B
alance of Power, released by Art Sublime in late 1993, is the first solo album by Connecticut based guitarist Tony Spada. Instrumental except for one track, it is an unrepentant progressive rock album. Its nine songs span a diversity of styles, from solo classical guitar to power trio rock to intricately textured ensemble pieces. Spada is a masterful guitarist, balancing advanced technique with an excellent sense of feel. From the slow, textural approach of the title track to full tilt soloing, the CD is filled with amazing guitar work which never overshadows the compositions.
Of all the songs on the album, the two classical guitar pieces are Tony's personal favorites. Its no coincidence that many of his main influences, people like Steve Morse, Steve Hackett, and Steve Howe, are themselves accomplished classical guitarists.
Tony is best known as the longtime leader of Holding Pattern. Over the years. Holding Pattern had evolved from a purely progressive ensemble into a more commercially oriented band. Balance of Power was originally intended as a side project of material that didn't fit in with what the band was working on. However, recording the album was so personally satisfying for Spada that he has since dissolved Holding Pattern in order to devote himself to more progressive music.
He is backed on Balance of Power by most of the members of the final incarnation of the band, most notably bassist/keyboardist Tony Castellano, who before joining Holding Pattern was with the Bud Collins Trio. Also appearing are drummer Kirk McKenna and vocalist/percussionist Jeff Brewer.
The unfulfilled potential of Holding Pattern is apparent on the one vocal track on Balance of Power. The Final Act is sung by Brewer and features an appearance from Mark Tannenbaum, keyboardist from the groups heyday in the early eighties. At twelve minutes long, it climaxes the album and shows what the band could have been. Tannenbaum also adds a synthesizer solo at the end of Opposite Ways, his incendiary playing taking a song about to fade out and raising it to new heights, leaving the listener dying for more.
The combination of Tannenbaums keyboard work with Tony's playing went a long way toward making Holding Pattern so well respected. The bands first album was released in 1981, self titled and entirely instrumental. It was a truly fantastic debut, made even more amazing by the fact it was recorded on an extremely low budget with not much time for multiple takes. It received considerable airplay on local college stations, and the groups live appearances were very well received.
Holding Patterns first attempt at adding vocals, the song Mercenary, sung by Tony himself, was released as a single and video in 1983. The video received a scattering of airplay on MTV, the USA Networks "Night Flight" program, and overseas.
Jeff Brewer joined as full time vocalist in 1986. For the first couple years thereafter, the band remained as progressive as it always had been, just with vocals added. But eventually, all the original members had left except for Tony, and the turnover of musicians had left a band with split ambitions. Tony and Jeff still wanted to make progressive music, but other members wanted to pursue a more commercial course.
| Track Listing. |
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| .MP3 sample links are flanked by … |
| … Balance of Power … |
| … Opposite Ways … |
| Touch Sensitive |
| Royal Tradition |
| Heat Treat |
| Matador |
| Sun Song |
| Rhymes |
| … The Final Act … |