The Calling | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 2003 | |||
Recorded | 2000 | |||
Venue | Exocet Studio, Atlanta, Georgia | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 1:02:06 | |||
Label | Inio Music 82327 10292 | |||
Producer | Rodney Mills, Aquarium Rescue Unit | |||
Aquarium Rescue Unit chronology | ||||
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The Calling is an album by the Aquarium Rescue Unit. The band's second record following the departure of former frontman Bruce Hampton, it was recorded in 2000 at Exocet Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, and was released in 2003 by Inio Music. The album features guitarist Jimmy Herring, keyboardist and flutist Kofi Burbridge, bassist Oteil Burbridge, vocalist Paul Henson, and drummer Sean O'Rourke, plus a number of guest musicians. [1] [2] [3]
Producer and journalist George Graham wrote: "On The Calling the band continues to shows its Southern rock roots throughout... With the re-emergence of The A-R-U we have the return of an outstanding group who last appeared before there was much of a contemporary jam band scene. Their musicianship is beyond reproach and the jazz-fusion influence gives this CD added artistic heft." [4]
In a review for The Aspen Times , Stewart Oksenhorn stated: "It's hard to evaluate The Calling without comparing it to the albums with the original lineup. Yes, the instrumentation is fabulous complex and hard-hitting. But Henson, a good singer, doesn't have the vocal character of Hampton... The Calling is good, but that original mojo is missing. Calling the Colonel!" [5]
Jesse Jarnow of Jambands.com called the album "a pale, pale shadow of what the band once represented," and commented: "Instead of reveling in it, the music now only borders on the abstract, instead favoring an adult contemporary liteness that is so far in that I'm almost willing to accept it as a big joke... What's missing, conceptually, is the band's triumphant sense of playfulness." However, he acknowledged that "it's always a joy to hear Jimmy Herring and Oteil Burbridge play music together." [6]
A reviewer for ProGGnosis described the album as "a funky, soulful, r&b centered mix, with some slants towards fusion and jam rock," and remarked: "for those that enjoy a sincere, downhome, Southern r&b feel, with vocal oriented songs, paired with members that just happens to have the credentials to be a hot fusion band, a band that rears that venom from time to time, this is a great cd!" [7]
Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit is a jazz fusion group founded by Col. Bruce Hampton. The band gained popularity in the Atlanta club scene in the early 1990s and went on to tour with the first H.O.R.D.E. Tour. During their formative years, the band was composed of Bruce Hampton, Oteil Burbridge, Jimmy Herring, Jeff Sipe, Matt Mundy, and Count M'Butu. Jeff Mosier and Charlie Williams were members of the band during the early years, but left to pursue other endeavors. Although the band was never commercially successful, their combination of bluegrass, rock, Latin, blues, jazz, funk, and impeccable chops became a template for future bands.
Jimmy Herring is the lead guitarist for the band Widespread Panic. He is a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit and Jazz Is Dead and has played with The Allman Brothers Band, Project Z, Derek Trucks Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, and The Dead.
Oteil Burbridge is an American multi-instrumentalist, specializing on the bass guitar, trained in playing jazz and classical music from an early age. He has achieved fame primarily on bass guitar during the resurgence of the Allman Brothers Band from 1997 through 2014, and as a founding member of the band Dead & Company. Burbridge was also a founding member of The Aquarium Rescue Unit and Tedeschi Trucks Band, with whom his brother Kofi Burbridge was the keyboardist and flautist. He has worked with other musicians including Bruce Hampton, Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Bill Kreutzmann and Derek Trucks.
Bruce Hampton was an American musician. He was a key figure in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene, mentoring numerous other musicians who became national stars. His own musical style was avant-garde, combining elements of jazz, fusion, southern rock and jam band styles.
Vida Blue is the debut album by Vida Blue, a trio featuring Phish keyboard player Page McConnell along with bass guitarist Oteil Burbridge and drummer Russell Batiste. It was recorded and released during Phish's break from touring.
The Illustrated Band is the second album from Vida Blue, featuring Phish keyboardist Page McConnell along with bassist Oteil Burbridge and drummer Russell Batiste.
Live at Georgia Theatre is the fifth album and first live album by American artist Derek Trucks and The Derek Trucks Band released in 2004. The recording marks the first appearance of the band’s newest member, vocalist Mike Mattison.
