Steve Hunter’s slightly distorted lead guitar cuts over a solid beat from drummer Alvino Bennett, low down moments from bassist Tony Levin and a subtle Phil Aaberg organ slippin’ and slidin’ on the opener “The Idler” from Hunter’s Tone Poems Live. “The Deacon,” as Hunter has been affectionately called over his noted career, has played famous riffs for the likes of Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and Peter Gabriel. That talent extends to these 11 songs on this album.
“Flying Hippo” is a grooving blues workout that has Hunter all but talking with his expressive playing. The thing with a guitarist as adept as Steve Hunter is, is that he not only slices up strong melody lines but can blaze around them pretty damn good with a lead, adding to the whole without ever just showing off. Here he is pulling off and bending with great aplomb on a tune that simply pops.
Aaberg lays a sweet piano bed under Hunter for the angelic “Glidepath” and then Levin slips in softly, making this ballad one of the album’s shining moments. We’re into slow jazz noodling on “Riviera Paradise” with a sly Tony Levin bassline, a nearly kinetic electric piano from Aaberg, and the subtle playing from Bennett. A spry, overdubbed electric guitar informs a version of Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill” (Hunter played the acoustic guitar intro on the original).
“Freeway Rider” has Hunter bending, pulling and picking with nary a distorted note anywhere as he sails over a popping snare and electric piano. Levin is so understated here he is almost non-existent. Piano and soft guitar bends fill out “Of All Times To Leave.” You want expert guitar playing, sweet lyrical instrumental compositions, great players — get your hands on Steve Hunter’s Tone Poems Live.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
