‘Bridge to Eternity’ – Martin Gerschwitz & Friends

Martin Gerschwitz is a classically trained German-born keyboard master. By the age of sixteen Martin was performing classical music with big German Orchestras. In 1967, his older brother, a very successful Cello player, influenced Martin towards the  Rock-n-Roll genre – and it was then that Martin put together his first band called “The Avengers.” Martin performed on the European scene playing with famous German bands and international singers, including a spell as the keyboard player for ”Percy Sledge.”  In 1978 Martin formed his own very successful American style rock band called “Break Point”.

After Martin moved to the USA in 1985 he worked with “Tim Bogart and the Fabulous Violations,” “Loverboy,” Steve Stevens (of Billy Idol fame) and Eddie Van Halen… just to name a few!

Martin has performed in over 10,000 live events worldwide, which include solo appearances with orchestras in Germany. European rock festivals, the Russian Rythm & Blues Festival, the Singapore Blues Festival, concert tours in the Persian Gulf countries and the Iceland Rock Festival. Martin has also toured the US and the world with acts such as “Lita Ford,” “Meat Loaf,” “Vanilla Fudge,” “Kingdom Come,” “Walter Trout Band,” “Eric Burdon & The (new) Animals” and more. In November of 2005, Martin became (and currently still is) the keyboardist and lead vocalist for the rock band “Iron Butterfly.”

And Martin still had time to record several independent solo CDs whilst bearing this heavy work schedule!

So with such a huge professional history we would expect his recent solo release, ‘Bridge to Eternity,’ to be in the realm of awesome – and we are not disappointed – it is!

“This is rock music on a big canvas. Melodic, powerful, captivating…”

With Martin on keyboards & lead vocals, Jan Mengeling on guitar & backing vocals, Jimmy Stacey on bass and Backing vocals, and Martin Schwebel on drums an amazing performance is guaranteed. This is rock music on a big canvas. Melodic, powerful, captivating and begging to be played loud thru’ a real stereo and big speakers. Written by Martin, with some input on lyrics from Steve Welton and Don ‘Tarzan’ Bragg, ‘Bridge to Eternity’ is full of songs of life and love. Songs that tell stories we can all relate to.

The recording is top notch, demonstrating the devastating musicianship of all the band – and it totally preserves the soul and groove. This is real music, played brilliantly.

12 tracks make up the album, all memorable for the right reasons. So it’s hard to pick out just a few as highlights.

The opening song ‘The Day That Our Fathers Pass’ is truly awesome. In the words of some MT members who have viewed the video, ‘Powerful song…terrific voice…the lyrics are special…so beautiful…thanks for sharing your heart…this song really touched me.’ To quote Martin himself, ‘The time in which we had to say, the things we never got to say…’ Awesome.

And what about ‘Sometimes Isn’t Always’ – track eight? I love the bass on this ‘…It’s then that sometimes isn’t always, and never stays the same..’ So true. You just have to feel this song, painted multicolour on a pulsating canvas. I love it. And not to forget the haunting, ‘You’re Never Too Old.’ It just lingers in your head. And…and…get the idea? A great album. I won’t do the usual strengths-weaknesses bit for this CD; if you love big melodic rock and great songs this is for you. Martin’s voice is strong and beautiful, the musicianship is a master class in how it should be done. Well, well worth getting.

Martin’s site is – http://www.martingerschwitz.com/Home_Page.html

Martin’s MT Channel -  http://musicianstogether.com/user/Martino

by Tony Floyd Kenna

Tags: Bridge to Eternity, CD review, iron butterfly, Martin Gerschwitz & Friends, rock keyboard, rock music, vol 2

Category: CD Reviews, Featured Articles