Keneally + Metropole "The Universe Will Provide"

"The Universe Will Provide", guitarist Mike Keneally's (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai) initial foray into orchestral composition, is his stunningly beautiful imaginary collaboration with himself at age eight. "The Universe Will Provide", was inspired by everything leading up to his first exposure to Zappa. Recorded with the Metropole Orkest in Holland, "The Universe Will Provide" blends Mike's multi-instrumental talents in with a 50-piece orchestra conducted by Jurjen Hempel. Keneally composed the entire disc, orchestrating it with Chris Opperman. Featuring strings, reeds, brass, keyboards, guitars, basses, drums, and percussion, the Dutch ensemble regularly covers everything from pop and television jingles to cartoon themes and classical pieces. Which is perfect for the music on "The Universe Will Provide" - a 52-minute thrill-ride that opens with the guitar-and-strings composition "Blue 68" and closes with "Bullies" (a serpentining epic that goes from acoustic guitar to cartoonish orchestration before a rocking coda).