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After three years of exploration, several
hundred pages of music, and three pre-production recordings, my exciting
new album, Ratios, is complete. Recorded in a single day
on December 23, 2009 rather than built over time, I attempted to bring
this music to life, to induce labor, and to capture its magical birth.
These songs represent the acme of my artistic life. Enjoy!
Bonus track 3:3 ratio rocking fun!
Brief Track Notes
1. Pools opens Ratios with a moment of warmth recalling George Van Eps and Ted Greene 2. Ratios limits the chord forms using just a few 4:1 ratios chords with many lines from Trane's One Down One Up 1965 3. Osiris major and minor thirds 4. Night Barque lots of lines from 1965 Trane Eric Dolphy, Parker, Ayler, Cecil Taylor, Elliot Carter, These same influences also apply to Wennefer, Heliopolis, Ratiosand Day Barque. Toward the end of Wennefer I modulate to a nine itch scale recalling the song Ruins from my album Book of the Key available from Jester Records. Samaya continues the ennead or nine pitch scale. 8. Hymn to Aten is a twelve tone recalling Messaien's For the End of Time. Moon River again in the style of VanEps and Ted Greene.
Ratios was
recorded
December 23 2009
3 degrees Capricorn
“Anthony’s virtuosity is tremendous, he is new music.” Pat Martino
“Anthony Curtis plays with conviction and a rare technical command.” Guitar Player Magazine
“One of the most advanced guitarists today.” W. Royal Stokes The Washington Post
"One freakishly talented guitar player with an equally freaky approach to the allmighty axe.” Jester News
“Anthony is one of the most technically advanced guitarists on the planet and a truly unique artist.”
Veneto West
"Renowned for his inventive
fret-board mastery, Curtis plays like a wild banshee capable of making
a guitar squeal, moan and emote in ways once thought unimaginable.”
Chris Bopst
TRICK038
ANTHONY CURTIS Book of the key
Prog/Jazz/World
Released March 2005
Release info/Press release
"Anthony's virtuosity is tremendous, he is new music."
- Guitar legend Pat Martino
Anthony Curtis is not for the faint of heart! One of the most adventurous musicians on the scene today, Curtis combines a fearless approach to music with a staggering instrumental technique that led the Washington Post to describe him as "One of the most advanced guitarists today", and the Billboard Guide to Progressive Music to call his previous release "the best album of 1997". His music is a polarizing firestorm of energy and emotion rooted equally in rock, free jazz and ancient mysticism.
The new release Book of the Key on Jester Records features some of the best musicians from around the globe and shows Anthony Curtis truly hitting his artistic stride.
Following two and a half years of living and performing throughout the Middle East, Anthony Curtis teamed up with producer/mixer Ronan Chris Murphy (King Crimson, Terry Bozzio, Steve Morse, Ulver) at Veneto West Studios in Los Angeles to begin the work that would become Book of the Key. Murphy and Curtis put together a wish list of players to collaborate on the album and as luck would have it, got their first pick for every instrument.
The core of the album is Curtis on guitar and oud, bassist / Chapman Stick player Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, John Lennon, Buddy Rich) and Malaysian, East Indian drummer Lewis Pragasam, who in addition to being Southeast Asia's most in demand drummer is the leader of Asia Beat, a world music fusion project that has sold hundreds of thousands of albums worldwide. The group was filled out by Jeff Gauthier (Yusef Lateef, Alex Cline) on violin, Mike Kenneally (Zappa, Steve Vai) on Fender Rhodes and Ronan Chris Murphy on harmonium. A line up that music critic, Pete Pardo, described as "almost like the Second Coming of the Mahavishnu Orchestra."
