Randy George – Beyond Words – Review – Steve Bonino – House Of Prog

Randy George – Beyond Words

Threshing Floor Media – 2023

Five out of Five stars

Randy George had to have been influenced by many of the same artists I was while growing up because his musical instincts, songwriting and arrangements resonate so strongly with me. Full disclosure, Randy is a friend and I have been a fan of his recorded and stage work for years. Impartial or not, good music is!

Beyond Words is a celebration of Randy’s artistry. He and his band of proggy gentlemen have created a work of passion and inspiration. Whether jazz-popping with fun and skill on Cappuccino With Max or King Crimson’ing it heavily on Foam Rubber Monsters the musicianship is impeccable and the arrangement ideas are classy, leaving space where appropriate and lighting up the sky with technicality to thrill you when needed. There is not a dull moment to be found. The mix is clean and intimate enough that you feel you’re in the studio with world class musicians enjoying the heck out of themselves. I wish I was there.

As to the aforementioned proggy gentlemen, guitarist Eric Gillette has thrilled me since I first heard his work and he just gets better and better. The drummers, Dan Lile and Jason Gianni are spot on. Solid as a rock and breathing electricity into their performances. Truly special work, gentlemen. On Make Me Real, it is a treat to listen to the always fantastic vocal work of Simon Godfrey. What a rare talent. Pamela George, Paul Hansen, Neal Morse and Jimmy McElroy all add beautifully crafted performances to the mix.

Randy gives himself a few special solo moments, but mostly does what he does as well as anyone in the business, laying down the perfect bass part played with perfect time and outstanding feel. You really can’t ask for more.

I highly recommend the wonderful album, Beyond Words – because it is!