LWE - Lucas, White & Edsey (2006)ProgRock Records

Sometimes I feel like taking a rest from guitar music and focusing my attention on something more subdued and gentle. Such projects like LWE secure the springboard for those who feel tired by rock and metal music. LWE was founded in 2000 by very experienced instrumentalists. One of most famous artist is Frank Lucas (keys) who has learnt playing the piano since primary school, next he switched over an accordion and trumpet. Finally, Mr. Lucas graduated from DePaul University School of Music (Chicago). Since the year 1995, he has played alongside a bassist Andy West (Dixie Dregs), a vocalist Kevin Chalfant (Storm, Two Fires) and a few guitar virtuosos - Michael Angelo (on "Planet Gemini") and Neil Zaza (on "Staring At The Sun"). He has also two solo albums on his account: "A Little Secret" (1997) and "Let's Play" (2000). The rest musicians aren't novices as well: Chuck White (drums, percussion) played with aforesaid Michael Angelo and in a band Ion Vein, however Steve Edsey (bass guitar) performed with Dave Uhrich and Jeff Vincent, and Edgar Gabriel (acoustic and electric violin) in a famous group - Cirque de Soleil.

The music ran on this CD has been richly decorated with keyboard ornaments. Despite the lack of guitar, Americans are able to keep listeners' attention by his numerous ideas. On the other hand, I am pretty sure that most metalheads would have been misled by the sound of electric violin on "Hasta Manana" thinking that it was an electric guitar. One of the most typical elements on the stuff are influences taken from bluegrass, that is a style in country music being performed on banjo and the guitar at fast tempo. Here aren't any of mentioned instruments, and I assure you that LWE doesn't play country, but only adapts executive techniques to piano music. Thus a bull will not be brought in here, haha!

This CD is a leading example of ability to join melodic and mild tones with virtuosity in such a way that none of these elements tire the listener. The project LWE administers us the music in the spirit of Keith Emerson and Jordan Rudess, but it should be also enjoyed by fanciers of Rick and Oliver Wakemans' solo works. Some influences from Jordan Rudess' music aren't accidental, since Frank has learned in aforementioned keyboard player's recording studio for twelve years, and it is to Mr. Lucas' credit with certainty!