Album Notes

What do you get when you take three of New York's most sought-after musicians (guys with DECADES of experience playing any variety of music imaginable, from arenas to recording studios to festivals to Broadway, from Florida to Vancouver) put them in a rehearsal studio together, and tell them to make music?

Quixotic is the answer.

Back in January 2004, guitarist Alec Berlin, bassist Chris Tarry, and drummer Shannon Ford had been racking up a lot of hours playing with various singer/songwriters, doing theater work, and playing the odd wedding here and there - typical working musicians, trying to make a buck. Then someone got the idea of getting together WITHOUT a pre-set agenda, without the seemingly ubiquitous singer/songwriter, just to see how it felt. Let the music be the focus.

And the results were magic.

Drummer Shannon Ford brought to the mix a depth of groove that can only be achieved the old-fashioned way, through years on the road working with the likes of Paul Simon and Danny Gatton, not to mention a host of other original rock-oriented acts, including his own original project, Ripley (http://www.ripleythe band.com).

Bassist Chris Tarry's seemingly endless supply of ideas are filtered perfectly through his unshakeable funk. All those years with Canadian uber-group Metalwood (not to mention his solo projects, found at http://www.christarry.com) pay off!

Alec Berlin's guitar playing breathes fire while unfolding with the logic of a Jazz musician. No wonder he's been so busy, working with acts as ranging from The Shirelles and Lou Christie to such Broadway musicals as Rent and The Lion King. And then there's his constant presence in the clubs of New York City with any number of singer/songwriters. As if that weren't enough, Berlin also fronts his own Rock and Jazz bands. For all the info, check out http://www.alecberlin.com.

The three began writing together and performing, and the results are "Sneakin' In". The range of styles (from the dirge-like blues of the title track to the euphoria of "Samba 55" to the lyrical simplicity of "First-Floor Walk-Up") offer a road map of the musical journeys these three musicians have traveled. Quixotic offers music for the whole body - it will give you something to think about for your more reflective moods, just as it will never cease to get your ass shaking.

Check it out!