Bullish, volume 1 of the 3 CD collection (Bullish, Bellyache & Belch), has the most songs that rocket you back to The Bolshoi days - and it does so with just enough Bolshoi-ness that you will begin to miss the old days... more » - but only enough to appreciate the fact that the new days shine, seasoned with wonderful elements of them. Bellyache, volume 2 of the 3 CD collection (Bullish, Bellyache & Belch), is a rickety bridge of sorts, crossing you from smack dab in the middle of The Bolshoi days and onward to current Trevor-times. With musical textures from both - where Trevor has been - and - where Trevor is ultimately sailing - this volume is like a Harley ride on a voluptuous back-road. Belch, volume 3 of the 3 CD collection (Bullish, Bellyache & Belch), is a true voyage into Trevor?s new territory - a vast jungle of southern-tinged edginess mixed with a mind saturated with the oddity of common daily life. All set to the vocal style of the dark, mad oracle himself.« less
Bullish, volume 1 of the 3 CD collection (Bullish, Bellyache & Belch), has the most songs that rocket you back to The Bolshoi days - and it does so with just enough Bolshoi-ness that you will begin to miss the old days - but only enough to appreciate the fact that the new days shine, seasoned with wonderful elements of them. Bellyache, volume 2 of the 3 CD collection (Bullish, Bellyache & Belch), is a rickety bridge of sorts, crossing you from smack dab in the middle of The Bolshoi days and onward to current Trevor-times. With musical textures from both - where Trevor has been - and - where Trevor is ultimately sailing - this volume is like a Harley ride on a voluptuous back-road. Belch, volume 3 of the 3 CD collection (Bullish, Bellyache & Belch), is a true voyage into Trevor?s new territory - a vast jungle of southern-tinged edginess mixed with a mind saturated with the oddity of common daily life. All set to the vocal style of the dark, mad oracle himself.
CD Reviews
BOLSHOI REVISITED
Sammy P. Panganiban | Chicagoland, Illinois | 05/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Trevor Tanner's 3-cd solo album epitomizes the same haunting melodic hymns of all the Bolshoi albums. Trev's voice sends chills down my spine everytime I hear it. Just amazing. Bought the CD from someone who knows Trev and I got his autograph as well (this will be precious). Belch is my favorite among the three. My favorite songs: Jesse Owens, Mr. Ease and Miss Trust, Fine, Chinese Whispers. BUY the 3-cd set...You won't be disappointed."
A review from a friend
Duel D. Christian, Jr. | Shalimar, FL USA | 03/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Trevor is one of the most gifted songwriters I have ever met. He also is a friend of mine. We have shared several stages as his current band "Rathkeltair" and I play the same festivals. I even have a cd of the demos for these three albums.
The thing about Trevors writing is he can't be pigeon holed into one style. He has his gothy stuff from the Bolshoi, as well as the country celtic stuff he did with Celtic Soul as well as the gems on these three albums. Buy them. Now. It'll be a ride worth taking."
The wait is over!
Carrie | Va Beach by way of Jacksonville Florida | 06/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After waiting months they are here! After waiting years since THE BOLSHOI they are here! Trevor Tanner is a great songwriter, and fantastic musician, an AWESOME ARTIST! I love these cd's. A personal favorite of course is the Hills of the West!!I love the concept of three different albums with 3 different feels to them, but they all are him! You cant listen to him without a smile coming to your face and when he knows the lyrics are off, you can sense a smile from him coming thru the cd too!For those who cant get enough of this man hopefully these 3 will be the first of many more to come! I dont think he will run out of talent for songwriting and we can always hope for more!I will be running my 3 constantly in the house and car!
Thanks Trevor and thank you Emperor Penguin!"
Trevor Tanner - ex Bolshoi Frontman - is back!
James Winter | UK | 02/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was a big fan of 80s band The Bolshoi. They had something really special and different going for them. Since their demise after only three superb LPs, nothing much has been heard from any of the members of the band. When I heard that Trevor Tanner, The Bolshoi's outspoken frontman singer & guitarist, had released not one, but three solo CDs in one go, I was amazed and placed my order straight away.
When it arrived, all the way from the USA where Trevor spends most of his time now, I was not disappointed at all. In fact, these are some of the best LPs that I have ever heard. Sophisticated and simple, Trevor still brings a refreshing change in his own distinctive style. There are some absolutely beautiful songs on these albums as well as all-out rockers. A special treat for Bolshoi fans are songs done in the same vane as old well-known Bolshoi tracks. You can clearly hear the tune of "Away" in "Fine". And I think that "Stinking" is an updated version of "She Don't Know". But hey, I didn't buy these CDs for old glory....it was just fun and surprising to get tracks like these.
Apparently Trevor is working on more new material which he has amassed in his "wilderness years". Bring it on, Trevor! With tracks as outstanding as "Overdriver" on this collection, then I really can't wait for the next installment.
Buy these CDs. You really won't be disappointed."
The wait was worth it!
Richard Kelly | Manchester, England | 12/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having been a Bolshoi fan for the last 20 years I was pleaseantly surprised when on The Greatest Hits album (surely having The Bolshoi and Greatest Hits in the same sentence is an oxymoron?) Trevor had couple of solo songs on it. I was even more surprised when I saw interviews stating that 3 albums were coming out shortly (this was 1998 I think). Well I've finally managed to get hold of this stuff and I am glad that all my waiting was not in vain.
Trevor's voice is still as recognisable as always, and his guitar playing is pretty much what I expected. You can tell that he has been in America for much of the time since the Bolshoi split - this is evident in quite alot of the lyrics and the style of the songs.
Of the albums I think that Belch is my favourite - it being more forward looking in it's style. I'm listening to Bullish as I write this review and it's style is most reminisent of The Bolshoi and as such it reminds me of being a teenager in the 80s in England. Bellyache is perhaps the weakest link in this set (but it's still a VERY good album) and the reason for this is that I'm not actually sure what it represents - although deep down I know that it represents Trevor's departure from his roots in the Bolshoi to where he is today...to me he will always represent the Bolshoi.
One of the newspapers in England (I think it was the Daily Mail - but it was long time ago and I'm getting older) once said that The Bolshoi were the best band that nobody had ever heard of - well Trevor Tanner is probably the best Singer/Songwriter that nobody has ever heard of.
If you liked the Bolshoi - then you simply need to buy this!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1