Domenic Troiano’s newest CD, ‘The Best of Domenic Troiano – The Millennium Collection’, is from Universal Music’s ‘20th Century Masters’ series. It is a 13-tune musical chronology covering Canadian guitar icon, Domenic Troiano’s amazingly prolific career as a very-much-gifted, world-class guitarist (ex-James Gang/Guess Who/Ronnie Hawkins) -- and band leader (Mandala/Bush/Black Market, etc). ‘Millennium’ spans the whole gamut from Mandala’s 1965 recording of “Opportunity’, to 1981’s Black Market band recording of “Turn Back”.
Domenic Troiano has come a long way from the early 1960s when as a young teenager, he received his first guitar lessons at D&L Music Centre in Toronto, Canada. Over the ensuing decades, Domenic has performed at some of the largest and most well-known concert venues in the world – as well as entertaining ex-U.S. President Bill Clinton too; here in Toronto in late 2002, at a special dinner in honor of Rompin’ Ronnie Hawkins. (Some of the other illustrious guests present that night, included perennial music favorite Paul Anka, actress Whoopi Goldberg, famed music producer David Foster, singer B.J. Cook, ‘Chicken King’ Don Tyson, and Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington). Another invited guest to the Hawkins/Clinton party (who was out of town,
and missed it); was Gino Empry, ‘publicist to the stars’, (Tony
Bennett/Lena Horne/Peggy Lee-Imperial Room; Royal Alex/ex-Old Vic, UK owner, Ed Mirvish, http://www.ginoempry.com/ ).
Now that the introduction’s done, here’s Dom’s great new CD, starting with 1965’s “Opportunity” -- which begins this incredible Troiano music fest, with a blast. The always entertaining (to this day) George Olliver’s impeccable voice, sings out the vocals, with classic rocker lyrics, “We came 3000 miles from Canada to L.A. – maybe it’s here we’ll get our ‘opportunity’” Whitey (ex-Alice Cooper/Lou Reed/David Bowie/Johnny Winter) Glan’s forceful, always-in-the-groove drumming, along with Troiano’s screaming guitar leads, complements Olliver’s ‘primal screaming’ vocals, absolutely ingeniously. Joey Chirowski’s background vocals along with Troiano’s, creates the impression of a ‘rock choir’ -- Chirowski’s deep B-3 organ riffs complete this very full, beautifully orchestrated mixture, to the max!
The rousing rhythms and vocals continue with Bush’s iconic ‘Toronto Sound’ hit from 1970, “I Can Hear You Calling”. Whitey’s input as co-writer of this upbeat winner, ensures some very fine percussive genius at work on his part, on this rockin’ party tune. Roy Kenner’s soulful vocal delivery is added to with the beautiful vocal harmonies of internationally respected bassist Prakash John (The Lincolns/Hyptonic; ex-Alice Cooper/Lou Reed), as well as those of Troiano. Can’t say anything bad about this fine Bush tune -- it’s in a league all its own!
An outstanding feature of Bush’s “Turn Down”, are the awesome vocal harmonies singing out “turn down”. They are reminiscent of those of ‘Flo and Eddie’ in Frank Zappa’s band the Mothers of Invention -- and earlier the Turtles, (from whence F&E came).
Troiano’s “Try” speaks volumes of ‘60s-style universal truth with its poignant lyrics, such as “Try .. all you got to do is try”; “We gotta try and put things together, and I’m telling you time won’t wait”, as well as “Talkin’s a groover -- action is better “ The powerful horn section lends strength, and adds class to this fine piece. Prakash’s and Kenner’s, background vocals blend harmoniously with Dom’s lead vocals, helping to get the message out entertainingly, to ‘try’. The funky instrumentals by all – Dom’s guitar leads, Prakash’s impeccable bass back-beat, and Whitey’s drumming excellence, are superlative throughout this fine ‘message’ song.
Troiano’s ‘clear-as-a-bell’ lead vocals on “Let Me Go Back”, are supported by the ringing background vocals of R&B/blues diva Shawne Jackson and others. William Smith’s organ riffs help lift this piece, giving it a natural groove.
