I did the interview with Carl before writing this review of his CD “Take One Step”.  I normally write the review before speaking to the guests because I feel I am more objective about the music that way.  But by talking to Carl first, I realize that I have more insight into the music and, of course, the person. It was a lot of fun.

Carl has a career that any musician would envy.  He has been a member of the band “Supertramp” since 1985 as well as a maintaining a demanding career as a solo artist.  He writes for several music publications, holds a weekly workshop at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood and teaches a class at The University of Southern California called “Advanced Electric Guitar”.  He has been voted one of the “Best 10 guitarists in the world” by Guitar Player magazine. USC picked the right guy to teach that class for sure.

As of right now, my favorites from this CD are the title cut, “Take One Step” which has a bit of timely political advice in the lyric, and the funky “You Bring Me Down” that features slashing guitar playing from Carl along with a groovin’ bass line by Cliff Hugo.  “Lighthouse” is a bit of a nautical, whimsical tune which is singable and has a very distinct guitar hook that paints the image of the tune in your head. 

There is another really cool ballad called “Dusk” that slows the pace in a very soulful way.  It is a very pretty piece. In our conversation I learned that Carl has played with Robben Ford for years in different settings. “Dusk” has that “Robben Ford inspired” soul along with some tasteful B-3 and gritty backup vocals. I like this one a lot too.

There are a couple of instrumental tunes here too. “In The Stream” is a “Steve Morse-ish” guitar tune that probably has Carl’s USC students doing homework all weekend.  Some of the phrasings on this one are just insane.  Again there is a cool bass solo by Cliff.  “Topanga Hoedown” is another one of these great instrumental pieces.

Veteran drummers Chad Wackerman (of Frank Zappa, Men At Work and others), and Bernie Dresel (of Brian Setzer, The Rippingtons and many others) take turns on drums on this album.

“Take One Step” is a cool little package.  Besides the 10 song CD, the package includes a DVD that features Carl and his bandmates discussing how the tunes were conceived and developed, interviews and all kinds of extras including song charts in PDF files.

I really enjoyed speaking with Carl.  He is a very likeable and accesible guy.  I think you will enjoy hearing what he has to say as well as listening to “Take One Step”. 

- Lee

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