Warren
» Location: Madison, WI
» Favorite Album: Double Live (1988)
my own review:Frank Marino at the Annex in Madison WI 13OCT05. It was nothing short of awesome. This was a rock concert in the true sense of the word. For starters, it lasted 3 hours with no break and no opening act. Frank's big sound reminded you of the the classic rock concerts of the seventies. With a very strong rhythm section consisting of rhythm guitar/electric violin, bass and drums with a singer/guitarist backing sparingly. this power group put a coliseum sound into a small venue transporting the small crowd estimated at under 100 on a cosmic trip exploring vast regions of orchestral rock, acid rock and blues. The melodic phrases were pure and woven through each song with expertise and obvious years of crafting to perfection. The extended jams were preconceived with interludes of guitar sounds running the gammit as Frank used his entire foot switch array of pedals and electronics in a display of professional showmanship rarely seen in the clubs today. The crowd was hypnotized as the band ran through each extended song with expertise, power and woven synchronicity. The numbers were mostly all instrumental with a few pieces sung on lead by Frank with backing vocals. The big concert look was achieved by a large look lighting setup and a tall black curtain backing the band. Not overdone either, straight-on down lit from the rear and minimal frontal lighting with mostly blues and reds with white light used on the solos and large tunes featuring Frank, every song. A bank of 10 1k fernels across the back and the same number in front angled towards the band at 45 degrees. Excellent but abreviated solos from the bassist and drummer seperately, each was very good by solo standards set down by the rock gods of yore. Frank had several short solos with band and an extended solo section himself exploring various sounds and at one point playing with his teeth and making his guitar sound like a large church pipe organ, not to mention synthesysed cry baby and patches of cross fed combinations from his elaborate foot switch board and long sustains and unconventional combinations of harmonic, diminished and augmented chords fluently played by hands of precision. This is a master, this Frank Marino. The band joined in at the end of the long solo section and cresendoed the crowd to a frenzy. What a treat it was, early Halloween, you might say, for this fortunate crowd of cult followers and general rock enthusiasts who ventured out this auspicious eve. Mostly male I might add. A handful of female rockers girlfriends or wives for the most part, no groupie types here. Just real acid rock, orchestral rock extended rock guitar music admirers. A crosscut of ages, but mostly guys in there 30s 40s and 50s. Looking around, I knew these were serious listeners and rock survivors.
The bass was as steady as steady can be and trance-like through the various progressions with power and precision as well. Behind Frank's solos, with the drums and rhythm players it was a perfect combination, complimenting Marino's licks at every turn as his solos sang through the haze. It was truly orchestral and magnificently presented in the signature style we have known as the Frank Marino sound.
The drums were solid all the way with a power sound unmatched by but a few who have sat in the throne before this night. The cymbals were all parallel to the floor and the whole kit sat low to the ground, resembling a battle ship look. The double bass setup was utilized to perfection in combination with the double dual toms and tight metallic crack of the snare laid down with snappy synchronization and rapid fill followed by thunderous double bass short sustain cymbal sounds creating a sound as tight as possible but providing the rhythmic backbeat and driving force propelling Frank Marino's guitar and whole balanced band backing sound to a studio quality.
The result, a large but tight sound easily filling the concert space at the Annex but also creating the illusion of a large concert atmosphere. Throughout, this was the classic rock concert sound we all love, the sound made famous by the concert groups of the 60s and 70s here in the USA and abroad. The sound made famous by the infamous, Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush. Come back soon. We'd love to have you. This was a musical treat. I feel priviledged to have attended.