...the sound is tremendous, as are the performances...To these ears, (Moulder's aesthetic) is probing and kaleidoscopic.
With Metamorphosis, the soaring Chicago guitarist presents a new set of melodically rich compositions, exquisitely brought to life by the towering talents of pianist Richie Beirach, bassist Steve Rodby and drummer Paul Wertico. Their distinctive musical voices coalesce with Moulder's explorations of personal, cultural and spiritual transformations to create music that is as electrifying as it is beautiful. From the expansive, hard-charging "Game Changer" to the wide-open spaces of the "Metamorphosis Suite," the band covers vast musical territories, offering a celebration of color, atmosphere, and constant surprise.
"Mr. Moulder continues to sculpt his long-limbed lines as he makes the black dots leap off the page and come alive, as if voiced in splendour with aria-like colour and dynamics on an album of music to die for..." - Raul da Gama
Track Listing:
1. Game Changer 7:46
METAMORPHOSIS SUITE (2-8):
2. Metamorphosis (Intro) 2:05
3. Metamorphosis 10:36
4. Into the Dazzling Darkness (Intro) 2:36
5. Into the Dazzling Darkness 7:18
6. Morning Angels (Intro) 2:10
7. Morning Angels 7:28
8. Once in a Dark Night 7:49
9. Sarum 7:17
10. Magical Space 5:15
11. Soliloquy 7:21
All compositions by John Moulder BMI
Performers:
John Moulder - electric, acoustic and nylon string guitars
Richie Beirach - piano
Steve Rodby - acoustic bass
Paul Wertico - drums
Production Info:
Produced by John Moulder & Vijay Tellis-Nayak
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Vijay Tellis-Nayak
at Transient Sound, Chicago, IL
Recorded on May 4-5, 2019
Cover Image by Alex Kozlov
Artist photos by Harvey Tillis
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Metamorphosis
Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
Have Wertico and Rodby played anything this angular in the last 40 years? Backing up a different guitarist, the four jazzbos on board are playing an after hours sound where they get to try on new ideas the man normally wouldn't let them. So properly in the pocket you start to wonder where Mike Bard is when you need him. High octane boundary push ...
All About Jazz (Jack Bowers)
As approximately fifty of the sixty-eight minutes on Chicago-based guitarist John Moulder's new CD, Metamorphosis, are devoted to the seven-part "Metamorphosis Suite," that seems an appropriate point at which to start any appraisal of its contents and purpose. First and foremost, it is clear that considerable thought was given to mapping the struct ...
Take Effect (Tom Haugen)
The esteemed Chicago guitarist John Moulder finds himself in the company of Richie Beirach (piano), Steve Rodby (acoustic bass) and Paul Wertico (drums), as the quartet offer us highly rich and melodic compositions that weave in and out of stunning textures that can swing playfully but are also often very soulful.
"Game Changer" starts the list ...