Book of the Key is a sprawling 73 minute epic, a non stop rush of energy that mixes grooves from India and melodies from the Middle East in a barrage of complex harmony and power. From the slow molten beauty of "The Ruins" to the all out fury of the 23 minute title track, Book of the Key
features some of the most powerful playing ever heard by some of the worlds greatest musicians including some of the most exciting Chapman Stick work by Tony Levin since his work with King Crimson in the 80's . Curtis and Murphy set out to make an album featuring musicians with diverse backgrounds that all stand on their own as artists and could not only keep up with Anthony but also contribute to the writing and artistic direction of the album as well. The presence of such strong musicians did nothing to obscure Curtis' unique musical vision but pushed it to new heights and brought out the best in his collaborators.
Anthony Curtis possesses technique so unbelievable that one writer at Guitar Player magazine actually refused to review one of his early albums, as they did not believe a guitarist could actually perform the material without tape speed manipulation. Another writer at Guitar Player described Anthony as a guitarist that "plays with conviction an a rare technical command." Despite the fact that many consider Anthony to be the fastest guitarist in the world, it would be a mistake to confuse him with the crop of heavy metal shredders, his music and technique spring from a far different place. A mix of Western Pythagorean harmony and Sufi Ikhwan Al Safa theory blended with heavy doses of rock and jazz, his fusion of East and West is not merely a decorative element but a deep rooted passion based on years of study. The Middle East newspaper Gulf Times said "He can be instrumental in seeing some of the indigenous music of the Middle East have wider acceptance in the West." In addition to his work as a musician, Curtis is a published author that has researched and written extensively on the Yoga of Light and Sound and teaches Yoga of Sound seminars throughout the world.
Book of the Key is destined to be one of the most exciting releases of 2005.
Ruins—Anthony Curtis (guitars and oud), Tony Levin (bass), Mike Keneally (Fender Rhodes), Jeff Gauthier (violin), Lewis Pragasam (drums), Ronan Chris Murphy (harmonium). "Ruins" is an homage to Umm Kulthum. Thanks to Abdul Wahad Al Malawi for turning me onto Umm Kulthum who is the Billy Holiday/John Coltrane of the Middle East. In particular “Ruins” recalls elements of the call to prayer (al-adhan) which I heard five times a day when I lived in Qatar. Thinkers such as Suhrawardi, Najm al-din al-Kubra, and Hafiz point to the theurgic elements of the call to prayer and prayer in general.
The generous palatte of the nine-note scale is beautiful; it points to the ancient Greek theory of the nine muses. The old way of propitiating the Gods with music went to Harran(Carrhae) with the final Platonic fathers and was later carried to the Islamic intellectual center that was Baghdad. The sacred melodies are still used in the Islamic tradition.
Gallabalba—Anthony Curtis (guitar), Tony Levin (Chapman Stick), Lewis Pragasam (drums): about as heavy as a trio gets. The name is a Vox Mystica from the Papyri Graecae Magicae meaning Fire Driver which seems to describe Tony’s Chapman Stick playing here. The name refers to the unending energy of the solar God. Contained within the PGM is a ritual of theurgic elevation known as The Mithras Liturgy where this name appears.
Inland Sea—Anthony Curtis (guitar) Tony Levin (bass) Jeff Gauthier (violin) Lewis Pragasam (drums). This song is a tonal ballad that combines elements of Ikwan Al-Safa or Sufi lines and Western harmony. The Inland Sea is ultra-serene, the most quiet of places. It separates Saudi Arabia and Qatar and is only accessible through the trackless desert.
Book of the Key—Tony Levin (Chapman Stick), Anthony (guitars, oud), Jeff Gauthier (violin), Mike Keneally (Fender Rhodes), and Lewis Pragasam (drums). Pure fusion to very progressive rock. Book of the Key is a cinematic piece modeled on the journeys of Homer’s Odysseus and Apuleius’ Lucius from The Golden Ass.
Hymn To Helios—Anthony Curtis (guitar), Tony Levin (Chapman Stick), Lewis Pragasam (drums), Jeff Gauthier (violin), Ronan Chris Murphy (harmonium). An offering of feedback. The Emperor Julian was the last Roman emperor fully devoted to Helios. Another luminous hymn to an Olympian God by the great Platonic father, Proclus.
