CD Review: Godfrey Townsend's "Easy Journey To Other Planets"

by Rick Landers.

Godfrey Townsend’s CD, Easy Journey To Other Planets, packs a wallop of great melodic guitar tracks that will satisfy fans of such classic guitar stylists as Eric Johnson, Robin Trower and Neal Schon. Townsend knows how to write songs that stick. I find that most guitar solo albums tend to have a few interesting tracks, but for the most part are haphazard affairs. Few have been thoughtfully put together in a manner that holds interest for the full platter. Townsend’s Easy Journey To Other Planets is a welcomed exception.

Before digging into Godfrey’s album, let’s go back to 2007 when he was playing as the house band guitarist for the HippieFest tour. I was backstage with Badfinger’s guitarist Joey Molland when Townsend was performing, punching out some heavy guitar riffs with enough reach to shock and awe. I looked at Joey and asked who was rockin’ out front. “Oh man, that’s Godfrey Townsend. He’s an incredible guitarist! Even Leslie West is impressed with him!”

Sure enough, I met Leslie later and he enthusiastically confirmed, “Yeah, Godfrey’s a great guitarist!” So, where’s this guy been? A bit of research tells us that Townsend has earned his stripes by playing alongside such greats as Jack Bruce, Steve Lukather, Leslie West, Alan Parsons, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Jason Bohnam, Buddy Miles, Noel Redding, Mark Farner, Dave Mason, Mitch Ryder, Andy Timmons, Denny Laine, John Enwhistle, Rick Derringer and a slug of other rock veterans.

“Astral Projection” awakens the album with soft bubbling melodic eruptions that have a cinematic feel to them and then transitions to “Closer 2 U” separating the tracks with a steady stream of lush soaring leads that move lazily across the soundscape. In the same vein a slow marching “The Pump 2.5” offers more fire and brimstone as Townsend begins to jettison some classic '80s style riffs, reminiscent of big arena Neal Schon tones.

“Long Misty Bridge,” is awash in layers of Townsend’s melodic style that beg us to add our own storylines to them. Again, the music on Easy Journey To Other Planets is cinematic, as visual as it is aural – sonically moving us to create our own dreamscapes. The album surges along with low rumbling “Hazel,” “Easy Journey to Other Planets,” sitar laden “Gaga Over Raga” and other tracks that carry riffs from Godfrey that place him somewhere respectable in the guitar god arena.

A bluesy “Cold,” plods along sleepily with a slow riff that had hints of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” I was about to nod off after over a minute of the lethargy, when Townsend unleashed some gripping guitar pyrotechnics – the guy’s chops are simply stunning.

Ending the album with “Narad Muni,” Godfrey’s forceful melodic strength is more persuasive than commanding. No force feeding here. The guitarist is masterful at knowing when to keep things restrained, yet still technically impressive and entertaining.

There’s a maturity to Townsend’s style reflected in his restraint. It’s evident he’s got enough “go” in his chops to slip past any speed trap, yet he doesn’t overload with machine gun intensity at every turn. He lets his tunes breathe when it makes sense and gives them space with tasteful phrasing, seasoning them with the full spectrum of colorful imagery. Not many good guitar albums out there these days for guitar addicts to savor. Godfrey Townsend’s Easy Journey To Other Planets gives us something to gnaw on. It's a superb six-string fix.

Related Link
Godfrey Townsend
Easy Journey to Other Planets - CD Baby

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