My thanks for Kurt for sending me a copy of his Stones from the Garden CD for review. And to Bad Dog Promotions for their help also.
The bio which accompanied the CD tells me that Kurt’s career goes way back to 1975 and that he’s worked with an impressive range of artists since then including Carl Palmer, The Babys, Chris Squire, Alan White and Billy Sherwood to name but a few.
Stones from the Garden was released in July of this year (2023) with Kurt handling guitar and vocals accompanied by an ensemble cast including Billy Sherwood popping up providing a bit of bass, drums and vocal.
Without any prior knowledge of Kurt’s work I had no idea of what to expect as I spun the CD for the first time curious as to what I’d hear.
Pleased to say Stones from the Garden is an interesting and varied listen. I’d describe it as generally progressive, laid back and a bit trippy and atmospheric in parts with melodic influences also. All skilfully done.
The opener – Trouble – a nice start with a laconic, beefy guitar and bass line, some nice keys and a fine guitar solo. Makes me think of early Blue Oyster Cult. Have a listen:
Why Must Life Be Such a Fight more of a melodic, proggy, poppy song with Kurt’s guitar adding much. He sure can play…..!
I’m in Love With That Dream goes in to seven and a half minutes of something to lose yourself in as you listen. Atmospheric, proggy, trippy ad more of Kurt’s excellent guitar.
Relax…Nothing’s Under Control a fun, bouncy and melodic one. Forever, Happiness and Will I Ever Pass This Way Again all enjoyable, varied and grew on me with each listen.
The tour de force however is the final track. The Road Beyond. A glorious seventeen minutes of a brooding, slow burning, hypnotic guitar based instrumental as Kurt stretches out demonstrating his considerable guitar chops with the lush keyboards making for a majestic nicely chilled out, atmospheric, progressive epic to close out the album.
Stones from the Garden is the type of album which opens up more with each listen and a nice varied mixture of mainly progressive stuff though with plenty more going on – and The Road Beyond…..wow!
Do check it out and also other stuff by Kurt from his Bandcamp or official web site:
https://kurtmichaels.net
https://kurtmichaels.bandcamp.com/album/stones-from-the-garden