ROB
GOURLAY
Let’s Do It:
Quadrant Four (Cobham)
You Never Know (Hammer)
Hoedown (Copeland)
Blessed One (Gourlay)
Bipolar/Hugh’s Jig (Gourlay)
Stratus (Cobham)
Rob Gourlay – Bass & Keys
Tim Theriault – Guitar & Bass on Hoedown
Dave DiCenso – Drums
Gord Gourlay – Drums on Hugh’s Jig
Review
Although a relatively brief encounter (31 minutes), there is plenty within these 6 tracks to chew on. This is a real power trio with both drummer Dave Dicenso and guitarist Tim Theriault just blazing all of the way through (these guys are really phenominal and should be checked out!). Rob displays both groove and mastery of his instrument. The 6 tracks contain 6 covers (Billy Cobham, ELP, Jan Hammer) sure to please fans of the original fusion masters and these three do them justice in every respect. Great playing and full of vibe. Gourlay offers 2 original pieces which display his sensitivity and exploratory approach to the instrument. Rob Gourlay's voice is unique, his technique is masterful and the project overall has much to offer. (Side note: if you want to see something awe-inspiring, search for Rob Gourlay, Got a Match on youtube! Not only does he play Chick's intro and the melody but he also plays the entire keyboard solo at a Berklee clinic! That video is responsible for my own learning of the tune and bugging all of my musician friends to learn it, too. Amazing stuff!) --Damian Erskine-Bass Musician Magazine
Review
Rob Gourlay, whose low-end work I've come to admire and appreciate through his collaborations with Jim and Grant Stinnett, as well as with Michael Manring, has recorded a short album that is clearly influenced by early 70s rock fusion Mahavishnu Orchestra, Billy Cobham, Jeff Beck, but also by the early-prog rock of Emerson Lake & Palmer. Indeed, two of the pieces here are covers of some of Cobham's first and probably best-known solo tunes, 'Quadrant Four' and 'Stratus'. Gourlay offers a percolating solo intro on the former and a breathtakingly tasteful solo on the latter. Both tunes also feature guitarist Tim Theriault and drummer Dave Dicenso, and the threesome form a tight-as-two-coats-of-paint, hard-playing unit that also features on 'You never know', a Jan-Hammer-composition (dig Gourlay's envelope-filtered sound here!) and Aaron Copeland's 'Hoedown'. This particular rendition is streets ahead of ELP's pompous version (and, for that matter, the original orchestral piece) and really gets down, with Gourlay on lead bass, while Theriault backs him up on groove bass. The balance of the tunes is made up of the gorgeous ballad 'Blessed one', a solo vehicle here (unlike the equally moving, multi-bassist version on 'Project M'), and 'Bipolar/ Hugh's Jig' where Rob collaborates with his drummer brother Gord Gourlay. Gourlay, incidentally, also plays the Scottish/ Celtic stunner 'Hugh's Jig' on the DVD that comes with 'Project M' (this is where I first became familiar with it) look, no overdubs! A great CD, way too short (it's a mini-album that clocks in at just over 30 minutes) but one can always hit the 'start' button again! --Kai Horsthemke - South African Bassists Collective
Review
Let s Do It is the first solo release by Rob Gourlay. It contains six tracks, four covers and two originals. The covers are presented in a band context, actually a power trio. Rob doesn't hog the spotlight but lays down some solid grooves with drummer Dave Dicenso, allowing guitarist Tim Theriault to stretch out. The opening track, Quadrant Four , a driving blues rock tune by Bill Cobham, is a prime example of this. You Never Know is a Jan Hammer composition first recorded by Jeff Beck and Hammer. Rob and the guys do justice to it here. Rob employs an envelope modifier for the opening riff and his solo, creating a contrasting texture with the straight ahead sound of his basic groove during the rest of the track. Hoedown is really a cover of a cover. In the liner notes Rob says he was impressed by ELPs version of the Aaron Copeland composition and had always wanted to play it. Being a huge ELP fan myself, I was a bit wary of an attempt to adapt Keith Emerson's rapid fire keyboard playing to the bass, but I was not disappointed. Rob pulls it off. And he even plays through a Leslie to add to the effect. Stratus , another Cobham composition and the album closer, gives everyone one more chance to shine. Dave starts it of with an opening drum solo that is inventive and never boring. Rob joins in with an hypnotic bass line and Tim let's fly with some blistering guitar. Rob and Dave each get a solo spot near the end. The originals are in the solo bass line. But Rob doesn't fall into the indulgent bass solo category. His solo pieces are not chop fests, though chops are evident. His tracks are truly songs, not a series of licks strung together for a look at me! ego trip. Blessed One is a tasteful meditation on his faith and a pleasant listen. On Bipolar/Hugh's Jig Rob is joined by his brother Gord on drums. This track has a fast tempo and just sounds like a lot of fun. If these tracks are prime examples of Rob's compositional skills, I'm looking forward to his first all original CD. The production on the CD is clean and not overdone. There are a minimum of overdubs, giving the disc a live in the studio feel. In fact, Quadrant Four was done in one take. This is a solid effort from Rob and I highly recommend it. --Brian Sharples- Bass World Radio