LOU DeADDER – ALTERED REALITY

CD Review by D.M. Wells (copyright 2007)

Chuck Berry, in his classic “Rock and Roll Music”, wrote about changing the beauty of a melody “until it sounds just like a symphony”. True enough, but I love the orchestral ELO version of “Roll Over Beethoven”.

Guitarist LouD, as he is better known, is a master at creating beautifully complex melodies but, in instrumentals, they tend to get saturated in the intensity of the overall production. That’s not to say the results sound bad, but if it’s subtlety you’re seeking, forget it. Whether they are based in blues, jazz, funk, r&b or progressive rock, these songs pretty much adhere to a “take no prisoners” approach. The only exception to that personal impression is one of the brand-new compositions, “Randy’s Mushroom Song”, which is more of a musical seduction than a sonic assault.

The new brass-laden entries are “Groove Crew” and “Modal Therapy”, the latter which wavers between moderately mellow jazz and progressive rock, showcasing each of the different instrumentalists. These include four organists, three drummers, two trumpeters, one saxophonist, one bassist – Brett Piekarz, who co-produced and engineered the sound – and Lou DeAdder playing all of the prodigious guitar work. The smokin’ CD opener, “Hot Rod Beach Party”, pretty much sets the anthemic tone for what is to come. The title track, on a par of excellence with “Wobbly Pop”, is of the organ-filled, psychedelic jazz-rock variety that fans of Jeff Beck, Steve Vai and Captain Beyond would appreciate.

If you like your music hard, hot and heavy (not unlike that of Canada’s progressive rockers Rush), you’ll love this collection, which includes past instrumental recordings – the country-fried “Space Cowboy”, the classic blues-rocker “Wobbly Pop” (a.k.a. beer and “bum pudding”, its original title), “The Funky Strudel”, and “Struttin’”.

Lou’s own summary descriptions of the songs offer a more interesting perspective of these compositions, particularly regarding “Hod Rod Beach Party”, which he likens to a modern-day Martian gathering but featuring ’60s Disney Mouseketeers Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello – hilarious and right on the mark!

Altered Reality may take several listens to appreciate, particularly if you’ve forgotten your own rockin’ roots, but the musical genius of Lou DeAdder and company will eventually send you off a whole new plane of musical existence.

www.loudeadder.com

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