David Becker Tribune ìGermericaî

18-Jan-02

The result of a life divided between two countries, in David Beckerís case, is a literal journey transformed into a musical journal, that is aptly titled ìGermerica.îRecorded on two continents and in four different studios in America and Germany, ìGermericaî reflects the fusion of both cultures and provides a showcase for Davidís talent as writer, arranger and musician - and easily demonstrates why David has been referred to as ìOne of the best (contemporary) Jazz guitarists ever.î Reunited on this release with the other members of the David Becker Tribune - his brother Bruce is featured on drums and Tom Lilly on bass - ìGermericaî presents an almost deceptive laid back groove that contradicts the complexity of the well-crafted arrangements.Acclaimed as an inspired fusion guitarist, Davidís musical aptitude is brought center stage on several cuts where he is an admitted one-man show. On ìAround the Universe,î David plays all instruments, including 9 string acoustic guitar, Djembe, Turkish Tambourine, electric guitar, synthesizers and as he phrases it, ìsome exotic percussion.î Despite this penchant as a multi-tasker, David featured Bolle Diekmann on bass as well as vocalist Sylkie Monoff on some cuts - and always with brother Bruce ìproviding a different kind of feelî and Tom featuring some ìgreat fretless work.î David has brought together and recorded the best from both worlds - ì a mixture of Germany and America,î thus allowing him to go from ìmany instruments to just two guitars, to a tune influenced by the music of Eberhard Weber to the ìtasty bluesî of ìBlues for Albie.îHis critically acclaimed debut with the Tribune, ìLong Peter Madsen,î was followed by four additional and consistent international sellers, including the Grammy nominated ìSiberian Express.î The releases received airplay throughout Europe and the states as well as enthusiastic response from reviewers around the world. Decades of touring worldwide garnered the trio not only a dedicated global audience but also the opportunity to share the stage with such jazz greats as Miles David and Chick Corea. Still consummate performers, the trio recently supported Spyro Gyra on their European tour - and in his spare time, David headlines at Jazz fests throughout Europe and recently completed a duo tour with his mentor, the jazz guitarist Joe Diorio.