Places You Go - BRAD SHEPIK TRIO
In a trio setting, the Hammond B-3 organ usually dominates the musical pace with its penchant for groove. Gary Versace certainly fulfills that role on guitarist Brad Shepik’s latest CD, “Places You Go,” especially on the uptempo opener “Témoin.” But Versace also colors, textures, riffs, muses and blasts with such a variety of sensibilities that he helps to redefine the organ trinity in such a way that trains the spotlight on the leader. Thus Shepik breaks free to explore a range of adventurous guitar voices, expressed from the heartfelt Americana-styled waltz “Return” to the enticing “Batur” (delivered with an Indonesian tonal touch) and the invigorating electric-Miles romp “Tides.” Shepik enlisted Versace for a European tour with drummer Tom Rainey when the bassist had to bow out due to a scheduling conflict, thus opening the door for improvisational serendipity, displayed in full relief on this appropriately named disc. Billboard
