Reviews – a viberatto
A Viberatto remains true to itself on new album
by david malachowski – daily freeman (11/2012)
They’re at it again. They knew full well the world was anxiously awaiting new vibraphone music, and this new release, “A Viberatto: B” will not disappoint the masses.
Leopard Studios (Stone Ridge) head honcho Jimmy Goodman is once again hovering over the vibes with his sure, true touch and clever sense of melody.
He is aided and abetted by Kol Marshall (bass, piano and synth) and multi-instrumentalist Guthrie Lord.
This core group is graced with appearances by Ross Rice (piano) and Von Cello (cello).
The starting point here with the vibraphone in the forefront is that you’re not going to hear typical sounds and textures of the normal guitar band. And that’s a good place to be — and without clichés starring them in the face, twists and turns appear effortlessly. Like in the opening track “Ruthless,” an anxious, rushing affair where angular strings battle the round liquid tones of the vibraphone to a close draw. The pensive “Blowing Leaves” harks back to a time when folks used rakes. not leave blowers.
The somewhat sentimental “Across the Prairie” is a cinematic journey down Route 66 as you can almost see the horizon slowly moving away. “Lovely” is certainly that, while “Faint Star” is darker, dramatic and a (gasp) guitar even shows up for some emotional, string-bending thrills.
The hopeful “Growing” is much more optimistic, and the futuristic “Winter of 2025” is chilly and crisp, as if performed in a walk-in refrigerator (like those in a supermarket). making it’s vision clean and clear.
There’s no lyrics here, not a word, but A Viberatto sure says a lot, about life and being in the moment.
With most of the music world chasing after instant fame, and, therefore, putting out predictable, formulatic records, it’s nice when someone just makes good music to make good music and isn’t afraid to sound like themselves. Well done!
A Viberatto will hold it’s CD release party at the BSP Lounge in Kingston on Thursday.
David Malachowski is a guitarist, producer and freelance journalist living in the Hudson Valley.
Jimmy Goodman the king of unnamed genre
by david malachowski – daily freeman (6/2010)
What happens to old rockers?
They trade their guitar for a vibraphone, and get a bunch of other rock players to make a really cool record!
Not too long ago, musician, producer Jimmy Goodman fled New York City for the peaceful solitude of Stone Ridge, and that informs this delightful new work by his group A Viberatto, recorded at his very own Leopard Studios.
His first release “Beautiful,” (an EP) was a small ensemble, this one is expanded to include some of the best musicians in the area; the legendary Garth Hudson and Tony Levin join in as well as the renowned Ross Rice on keyboards, and Jane Scarpantoni (cello).
The results are stunning, that said, how could you go wrong with Hudson, Scarpantoni, Levin and Rice all on the same track? (Can anyone say million dollar band?)
Goodman’s trademark one-word song titles continue here, starting with “Polar,” where Goodman’s vibe rings crisp, crystal clear and pure, the melody almost child-like. Soon Hudson’s accordion enters the room, and everything changes. “River” starts out with the aforementioned accordion, and slides effortlessly into a clever melody double by the majestic cello.
While “Beautiful” is more pared down — just Goodman and Scarpantoni — the lush, luxurious “Now” and “Rooster” could be out-takes from the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds.”
“East” sounds almost excited, festive, and maybe would be fitting for holiday music (insert your own holiday). “After” sounds as if came before, “Night” is appropriately dark, while “Road” leads to “Painting,” which is more abstract, with plenty of space and free use of time.
No one can accuse Goodman of copying, borrowing or being derivative here, he is pioneering his own territory here, and is the undisputed king of this yet unnamed genre.
Well done.
Viberatto | Beautiful (independent)
by peter aaron – roll magazine (12/2008)
Leopard Studio’s personal release “Beautiful” by the Group Viberattto was released on August 17, 2008. Featuring primarily acoustic instruments, this ambient chamber rock group is captured on this five song EP. After playing jazz, reggae, funk, trip/hip hop, and rock in Boston and the Lower East Side and engineering the Strokes’ major-label debut, musical maven Jimmy Goodman relocated to Stone Ridge, where he opened his increasingly popular Leopard Recording Studio. Perhaps best described as a kind of jazz/ambient/chamber ensemble, Goodman’s Viberatto project features the leader on vibraphone, synthesizers, piano, and programming, along with a hand-picked crew of his accomplished upstate friends: cellist Jane Scarpantoni, bassist Chris Maccia, percussionist Scott Hanna, guitarist Nat Russell, and our own Ross Rice on additional piano.
The outcome as heard on this well-named EP is five tracks of cool, fragile, crystalline loveliness akin to the Modern Jazz Quartet jamming on the “ice palace” set of Dr. Zhivago. The opening title cut and the Far Eastern-tinged “Glacier” (again, perfectly named) float like soft lullabies in the arctic air, while the driving “Flight” works in clubby drum ‘n’ bass rhythms to hypnotic effect. And, in a seeming nod to this music’s partial electro roots, “After” hijacks Suicide’s “Che,” laying swirling vibes and lines over the top until everything melts into a gorgeous whirlpool of transfixing translucence. The only complaint about this release is that at 16:19 it’s just too damn short. No worries, though: Goodman is currently at work on next year’s follow-up.
Viberatto Beautiful
by david malachowski – daily freeman (6/2010)
Every once in a while (okay, hardly ever) something really different shows up on my desk, and this is a fine example. Though Jimmy “Lonesome” Goodman has done his time in the trenches in rock bands, here he wields the vibraphone, as well as piano, bass and drums. Recorded in Leopard Studio (Goodman’s studio) in nearby Stone Ridge, fine musicians Jane Scarpantoni (cello), Ross Rice (piano), Chris Macchia (bass) Scot Hanna (percussion) and Nat Russell (guitars) all chime in here. Goodman offers a series of one word-titled songs. “Beautiful” has the simplest short theme, haunting vibes, with the piano taking the melody this time. “Flight” sounds fuller and even has a drum kit bashing out a backbeat. The slowly melting “Glacier” is a highlight. “After” is dark and mysterious, sneaking around the alleys after midnight, while “Night” has a timeless jazz sensibility that transcends expectations. A great effort that can call no comparisons, Goodman has outdone himself here.
Contact Us
Have a question? Interested in licensing a viberatto's music for films, video, commercials? Send us a message. Thanks!