Domenic provides the answer in “The Answer”, to this writer’s need for some awesome lead guitar riffs; filled with innovative and highly creative jazz creativity. If anyone was wondering if Troiano’s a gifted guitarist, I feel they’ll find the answer to the affirmative, in this musical winner. The vocal harmonies along with Whitey’s incredible percussion genius, help “The Answer” soar!
One of my favorite tunes on ‘Millennium’ is Domenic’s “Lonely Girl”. The romantic feelings it engenders, makes it a perfect tune to snuggle up with -- along with one’s significant other. Troiano’s guitar leads on “Lonely …”, along with the melodic, heartfelt rhythms and Shawne Jackson’s yearning background vocals, gives this tune a very compelling quality. This relaxed and comfortable mood continues with the whimsical “Eleanora Fagan”. “Eleanora …” seems to float on Troiano’s brilliant guitar leads. The rhythm section accentuates Dom’s leads with the best drums, bass and keyboards around – a composition that guarantees to fill the listener with a sense of inner peace and contentment -- while at the same time retaining a spark of vitality in its musical premise.
The pace picks up considerably with “Ambush”. Domenic’s rousing guitar leads, are complemented by powerhouse drum rhythms and awesome, energetic bass lines. A musical conversation ensues between guitar, drums, bass and piano in a true ‘call and answer’ fashion. The B-3 riffs and melodic piano accompaniment, adds to the bountiful energy present – guaranteeing the listener will get ‘ambushed’ in their souls
“Fret Fever”, shows what a great singer Troiano is. Paul de Long’s driving drum rhythms along with Bob Wilson’s heavy-duty bass lines, blend and add strength to this piece. Shawne Jackson’s and Roy Kenner’s background vocals round out the perfection in this piece admirably. Domenic’s lead vocals and impeccable guitar riffs, help the listener “turn back the pages … turn back the time”, (as the song goes) -- to the mid-late ‘60s Yorkville, hippy coffeehouse days. That was a time when ‘Toronto Sound’ originators such as Troiano and others; captured a generation’s hearts, and kept them safe in good music for decades to come. Dom’s wailing guitar leads announce the finale to this beautifully nostalgic, musical time trip – ably assisted by harmonious background vocals provided by Bush bassist Prakash John, and original Mandala vocalist Roy Kenner.
I might add that Prakash continues to be an integral part of the music scene these days, in his out-of-this-world blues band, the Blues Angels. Besides featuring Prakash’s mind-boggling lead bass lines – the band also features Prakash’s son Jordan doing an amazing job on drums. I’ve heard Whitey Glan happily echo his appreciation of 17-year-old Jordan’s talent on the skins – I’ve seen the Blues Angels perform several times, and have to agree with Whitey’s assessment of Jordan’s outstanding musicianship. On one occasion the Blues Angels, (with Jerome Godboo on harp and lead vocals) – had Prince (“Purple Rain”) himself sitting in on vocals and lead guitar, at the sadly-no-longer Blues On Bellair in the now-trendy Yorkville. Ironically that’s the area where most of the great music on this CD first premiered – in the hippy dippy-flower power ‘60s ‘daze’.
As ‘Millennium’ continues in ‘repeat’ to the beginning with “Opportunity”, I feel as if this is provenance – a fantastic musical ‘opportunity’ fo listen to Domenic Troiano’s ‘The Best Of Domenic Troiano – The Millennium Collection’ compilation CD again … and again. I hope you get this great CD, and derive as much pleasure from listening to it as I do.
Domenic Troiano Offical Website: http://www.geocities.com/domenic_troiano/dommain.html
http://www.geocities.com/domenic_troiano/left.html
Domenic Troiano link: http://www.thecanadianmusicscene.com/artists/ardomenictroiano.html
Mandala link: http://www.ericknelson.net/GO/Mandala.htm
George Olliver website: www.georgeolliver.com
Label: Universal Music # ASIN: B0000DC17Z
Universal Music (Canada) Website: http://www.20thcenturymasters.umusic.ca/
Universal Music (U.S.A.) Website: www.universalmusic.com
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