"Transcendence" CD - Trevor Stewart

review by Greg Howard sample track: "Never Alone" Trevor Stewart is one of a growing number of Stick stylists who are using the Stick's sound and arranging capabilities to create a distinctive and deeply personal musical voice and artistic image. This third CD by the Kansas-based Stick soloist starts off with deep, lush reverberating Stick chords and a sweet uplifting melody. You might be lulled into thinking this was going to be a nice quiet "meditative" listen. But after only a few seconds the energy starts to climb, as his fingers "stretch out" on the Grand Stick fretboard and various overdubbed ensemble instruments make their entrance, including Trevor's masterful viola and hand percussion. Most of the pieces are original compositions that expand from simple melodic themes to multi-string orchestrations. There are also some truly innovative interpretations of familiar tunes like "Amazing Grace" and Ravel's "Bolero." All of the tracks have memorable phrases that become ever more res