Post by jptheprofessor on Jan 14, 2007 23:11:12 GMT -5
JOHN CHARNEY – BE WATER (no label) Nearly anybody who has followed his career on this area’s music scene thus far knows that Carrolltown’s John Charney is a musical adventurer who recognizes no boundaries in his exploration of music. On his first solo album, Be Water, Charney introduces us to his vast and wide-ranging musical world, frequently stepping outside the box and revealing his artistry, adventurism, and even some personal background and social commentary to boot. Charney sings and plays all electric and acoustic guitars, bass, some keys and flute; assisted by drummers Michael Davis (Hi-Tyde) and Dominick Peruso (The Grimm, Wine Of Nails), backing singer Joel Stiles and others. After a brief spoken primer, “Welcome to Be Water, My Friend,” leads us in; the album erupts with the hyper-speed thrash metal blast “American Swine,” offering a scathing appraisal of the ugly side of our nation’s psyche, culminating in Manowar-like operatic choruses and a chaotic instrumental midsection. The album continues in a myriad of directions. Charney’s insight into creativity, “Sojourn;” his view on vanity; “Girl Before A Mirror;” “Forever Endeavor” and the 14-minute closing examination of death and grieving, “Mourningside” are each adventures in progressive rock terrain that explore Rush, Pink Floyd and Yes-like textures. “Wo Ooh Oh” gets the Led out with an acknowledgement of Led Zeppelin’s influence. “Holy Hoptoes!” is a rockabilly-flavored tribute to Charney’s grandfather; while the surf-rock geared “Ode To Krystle” offers a fond remembrance to a departed canine companion; the inclusion of footage from a special moment with the dog during the song’s introduction gives it a slight “Mr. Bojangles” feel. And the funk-flavored “Pre-Choice” offers pro-choice commentary. Be Water is a continuous adventure, with unexpected twists and turns, gearshifting between musical styles and flavors, surprise side journeys and more. Although wildly unpredictable, the album flows along well, cohesively tied together by Charney’s consistently strong composition and musicality. Produced, engineered and mixed by Charney and Stiles and recorded over the course of two years, Be Water sounds crisp and balanced, with all the musical elements clearly heard, and ornate delicacies and details continually revealing themselves over repeated listens. Be Water is the best kind of solo album, as it reveals the wide and eclectic imagination of its creator, and also presents glimpses into his background and personality beyond music. This album is a wild, but ultimately rewarding ride, a musical adventure that will keep the listener coming back to discover more. (To obtain the album, visit John Charney’s website, www.johncharney.com)