Bringing It Down to the Bass, by Tony Levin (2025)

Over the past half century, Tony Levin has been a prolific session player and one of the most active live performers on the planet. He’s contributed his talents to over five hundred albums amongst which include 15 with Peter Gabriel and 18 with King Crimson (counting live, studio, and compilations) alongside contributions to the work of John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Herbie Mann, Paul Simon and many others. On tour, he’s traveled the World many times over with the aforementioned King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, and several of his own bands including Stick Men
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This Fall, he’ll stage 65 performances in North America as a member of BEAT, celebrating King Crimson’s ‘80s repertoire alongside Adrian Belew, Steve Vai and Danny Carey interpreting “Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair.”

Levin’s seventh solo album, and his first since 2007, is an autobiography of sorts, with the themes drawn from Levin’s musical life. It features a myriad of collaborators from his half-century-plus on the road and in the studio with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson and many, many others.

Features a Murderer’s Row of guest musicians including Robert Fripp, Vinnie Colaiuta, Earl Slick, Mike Portnoy, Steve Gadd, Jerry Marotta, Gary Husband, L. Shankar, Pete Levin, Jeremy Stacey, David Torn, Pat Mastelotto, Larry Fast, Steve Hunter, Manu Katche, Alex Foster, Dominic Miller, Markus Reuter, Collin Gatwood, Chris Pasin, Jay Collins, Josh Shpak, Don Mikkelsen.

released September 13, 2024

1. BRINGING IT DOWN TO THE BASS
Drums: Manu Katche
Guitar: (solo) Dominic Miller
Keyboard: Pete Levin
Trumpet: Chris Pasin
Alto sax: (solo) Alex Foster
Baritone sax: Jay Collins
Bass: TL
Drums recorded by Toby Gendron at Planet Studios, Montreal
Guitar recorded by Tony Lake
Horns recorded by Scott Petito at NRS Studio
Horn arrangement by Pete Levin

2. ME AND MY AXE
Drums: Jerry Marotta
Guitar: Steve Hunter
Keyboards: Larry Fast, Pete Levin
Bass: TL
Drums recorded by Ariel Shafir at Dreamland Studios

3. ROAD DOGS
Drums: Jeremy Stacey
Keyboard: Pete Levin
Bridge rhythm touch guitar: Markus Reuter
Bass, cello, stick, vox: TL
Drums recorded by Milo Jerreira-Hayes at The Bert Jansch Studio

4. UNCLE FUNKSTER
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Stick: TL

5. BOSTON ROCKS
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Guitar: Earl Slick
Keyboard: Gary Husband
Stick, vox: TL
Guitar recorded by Ariel Shafir at Dreamland Studios

6. ESPRESSOVILLE
Drums: Steve Gadd
Guitar: Joe Caro
Keyboard: Pete Levin
Bass: TL
Trumpet: Josh Shpak
Trumpet: Chris Pasin
Trombone: Don Mikkelsen
Drums recorded by Rob Katz at Wackerman Studios
Horn arrangement: Pete Levin
Espresso machine sounds by Tony’s Breville

7. GIVE THE CELLO SOME
Drums: Jerry Marotta
Organ: Pete Levin
NS cello, bass, vox: TL
Drums recorded by Ariel Shafir at Jersville Studio

8. SIDE B / TURN IT OVER
Vox and bass: TL

9. BEYOND THE BASS CLEF
Violin: L. Shankar (Shenkar)
Keyboards: Gary Husband
Oboe, English horn: Colin Gatwood
Stick, cello, bass: TL

10. BUNGIE BASS
Drums: Pat Mastelotto
Guitar: David Torn
NS Bass, cello: TL

11. FIRE CROSS THE SKY
Stick, vox: TL

12. FLOATING IN DARK WATERS
Soundscape: Robert Fripp
Percussion: Jerry Marotta
Steinberger bass: TL

13. ON THE DRUMS
Vox: TL

14. CODA
Cello: Linnea Olsson, & Bess Brydolf (in utero)
NS Bass, piano: TL