Balinus—Anthony Curtis (guitar), Tony Levin (bass), Lewis Pragasam (drums), Jeff Gauthier (violin). Balinus is the Arabic name for Apollonius of Tyana. An initiator like Hermes, Thoth, or Gabriel.
Saturnalia— Anthony Curtis (guitars), Tony Levin (Chapman Stick), Lewis Pragasam (drums), Jeff Gauthier (violin). Depth, but with the kind of assurance you get in a rock song. Power-house playing from Tony and Lewis. The center of the song is a mean point between two polarities. A significant part of the vocabulary of the song is based on tritone harmony and all-interval chords. It’s like chaining together heaven and earth or making a bridge to span water.
Macrobius described the winter rites and festivities of the ancient Romans. Saturnalia was also known as the best of days.
From Towers to the Dome of Heaven—Anthony Curtis (acoustic guitar), Lewis Pragasam (percussion), Jeff Gauthier (violin). This song is for those who died on September 11, 2001 in the belief that while their bodies may have fallen to the earth, they themselves were escorted to the highest heavens. The principle of love causes wholeness and a conversion to our best selves.
Hikmat Al-Ishraq—Anthony Curtis (guitars), Tony Levin (bass), Lewis Pragasam (drums), Mike Keneally (Fender Rhodes). The science of light combines fusion playing with metal and like Book of the Key invokes the experiences of the wayfarer. Worlds within worlds could be the summation of the song. Here as elsewhere Ronan Chris Murphy has guided the sounds, setting them in their own unique spaces with his unique and clear vision. The big ears award goes to Ronan.
Oracle—Anthony Curtis (guitar), Tony Levin (bass), Lewis Pragasam (drums), Jeff Gauthier (violin). Collections of oracular sayings attributed to various deities, particularly Apollon, existed in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Among the collections, the Greek hexameters known as The Chaldean Oracles are one of the main sources of theurgic practice. They were recorded by the two Juliani: Julian the Chaldean, and his son Julian the Theurgist, contemporaries of Apuleius. Proclus is said to have claimed that the essence of Platonism could be largely restored with two texts, Plato's Timaeus and The Chaldean Oracles. As with so many other Platonic texts, after being expelled from the west and traveling to Harran, they transformed into The Magical Oracles of Zoroaster, and found a home in the mystical east. In the 11th century, Michael Psellus revived a critical tradition around the Oracles and wrote various commentaries. In the 14th century, Gemistos Plethon transmitted the Oracles to Marsilio Ficino and in that way they reentered western consciousness. Ficino played the critical role in reintroducing the esoteric mystic roots of Platonism that had been violently suppressed and forgotten.
Last update 21 November 2005 This page maintained by Field of Sound
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“Anthony Curtis plays with conviction and a rare technical command.” Jim Ferguson Guitar Player Magazine – July 1989
“Anthony’s virtuosity is tremendous, he is new music.” Pat Martino 1987
“One of the most advanced guitarists today.” W. Royal Stokes The Washington Post – November 1989
“The Antman’s vocabulary includes the snarls and tremolo free-for-alls that come from the best atonally oriented “rock” guitaroids like Andy Gill, Hendrix, and Thurston Moore.” Rob Thornton RTFM – September 1994
“An electric guitar that moans and burbles to his touchÖlike the long, winding improvisations of Southern field hollers and church moans.” Clarke Bustard Richmond Times-Dispatch – August 1989
“Anthony is one of the most technically advanced guitarists on the planet and a truly unique artist.”
