Marotta Griesgraber Waking The Day
CD review by Malcolm Moore

Marotta Griesgraber is positive escapism from a lethargic world. This is one of those albums
that you put on when you're driving and it really lifts your spirits to a new level. Great melodies,
catchy hooks, and all kinds of surprises at every turn.

Ten diverse tracks that span the gamut of the far reaches in instrumental music.
Marotta Griesgraber is Jerry Marotta on drums and percussion, and Tom Griesgraber
on Chapman Stick. This band is one truly cohesive unit and
a well oiled machine ready to rock.

There are some unexpected moments as well. Tony Levin shows up on bass on
two tracks, adding icing to the cake and Jerry's multi-layered vocals on
Tom Gets Lucky in Constantinople is a real treat.

This is soundtrack music from outer space and from outside of time that is not incidental-
it's monumental . There are innumerable meter changes that never stumble. They are flawless,
smooth, and exist below the surface, not suffering from math rock, but succeeding due to
joyous melodies and spectacular composition.

Every time you think you have these guys figured out they pull out a new set of steak knives to display.

77 Times fills your heart with happiness. Lowered Skies carries a sense of foreboding
nature and tension whilst revealing unknown realities. Tom Gets Lucky in Constantinople
is a trip on a magic carpet through vast lands and tumultuous topography. Ifs Jam is time
suspended in the clouds of Jupiter before smashing into the moons for some funky ping pong.

Bad Day At Coney Island is a journey to the center of the Earth,…a dream where
shape-shifting is common. Sorrow Smiles is a tribal banquet,… a cornucopia of consequences
and correlation between worlds and language. Third Estate is a side winder slithering side
ways amongst the weeds with a labyrinth of mosaic tiles adorning his elastic backside.

School Clothes Shopping Is a liquefied state of consciousness that exists in the temporal lobe
and perhaps other areas where one is open to conjecture. Waking The Day is a distant cousin of
77 Times but from a parallel universe where the concrete jungle is obliterated by Komodo
Snake Dragons and manifest density with trap doors and swinging bookcases.
Leaving Bread Alone leaves us wanting more but settling for closure, hinting
at future prospects, and yet throwing us a bone from the unknown passing
space cruiser known as Marotta Griesgraber.

REVIEWS: Monterey, CA show 8/9/05 Jerry, Wanted to follow up on our conversation outside of Monterey Live before your set on August 8th.   First I apologize if I came across angry. I have been a professional musician for 33 years  (1,000's of casuals, two years with Three Dog Night, six years with Tom Jones) and as I've gotten older (I'm 48) I have become very passionate about the steady decline in the music business and the lack-of-support for live music. I'm sure you remember the days when the club scene was very active and people went out to hear live music all the time.  I have my theories as to why this decline has happened (Stiff drinking and driving laws, increased work hours, 100's of cable channels, the Internet, etc.) but I also think that musicians themselves have contributed to this decline.   There are so many times I've seen bands start late, talk on stage about what the next song will be (or discuss the changes to the bridge), play way too loud for the room, tell inside jokes over the mic, play music that doesn't target the audience or not maximize the entertainment potential of the band. I realize that music is like food and everyone has different tastes, also that the type of music you and Tom are performing would fall under the "creative" or "art" category and is not intended to be  experienced like a club dance band.  Still, I want you to be aware of how your "show" came across from an audience perspective. Here are a few observations:   As I said outside, your opening act did nothing to "set the table" for your show. 45 minutes of continuous, repetitive, ambient music was relaxing to the point of making your audience sleepy or bored or both. (Remember you were billed as a "POWER FUSION DUO"). Also, your music contains certain elements that are similar to the opening act (loops, triggering synths, sequences) so it was a little like having steak for an appetizer when steak is the main course.   Appearing before your set (with the opening act)  takes away some of the impact of your  presence with Tom. (poor wording but, If you're the star-be the star).   Although I'm sure a majority of your audience are Stick players (or people who dig your drumming and percussion skills), I think it would have been a good idea for Tom to talk a little about the instrument and maybe demonstrate how he plays bass, chords and melody at-the-same-time. This would help the uninitiated understand what they were listening to, and the skill required to do it. You might be surprised at how many professional musicians have never heard of the Stick.   Spontaneity is what makes creative music cool and alive but, have a set list. It takes away from the "We know what we are doing and you're lucky to be here" vibe that many great acts have. When you discuss over and over what the next song will be before you play it, the audience gets the impression you're not prepared.   The "Jazz Odyssey" (Spinal Tap) jam that you closed with (with the opening act - sorry I can't remember his name) felt like you just didn't care. You seemed embarrassed, Tom looked lost, and for musicians of your caliber, it sucked. I know there were only a handful of people in the room, and some of them were more intent on talking than listening, but this is no excuse for "throwing in the towel". I cared enough to pay $15.00 cover and $10.00 for half-a-glass of bad wine. I felt a little ripped off by the fact that you and Tom didn't seem to take the date seriously.   Having said all that, I know these are my un-asked for opinions.  The fact that you and Tom are out there touring tells me that there are lot's of people that dig what you're doing. (and I may just be an aging wind bag). The purpose of this email is to get you and Tom thinking about your show, because I dig what you're doing musically and I want to see the group (and creative, live music flourish).   On a positive note, LOVE your playing! (very few drummers can do BIG grooves and atmospheric percussion authentically) Dig your N.Y. sense of humor. Wish I'd caught you guys on a better night!!!   -Steve Ezzo

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