Jerry Goodman – Violin Fantasy 
Cleopatra Records
https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/jerry-goodman-violin-fantasy-cd/

Rating: B

Jerry Goodman may play violin, but he’s no stranger to rock ‘n’ roll.  This guy plays with The Flock and with John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra.  He’s done session work with Styx for rock’s sake.  So, while his new album may be a violin fantasy, don’t be fooled. This guy didn’t just fall off the backstage amp anytime recently.  He may go around playing jazz as well as being classically trained and all that, but those who know him know this:  HE WANTS TO ROCK!  And now… he does!

He throws in a couple of prog/classical/jazz tunes in for good measure…“In The Realm Of The Netherworld” and “Violin Fantasy” make this legit enough for the music snobs, while the rest of the stuff is made for fist waving rock nuts.  Imagine full band with violin versions of “Enter Sandman,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Eye Of The Tiger,” “The Final Countdown,” “In the Air Tonight,” “Rock On,” and “Dream Weaver.”  Yep, it’s just like that.  Oh, there is also Jerry’s violin take on “Baba O’Reilly” too. Did I mention that this sucker features a few famous guests?  King Crimson bassist Tony Levin and Yes’s Billy Sherwood make an appearance as does the Mighty Rick Wakeman.

This is one of those really cool albums that you will want to hear and, of course, turn your rock nerd friends on to.  If you’re THAT GUY then this one is 100% for you!  Snap it up and enjoy!  My only complaint is… WHERE IS THE KANSAS SONG?  This album was made for that… but then again, wait… a rock band with a violin?  Well, I guess that is what Kansas actually does, isn’t it?

Track Listing
1. Enter Sandman
2. In The Realm Of The Netherworld
3. Dream Weaver (Alternate Mix) with Nektar
4. Baba O’Riley (Alternate Mix)
5. Violin Fantasy
6. The Laws of Nature with Tony Levin & Billy Sherwood
7. Rock On
8. In The Air Tonight
9. Don’t Stop Believin’
10. Random Acts Of Science with Rock Wakeman
11. Eye Of The Tiger
12. The Final Countdown

By Jeb “100% Rock Nerd” Wright