Robby Krieger-Singularity ...his new album

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

"Russian Caravan (Intro)"
"Russian Caravan"
"Southern Cross"
"Event Horizon (Intro)"
"Event Horizon"
"Coffin Dodger"
"Runaway Trane"
"Let It Slide"
"Solar Wind"
"House of Bees"

Robby Krieger: Singularity Review
Dr Matt Warnock
Guitar International Magazine 2010


Singularity is a creatively conceived album by former Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. Walking the line between being highly improvised and being carefully arranged, the album is a kaleidoscope of genres, sound, tone colors and timbres, directly representing the wide variety of Krieger’s musical influences.

From Flamenco to orchestrated arrangements to jazz, blues and rock inspired improvisations, Krieger covers a plethora of styles, feels and grooves throughout the record.

Consisting of ten instrumental tracks, the music may differ in context from Krieger’s work with the Doors, but it’s similar in the high-level of creativity and spontaneity that has defined the guitarists work over the decades.

Two examples of Krieger’s improvisational style can be found in the solo Flamenco pieces “Russian Caravan (Intro)” and “Event Horizon (Intro). Both tunes are drenched in the raw energy and improvisational spontaneity that defines the Flamenco genre.

While most Flamenco music, such as the work of virtuoso guitarist Paco de Lucia, relies heavily on the player’s technical chops, Krieger focuses more on the rhythmic and harmonic colors of the music, rather than just ripping through scales and riffs. Given his history as one of rock’s most iconic players, it’s not surprising that Krieger would carry over that level of personalization into his non-rock playing as well.

The album also showcases Krieger’s love for jazz and his ability as a soloist within this highly-improvisational genre. “Trane Running Late” is a tip of the hat, in both the title and musical content, to jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. As well, “Solar Winds” finds Krieger displaying Wes Montgomery inspired octaves, as well as sneaking in a quote from Charlie Parker’s classic bebop tune “Donna Lee.”

Both tunes are jazzy, yet distinctively Krieger, spotlighting the guitarists ability to cross over into different genres while retaining his own, unique and personal sound on the instrument. This is a testament to the time Krieger has spent working on his craft, even after achieving monumental success over forty years ago. Proving that this is a guitarist who wants to push himself, he isn’t content to sit back and rest on his laurels.

Singularity is an enjoyable album that will appeal to long-time fans of Krieger’s guitar work. Though, those listener’s who may only now be discovering this legendary rocker might be better off doubling back and spending time with the Doors catalogue before digging into this, and Krieger’s other, newer albums.

With this album Krieger is letting his fans know that not only does he still have it after forty plus years in the business, but that his music continues to evolve, moving in new and exciting directions.

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

Robby Krieger Returns with New Solo CD

Robby KriegerRobby Krieger returns with a new instrumental solo album, Singularity, on Oglio Records, a Fontana/Universal distributed label. The disc is set to be released June 29, 2010. On Singularity, Robby continues to explore his unique flamenco infused jazz-rock sound as heard on his previous album for Oglio Records, Cinematix. Singularity was produced by Robby Krieger and Arthur Barrow, features an original Krieger painting as the cover art and will also be available on vinyl.

"Singularity was named after my painting which we used for the album cover," says Krieger. "A singularity is a profound event such as the 'big bang,' which was the creation of the universe. I could have started with something smaller, such as, say the destruction of a galaxy or two, but I figured what the hell. Hopefully, the music evokes thoughts along those lines. I’m very happy, that after all these years I was able to record some flamenco guitar, which comprises the intros for two of the songs, 'Russian Caravan' and 'Event Horizon.' I’m also very happy with some of the slide guitar such as on 'Southern Cross' and 'Waterslide.' "

During his time as the Doors' guitarist, Robby wrote some of the band’s best known songs including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Love Her Madly" and "Touch Me." He was also voted in at #91 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time and in 2009, Robby partnered with the Gibson Guitar Corporation to release his very own limited edition signature guitar, the ‘Inspired By Krieger SG.'

Robby Krieger rejoins his fellow The Doors member, Ray Manzarek, who also released his own solo record, “Love Her Madly” on Oglio Records, in their group Manzarek-Krieger for a new tour beginning May 27th.

Singularity Track Listing
1. Russian Caravan (Intro) 3:24
2. Russian Caravan 10:12
3. Southern Cross 4:45
4. Event Horizon (Intro) 2:25
5. Event Horizon 7:22
6. Coffin Dodger 3:12
7. Runaway Trane 4:35
8. Let It Slide 5:27
9. Solar Wind 4:25
10. House Of Bees 4:58

Guitar World
Jun 14, 2010

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

I downloaded a copy and gave it a few listens.
It's allright. Inocuous enough stuff.
Pleasant to wile away half an hour with but nothing really exceptional.
Robby was always a good guitar player outside The Doors and a great guitar player with The Doors.
This is pretty much like all his other output.
Worth a listen but not worth busting a gut to discover.

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

"Singularity" was named after my painting which we used for the album cover. A singularity is a profound event such as the "big bang", which was the creation of the universe. I could have started with something smaller, such as, say the destruction of a galaxy or two, but I figured what the hell. Hopefully, the music evokes thoughts along those lines. I'm very happy, that after all these years, I was able to record some flamenco guitar, which comprises the intro's for two of the songs, 'Russian Caravan" and "Event Horizon" Im also very happy with some of the slide guitar such as on "Southern Cross" and "Waterslide"
- Robby Krieger

Robby Krieger on Rockline June 2010
Q: "The new record is called Singularity and the title comes from a painting you did, right?"

Robby:"Right. The painting is kind of a black hole and the singularity is the event horizon of the black hole. If you've heard Stephen Hawkins you know what I am talking about. When you have a black hole and the light is trying to get out of that black hole there is a thing called the event horizon. That is the place at which the light can no longer get out of it, it comes back in. The gravity is so big from the black hole that it eats up all the light and that is the event horizon and that's where I got the idea to the painting and the painting just seems to go with the record somehow. so I ended up with the naming most of the songs of the record after astronomical kind of figures."

Southern Cross
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcKzwQaTfOQ&feature=fvsr

Event Horizon
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ou4qcPKijg&feature=relmfu

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]

[TheWallsScreamedPoetry]