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Spiraling

Live CalProg, May, 2007

Review by Michael Bader

Spiraling’s 15 song set drew on songs from their two previously released CD’s, Challenging Stage and Transmitter. as well as testing pieces from their forthcoming untitled release this summer.
The education process with Spiraling began for me this day. Although Spiraling is part of this progressive rock festival, their performance had wonderful musical moments that would not allow the knowledgeable listener to pigeon hole them as progressive. In fact, depending upon the listeners’ point of reference, one could drop different songs into a wide variety of genres.

Tom Brislin is a dynamic singer/songwriter with wonderful upper vocal ranges and an internal source of melody and song which will one day result in great rewards for this inspiring group of young musicians. Brislin’s resume includes performing his keyboard artistry on tour with Yes, but his musical heart and passion is channeled through Spiraling. Their set included a Yes cover of “Tempus Fugit” from the album Drama (a rather controversial disc amongst Yes fans). .

John Warren
 
John Warren
   
He is an aggressive keyboardist whose talent has no limits. Marty O’Kane is a musically trained musician and guitarist whose backing vocals and harmonies lend a wonderful blend to the sound we know as Spiraling. The rhythm section of Paul Wells and Bob Hart are soulful and heartfelt.

Robert Smith
 
John Warren
   
Their show started and finished with songs from their first release, Challenging Stage, “You Can’t Get There,” “A Face for Radio” and “Texas is the Reason.” The title track “Transmitter,” “Lightening Twice” and “Living Proof” from the Transmitter album found their way into the middle of the set. I can only assume that the remaining songs were being tested for the first time, before a live studio (an oxymoron in this setting) audience, from their upcoming release. “You Might Say,” “The Future,”“Enemy” and “Borrowed Time” appear to be some of the stronger pieces that will anchor this summer’s release. I found “The Concept of the Quantum-Mechanical Bodymind has Sparked a Great Idea” to be one of the more innovative pieces of the day.

This is a great group of musicians that have a very serious work ethic founded on teamwork and friendship. I was afforded the opportunity to meet and talk with this group of insightfully sincere group of young musicians whose interview will be published in the next issue of MSJ. My learning process has just begun and I’m looking very forward to the next semester with Spiraling.

John Warren
 
John Warren
   
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2007 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
 
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