Al Rose Information Overload CD

Al Rose made his long-awaited debut with Information Overload. He had been writing songs and performing solo, acoustic, and was best-known in the Midwest for leading his large band, The Transcendos. His fascinating lyrics are brought to life by his distinctive voice and quirky musical style. Al played acoustic and electric guitar, flute, harmonica and alto sax on this recording. The Transcendos were Steve Hashimoto (bass), Laura Blye(vox), Mike Smith (guitar), Maury Smith (guitar and mandolin), Heath Chappell (drums), and Melinda Banks (vox). The thirteen originals are complemented by a version of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth" (the 1967 Buffalo Springfield hit) and the country standard "Long Black Veil" (a 1959 charter for Lefty Frizzell).Al's musical soul rose early. Studying flute from 4th grade until losing interest in high school, he picked up an old guitar collecting dust in the basement and became obsessed, not as a guitarist, but as a songwriter and singer. Soon came the college coffeehouse gigs and rock bands including a critical and personally satisfying stint as co-leader of Chicago based Buffalo Trout. With fevered pitch and hearty focus, Rose formed The Transcendos: his true point of embarkation. Flexibly powerful, from dada gospel to caffeinated pick; explosive rhythm to sparest hush; swampy improv groove to country shine, the 'Cendos nail them to the wall.The songs bloomed with Rose's stream of metaphor lyrics connecting our disjointed artifacts of life. A slice of life in a traffic jam. Raindrops on the basil baked on the setting sun with a slow low rise style. His word sculptures enlighten the random moment telescoping and microscoping a personal sky where the knives wait to cut and eyes adjust to the dark, open wide. Rose has always approached the recording process by serving the song and, working with gifted co-producer and engineer Blaise Barton, Al has released four stunning discs all available at CDBABY.COM : Information Overload (1994), Naked In A Trailer (1996), Pigeon's Throat (2000), and Gravity Of Crow (2003). Each stands alone. In series they expose Al's evolving habit of craft. It's so easy to hear the time and care, the patience and skill, the garlic and wine that went into the work. Listen.Al's wild ride spontaneous live shows, whether solo, full band, or configuration in between, coast and roll you inside out. You know the way a surprisingly loud crackly fire manages to give off a warm, steady glow? Yeah.

Liner Note Author: Harlan Wallach.

Recording information: ACME Recording, Chicago, IL.

Illustrator: Harlan Wallach.

Photographer: Harlan Wallach.

Personnel: Al Rose (vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, harmonica, recorder, alto saxophone); Mike Smith (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Steve Gibons (violin); Barry Winograd (baritone saxophone); Fred Simon (organ); Heath Chappell (drums, percussion).

Audio Mixers: Al Rose; Blaise Barton.