Jerry Goodman - It's Alive [Bonus Tracks] (CD)

All Music Guide

Jerry Goodman returned to action after a decade's layoff with On the Future of Aviation in 1985, surprising fans of his jazz-rock fusion playing in the Flock and the Mahavishnu Orchestra by turning to highly synthesized new age composing and downplaying his trademark violin soloing. 1986's Ariel was a half-step back to the more familiar style, its rock rhythms serving as a bed for violin excursions. It's Alive, on which Goodman takes his band to the Park West in Chicago for a night, is, not surprisingly, even more of a crowd pleaser. There are tunes lifted from the two albums and some new ones added, plus an entertaining version of "Theme From Perry Mason" for a closer, and Goodman is usually front and center with violin in hand, though he does allow the band, which features two synthesizers, occasional room to shine. The live environment lends impetus to this studio-created music, and it sometimes takes on the fervor of the old Mahavishnu shows. Fusion fans may still wish for more, bu...t It's Alive almost deserves to be put in the jazz section rather than the new age one. The 2000 reissue on One Way features a legend reading, "This CD contains the entire live performance as [recorded] September 16, 1987." In practice, this means that, as compared to the original release, the new version is re-sequenced and three tunes, "Endless November," "Topanga Waltz," and "Orangutango," have been added, expanding the running time by 17 and a half minutes. - William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide Read more Less