Crossing Lines (album) explained

Crossing Lines
Type:album
Artist:Vida Blue
Cover:Vida_Blue_Crossing_Lines.jpg
Released:2019
Studio:Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida
Genre:jazz fusion, funk rock
Label:ATO Records
0882374013
Producer:Page McConnell
Chronology:Vida Blue
Prev Title:Live at the Fillmore
Prev Year:2004

Crossing Lines is an album by Vida Blue, a band led by Phish keyboard player Page McConnell. It was released in 2019 by ATO Records. On the album, which followed a 15-year recording hiatus, McConnell is joined by two original Vida Blue members, bassist Oteil Burbridge and drummer Russell Batiste, along with a new addition, guitarist Adam Zimmon. The Spam Allstars also appear on two tracks.[1] [2] [3]

Reception

In a review for AllMusic, Timothy Monger wrote: "the musicianship and interplay between these musicians is excellent, and while Crossing Lines doesn't necessarily feel essential, it has its moments and marks a worthy third chapter in the band's canon."

Benjy Eisen, writing for Relix, called McConnell's lyrics "grown-up stuff," and stated that they "seem loaded with indecision, even paralysis, yet spoken from a place of secure identity." Regarding the album as a whole, he remarked: "Their two previous releases swung for the fences but Vida Blue hits this one out of park."[4]

Glide Magazines Shawn Donohue commented: "the DNA of all of these tracks screams to be explored and stretched out by live interactions on stage, however, the studio produced pristine sounds, digital flourishes and almighty groove anchors Crossing Lines; Vida Blue's blissful return."[5]

In an article for No Depression, Anne Margaret Daniel called Zimmon "a welcome addition," and stated that, in relation to the band's previous releases, "Crossing Lines brings a fresh, spicier, pop-driven electronic sound into the hot funk and cool jazz."[6]

Kevin Hahn of Music Marauders wrote: "Crossing Lines is a great way to bring Vida Blue and Page's solo catalog back into the forefront of the Phish world, and hopefully the jam-band landscape behind that... It is always a joy to see these 'supergroups' get back together."[7]

Track listing

"Real Underground Soul Sound" composed by Russell Batiste. Remaining tracks composed by Page McConnell.

  1. "Analog Delay" – 5:57
  2. "Checking Out" – 5:15
  3. "Where Did It Go" – 5:50
  4. "Phaidon" – 4:50
  5. "Weepa" – 6:10
  6. "Maybe" – 7:12
  7. "Real Underground Soul Sound" – 7:57
  8. "If I Told You" – 11:01

Personnel

Vida Blue

with Spam Allstars (tracks 5 and 8):

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vida Blue: Crossing Lines . Jazz Music Archives . August 4, 2022.
  2. Web site: Vida Blue Return with New LP 'Crossing Lines,' Share First Single . July 23, 2019 . Jambands.com . August 4, 2022.
  3. Web site: Vida Blue: 'Crossing Lines,' Share First Single . September 30, 2019 . Phish.com . August 4, 2022.
  4. Web site: Vida Blue: Crossing Lines . Benjy . Eisen . October 3, 2019 . Relix . August 4, 2022.
  5. Web site: Vida Blue Return With Pulsating Sounds & Elongated Percussion Via 'Crossing Lines' . Shawn . Donohue . September 24, 2019 . Glide Magazine . August 4, 2022.
  6. Web site: Vida Blue Returns with Electronic Twist on Hot Funk and Cool Jazz . Anne Margaret . Daniel . December 26, 2019 . No Depression . August 4, 2022.
  7. Web site: Album Review: Vida Blue Crossing Lines . Kevin . Hahn . October 3, 2019 . Music Marauders . August 4, 2022.

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