Purple Passages

Reviews for PURPLE PASSAGES GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE Truly a solo album, these eight tracks are compositionally advanced and restlessly imaginative. Workman's thickly layered tunes orchestrate nylon-string, solid body, guitar synth, and E-bow into complex, shifting pieces that funnel a zillion influences-from Holdsworth to The Beatles-into a compelling whole - Guitar Player Magazine, July, 1995Workman's solo debut, is a thrilling roller coaster ride through post-fusion's own demented theme park. Part heavy rock, part progressive and part jazzy, this CD is a feast of unusual textures, tones and melodies. You never know what to expect, since Mr. Workman likes to turn on a dime. 'Lionhearted', for example, begins with prog rock, slips into fuzak, makes a reference to Led Zeppelin's 'The Rain Song,' and then throws in a bit of Delta blues, replete with 78 r.p.m. clicks 'n' pops like a vintage Robert Johnson recording. Purple Passages is also chock full of Workman's complex compositions and barnburning leads, but the bottom line is: this home-brewed album stands on it's own merits as a unique sonic entity. DAVE GREGORY- XTC Lyle Workman's astonishing album 'Purple Passages' reveals a musician of consummate skill, creativity and taste. He virtually single-handedly crafts a great bunch of tunes with meticulous care, abandoning the usual guitar hero cliches in favor of melody, texture, and feel. 'Purple Passages' should put Lyle Workman's name on anybody's list of favorite players - he's already on mine GUITAR NINE Workman's solo debut, is a thrilling roller coaster ride through post-fusion's own demented theme park. Part heavy rock, part progressive and part jazzy, this CD is a feast of unusual textures, tones and melodies. You never know what to expect, since Mr. Workman likes to turn on a dime. 'Lionhearted', for example, begins with prog rock, slips into fuzak, makes a reference to Led Zeppelin's 'The Rain Song,' and then throws in a bit of Delta blues, replete with 78 r.p.m. clicks 'n' pops like a vintage Robert Johnson recording. Purple Passages is also chock full of Workman's complex compositions and barnburning leads, but the bottom line is: this home-brewed album stands on it's own merits as a unique sonic entity. PAUL REMMINGTON 1996 Haunting lyricism, melodic balance, harmonic maturity, rhythmic perfection; these are but a few descriptive phrases used to describe Lyle Workman's latest release, 'Purple Passages,' a compact disc consisting of eight instrumental pieces. Workman has created a stunning collection of music carefully crafted in a near-solo fashion. Primarily rock by feel, Workman utilizes a variety of musical influences from traditional blues to international influences, with distinct melodies and complex, yet accessible chordal structures. As Workman describes, 'It's music written on and featuring the guitar with emphasis on chordal composition, melodies, and moods. My goal was to write music that transcends structural and stylistic limitations, yet has a strong melodic foundation. [The creation of 'Purple Passages' was] a constant state of experimentation and discovery.' Workman is accompanied by six musicians on half the CD; one to two musicians on each of four pieces. The remaining four pieces are performed solely by Lyle. Workman is virtually a one-man-band. He is his own composer, arranger, producer, and engineer on both the initial recording and mixdown. He performs practically every instrument, including all electric and acoustic guitars; bass; the diatonically tuned, 27 string Finnish Kantele; and drum programming. With so many areas of talent, it's no wonder Workman spent time performing and recording with musical wizard Todd Rundgren. His previous credits include work with the critically acclaimed pop group, Bourgeois Tagg. He can be found on Bourgeois Tagg's 'I Don't Mind at All,' and Rundgren's 'Nearly Human' and 'Second Wind,' to name only a few releases. He can also be seen on two Rundgren videos, 'Todd Rundgren Live in Japan,' and 'The Making of Second Wind.' Workman is currently recording with