Joyful Noise is the third studio album by The Derek Trucks Band, released on September 2, 2002. It features an eclectic mix of music, ranging from gospel, blues, jazz fusion, Latin music, to East Indian music. Many of the songs feature special guests, including Trucks' wife Susan Tedeschi, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, the nephew of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and a respected singer in his own right, and soul artist Solomon Burke. The album was produced by noted producers Russ Kunkel and Craig Street and was recorded at the Bearsville and Sunset Sound Studios. This is also the first album to feature the songwriting and musical talents of the band's newest member, Kofi Burbridge; keyboardist, flautist, and backing vocalist for the band, as well as brother to Oteil Burbridge, bassist in The Allman Brothers Band, with whom Derek Trucks is also a member.
In a Perfect World is a 1994 studio album by the Aquarium Rescue Unit. It was the band's first studio album, following two live releases, and their first record following the departure of former frontman Bruce Hampton.
"Basically Frightened" is a song written by Col. Bruce Hampton, Tinsley Ellis and Ricky Keller. The song was first recorded and released on Col. Bruce Hampton's 1986 solo album "Arkansas" on Landslide Records.
Matthew Dutot Slocum is a keyboardist who collaborates predominantly with southern jazz, funk, fusion and blues musicians. He has worked with Susan Tedeschi, Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring, Allman Brothers bassist Oteil Burbridge, The Magpie Salute, and Railroad Earth among many others.
Kofi Burbridge was an American keyboardist and flautist of the blues and blues rock group Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Mirrors of Embarrassment is an album by the American band Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit. It is dedicated to Wayne Bennett.
Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit is a live album by the band of the same name. It was recorded at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia, and was released in 1992 by Capricorn Records. On the album, band leader Bruce Hampton is joined by guitarist Jimmy Herring, mandolin player Matt Mundy, keyboard player Chuck Leavell, bassist Oteil Burbridge, conga player Count Mbutu, and drummer Jeff Sipe, listed as "Apt. Q-258."
The Family Secret is the second album by Oteil and the Peacemakers, a band led by bassist Oteil Burbridge. It was released on CD in 2003 by Artists House. On the album, Burbridge is joined by Mark Kimbrell on guitar, Jason Crosby on keyboards and violin, Kebbi Williams on saxophone, Paul Henson on vocals, and Chris Fryar on drums. The disc is accompanied by a DVD that features a video of the recording session, a lesson with Burbridge, interviews, lead sheets, and more.
Love of a Lifetime is the debut album by Oteil and the Peacemakers, a band led by bassist Oteil Burbridge. It was recorded at The Cave Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, and was released on CD in 1998 by Nile Music. On the album, Burbridge is joined by Kofi Burbridge on flute and keyboards, Mark Kimbrell and Regi Wooten on guitar, Kebbi Williams on saxophone, and Marcus Williams and Woody Williams on drums.
Frogwings was an American jam band supergroup founded by Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks. Despite the fact that they were popular on the jam band circuit and at festivals, the group released only one album.
Croakin' at Toad's is a live album by jam band supergroup Frogwings. The group's sole release, it was recorded at Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut and The Wetlands in New York, New York, and was released on CD in 2000 by Butch Trucks' label Flying Frog Records. The album features John Popper on harmonica and vocals, Jimmy Herring and Derek Trucks on guitar, Kofi Burbridge on keyboards and flute, Oteil Burbridge on bass, Marc Quinones on percussion, and Butch Trucks on drums.
Believer is the third album by Oteil and the Peacemakers, a band led by bassist Oteil Burbridge. It was released on CD in 2005 by Rattlesby Records. On the album, Burbridge is joined by Mark Kimbrell on guitar, Matt Slocum on keyboards, Paul Henson on vocals, and Chris Fryar on drums.
Lifeboat is an album by guitarist Jimmy Herring. His first release as a leader, it was recorded in Georgia, United States, and was issued by Abstract Logix in 2008. On the album, Herring is joined by keyboardist and flutist Kofi Burbridge, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and drummer Jeff Sipe, along with guest musicians Greg Osby (saxophone), Derek Trucks, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Ike Stubblefield (organ), Scott Kinsey (organ), Matt Slocum (keyboards), and Tyler Greenwell (drums).