Richard Zeier's new CD Phenomenation is truly a musical masterpiece of interpretive musical moods. There are a lot of songs on the album that caught my attention, two of which are Cloud Painter and Sweet. This artist is a major talent.

Much like the awesome cover art of his 2006 CD Phenomenation, guitarist Richard Zeier has a pretty amazing musical imagination. Except for the cosmic lyrics featured on the title track and several tracks featuring multi-tracked choral vocals by Chi Coltrane, the instrumental album demonstrates a daring cross section of guitar / keyboard smooth jazz New Age style tracks that would sound great as film TV music, both serious drama and action type stuff. The rhythmic, more modern sides of Tangerine Dream, Mike Oldfield and Jan Hammer are some of the atmospheric influences that weave in and out of Zeier’s wide screen sound mix. Backed by some fine players, including drummer Mike Ruiz, Phenomenation takes the scenic tour and serves as a splendid introduction to the guitar magic of Richard Zeier. by Robert Silverstein, July 2006

Written by Mike Parker Saturday, 24 June 2006. I don’t make this proclamation often, and you may not hear me say it again this year, so take notice: ‘Stop what you are doing, right now, and buy this CD!’ Think I’m kidding? Do it! Do it right now! Okay, I’ll give you an out – If you detest impeccably crafted, thought-provoking, stunningly produced, cinematic, film score-esque, instrumental rock ‘n’ roll, then I guess it’s okay for you to pass up Phenomenation. More for me. Seriously, I was hooked from the opening breathy, airy, opening strains of “Rainbow Nebula,” and mesmerized by the easy way he segued into a mysterious Middle Easter rhythm. Zeier, whose forte is his ability to meld classic, Eric Clapton guitar licks with John Williams’ everyman film scores, manages to transcend genres to deliver a thirteen track tour-de-force of art rock. And don’t let that term fool you – this is not some esoteric mumbo-jumbo pretending to be art for art’s sake that nobody can understand. “Q-Blaze” recalls classic Blood. Sweat, and Tears, but with a Bosa Nova beat. “First Light” sports a light, Jim Brickman-like piano turn, embellished by gentle acoustic guitar. “Shanghai” juxtaposes familiar western orchestral movements with eerie oriental overtones to create an otherworldly atmosphere. And lest you think Zeier doesn’t know how to bring on the funk, just check “Z Factor” with its fusion of slap bass and electronica. Okay, I could wax lyrical about “Cloud Painter,” or the neo-classical “Rite of Passage,” or even the breathtaking, cinematic closer, “Shiloh,” but you get the picture. With Phenomenation, Richard Zeier has created a masterpiece.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 Richard Zeier - CD Review I just got a new CD Phenomenation in the mail from Richard Zeier. (Richard is one of the remaining EMU-Ensoniq PARIS DAW holdouts. PARIS is an obsolete computer-based recording system that sounds startlingly good considering it has been dead for years now. I am another PARIS hardcore holdout myself, so when I had the chance to meet Richard and see his beautiful studio, I jumped at it.) I was expecting good audio, but honestly I was even more impressed with the heart and spirit of his music. This disc sounds like a lifetime of passion, faith and love poured into a little shiny disc. Very impressive. The music is progressive, well-composed, with touches of fusion and lots of classical elements. There is a touch of new-age feel throughout as well, but the music rarely loses its muscles. I have been recovering from a painful leg injury and this made me want to jump up and go run for a mile or two! Richard is clearly a first-rate musician, both on guitar and keys. He never shows off, but you get the feeling he could if he wanted to. Very tasty and always the right part. I really like this disc. Phenomenation also sounds really good. Richard proudly announces in the liner notes that the whole thing was recorded in PARIS and mastered by Gavin Lurssen at The Mastering Lab and the audio quality delivers. Everything is very clear and sweet sounding, the bass is granite-solid and in just the right proportions, while the Vienna Symphonic samples sound like real orchestral parts. The CD is professionally manufactured, not duplicated, with great graphics throughout and on the disc itself. The art is beautiful and moody, and he included one of my favorite touches; a clear CD tray with more art behind it. Yeah! Gripes? Well, ok, a couple of times I wished for a bigger guitar sound. (Maybe a Hiwatt and a 4x12, but then I am a hard rock guy) Richard has a terrific CD here, one I recommend heartily. I have always said that I care less about big-time success than I care about knowing that my very best is there on the disc. After that, it is out of my hands. I wish Richard great success with the disc, but in the end, no matter how many he sells, (and he should sell millions in my opinion) he surely knows that he pulled it off, he ran the race, and he won. posted by DC Cicchetti at 1:54 PM