Travelogue

Album Review

In an attempt to dazzle our sensibilities with a litany of life's greatest joys, as expressed through a virtuoso bass journey, Travelogue treads on different kinds of musical ice—exotic and meandering, thick and rich, then slightly self-indulgent. Jaunty tunes like "Spring 1968" spice up the typical pop format with Willie and Lobo-like violin strains, and Peer tackles a classical feel with Paul McCandless' English horn, but the bassist is simply too ambitious for his own good on the artsy noodlers with silly titles which close the disc. It's not his fault, entirely. He has a statement to make with his band, with a few solo addenda. Unfortunately, his instrument is a rhythm tool rather than a strong melodic lead, at least the way he plays it. When he's fluttering along life's unpredictable road with support and specialized percussive flair, Peer leads a powerful caravan. When his wagons abandon him, the trip slows to about ten mph.