In
2009, one of the most innovative electric guitarists in America today,
Lyle Workman released the long awaited follow-up to his 2000
album Tabula Rasa. Similar in scope to that album,
2009s Harmonic Crusader once again features an album
of sonic guitar soundscapes ranging from experimental, orchestral
film score inspired epics to full blown instrumental rock-jazz workouts.
Produced, engineered, written and arranged by Workman, Harmonic
Crusader finds the guitarist kicking ass in the studio alongside
guest players including drummers Vinnie Colauita, U.K. drumming
legend Simon Phillips, Gary Novak and Matt Laug,
who simply shines on a CD closing, Group 87 / Steve Howe inspired
fusion march called Big Reveal. When hes not recording
his noble rock instrumental epics, Workman will more than likely be
found composing for a variety of film scores, including his work on
The 40 Year Old Virgin score from 2005 and more recently Superbad,
Yes Man and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (of the four, three
were #1 box office hits.) Coming from a rock background, having also
played his guitar for icons like Todd Rundgren and the L.A. pop wunderkind
Jellyfish, Workmans approach to jazz-rock is very eclectic to
say the least but he doesnt sound very influenced by more mainstream
jazz or rock and roll per se. But for an unexpected change of pace
from Lyle, do check out the Le Hot Gypsy Jazz influence on track 9
Ode To The Gypsy King. Django would approve!
MUSIC
WEB EXPRESS 3000 presents LYLE WORKMAN
Guitars Center Stage
Guitarists making waves in the music world, their new recordings and
gear!
Musical Background
I started playing guitar when I was 9 years old, learning
basic open chords from my dad who strummed as a hobby. I quickly heard
the same chords on Beatles records and on the radio, and started to
teach myself songs. I refined my ear by learning all kinds of music
throughout my formative years, eventually enrolling in a junior college
for two years study of music theory and composition. My first appearance
on record was on Mike Varney's U.S. Metal, which is misleading because
I was never a shredder metal guitar player, but it was fun for a first
timer! Later on I joined a band, Bourgeois Tagg, and we recorded a
few records for Island. We had a decent hit single, I Dont
Mind At All, off the second album, which was produced by Todd
Rundgren. The group disbanded and subsequently I recorded and toured
in Todd's band for two years. I recorded with the S.F. Bay Area band
Jellyfish for their second record, Split Milk. I started working
with drumming legend Tony Williams, writing some music and later contributing
a track to his last record. Next began nearly five years with Frank
Black on the road and on record. Around that time I moved to Los Angeles
and also started more session work. I recorded with artists Sheryl
Crow, Shakira, Jacob Dylan and many others. I toured as a member Sting's
band for a summer tour, beginning with "Live 8" in 2005.
Around that time I began scoring films and presently that is the focus
of my work.
New CD
In all my CDs, and my newest, Harmonic Crusader, I
suppose all of my past influences culminate, regardless of the genre,
so it's difficult to classify and categorize this music. My primary
goal when I write is for every piece to stand up melodically and compositionally,
completely independent of the guitar. I never think about what I'm
trying to present as a guitarist. I only serve the music the best
I can and I revere guitar equally as much as any other instrument.
On my CD besides guitar, drums, bass, piano, and organ, there are
several other instruments. There is one piece that's purely orchestral
with strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. There are a few tracks
featuring drummersboth Simon Phillips and Gary Novak take drum
solos. There's also a good dose of keyboardist Jeff Babko, who is
outstanding, and an organ solo by Larry Goldings who is out of the
world talented. As far as my guitar playing on Harmonic Crusader,
it covers many basesepic solos, ambient textures, ebow choirs,
processed loops, a track in the style of Django Reinhardt, Brian May
style broken up chords played as single lines . There's a lot of variety.
I recorded for the most part in my home studio, but tracked nearly
all of the drums elsewhere. Vinnie Colaiuta was recorded in his studio,
Simon in his studio, Gary Novak at Sunset Sound in Hollywood. Some
songs have several layers of guitars, keys, and an assorted instruments,
all tracked in my home studio. This record was in progress for eight
years due to my busy work in film scoring and other recording sessions
and touring, so it took a while for me to gather enough free time
to complete it.
Favorite Guitars
I used many guitarsa 58 reissue Les Paul, 63
Fender Strat, 72 Fender Thinline, Hamer Monaco, Fender Baritone
Tele (a "Bajo sexto"), 56 Martin D-18, 53 Gibson
LG-2, 59 ES-335, 55 Fender Tele. AmpsMarshall 69
100 watt, Marshall 72 50 watt, Divided by 13 37+ and RSA 23,
Fender Princeton Reverb. EffectsLine 6 DL4, Line 6 MM4. Guyatone
MD3 delay, Moog "Murf" and EBS Multi-comp compressor. Strings
are D'Addario .10 to .46. Some solos have a dose of Soundtoys "Echo
Boy" plug-in for delay (I tracked onto Pro Tools).
Musical Influences
Certainly The Beatles, especially Sgt. Pepper and post
records. As a young teen, like most all players of my generation,
I was bowled over by Hendrix - Band Of Gypsies, Electric Ladyland,
The Who Live at Leeds, Who's Next. A little later on
I was crazy over Mahavishnu Orchestra -Birds of Fire, Johnny
Mc Laughlin, Electric Guitarist. Genesis Selling England by
The Pound. Yes - Yessongs, Close to the Edge. Jeff Beck
- Blow By Blow, Wired, There and Back. Narada Michael
Walden was influential especially as a writer and, on a few of his
records guitarist Ray Gomez is featured, another favorite. Steve Morse
and The Dixie Dregs made a big impact- What If, Unsung Heroes.
I also listened to John Scofield and Pat Metheny. On the pop side
I loved The Police, pretty much all of their records, and was a huge
fan of Peter Gabriels solo records. Loving orchestral textures
in pop I loved ELO On The Third Day and Eldorado. I
listened to Weather Report - especially Heavy Weather, Black Market.
I wanted to hear who influenced the bands and musicians I was listening
to, so that's how I discovered Django, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis,
George Benson, Albert King, Robert Johnson, Son House, and many more.
My favorite of the younger generation of jazz guitarists is Kurt Rosenwinkel;
he's astounding.
Upcoming Plans
More film work. The Goods comes out in August, and Get
Him to the Greek, a spin off of sorts of Forgetting Sarah Marshall
sometime next year. Session wise I'm slated to record on a Norah Jones
record in late July. I'm hoping to start another record soon.
Web Site
www.myspace.com/lyleworkman
www.lyleworkman.com