[.ca] Safe Journey

Trust me:
I've been a sort of John the Baptist to Steve as the musical messiah, yet I'm always at a loss when trying to explain him because popular categories are too confining. I've seen him filed under Jazz, Rock, and Experimental. He is all of these. Let's not forget Marc Andersen who is more of a collaborator than a mere percussionist. Anyway, you want to know if this is good. I think it is one of his best (Exploded View and Northern Song making up the trinity); I've been listening to these for close to fifteen years and I will never tire of them.

Simply Outstanding from a New Fan:
I buy far too many CD's looking for something that can fulfill my admittedly somewhat junkielike but jaded need for new music. Most of the time I am disappointed. Somewhere in here I came across Steve Tibbetts. Being a long time Pat Metheny fan, I noted some comparisons being made - which on reflection made little sense other than both play guitar, both have some "world" influences, and both were on ECM. I was wary that many of the reviews were from old time fans and not new ones since many times we have experiences that color our view that really have little to do with the music other than it was part of the experience. Well I've bought both this CD and Man About A Horse. Both are very good, but so far this CD is preferred. The first song Test is the real standout among both CD's. It's one of those songs that you'd put on a sampler for friends just to blow them away. Listening to Test with a good headphone system should probably be illegal. There is not a bad cut on the CD, but since Test is the first song the rest have a hard time competing. The music really is beyond my limited ability to describe, but the combination of percussion and guitar makes it something truly different - and in the hands of Steve and his partner - something worthwhile to have and cherish.

Plenty of stars better than this:
I take note of any album unanimously given 5 stars. Usually it ain't - and this ain't. 5 stars means there's nothing better. I disagree. Michael Brook, David Sylvian and especially Bill Nelson have all created much better ambient guitar rock. The first track starts off strong with a fuzzed out psychedelic guitar jam. Then there's feedback and wailing over a tom and bass drum beat with a standard synth intro and outro. The rest of the songs are indistinguishable soundscapes characterized by predictable three note scales or single chord ideas. Even though the instrumentation is organic and interesting, the melodies and songwriting drop the rest of the album into the background. His rhythms never stray far from the western 4/4 and his world beat is no more adventurous than Yanni's. C'mon everyone - put away your acid and explore a little more. Try Brook's "Cobalt Blue" or "Assembly", or Nelson's "Blue Moonsand Laughing Guitars" before anointing this album as the best ever.

Intense and dreamy:
This CD runs the gamut from heavy-metal guitar to "world music," all done flawlessly. "Test" is the most intense tune I have ever heard, and must be listened to with the volume cranked (the audio sample DOES NOT do it justice). Then he lets everything relax for the rest of the album, beautiful, quiet rhythms. His percussionist is a master. Prescription: Listen to this CD late at night, with the lights out, and get transported to another plane of existence.

• Test
• Climbing
• Running
• Night Again
• My Last Chance
• Vision
• Any Minute
• Mission
• Burning Up
• Going Somewhere