Victor Wooten “Palmystery”
Victor Wooten has done it again! Straight from the man who brought us “Soul Circus,” and “Show of Hands” comes an album that will completely blow your mind. “Palmystery” shows the full extent of this bass playing virtuoso. Combining his classic ‘slap and pop’ technique to create a masterful display of musicianship, Wooten does the name of the album justice, for it is indeed a mystery.
The CD has 12 tracks that are guaranteed to blow you away. Each track brings something new to the album. When I listen, I am captivated by the feelings the songs bring out.
There are so many great things going on between the musicians. They connect with each other like a good ensemble should. Nearly every kick from the drummer was perfect and precise, and overall, each musician contributed to its level of awesomeness.
I would have to say that my favorite track is “The Lesson.” The song features Victor playing a solo over a simple clapping pattern. There is an incredible amount of amazing skills going on at the same time, while rotating around a central melody. You could say that this track is mesmerizing, a form of hypnosis for the ears. It is very easy to get lost in the sounds of the central melody. Its sound puts you in this trance where you begin to stop listening, and start feeling the music.
There are several religious overtones in this album as well. With myself not being religious, I immediately dismissed the track, but if you listen to “I Saw God” you’ll quickly notice that there is much more than religion here. The lyric “I saw God the other day; he looks like you, he looks like me” speaks to me. It’s saying that there is a little something in all of us. Not only does he take a Christian outlook on things, some of the lyrics are very Zen-like.
You can pick up “Palmystery” by Victor Wooten at Bullmoose for 14.97, or on iTunes for 9.99.