundscapes on piano and synths that help propel this song one of the most emotional instrumental prog tunes you will hear all year.
"Barking Spiders" is another beast altogether, as Stanley Whitaker unleashes some raunchy guitar riffs that are backed by some insane rhythm work from Kennell and Bergamini. Whitaker and Rosenthal get into some crazy exchanges here on this one! Wyatt's sax is featured on the smooth and jazzy "Adrift", while "Shadowlites" is a moody and atmospheric piece that also is the only track on the CD with vocals, courtesy of Whitaker. Stan's emotional and fluid guitar work tugs at your heart on the tender "Maui Sunset", a tune that also contains a tasty & melodic synth solo from Rosenthal. This song however is the calm before the storm, as they break out the big guns for the grand finale, the symphonic "Il Quinto Mare." At over 7-minutes in length, it is the longest piece on the album, and shifts through many changes of mood and tempo as only Happy the Man can muster. The band manages to squeeze classical, jazz, hard rock, and prog all into one tune here, and it really works, showcasing what a roster of talent lies in this ensemble.
The progressive rock world has just been put on notice...Happy the Man is back folks, and they are here to stay. The world is also a better place because of it!
Track List
1) Contemporary Insanity (3:24)
2) The Muse Awakes (5:36)
3) Stepping Through Time (6:31)
4) Maui Sunset (5:10)
5) Lunch At The Psychedelicatessen (4:59)
6) Slipstream (4:43)
7) Barking Spiders (4:11)
8) Adrift (4:04)
9) Shadowlites (3:52)
10) Kindred Spirits (5:26)
11) Il Quinto Mare (7:22)