THE ZEN TRICKSTERS

"Shaking Off The Weirdness"

Zebra Tango Records

Okay, this is the long awaited acoustic CD from the Tricksters trio - Jeff Matson, Klyph Black, Tom Circosta.

Overall this is a brilliant CD. It opens with "Talk Of The Town". This has a blues / boogie rhythm, Buddy Cage contributing pedal steel and Rob Barraco on piano. The song has great pace and excellent bass. Cage's pedal steel enhances the tune greatly. There is slide guitar in there and excellent vocals. There is some nice picking in the middle and the whole tune segues into a freeform instrumental with psych fuzz guitar which reminds me of some of the sounds on "Baron Von Tolbooth". This becomes a long meandering jam. 'My generosities over when my pockets are clean' - nice opener.

This is followed by "Light Of Life" by Klyph. This has a String Cheese sound with mountain / country feel. Some great fiddle playing by Jason Crosby takes this tune to new heights while the rhythm is kept going with bouncing bass and clean guitar picking.

"All Night Long Blues" follows - a traditional sounding tune. Nice dobro slide and picking - brought a big smile to my face. Wonderful.

"Waiting For A Sign" is a nice gentle tune with great vocals and picking. Jason Crosby appears again, this time on baritone fiddle, adding a new dimension of flowing counterpoint backing the guitars. '..leave that world behind you now - caught inside that spinning wheel, waiting for a change…'

"Sleepwalking" is an upbeat song from Jeff Matson. Rob Barraco, on piano, adds a filigree backing. The vocals are enhanced by the inclusion of Wendy Lanter ane song is so sweet. '…have I slept through the rising of the sun? I'm sleepwalking again'. The tune builds from the vocals as guitar and piano take the lead for the bridge then peaks and falls back for the end of the lyrics. Another nice one!

"Last Ten Years" is a plodding, gentle tune. It's a kind of 'road' song - very pleasant. Here we have Lil' Cliff Bernard on harp giving this song a great blues sound.

"The One" is a nice, simple tune with narrative lyrics - very philosophical! '…I can see so clear that you were the one' - thanks Jeff. With addition of Barraco piano this tune reminds me of "Ripple" and "China Doll" by The Dead.

"No One Said It Would Be Easy" is a gutsy, guitar orientated tune with close harmonies. There is a delicate acoustic guitar break. It's a song about the addiction of love and the passing of time.

"High Horse" is next. I have listened to this many times and still find new meanings. Jeff has really worked at these lyrics. This is a story of sadness and fear as a man seeks the love of a lady. But, as she says to him, 'this crown you wear is more cross than you can bear' This is a complex, interesting song. It is kept going with steady, rhythmic percussion while guitars dance in the instrumental break. The pace slows down for the final refrain - '..a statue of a hero keeps vigil in the square - no one knows who put it there - but people love a fountain and birds live in its hair'. I need to listen to this some more!

The final track on the CD is a beautiful ragtime tune called "The Dean Street Mess Around". Jason Crosby, Rob Barraco and Cliff Bernard take fiddle, piano and blues harp solos throughout. There are fine guitar breaks too. This is a superb tune to end the CD. I could just imagine the Tricksters sitting on the back porch, watching the sun go down, with a bottle of Jack Daniels and I would be there - for sure!

This is a wonderful acoustic CD. I have the other two CDs and have heard lots of electric shows over the years + recent acoustic shows. This has to be the Zen Tricksters' finest achievement to date.

- Dave Bulbeck

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