Terry Bozzio

Terry Bozzio and Billy Sheehan: Nine Short Films

Veteran rocker Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, UK, Missing Persons, Bozzio Levins Stevens) has created another highly successful album with Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth).

As far as the musicianship is concerned, certainly nobody can argue about the immense talent these two guys have. Here Sheehan handles various basses and guitars while Bozzio, apart from the drums, also plays keyboards and…he sings!

Alright, he may not be the greatest vocalist around, but kudos for giving it a go. He’s certainly nicer to hear than Celine Dion. As for lyrics (all his own), well, they are definitely among the best I’ve heard in a long time.

The melange of these two players’ styles and backgrounds definitely makes for a grand listening experience. Through jazz and progressive, going by experiments a la Zappa, this is an album which grabs your attention and makes you think.

Truly out of the beaten path and something you’ll want to enjoy over and over again.

Bozzio Levin Stevens: Situation Dangerous

Quite the interesting mix of musicians. Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, UK, Missing Persons) on drums, Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), on basses, upright cello and Stick, and Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) on guitars. How could you go wrong?

For their second offering, the trio had time to work the music for several days. At least the outlines. The actual riffs, etc, are the result of improvisation.

The result cannot be pinned down to a single style. Some songs have a very Crimson influence, while others tend to be more jazzy. Also, some Flamenco guitar thrown in for good measure.

Perhaps less spontaneous than Black Light Syndrome, yet more diverse. Techniques galore, of course, but that’s what you get by putting together three musicians of this category together.

One interesting thing about it though, is that several songs (Endless, Spiral and others) don’t seem to come out of any of their respective backgrounds. More harmonic than the rest of their material. Overall, another great album by the trio.