Jason Becker Perspective CD

Between the release of his first solo album, Perpetual Burn, in 1988 and the making of this, his second, speed metal guitarist Jason Becker suffered one of the most devastating blows a human being can: he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), the incurable ailment that gradually renders its victims paralyzed. Perspective was recorded during the period when Becker was losing his ability to move, much less play the guitar, and thus marks a transition from his days of frantic fretboard work to less speedy playing and to writing music that is played by other musicians and by computer; much of the album was written on a Mackintosh and then executed by guest performers. The result is that Becker, being unable to produce his usual heavy metal performances, has turned to a more varied musical palette, allowing in a wide range of musical influences. "Primal," the lead-off track, for example, has a Middle Eastern feel, while "Empire" is distinctly Oriental. The lengthy "End of the Beginning" displays classical influences, as does the Bach-like "Serrana." Becker's musical imagination is unfettered even if his body is disabled; he stuffs his tunes with different musical ideas, often taking them in surprising directions. In this sense, the most notable track is also the last written for the record, "Life and Death" ("The title speaks for what was on my mind at the time," he notes), which sounds like a group of musical cues for the soundtrack of an adventure film. Jason Becker is enduring a catastrophic fate physically, but he is using it to explore musical passages he might not have otherwise. Originally released on his own label in 1996, Perspective was reissued by Warner Bros. in 2001. A part of the proceeds goes to the ALS Therapy Development Foundation (www.als-tdf.org). ~ William Ruhlmann

Engineers include: Chris Minto, John Lowery, Tony Mills.

Personnel: Jason Becker (guitar, electric guitar, keyboards); Steve Perry (vocals, percussion); Melanie Rath, Joey Blake, Raz Kennedy, Brett Tuggle (vocals); Cathy Ellis, Caren Anderson, Anisha Thomas (soprano); Steve Hunter (guitar, rainsticks); Michael Lee Firkins (guitar); Gary Becker (classical guitar); Mike Bemesderfer (flute); Gary Schwantes (bamboo flute); David Stuligross (trombone); Danny Alvarez (piano, organ, keyboards, Synclavier, percussion); Gregg Bissonette (fretless bass, drums); Matt Bissonette (fretless bass); Steve Rosenthal (snare drum, cymbals); Rick Walker (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Danny Alvarez; Mike Bemesderfer; Jason Becker.

Recording information: Becker Home; Digital Audio Solutions; Dorado Recording; John Lowry Studios; Sound City Studios; Spark Productions; Spark Studios.

Editors: Danny Alvarez; Mike Bemesderfer.

Illustrator: Gary Becker.

Introduction by: Gary Becker.

Photographers: Ross Pelton; Gary Becker.

Unknown Contributor Role: Steve Hunter.

Arranger: Jason Becker.

1994 Release. Guest: Steve Perry

Personnel includes: Jason Becker (guitar, keyboards); Steve Perry, Brett Tuggle (vocals, percussion); Cathy Ellis, Mihoko Ito, Anisha Thomas, Caren Anderson, Natasha Hoehn, Michelle Clair, Jennie Bermsderfer, Irma De Los Santos, Joey Blake, Melanie Rath (vocals); Ron Becker (acoustic guitar); Michael Lee Firkins, Steve Hunter (guitar); Mike Bemesderfer (flute, keyboards); Gary Schwantes (bamboo flute); Laurie San Martin (bass clarinet); David Stuligross (trombone); Danny Alvarez (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Matt Bissonette (fretless bass); Gregg Bissonette (drums); Steve Rosenthal, Ricky Walker, Darren Driver (percussion); Raz Kennedy (background vocals).

Producers: Jason Becker, Danny Alvarez, Mike Bemesderfer.