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Gideon King & City Blog: City Blog

By Paul Naser
November 10, 2015
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New York based guitarist/composer Gideon King's unique musical upbringing has allowed him to blend emotional, compelling songwriting that incorporates sophisticated harmonies and the always engaging element of improvisation. King says of himself, " My brother, a well-known jazz pianist... cleverly referenced

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner,

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane,

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans, and many others. My sisters, on the other hand, were... celebrating the lyrics and melodies of

Neil Young

guitar
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Neil Young,

Bob Dylan

guitar and vocals
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Dylan,

Joni Mitchell

vocals
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Joni Mitchell and... My parents... insisted that classical music was the only heightened form of musical expression. I was engaged by all of these different sounds..."

If King's newest release with Gideon King & City Blog reminds you of

Steely Dan

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Steely Dan, it should come as no surprise. The band was a huge influence on King and he similarly enlists a who's who of contemporary musical giants to help bring his music to life. King's past recordings have enlisted musicians such as

John Scofield

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">John Scofield and

Donny McCaslin

saxophone, tenor
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Donny McCaslin (who returns on this project), and City Blog is no different in this regard.

Enlisting heavy hitting musicians like bassists

James Genus

bass
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">James Genus and

Matt Penman

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Penman, pianist

Kevin Hays

piano
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Hays and saxophonist McCaslin ensures that every song on the album has a solid groove as a foundation while the rest of the rich instrumentation, including several vocalists and King himself on guitar, layer beautiful textures around his powerful melodies.

The title track and opener, "City Blog" is probably the most direct homage to Steely Dan and features a stunning solo by Kevin Hays while Genus' driving electric bass groove keeps everything moving forward. The second track, "See in Double," is beautiful and contemplative and works very well as a contrast to the danceable opener. Donny McCaslin's solo here brings the track to an unexpected peak before it relaxes back into its initial mood. Other highlights include "Glide" which features Matt Penman on upright bass, and the moody yet comforting "Dirty Bastard."

Fans of Steely Dan will undoubtedly get a lot from City Blog, but so will fans of contemporary songwriters such as

Norah Jones

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Norah Jones, and even listeners of introspective composers like

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny will find similarities between King's harmonically conscious, melody driven songs and Metheny's melodic sensibilities.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

City Blog; See In Double; Down; New York Is; Friendship Clich��; What Say You; Glide; Dirty Bastard; Just Play; Broken Noise

Personnel

Gideon King

guitar

Gideon King: Lead Electric, acoustic, and synth guitars, vocals, background vocals various noises; James Genus: Electric and upright bass; Matt Penman: Upright Bass; Kevin Hays: Piano; Willard Dyson: Drums; Donald Edwards: Drums; Donny Mccaslin: Saxophone and Flute; Andy Gravish: Trumpet; Grace Weber: Vocals, Background Vocals; Marc Broussard: Vocals; Elliott Skinner: Vocals, Background Vocals; Saul Kurtz: Vocals; Carolyn Leonhart: Vocals, Background Vocals; Matt Powell: Background Vocals

Album information

Title: City Blog | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

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