Mike Keneally Band - Guitar Therapy Live: Like the Rush Replay X3 DVD release a couple weeks back, I can't even begin to pretend to be impartial here. Keneally is absolutely one of my all-time favorites. But that doesn't mean I'm going to steer you wrong — if I thought this wasn't an easily palatable platter of fine phonic fun, I would have little problem saying so. And that is most definitely not the case here.
With Guitar Therapy Live, guitarist Keneally has whittled the results of several seemingly spectacular shows down to one solid disc. I usually have problems with multi-show "live" documents, but sometimes they're just done right and luckily I can say that's how this one turns out. Instead of feeling like it's been edited together and suffering from being the sum of many parts, GTL becomes the greater whole. Even longtime fans who may have traded with other fans (with Keneally's consent) for dozens and dozens of his shows will find this a pleasing set. There isn't a dud moment in the entire runtime.
For those new to Keneally, he is best described as the heir to the Zappa throne, and don't take that lightly. While many may toss out the obvious names of Steve Vai and Zappa's own son, Dweezil, Keneally is the only guitarist who possesses the skills and taste needed to pull off what Frank himself could. Because Keneally is humble, you'll probably never see him mount a project such as Zappa Plays Zappa (also because he wouldn't technically fit the bill) but he absolutely deserves to be the one playing those solos. The spirit of Zappa lives on in Keneally — except maybe not as vulgar (you actually can play Mike's music for your entire family without fear of needing to skip over anything!)
Those interested in obtaining a session of Guitar Therapy are HIGHLY urged to do so via Keneally's official site where they can purchase the deluxe edition, which will not be available in stores and which features a bonus DVD of a full, uncut performance shot live last summer (some of which was used for the audio disc.)
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
i've gotta get the Thompson 1000 Years thing....been lusting after it for years.
Meldau: he'll be putting out a recording with Metheny at some point in the near future.
2 - Tom Johnson
Metheny and Mehldau . . . that'll be an incredible set, I'm sure. I haven't seen anything about that. Any word on when yet?
3 - Mark Saleski
swiped from the Metheny Group site:
This past December Pat and pianist Brad Mehldau teamed up for a long discussed and highly anticipated joint project together. Meeting in a New York recording studio for a week, the two musicians each arrived with an armful of new tunes written just for this occasion along with a few older pieces by both. The six day session resulted in what Pat has called "one of the most truly inspiring and satisfying collaborative occasions I have ever experienced". Look for the CD the last week of August. The music features Metheny/Mehldau duets and performances of Pat with the Brad Mehldau Trio (featuring Larry Grenadier and Jeff Ballard).
4 - J. P. Spencer
I saw Richard Thompson's "1000 Years Of Popular Music" show when it passed through Madison a few years ago. It was an hilarious night, and the band members he had with him were just great.
5 - Stephen V Funk
Mehldau and Metheny are also appearing together live at Symphony Center in Chicago in April 2007... probably touring other venues too...
I'm not sure if this will be a good duo or not... I'll try to keep my mind and ears open about it... Will definitely check out the CD...