Veneto West Newsletter - Spring 2004
“Richmond is lucky enough to call guitar player Anthony Curtis one of its own.” Jay Smack Ninevolt – April 2004
“Renowned for his inventive fret-board mastery, Curtis plays like a wild banshee capable of making a guitar squeal, moan and emote in ways once thought unimaginable.” Chris Bopst Richmond.com - March 2004
“Anthony Curtis’ guitar work has always resisted easy categorization. Some call it prog, some space rock, others heavy fusion. He’s often compared to Sonny Sharrock and Dave Fuiczinski.” Richmond Music Journal – May 2004
“He can be instrumental in seeing some of the indigenous music of the Middle East have wider acceptance in the West.” Chitra Sugandam Gulf Times – December 2000
"Curtis sifts through all sorts of multi-textures, fuzzy sustain, and exploratory guitar riffs as his band mates lay down rhythms, textures, and harmonies to propel each song." Dave Wright Progressive Ears - 26 May 2004
"One freakishly talented guitar player with an equally freaky approach to the allmighty axe.” Jester News – November 2004
BOOK OF THE KEY
“A mind blowing epic mix of jazz, prog and world music.” Veneto West Newsletter - Spring 2004
"A very textured and spacey mix of prog rock, jazz fusion, and avant-garde sounds.” Pete Pardo Sea of Tranquility - March 2004
"Mahavishnu Orchestra, comes to mind pretty quickly, also Anthony's guitar style reminds me of Sonny Sharrock. Steve Tibbets, Weather Report, and Power Tools also come to mind when listening. There are elements of jazz fusion, funk, world-prog, prog-metal and other styles and textures running throughout this well-made album." Dave Wright Progressive Ears - 26 May 2004
“The guitarist lays down shards of molten lead passages while Levin's bass just bubbles and boils underneath, mixing effectively with Keneally's 70's influenced Fender Rhodes melodies.” Pete Pardo Sea of Tranquility - March 2004
“Levin is in amazing form popping gymnastic bass lines alongside the crashing drums of Pragasam, while Curtis is ripping tons of distorted whammy bar leads." Pete Pardo Sea of Tranquility - March 2004
"You can really hear Curtis' emotional side on the gut-wrenching "Hymn to Helios", a mellow piece that features plenty of passionate and tortured lead passages.” Pete Pardo Sea of Tranquility - March 2004
“’Balinus’ leads in with some majestic violin work from Gauthier before Pragasam struts his stuff with some very technical percussion work underneath the searing leads of Curtis.” Pete Pardo Sea of Tranquility - March 2004
“The real highlight of the CD though is the epic 23-minute title track, a bubbling cauldron of hot, groovy playing from the whole cast. Featuring meaty guitar riffs, wild leads, searing violin, jazzy keyboards, and a frenzied rhythm section, this song is almost like the second coming of the Mahavishnu Orchestra." Pete Pardo Sea of Tranquility - March 2004
"If you are a fan of King Crimson, James "Blood" Ulmer, Robert Fripp, Speed Metal or, for that matter, good music, you should definitely check out this guitar wizard's music. Based out of Richmond, Anthony Curtis is an exceptional player of astounding range, as evidenced by this blazing composition [Gallabalba]." Chris Bopst Richmond.com - March 2004
“There’s an obvious kinship with King Crimson and since Pragasam is from Malaysia, there are complex Eastern rhythms played with inhuman perfection and a rare depth of feelingÖKeneally brings an incredible intellect and wit to the Fender Rhodes.” Richmond Music Journal May 2004
“Weird and tortured guitar over a very Crimsonesque fusion offshoot with the very great drummer Lewis Pragasam.” Denis Taillefer Proglands – Spring 2004
BOOM: One Hour Talisman and Squint
"The best record of 1997." Bradley Smith Billboard Guide To Progressive Music – 1997
“Something out of the ordinary.” François Couture All Music Guide (RollingStone.com) – 2004
“Compared to the astral weeping of King Crimson, called a fiery Sonny Sharrock or Dave Fiuczynski’s evil twin, BOOM has honed its power trio onslaught to a dangerous edge.” CMJ Music Marathon – September 1996
“Freight train aesthetics with their respective “Birdland” equivalents. Take a laid back Miles Davis tune, add a sprinkle of Albini’s charm, and indulge in the instrumental bliss.” Jonah Brucker-Cohen Yourflesh Quarterly – August 1998
“Deeply textural work.” Aaron Burgess The Penn – March 1995
“A stronger kick in the pants than a jumbo cup of java.” Les Carter Richmond Music Journal – December 1994
“Never have I heard such a shamanic journey inspired piece as Weather Vane. I truly experienced a shift in my world view.” Adam Knight Music Times: New York CD Review – 1998
"Controlled, clear, precise - its rhythmic asymmetries smoothly locking with flinty, carefully scattered (guitar) lines." The Wire - November 1997
“Intricate instrumentation, timely tempo changes and the ability to put it all together in a live performance.” John Ferrucci Commonwealth Times – November 1996
“Music to walk hot coals by.” Kevin Kravitz Throttle – February 1995
“A man, a guitar, and an amp turned up to ten.” Rob Thornton RTFM – September 1994
SONIC MANDALA
“Sounding like a 1,000 year old Dalai Lama scat singing to free jazz played by six-fingered reptiles, this multi-guitared and multi-textured ensemble rips dense and tangled jams through the underbrush of the avant-garde.” CMJ New Music Report – May 1990
Friday July, 20 2007 at Toad's PLace
140 Virginia St, Richmond, Virginia 23219
Michael Schenker Group of Scorpions and UFO fame with Anthony Curtis!
