Republished
and Edited From Original Review in 2007 on 10/7/2026
First, I
have become a big fan of Jeff Cannata, both as a person and through the musical
projects I have heard to date. Now I must set those feelings aside and put on my critic hat.
When I first
got My Back Pages Volume 1 and watched the video My Back Pages, I was
immediately mesmerized by the video, the music, and the incredible artwork of
the CD package. Some interesting things about the CD and booklet were the
pictures…the one of the crazy van with all the ornaments and whatnot stuck to
it is priceless. I asked Jeff if it was real, and it is; the colorful hippie
van drives up and down Highway 1 in California, and the back of the CD booklet
shows a picture of the old hippie, complete with his pot pipe. The music you
will hear on this CD harkens back to the flower power era and the culture
around it
Ok so we got
off to a good start. Now what about the fact that it’s yet another cover album?
Well, hold on a minute; this album is nothing like anything you have ever heard
before, really
Cannata
struggled to choose these songs, as every one of these artists, and many more,
influenced him; that is why it is Volume 1, because the door is left open for
another volume to come. The artist wants to give credit where it is due, which
is honorable and understandable.
My Back
Pages Volume 1 is an
excellent album, and the bonus track “Life: 101” may be the best bonus track I
have ever heard (it is also on his previous release, Mysterium Magnum).
I get chills listening to it and absolutely love it; it should become an anthem
for the ages, heard on the radio and TV.
This CD has
14 tracks, each a standalone masterpiece that Cannata breathes new life into.
This is significant, as cover or tribute albums usually don't turn out that way.
Keep in mind this man is a multi-instrumental genius and producer, so there is
no flak here; it's all straight-up musicianship and creativity at its best,
even if the songs are older and have a long lineage of artists behind them.
That’s the whole point here: to pay tribute to the people who made the music.
The best
examples of covering a song close to the creator's intent are the two Jethro
Tull tracks, back-to-back: “Mother Goose” and “My Sunday Feeling.” “Eight Miles
High” and “On The Turning Away” are especially excellent, too. I also must give
Jeff the nod for his cover of Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” complete with an English
accent in certain places, which is a nice touch.
In summary, My
Back Pages Volume 1 delivers a memorable listening experience that blends
nostalgia with fresh artistry. If you appreciate thoughtful musicianship and
heartfelt tributes, this album is a must-have for your collection.
5/5 Stars
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 25, 2007
Tracks:
01. Eight Miles High
02. Space Oddity
03. Fresh Garbage
04. Journey to the Center of the Mind
05. On the Turning Away
06. Mother Goose
07. My Sunday Feeling
08. Turn Turn Turn
09. Hurdy Gurdy Man
10. Court of the Crimson King
11. Norwegian Wood
12. Embryonic Journey
13. Monterey
14 Bonus Track . Life: 10
Credits:
JEFF CANNATA, drums, bass, guitar, mellotron, electric sitar,
vocals.
ROBERT GIANNOTTI,
acoustic & electric guitar solos, sitar, flute.
DAVID COE, 12 string Rickenbacker, acoustic guitar, and lead
guitar. JAY ROWE, electric piano solo on Fresh Garbage.
JEFF BATTER, Hammond organ,
" On The Turning Away"
GEORGE MANUKAS, acoustic guitar on "Embryonic
Journey"
SOLIN, guest lead vocal on "Norwegian Wood"
GREG TRABANDT, drums on Life: 101
CHUCK BECKMAN, lead guitar solo on " Life: 101 "
No comments:
Post a Comment