Post by jptheprofessor on Jan 17, 2008 20:03:36 GMT -5
TGZ – LIVING DANGEROUSLY (King Mojo Records) TGZ is a band project whose name is an acronym for its three founding members. 'T' is "Dangerous" Dan Toler, former guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band and Dickey Betts & Great Southern. 'G' is jazz pianist Ron Gary. And 'Z' is Ed Zinner, who played guitar for the southern tribute band Southern Legend. The group also features bassist Avon Lucas, organist Taylor Caldwell, singers Tony Green and Floyd Miles, and Altoona's own John McKnight on drums and vocals. TGZ's debut album, Living Dangerously, introduces a colorful fusion of R&B, jazz, blues and rock flavors over its ten track mixture of vocal and instrumental compositions. This album is constantly busy, not just with its variety of styles, but with constantly dazzling displays of musicianship among the players. Toler and Zinner are continuously blending, swapping, dueling and jamming with fast and fluid guitar licks, intertwining with Gary’s ivory tickling and playing nip and tuck with Lucas and McKnight’s rhythms. Green displays a strong, flowing and soulful voice, especially on album-opening pair of sweet soul love songs, "Your Smile" and "Heart & Soul." He gives a feistier display on more uptempo numbers such as the southern-flavored jazz-rock title song "Living Dangerously," the romping and playful blues boogie "Rabbit Got the Gun," and the funk-rocking "Pour Me Another Tall One.” TGZ showcases their instrumental versatility on the jazz-rock fusion “RonReeKay” and “One Last Set,” and the gentle “Song for Debby.” Two different editions of the relaxed, acoustic-geared "Summerwind" appear on the album; the latter instrumental version, "Summerwind for Lauren," features a guest appearance by another area musician, Johnstown's John Shaffer on harmonica. Produced by Ed Zinner, Living Dangerously sounds clean, crisp and balanced, with all the instrumental components representing well in the overall mix. The performances are inspired, and the overall uplifting vibe of this album suggests that these musicians had a fun time putting these compositions together. Fans of top-notch musicianship will find plenty to savor on Living Dangerously, as TGZ defines their wide expanse of musical turf, and gives their collective skills a hearty workout. (The CD can be obtained by visiting the group’s Myspace website, www.myspace.com/tgzband.)