Marc Norgaard

Marc Norgaard - Tolerance - 2007 - Call Sign Records

Drumming wizard Marc Norgaard delivers an album of all-original instrumental tracks demonstrating his uncanny ability to weave styles and find new directions in music. Supported by two of the top guitarists in the world for the genre, Brett Garsed (Planet X, Virgil Donati), and Frank Gambale (Chick Corea Elektric Band), along with pianist Steve Hunt (Allan Holdsworth), and bass phenomenon Dave DeMarco, Marc takes a creative new musical direction that will delight fans of Progressive Rock as well as Jazz Fusion. National Guitar Workshop star Tobias Hurwitz makes a guest appearance. Marc's drumming on this CD ranges from subtle, sensitive jazz moves on the riveted ride cymbal all the way to heavy-hitting double-kick patterns. He moves through odd-time signatures with ease, keeping the tracks exciting with innovative drum fills that ooze with spontaneity and style, allowing his compositions to shine. Garsed's lyrical and melodic lead playing is highlighted against the tight, explorative rhythms produced by Norgaard and DeMarco. Fusion legends Hunt and Gambale are featured more prominently on the lighter tunes, rounding out the album with solos both beautiful and chop-blazing. Norgaard's own solo's are brief and tasteful with an astonishing display of technical prowess, mastery of odd-time signatures, and the double-kick drums; all with a freedom normally only heard from avant-garde jazz players. A veritable schooling in technique from these fine musicians will satisfy even the stoutest of instrumental music fans. If you are looking for new musical avenues, this CD belongs in your cart! © http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marcnorgaard#

It’s almost ironic that Marc Norgaard looks so gracious and contented in the photographs that adorn this album. The Baltimore-based drummer, whose accolades include session work within San Francisco’s fusion community and a short stint at Berklee College of Music, has opted to expand his repertoire by releasing an album that merges his jazz background with a strong nod toward progressive rock. The result is an album that will delight some, confuse many, and alienate whoever is left. Herein lies the aforementioned irony: playing music of the type presented on Tolerance is often a thankless endeavor. Regardless, Norgaard’s enthusiasm comes through unhindered. Starting off with the album’s title track, guitarist Brett Garsed and bassist Dave Demarco immediately begin dueling in a manner reminiscent of King Crimson’s Robert Fripp and Tony Levin, circa Discipline. The track progresses as Norgaard lays down a series of complex rhythms and fills behind a distorted main riff that hearkens back to early ’80s Rush (particularly Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures). A more laid back side to Norgaard’s writing comes through on “Goes To Reason,” which features a stellar performance by pianist Steve Hunt. Beginning the piece as more of an accessory to Garsed and DeMarco, Hunt steps forward at about 2:20 with some stunning keyboard runs and odd phrasing that elevate this track to a higher level. “Last Leg Home” is where things take a decidedly more “fusion” approach, and with good reason: it is the first of two songs that feature jazz great Frank Gambale on guitar. Gambale’s riffs and solos are rather consistent with his efforts over the past two decades, which melds rather nicely with the song’s more subdued atmosphere. “Papaya Dream” serves as another masterful melding of Crimson-esque phrasing with melodies and rhythmic play that pay homage to Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, respectively. Tolerance takes a slight turn with “Summer Storm,” the second song that employs the talents of Gambale. This track is considerably more blues-based and looser in structure, with Gambale emulating soulful cries and moans as Norgaard, DeMarco, and Hunt provide a solid back-line. “Seventh Mile Fog” features the unhinged guitar acrobatics of Tobias Hurwitz, who combines Middle Eastern melodies with more traditional rock fare to simultaneously amaze and befuddle the listener with his odd transitions and impressive speed. The album ends with a solo piece entitled “Retrospective,” where Norgaard takes turns on guitar, bass, and drums to create a ballad that hints slightly at Steve Morse or Joe Satriani. While the performance is comparatively restrained, Norgaard still impresses with the range and diversity of his musical skill. The cover art for this disc is strangely revealing, as it portrays a very scientific analysis of a lone tree on a desert landscape. The illustration becomes quite appropriate when considering Norgaard’s approach to composition and performance. By nature, jazz fusion or progressive rock are very precise art forms. The complex structures and precise execution are well depicted by the cover’s angular shapes and measurements. But there is always an organic element, and the tree on a barren plane seems to serve as a metaphor for something distinctly human. Given that meaningful (rather than simply provocative) cover art is becoming a thing of the past, it is refreshing to see that Norgaard won’t settle for less. In examining his own artistic vision, Norgaard describes the music on Tolerance as an “exploratory, intense and modern blend of organic prog-rock and jazz fusion.” In other words, few people outside of musician’s circles will ever take the time to appreciate its depth and complexity. This state of affairs is especially frustrating, because there is plenty here that would appeal to folks brave enough to turn off the radio for fifteen minutes and take in something different for awhile. Nonetheless, I have hope that the enthusiasm of a few will inspire him to even higher levels of composition and performance. By & © Chris Alfano, Monday, May 11th, 2009 © 2010, Stereo Subversion, LLC http://stereosubversion.com/reviews/marc-norgaard-tolerance

