Grant Geissman Business As Usual CD

Grant Geissman negotiates and delivers a world class joint venture on his hit CD, Business as Usual. With arrangements for electric, electrical classical, classical, string acoustic and acoustic guitar on 12 tunes written by Grant, it's no wonder Geissman fans continue to be amazed by his brilliant string virtuosity. The title track opens the set with a high-energy stratocaster solo by Geissman with Sam Riney wailing on alto saxophone. "Chase The Dragon" features a funky dance-oriented rhythm, while "Gypsies" adds a Latin perspective to the set with Grant on classical and acoustic guitar. The exotic harmony of electric sitar with acoustic guitar (with tabla by Brad Dutz) on "India" adds another dimension to the Geissman string instrument collection. "Quiet Time" is pensive and portentous of the "smooth" guitar work that follows on "Tears Like Rain" -- unlike the more organic flavor of Rustic Technology. Grant Geissman is truly a world-class string virtuoso with global appeal and a command of his instruments. This CD lends the listener an "around the world" feeling and welcomes you back home to Business as Usual. ~ Paula Edelstein

A popular contemporary jazz recording artist in his own right, Grant's previous four releases have all been in the Top 10 on the national airplay charts. Two of these albums, Flying Colors and Time Will Tell, rose to the #1 position on the Gavin, MAC, and Radio and Records charts! On Business As Usual, his tenth solo album and the first for Positive Music, Grant makes a triumphant return to musical expression on the electric guitar, after concentrating solely on acoustic treatments for his last four albums. Says Grant, "I found that I missed the snap and funky quality that I can get out of the electric guitar. I haven't abandoned the acoustic but on this album, I allowed myself to pick the most appropriate instrument for each song."Business As Usual, the album's title track, proves that Grant hasn't lost either his lightning-fast touch or his ability to create memorable jazz/pop structures. Chase the Dragon is a dead-on instrumental tribute to the legendary bad-boys of jazz/pop, Steely Dan. Check out the Steely Dan Horn Section featuring Bob Shepherd! Gypsies is another homage, this time to the musical sensibilities of the Gypsy Kings. Grant plays a scorching nylon string guitar on this one. Thinking Out Loud is a medium tempo ballad and features a beautiful solo by guest Sam Riney on soprano saxophone and some gorgeous writing and arranging from Grant. Tomorrow the World, written by Grant and bassist Lloyd Moffitt in 12/8 time, features a great Geissman guitar solo and some classic Sam Riney saxophone work. Skin Deep was co-written by Geissman and keyboardist Dan Siegel. The track captures Grant and Dan in one of their best "late night" jam grooves. India finds Geissman playing the electric sitar. Percussionist Brad Dutz plays the tabla, and Dan Siegel again guests on keyboards. Quiet Time is an introspective and hauntingly beautiful ballad written by Grant and keyboardist Emil Palame. Geissman chooses the nylon string guitar for this piece. The Hardest Part is a funky track featuring Grant on electric and nylon string guitars and keyboard bass, and Emil Palame on Fender Rhodes electric piano. Tears Like Rain is a sensuous, moody, and evocative ballad penned by Geissman and Los Angeles-based writer Joe Curiale. Miles Apart is a minor-based piece which contains echoes of such diverse influences as Mason Williams's "Classical Gas", the Police, and Spanish composers like Rodrigo. Chase the Dragon (long version) is the unedited complete version of the song which adds a jazzy piano solo by Emil Palame.

Principally recorded at General Confusion Music, Sherman Oaks, California on May 2-10, 1995.

All songs written or co-written by Grant Geissman.

Personnel: Grant Geissman (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guit