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Don Schiff — Anthology
(ProgRock Essentials PRE-0006, 2005/2023, 3CD)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2024-11-17

Anthology Cover art

There is no doubt that bassist Don Schiff has pioneered and mastered the Chapman Stick, NS/Stick, and bowed guitar. He helped popularize the NS/Stick and a technique of using a carabiner as a slide and tapping device. He has been able to achieve amazing results and the sound of a full band on his solo releases. Don is a member of the Rocket Scientists, as well as playing on several Lana Lane releases, TV, and film sessions. This new 3CD collection Anthology reissues Don’s three solo albums: Timeless (1999), Wait by the River (2002), and Peering Over Clouds (2005). Timeless is the only album without a drummer. Instead he used drum loops throughout this uninspired set of derivative pop songs that sound like a mix of “In Your Eyes” era Peter Gabriel, 90s Eric Clapton, and middle of the road jazz rock fusion. The only two tracks that may be of interest are the instrumentals “Assassins Notebook” and “Emmett’s Prelude.” The other eight songs just fall flat. Then there is an uncredited mystery track which happens to be a seven second longer version of “Assassins Notebook.” Wait by the River is not any better. However, this time around drummer Rob Doo assists Don’s Stick, keyboards, and drum loops. A real drummer does help these solo efforts, but once again there are only two tracks that show any imagination: “Louienstein” and “With Life in Hand.” And there is a mystery track at the end of this as well, a one second longer version of “Letters to the Sand.” How do mistakes like this happen? Is no one verifying the tracks on each disc are correct and match the CD case before committing the package to production? Then something must have happened between 2002 and 2005 to convince Don to not write songs and sing, and focus more on composition, as Peering Over Clouds is a quantum leap forward from his first two mediocre albums. On his third album, Don enlisted Greg Ellis on percussion to augment his NS/Stick, and you would have no idea whatsoever that there are only two instruments on this album. The wide range of textures, chords, and technique for a full band sound showcases Don’s virtuosity on his instrument of choice. Rather than reissuing all three albums, Progrock.com’s Essentials would have been better off just reissuing Peering Over Clouds — that is the only album worthy of the label progressive rock. Really cannot recommend that you spend your hard earned money on Anthology, instead you would be better served seeking out a copy of Peering Over Clouds.

Filed under: Archives, 2023 releases, 2005 recordings

Related artist(s): Don Schiff

More info
http://essentials.progrock.com/product/don-schiff-anthology/

 

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