Marc labels this album an "Exploratory, intense, modern blend of "Organic Prog-Rock" and Jazz Fusion". Frank Gambale and Brett Garsed play guitar on the album. Dave DeMarco plays bass. These guys don't normally waste their time on rubbish fusion. Not sure what "Organic Prog-Rock" means, but if you like music in the style of Planet X and Chick Corea with great guitar and percussion, then you may like "Tolerance". Check out future solo releases from Marc, and support good original jazz rock and fusion [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 104 Mb]

TRACKS

1 Tolerance 5:45
2 Goes To Reason 4:52
3 Day In The Desert 4:28
4 Last Leg Home 4:32
5 Papaya Dream 3:38
6 Summer Storm 7:01
7 Seventh Mile Fog 5:23
8 Pirate Sized Hangover 5:19
9 Retrospective 3:25

All tracks composed by Marc Norgaard

MUSICIANS

Brett Garsed - Guitar on Tracks 1,2,3,5,8
Frank Gambale - Guitar on Tracks 4,6
Tobias Hurwitz - Guitar on Track 7
Dave DeMarco - Bass on Tracks 1,2,3,4,5,7,8: Baritone Guitar, First Solo on Track 6: All instruments on Track 9
Steve Hunt - Piano on Tracks 2,4,6
Marc Norgaard - Drums, Percussion: Piano on Tracks 3,7: Additional Rhythm Guitar on Track 5

SHORT BIO

Marc Norgaard is a drummer, composer, clinician and private drum instructor. He has worked with many world-class artists, including: Frank Gambale (Chick Corea Elektric Band), Brett Garsed (Planet X), Steve Hunt (Allan Holdsworth), Jon Evans (Tori Amos), Michael Angelo Batio, Dave Martone, Tobias Hurwitz (National Guitar Workshop), Jude Gold (Guitar Player Magazine, BX3), Matthias IA Eklundh, Alexis Harte (signed to Lionsgate Entertainment) and many others. Marc has been featured in Recording Magazine in an article about session drumming on the web, and his recent CD release has been featured in Guitar World Magazine as well as Modern Drummer Magazine Online. Marc has studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Drummers Collective in New York City, as well as privately with Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), Pat Petrillo, and John Xepoleas. Marc was born and raised in Berkeley, California. His interest in drums was first kindled at age seven while living abroad in Brazil. Marc joined his first performing band at age 13, and has been dedicated to perfecting his art since that time. Marc now resides in Baltimore, Maryland, where he has access to the bustling New York City club and recording scene, as well as to the Washington D.C. circuit. He was one of the pioneers of drum tracking over the internet, and since opening his own studio several years ago Marc has done hundreds of recordings for various artists, producers, and commercial music companies. Marc is also currently the drummer for the Tobias Hurwitz Band out of Baltimore, as well as an instructor at the National Guitar Workshop Day Jams program, and a private teacher. He composed his own CD of progressive rock and fusion tunes entitled "Tolerance" which was released in 2007 on the Call Sign Records label. Marc uses and endorses Evans Drumheads, Puresound Snare Wires, and Craviotto Snare Drums © http://www.marcnorgaard.com/EPK/bio.html