Uncle Moe's Space Ranch - Uncle Moe's Space Ranch

Year of Release: 2001
Label: Tone Center-Shrapnel Records
Catalog Number: TC 4016
Format: CD
Total Time: 61:06:00

This CD is one of those rare finds that you have to listen to again and again with hopes of picking up all the musical variations and subtleties in each song. And that is the reason this is such a joy to listen to, there is something new to discover each time you give it a spin. I listened to it three times and I was more awed each time. This is jam band music, space rock, jazz, blues, rock and roll, and everything else in between. Uncle Moe's Space Ranch is led by the superlative guitar playing of Bret Garsed. The other equally endowed musicians found in this group are Gary Willis (bass), Scott Kinsey (keyboards), Dennis Chambers (drums), and TJ Helmerich (guitar). Helmerich plays an interesting looking guitar, it has no tuner ... it's chopped off at the top. I don't believe I have ever seen a six-string set up that way. I have seen bass guitars like that, but not a six-string electric guitar. Garsed and Helmerich exchange some terrific leads throughout this album, so I guess it doesn't matter what kind of guitars they have because they both sound great.

The nice thing about this band is the way they compliment and challenge each other while pushing the envelope. The music spills over the edge into unknown territory more than a few times, and it's oh so wonderful to hear. There is a little bit of everything here to satisfy one and all in some way. Keep in mind that it's all instrumental, with the exception of the end of the disc where the boys get weird and have some fun to close it all out. If you can appreciate the concentration and intricacies of the varied instrumental channels that empty into the vast ocean of musical waves, you will love this, if not, then its best that you pass on this. In my opinion anyone that really has an understanding and appreciation of good music can find something to enjoy on all eight tracks on this CD. You would be foolish to pass this one up, it's a real keeper.

Tracklisting:
Colliding Chimps (6:17) / Tjhelmerich@earthlink.net (7:04) / Swarming Goblets (7:14) / SighBorg (7:22) / He's Havin' All That's His To Be Had (7:16) / Minx (9:09) / I Want A Pine Cone (6:42) / A Thousand Days (5:30)

Musicians:
Brett Garsed - guitar
Gary Willis - bass
Scott Kinsey -keyboards
Dennis Chambers - drums
TJ Helmerich - guitar

Discography:
Uncle Moe's Space Ranch (2001)
Uncle Moe's Space Ranch II: Moe's Town (2007)

Genre: Fusion-Jazz Fusion

Origin US

Added: December 21st 2001
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck

Artist website: www.brettgarsed.com
Hits: 3304
Language: english