PANDORA
Pandora release date 6/17/22
Pandora pre-sale now available
Pandora review:
Track 10 ‘Lucky Day’ on this high concept album captures the theme of Steve Bonino’s PANDORA; a box purchased at a swap meet in a small town turns out to be the Pandora’s box of ancient Greek Myth.
The Steve Bonino Project explore this concept through the eleven songs and showcases his considerable talents as a musician, lyricist, and performer. Its like a Tarantino movie that cleverly spins the songs and narratives around the middle at track 7; ‘Origin story’ before taking the listener on Pandora’s journey and her mythology with Bonino and his considerable ensemble of musicians.
And he’s as much of a composer as a musician; he explores the musical motifs in the way King Crimson or Tangerine Dream would. But in the tight 3-minute format, the songs are tight, well thought out with dedication to time and feel. Tracks such as ‘Do you believe’ a funk / soul groove that captures the uniquely American gospel scene (with some serious bass playing and clean guitar riff) and ‘Gods and men’ examine the human condition, religion, rites, and myth.
The production this album is crisp, and polished and how it is constructed is that yes, you dip in and out of it playing each track individually, but the story and music is best enjoyed in one sitting. I have followed Steve for nearly a decade now and what separates him from most musicians is the detail he puts into his work, his lyrics. Its not just music – as a guitarist he’s as good as Fripp, Metheney and Howe, even down to the acoustic work. His work is always a superb listen; he challenges you; he entertains you, but above all, he doesn’t short-change you.
He gets better and better with every album he produces; he doesn’t waste your time. Its hard to pick out the best tracks, but for me; ‘Gods and men’, the Gabriel infused ‘Pipes of pan’, ‘To Pandora’ and ‘Do you believe’ stand head and shoulders above the rest. They are tracks by a man on top of his game.
I am grateful to him for sending me the final cut of the album which is due for release 06.17.22 on all the usual platforms and it is well worth your investment and time. Opening this box, won’t give you any pain, sorrow, and grief.
Only joy.
Recommended.
Independent Music Review Blog – Robert Craven
Please join us for 'Influences by Steve Bonino'
"Influences by Steve Bonino" is a weekly music show presented by House of Prog that I host.
It is an hour long pre-recorded program that features many of the artists and musical styles that have influenced me during my life .
Some of the featured artists that have influenced me are:
Bob Dylan, The Beatles, ELP, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd,
Frank Zappa, King's X, Gentle Giant, Steely Dan
Bruce Hornsby, Horn Bands, Tears For Fears, Thomas Dolby, Peter Gabriel and many more.
It airs every Saturday morning at 9am PST, noon EST.
There are weekly replays the following Friday at
4pm PST, 7pm EST.
I have to thank station owner Rick Henry, his wife Mary Pat and DJ Tony Live (Tony Romero) for the opportunity. I have a blast revisiting the catalogs of my heroes each week.
Please join us in the chat room at www.HouseofProg.com
to share your feedback.
Progressive rock
Featuring :
Steve Bonino, vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards and drum programming
Marco Minnemann - drums
Jimmy Keegan - drums
Mike Lewis - drums
Peter Matuchniak - guitar
Erik Johnson - guitar
Seth Romano - guitar, keyboards, vocals and percussion
Jonathan Sindelman - keyboards
Robert Schindler - keyboards
Shimmer Johnson - vocals
Progressive Rock
Featuring
Peter Matuchniak, guitar and vocals
Vance Gloster, keyboards and vocals
Steve Bonino, bass and vocals
with guest drummer Jimmy Keegan
Pop Rock
Featuring Pacale Elia, vocals
Jimmy Keegan, drums, keyboards and vocals
Steve Bonino, guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals
With special guests:
Amy Tori, flute
Brad Zapper, pedal steel
Greg Lastrapes, keyboards
Ryo Okumoto, Hammond B-3
Progressive Rock, and Jazz
Featuring
Peter Matuchniak (guitar, vocals)
Steve Bonino (bass, acoustic guitar, vocals)
Scott Connor (drums, vocals)
Alyssa Matuchniak (vocals, keyboards)
Paul Mouradjian (keyboards),
JoJo Nakano (sax)
Ted Zahn (vocals, bass, keys)
Natalie Azerad (vocals)
Rock, Ambient and New Vibe
Featuring
Tony Romero, Keyboards and programming
Steve Bonino, bass, guitar, additional keys , drum programming and vocals
Robert Schindler, keyboards
Liz Tapia, vocals
Sophia Baird, vocals
Americana and Pop Rock
Featuring
Ted Zahn, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming and vocals
Steve Bonino, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming and vocals
with special guests:
Laura Green, lead and backing vocals
Brandi Smith, lead vocals
Scott Connor, drums
Kelly Moore, pedal steel
Marcus Dawson, bass
Janeen Miller, backing vocals
Elaine Zahn, backing vocals
Dean (Dino) Colli, electric guitar
Damion Meadows, conga
David Gilman, clarinet
Progressive rock, Art Rock, AOR, Pop Rock
Featuring:
Steve Bonino, vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, drum programming
with special guests:
Jimmy Keegan, drums, vocals,
Mike Lewis, drums
Pascale Elia, vocals
Greg Hilfman, keyboards
Dave Meros, bass
Ryo Okumoto, keyboards
Matt Waldrum, electric guitar
Cover Band
Dance Rock - 60's to current
Erik Johnson, guitar and vocals
Seth Romano, vocals, guitar and percussion
Steve Bonino, bass and vocals
Mike Lewis, drums and vocals
Dennis Atlas, keyboards, guitar and vocals
Sound Engineer:
Johnathan Gazvoda
Oasis Tribute Band
Featuring
Seth Romano, vocals and keyboards (as Liam)
Erik Johnson, guitar and vocals
Jimmy Keegan, drums and vocals
Steve Fazio, Guitar
Steve Bonino. bass