Happy The Man The Muse Awakens Tracks: 1. Contemporary Insanity 2. The Muse Awakes 3. Stepping Through Time 4. Maui Sunset 5. Lunch At The Psychedelicatessen 6. Slipstream 7. Barking Spiders 8. Adrift 9. Shadowlites 10. Kindred Spirits 11. Il Quinto Mare Line up: Frank Wyatt - saxes, keyboards, woodwinds Stanley Whitaker - guitars, vocal David Rosenthal - keyboards Joe Bergamini - drums, percussion Rick Kennell - bass Record Label / Year of Release: Inside Out Music 2004 Notes: This incarnation of Happy the Man includes three of five members who appeared on their 1970s albums, Frank Wyatt on sax and keyboards, Stanley Whitaker on guitar and the rare vocals, and bassist Rick Kennell, who was a founder of the group. Their lead keyboard man is David Rosenthal, who played with the group in their 2000 reunion performance. Rosenthal joined when Kit Watkins declined to go on the road touring. The drummer for this CD is Joe Bergamini, who continues the tradition of having a different drummer on every Happy the Man recording. For those who remember the now classic HTM LPs, the band takes up almost exactly where it left off. The music continues with its multi-layered sound, with lots of interesting twists and complex rhythms, but with ethereal interludes. The band doesn't go for exhibitionist musicianship, but concentrates on the orchestration and ensemble playing, with the focus being on the compositions. David Rosenthal is a worthy replacement for Kit Watkins. He obviously has studied Watkins work, in the manner of his playing, keyboard sounds, and even composing. And the material is a nice cross section of the band's multi-faceted style. David Rosenthal wrote track 1, 4 & 10.