STEWART COPELAND

Thanks for the "Discovering Gizmo" link! What a great look at this diverse bunch. Can you believe those machine gun fills? And Stewart's just like, "Ho-hum, I do this all the time, la-dee-dah."

Nice reggae feel on "Koteja," huh? That guitarist is great! Love those bizzare shakers that Stew is using. What was he singing/chanting, though?

Ok, my spelling stinks - [b]bizarre![/b] Sorry!

Yeah, I let out a little squee when I found that on youtube.

I really hope it was part of or a preview of a Gizmo DVD/CD release a la the Orchestralli & Notte della Taranta sets (hint, hint, fingers crossed...?)

Yes, thank you, Sockii!

That sounds like another clip i need to add to my database! It may be the only way i ever get to hear any live Rythmatist material!

Taranta and Orchestralli were so well done, it would be great to see Stewart continue producing sets like those. Who know, the Gizmo set may already be in the can, something that Stewart maybe just needs to sign off on?

I did a little review of Taranta in my own old "Thanks Sockii thread that you probably missed since i posted while you were away in Italy, so here it is again, slightly modified:

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Although he serves as Maestro, producer, arranger and performer, his presence is still surprisingly subdued. I can see why i couldn't find this using a Stewart Copeland search. His name only appears in small print on the front cover The link on your (Sockii's) page proved to be the quickest way to find it.

On my first go-round with the cd, i experienced some mild disappointment. I knew i would be digging on it over time, but i was looking for that hook; that song that grabbed me from the get-go.

Then the it hit me: Santu Paulu! Fantastic work from beginning to end, full of the high energy and positive vibes. It features multiple vocalists, all of whom take their turns with great authority. The rhythm is unbelievalby catchy. It captured the spirit of ensemble that the package itself purported to tap. It held me aloft!

I finally got it! I realized my lack of responsiveness on the first six tunes was just me warming up my ears. I was hungry for more, so i popped in the dvd and... got a disc error. Damn! One of my worries in buying dvd imports is a concern for region compatibility. The next player i tried gave the same error. Finally i popped it in my computer and it played fine.

I've been listening to/watching the dvd all evening, and just eating it up! Now i can't understand how i was able to differentiate so drastically between the songs on the first listen.. they're ALL great!

Stewart's trademark humor caps off the dvd. He signs off for the audience in full hand-waving glory. I'll transcribe it here as best i can:

"Music for all the people to sing and dance and play. The grass rises up to greet the sun, and together with harmony, we lie with the leaves blowing gently over our souls, which rise up and give to the people.. the bounty of our love!"

At this point, Stewart is reaching out directly into the camera and smiling heartily. Holy crap, this would make the funniest animated gif, much like the one somebody here had of his JTTOU 1st season stint. His hands are everywhere!
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Y'know, i just recently did master that .gig thing..!