Album Notes

What do you get when Rick Vandivier (guitar), John Stowell (guitar), George Marsh (drums) and Bob Johnson (sax), each a leader in his own right, come together to record a CD? A musical experience that's good for what ails you. The Vandivier * Stowell * Marsh * project presents a fresh sound based on the interweaving of guitar melody, harmonic color and rhythmic interplay. We're talking soul food for the world weary in the sheer beauty of the sound of the band. Now add to that the exhilaration of witnessing a composition improvised into existence for the first and only time. Or relish the delight of hearing the works of the American masters, like Monk and Miles, crafted to bring their creations into the 21st century with further innovation and vitality. The heart is likely to beat a little quicker from the emotion, and dare I say, romance imbued in the music. The flash of bright ideas can spark the intellect and enliven the spirit. Give a listen soon. (Possible side effects include residual smiling, sensations of warmth around the heart, and renewed interest in life)

The arrangements on Spirit of the Room illustrate how the modern and the traditional, the concrete and the abstract can be combined to create new and unique musical textures. Rick Vandivier (heard predominately in the left channel) performs on the electric archtop and steel string acoustic guitars. Rick's playing, although steeped in the traditions of jazz and blues, also displays a thoroughly modern aesthetic. He is known for his ability to weave a colorful harmonic fabric from multiple melodic voices and can be recognized by his smooth attack and warm tone. John Stowell uses both the electric nylon string guitar and the electric archtop. His playing (heard in the right channel) is angular in its quickly shifting melodies, use of wide melodic intervals contrasting with close-voiced chords and "Monkish" rhythmic punches. George Marsh coaxes an impressive array of timbres from his minimalistic kit (consisting of snare, hi-hat and ride cymbals,) and Bob Johnson presents a unique voice and intuitive musical sensibility in his tasteful sax playing.