For Booking contact Shawn at: 804 502 1333
The Anthony Curtis Band is
If you're looking for music to remind you of the desert and its shimmery heat, check out "Ruins" from Book of the Key at the audio page.
The glowing reviews keep coming in. Eric Porter at Progressive World said Anthony "doesn't just play the guitar; he tortures it." He said the song "Book of the Key" is "a monster, jam packed instrumental romp, with eerie violin scratches, a powerful propulsive rhythm section, Keneally's keys, and Curtis' guitar abuse."
From one of the most unbelievable guitar talents since Robert Fripp, Book Of The Key highlights the methods of Anthony Curtis, backed up by an impressive array of collaborators: Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa), Lewis Pragasam, Jeff Gauthier and Ronan Chris Murphy. A rich tapestry of layers that will take years of pleasurable listens to peel away.
New Releases
Anthony is featured on the new Veneto West Records release, Destroying Silence. Copies and more information at Discipline Global Mobile Shop.
LADIES CHOICE RECORDS vs. VENETO WEST RECORDS is a limited edition of 525 individually numbered, one-sided twelve-inch vinyl records played at 45 RPM.
Featuring Anthony Curtis, Tony Levin, Sean, Ronan Chris Murphy and Terry Bozzio. The 3-color screen print cover was designed by Grammy nominee JESSE LEDOUX (Shins, Elliott Smith). More information at Ladies Choice.
It's fun and easy ;-) Learn the rhythm guitar part and some of the lead to "Inland Sea" from Book Of The Key.
New video is up at YouTube. Audio samples from Book of the Key and three additional tracks from the archives. "Gallabalba" is at Veneto West Web Radio (broadband only). Anthony's track-by-track hyperlink notes about Book of the Key. Photos by Tony Levin of the BotK recording sessions.
Ian Dreilinger's extensive interview at IndieWorkshop focuses on Anthony's influences and the stellar line up on BotK.
Tony Levin, Anthony Curtis, Ronan Chris Murphy, Mike Keneally, and Lewis Pragasam at Veneto West Studio.
The song "Book of the Key" is a cinematic piece modeled on the adventures of Homer's Odysseus and Apuleius' Lucius. It features Tony Levin (Chapman Stick), Anthony Curtis (guitars, oud), Jeff Gauthier (violin), Mike Keneally (Fender Rhodes) and Lewis Pragasam (drums). "Book of the Key" moves from pure fusion to very progressive rock. Pete Pardo of Sea of Tranquility said, "The real highlight ... is the epic 23-minute title track, a bubbling cauldron of hot, groovy playing from the whole cast. Featuring meaty guitar riffs, wild leads, searing violin, jazzy keyboards, and a frenzied rhythm section, this song is almost like the second coming of the Mahavishnu Orchestra."
March 29th marked one year since Book of the Key was released. Thanks to everyone for making it such a success! Jester Records has been a great label and partner.
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