Talking Only Makes it Worse

by T.J. Kirk

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1.	Soul Power 06:32	buy track
2.	Four in One 05:11	buy track
3.	Bemsha Swing 05:59	buy track
4.	Skippy 03:15	buy track
5.	Damn Right I'm Somebody 05:02	buy track
6.	Patchouli Naked BBQ 00:41	buy track
7.	Cross The Track - Thelonious 06:57	buy track
8.	Now Please, Don't You Cry, Beautiful Edith 06:04	buy track
9.	Epistrophy 05:41	buy track
10.	The Pay Back 09:14	buy track
11.	T E O 03:24	buy track
12.	Get On The Good Foot - Rock Hard In A Funky Place 07:39	buy track
13.	Jackie-ing 00:42	buy track
14.	Band Intro 00:26	buy track
15.	The Warm Up 00:32	buy track
16.	No Dates, This is a T.J. Kirk Show 00:32	buy track
17.	Meeting At Termini's Corner - I Got A Bag Of My Own - Brilliant Corners 06:01	buy track
18.	Talking Only Makes It Worse 00:05	buy track
19.	Jackie-ing Reprise 00:27	buy track

about

Regardless of the rather mysterious nature of the disc, it's a terrific representation of the foursome's phenomenal instrumental chops. The triple guitar/drums lineup cherry-picks tracks from their studio albums, both of which are out of print as of this disc's appearance in early 2004. Hence, it's the only way to hear this adventurous quartet deconstruct/reconstruct and mix and match the funk, jazz, and avant-garde qualities of the music of James Brown, Thelonious Monk, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Although Charlie Hunter's signature quivering eight-string guitar/bass acrobatics remain the group's signature sound, guitarists Will Bernard and John Schott along with drummer Scott Amendola are more than just backup musicians. They provide breathtaking support as tempos radically change from straight-ahead jazz to frisky funk, as on Monk's tricky "Skippy." Jaw-droppingly tight playing on the set-closing "Meeting at Termini's Corner/I Got a Bag of My Own/Brilliant Corners," which combines riffs from all three of the group's sources, keeps the music captivating and lively even if you are unfamiliar with the originals. The live recording not only catches T.J. Kirk on a superb night at the height of their powers -- and just before they disbanded -- but provides a fitting legacy for one of the '90s more neglected fusion bands.

credits

released January 1, 2003

Will Bernard – guitar
John Schott – guitar
Charlie Hunter – 8-string guitar
Scott Amendola – drums, percussion

produced by Scott Amendola with help from Lee Townsend

recorded by: Christian Jones 1997
mixed by Jon Evans at San Pablo Recorders, Berkeley, California
mastered by: Ken Lee

Released December, 2003