California Guitar Trio - (1994) Yamanashi Blues

The California Guitar Trio consists of three musicians who are not necessarily California bred; Bert Lams is from Belgium, Hideyo Moriya hails from Japan, and Paul Richards is the only native of the U.S.A. The three first crossed paths at a guitar seminar held at Robert Fripp's home in England in the late '80s. Lanis, Moriya, and Richards toured the U.S. and England as part of Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists until deciding to branch out on their own in the fall of 1990.

The band officially became the California Guitar Trio in February of '91, after relocating due to the fact that Lams was getting married and was moving there anyway. By starting out playing small clubs and coffeehouses on the West Coast, the group soon became well-known in guitar playing circles, thanks also to their Fripp/King Crimson connection. They were eventually signed to the Fripp/Crimson label Discipline Global Mobile, releasing 1994's Yamanashi Blues and 1995's Invitation. The group has toured intensely ever since their debut, opening for King Crimson, David Sylvian, Robert Fripp (solo and with his Robert Fripp String Quintet), and John McLaughlin, as well as headlining shows themselves; Pathways followed in 1998, and two years later the group resurfaced with Rocks the West. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

This is a LIVE PERFORMANCE. This album was recorded during a concert directly from the guitars. No voice miking -so there's not audience applause- and most important: NO STUDIO MIXING. They sound on the record as they did at the gig.
A real masterpiece from those kind of guitarist one expect to see live at least once in his life.

Track Listing:

01 Yamanashi Blues (2'21") - Bert Lams
02 Melrose Avenue (2'06") - Hideyo Moriya
03 Corrente (1'27") - J.S. Bach Keyboard BWV 825
04 Walk Don't Run (1'57") - Johnny Smith (Warner Chappell)
05 Ricercar (5'00") - J.S. Bach Musical Offering BWV 847
06 Pipeline (1'53") - Spickard-Carman (Regent Music Corp.)
07 Beeline (1'15") - Paul Richards
08 Chromatic Fugue in D minor (4'34") - J.S. Bach BWV 903
09 Tenor Madness (1'26") - Sonny Rollins (Fantasy Music)
10 Sleepwalk (2'17") - Santo & Johnny (Frank Music Company Ltd.)
11 Carnival (1'42") - Bert Lams
12 Prelude in C minor (1'44") - J.S. Bach well tempered clavier 1 BWV 903
13 Ciaccona (11'37") - J.S. Bach Partita II for Violin BWV 1004
14 Blockhead (2'12") - Paul Richards
15 Kan-non Power (3'21") - Hideyo Moriya

Personnel:

Bert Lams - Guitar
Hideyo Moriya - Guitar
Paul Richards - Guitar

*Includes full cover and booklet scan*