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Bruce Arnold Candlewood Sessions Side A
Bruce Arnold
Label: Muse Eek
Released: 2026
Duration: 00:36:05
Views: 63
Tracks
Mike The Miller;Jack:Dry Ice Burn;The Painter;Grey And Brown;Bare To The Bone;Heard Instinct;Small Miracle
Personnel
Album Description
Sometimes you CAN change horses in midstream. Such is the case with The Candlewood Sessions, a
recording that started out as a jazz jam and ended up as a total rock blast turned up to 11.
It started when guitarist and composer Bruce Arnold showed up at an informal session with Steve Count (bass) and
Eric Halvorson (drums) with a bunch of his compositions to have fun with, and record. All three musicians were ex-
pecting to play jazz. But after they had the tunes under their belts, and had listened back to what they had played, Count
said “Let’s see what happens if we just rock these things.” – and they plunged into what became an invigorating rock
excursion.
The Candlewood Sessions is a hard-hitting rock CD that shows off Bruce Arnold’s chops as well as his compositional
prowess. The past few years have seen the passing of several true greats of the arts, and Arnold commemorates them
here. The CD shreds off with the joyful “Mike the Miller” an homage to the late great guitarist’s guitarist, Mike Mill-
er. It’s followed by “Jack,” an in-your-face composition full of attitude and dissonance that Bruce heard in a dream
(It’s quite a story!) and then wrote down. The tune is named for the seminal jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins who passed in
2023. Next up, “Dry Ice Burn” is a chilling rock ballad in three quarter time with a distinctive, menacing edge. “The
Painter” follows; a beautiful and thoughtful memorial for the great abstract expressionist painter Thornton Willis, also
recently deceased. This track exudes a serene feeling that builds to an aptly “expressionist” solo. “Grey and Brown” is
an Arena Rock ballad that shows Bruce letting loose with a fire in his belly “cranking out the tones.” “Bare to the Bone”
is an up-tempo Rock Swinger with a memorable melody and a great groove. Next is one of Bruce’s most recorded
tracks; the anthemic “Heard Instinct.” This is one where you can practically see the audience swaying with Bic lighters
held high. Finally, “Small Miracle” is a tune by drummer Eric Halvorson; it’s a salute to Oliver Messiaen, with a cool
floating melody and complex chord changes.
This exciting CD’s got great guitar tones, awesome technique from all, and stinging solos, but it has a lot more— it’s got
a full spectrum of emotions, from strutting confidence to pensive reflection. Enjoy it all.
Album uploaded by Bruce arnold
