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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Quinn Sternberg Walking On Eggshells Review by Gary Hill I previously reviewed another set from Quinn Sternberg. Like that one, this lands under prog because it's essentially fusion. I think this might be the stronger disc of the two, but they are both great. As I mentioned in the other review, since Sternberg plays bass, you might expect that that instrument would be using up most of the spotlight. That's not true at all. Sternberg finds some opportunities to shine, but overall this is always about the music as a whole, rather than one performer's work. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2023 Volume 5 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2023.

Track by Track Review

Walking On Eggshells The title track (and the album) start with piano. The cut works out from there to some classy jazz grooves. This builds out and really gets into some powerful territory before it's over.

Inferiority Complex While this gets going as more mainstream jazz, it shifts dramatically turning toward more experimental fusion jamming as it continues. As strong as the opener was, this leaves it in the dust. It's just such a powerful and unexpected musical exploration.

Green Eyed Baby This is another powerhouse, fusion-styled number. While everyone shines on this thing, there is some particularly strong bass and guitar work built into it.

Ripple While this is mellower, it's no less rich and powerful. It's a slow moving cut with plenty of magic built into it.

Yuri Gagarin The percussion has some unusual and powerful moments along the ride here. This gets into some suitably soaring jamming. This covers both mainstream and fusion jazz concepts.

Meadow's Murmur I really love the guitar work on this thing. It's such a strong number that gradually builds in intensity as it continues marching forward.

Melting Clock There is some great shifts and turns along the road on this number. The cut is expansive, experimental and effective.

Landline Piano brings this in. The cut builds slowly from there. This thing gets into some pretty tastefully chaotic fusion territory before it's over. It's another strong entry on a disc full of great material.

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