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| Part 2 of the Tony Levin Interview! |
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| Q: You have had a great relationship with Jerry Marotta throughout the years. you really seem to bring the best out in each other when you play together. I thought he was really playing some incredible and innovative stuff on "Pieces of the Sun". As You stated in some of the linear notes, it was 'Jerry playing the kind of stuff that only Jerry could play'. What is it that makes Jerry a special player? A: Jerry is very musical and he has a lot of talent outside of the drum kit. He finds ways to bring that into his drumming, whether it is finding an unusual sounding kit (Taos drums) or a unique part. Whatever it is, he is always focused (like I try to be) on the composition and what will work best for it. On tour, I will have Jerry playing sax and guitar, maybe even electric guitar with funk fingers, so he'll be a busy guy on stage! Q: When did You start playing the bass guitar? Was it Your first instrument? A: I played a little piano, but chose the bass when I was about 10 years old. Q: Tony, You were one of the first musicians to bring the Chapman Stick prominently into the public eye. I was wondering how You came about using the Stick and do You remember which project You first used it on? A: I was an early user of the stick for sure. First session I brought it to was Gap Mangione- don't remember the name of the record. Soon after that I took it to Peter Gabriel's first solo recording (1976) where I remember being told by the producer (ednote: Bob Ezrin) to "put that thing back in the case!" Q: Your extensive resume' throughout the years meant that you got to work with a lot of great drummers, however I know that you have a great rapport with guys like Bill Bruford and Jerry Marotta. What do You think are the key catalysts for a great bass player like Yourself to click with a drummer to make a great rhythm section? A: If the drummer is very good, there's no effort in 'clicking' with him- it's easy. The excellent drummers I've worked with all have different styles, and I do adapt my playing a bit depending on what's going on in the drums (and indeed what's going on in the whole track). What is common with the great drummers is that they make life easier for the bass players, not harder! Q: In a recent interview I did with Pat Mastelotto, he was telling Me about some of the outrageous and unique things You guys were doing in the studio for the new California Guitar Trio album. I was wondering if You had any insight You could share with us about the new album? A: It's an excellent album featuring, I think, the best of what the CGT does, combined with Me and Pat doing our thing. I expect release this summer on DGM records. We got pretty wild in the studio as well as locking in on some classics ("Heart Of the Sunrise") and getting very far out on some improvs. I seem to remember My whistling and doing duck calls into the bass amp mike! Q: Knowing how the endless cycle of hybrids keep evolving in King Crimson, is there a possibility that we will see You back in the fold again soon? A: I certainly hope to be back in the band at some time. We never plan too far ahead, so there's no telling where and when, but I do know there is a mutual musical respect between Me and the guys, and whatever the current status of the band, I do feel like I am a member. Q: Tony, I really love Your website! It looks like You have had a great time putting it together. Being as involved and up to speed on the internet as I know You are, how do You think it helps/hurts an artist or band to be widely accessible on the internet? A: Well, I was a web guy from way back, so starting a site was a natural move, and my site has remained the 'old school' style, being mostly about content and not flashy graphics and softpedalling the commercial side as was expected before pop up sales windows became so common. I do sell my PapaBear CDs, books, and artwork on the site, but mostly it is a road diary, with lots of photos and stories and whomever I'm playing with, and lots of links. Q: Tony, I want to thank you so much for joining Me here on my website and I wanted to ask You if there were any other projects in the works following the T-Lev band tour this spring? A: I will be doing other touring this year, and trying to mix in other T-Lev band tours with that. My current plans (all rock tour plans should be considered tentative until they actually happen!) are: Tony Levin band U.S. tour March 25-May 5, rehearsing and touring with Vonda Shepard (along with Jerry Marotta) May 6-July 10, Further Tony Levin band touring July 15-September. Possible touring then: California Guitar Trio & Pat Mastelotto OR Peter Gabriel?? Who knows! |