I first saw all three members of CGT perform with Trey Gunn, and Robert Fripp as part of the League of Crafty Guitartists (LoCG) over 20 years ago, in Poughkeepsie, NY. I distinctly remember being blown away at that time. The dedication and discipline exhibited by all of the graduates of Fripp's Guitar Craft program, was astounding.
CGT emerged from the LoCG several years later, in 1991, and established themselves as a musical force. While it has been great fun to see this band through their entire career, it is even more fun to have had the opportunity to get to know these fantastic musicians on a personal level.
This past week, I had the pleasure to hear CGT perform three times, in support of their new album Andromeda. First, at a benefit show at the FEFC on Thursday night (10/21/2010). Then, two shows at the One World Theater on Sunday (10/24/2010).
FEFC
From my involvement with AMF, I have become friends with CGT's former road manager, Bruce. As a result, in the past I have been able to see Bert Lams' side project with Tom Griesgraber appear in a string of house
concerts, last year. This time around, I was invited to a special benefit at FEFC.
The set list consisted of the following songs, and they played for almost 70 minutes:
- Cathedral Park
- Melrose Avenue
- Andromeda
- Bach Prelude in Circulation
- Walk Don't Run
- The Theme from HBO's John Adams Series
- Echoes
- Hazardous Z
- Classical Gas
- Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence Theme
- Portland Rain
- Chacarera
- Bach's Toccata and Fugue in Dm
- The Marsh
- Bohemian Rhapsody
Encore:
The acoustic treatment in this space was excellent, and I know that several people were blown away by their arrangement of Pink Floyd's, Echoes. The band said this was their Warm-up
show. Let me just say, they didn't need too much warming up
. They were already on top of everything.
One World Theater
The set list for both the early and late show were slightly different than FEFC, and of course featured some additional musicians. In particular, 4 percussionists from University of Texas Percussion Studio. Once again, there were 3 Vibraphones, but they added a Drum Set on stage. The 4 players cycled in during the first three songs, with the Drums only used on Melrose Avenue. As before, this added an extra layer of sound to this already dense performance.
On the first encore number, the combined group of guitarists and percussionist was also joined on stage by local artist and Berklee student, Suzanne Oleson on mandolin. I have also gotten to know the Suzanne's parents, who took some excellent shots and posted them on facebook.
- Cathedral Park
- Blockhead
- Andromeda
- Bach Prelude in Circulation
- Walk Don't Run
- The Theme from HBO's John Adams Series
- Echoes
- Hazardous Z
- Classical Gas
- Portland Rain
- Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence Theme - with the UT Percussion Studio
- Chacarera - with the UT Percussion Studio
- Bach's Toccata and Fugue in Dm
- The Marsh - with the UT Percussion Studio, and Suzanne Oleson on Mandelin
- Melrose Avenue - with the UT Percussion Studio
Encore:
I was unable to take a picture during the show, but here is one from afterwards at the Meet and Greet:
In closing, let me just say that the worst part will be having to wait another 12-18 months to see CGT back in Austin again!
Update
CGT has updated their site and now has pictures from the FEFC and the One World.
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