Live Wires: NewBeats.com [2005]

Live Wires: NewBeats.com [2005]

by | Jun 29, 2005 | Live Wires, Reviews

Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius: Live Wires

By David Chiu

Joe Deninzon’s virtuosic violin playing adds an elegant grace and down-home spunk to the rest of the musicians’ fusion grooves. On this live album recorded in Erie, Pennsylvania, Deninzon run through several numbers of hot jazz rock, highlighted by some dazzling playing by the members of Stratospheerius (a variation of Stradivarius-get it, Deninzon’a violinist)-guitarist Jake Ezra, bassist Ron Baron, and drummer Luciana Padmore. In additiono to several of his originals, Deninzon’s also does a rip-roaring version of the Simpson’s theme and an acid-funk take on Stevie Wonder’s Contusion. Fusion music may not be everyone’s bag (there is some people out there who revile it), but this album might prove the contrary through the amazing musicianship.

Live Wires: ProgSheet [2005]

Live Wires: ProgSheet [2005]

by | Mar 29, 2005 | Live Wires, Reviews

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius – Live Wires (D-Zone Entertainment)

Live fusion hot as a habenero! These guys kick major colon! The feel is Jeff Beck meets Takanaka with a hint of Dregs – hot rockin’ jazz fusion that never lets up. Deninzon is wicked on electric violin – his fingers are on fire! Jake Ezra matches him note for note on guitar, and the rhythm section of Ron Baron on bass & drummer Lucianna Padmore are twin firecrackers. There are a few “jam band” elements here, but never to a point of annoyance.

I was enthralled by their reinventing of The Simpson’s theme and a cool cover of Frank Zappa’s “Magic Fingers” from the “2000 Motels” soundtrack. Deninzon originals like “What’s That Thang” and “An Evening Nap In The Afternoon Sun” are tasty, tasty fusion. While not in the prog realm, if your tastes run to “Blow By Blow” era Jeff Beck, Weather Report, or Steve Vai, you’ll find “Live Wires” has much to offer.

Live Wires: Wichita.com [2004]

Live Wires: Wichita.com [2004]

by | Apr 21, 2003 | Live Wires, Reviews

AltMusic

Live Wires ÷ Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius

D-Zone Entertainment, 2004

Originally published October 21, 2004

by Jedd Beaudoin
jbeaudoin@f5wichita.com

Classic fusion lives and breathes via Russian-born, classically-trained Joe Deninzon and his amazing band Stratospheerius. Captured blazingly bright live and in the moment on this 10-song live outing, Joe and his magic band bring old music (Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra) and new music (fans of the Dave Matthews Band’s most transcendental moments won’t feel lost here) together with a heavenly blend of originals from Deninzon’s two previous studio affairs, Electric/Blue and Adventures of Stratospheerius, covers, and previously unreleased material.

From the latter disc comes the inspiring “Contusion,” the ass-shaking “What’s That Thang” and the aptly-titled Acid Rabbits” (think Jeff Beck’sBlow By Blow), from the former; there’s also Frank Zappa’s “Magic Fingers,” Danny Elfman’s theme from The Simpsons and “Heavy Shtettle,” co-written by ex-Testament guitarist and current jazz ax meister Alex Skolnick (who guests on two tracks here).

While Deninzon’s studio outings served as fine introductions to the New York-based maestro, this little sonic boom captures him unhinged and unencumbered as he leads his fiendishly good mates into strange and bold new worlds that leave now jaw snapped together, no heart beating at anything approaching a normal rate. Sounding more relaxed and confident than ever, Deninzon unleashes the fury on “Shock Therapy,” “The Perfect Storm” and shines in the vocal department on the lovely and amazing “An Evening Nap In The Afternoon.”

As at home in the world of Grappelli and O’Connor as he is in the world of Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix, Joe Deninzon may very well be our next national violin treasure.

Adventures of Stratospheerius: All-Music Guide [2003]

Adventures of Stratospheerius: All-Music Guide [2003]

by | Mar 29, 2003 | Adventures of Stratospheerius, Reviews

Released under the name of Joe Deninzon, this album is by the same group who released Electric Blue under the moniker of Stratospheerius. The group of musicians on the album are Deninzon (who quite capably handles multiple duties, the most prominent of which are violin and vocals), Scott Chasolen, Grisha Alexiev, Rufus Philpot, DJ Big Wiz, and guitarist Alex Skolnick (Attention Deficit, Testament). In Adventures in the Stratospheerius, they have produced a very intriguing album that combines some quite disparate musical styles. The group’s music includes elements of fusion, jam rock, and even down-home hoe-down Southern rock. While that combination sounds pretty odd on paper, it really makes for an exciting album and a great listening experience. ~ Gary Hill, All Music Guide