Israel Bissell

CD Review Excerpt:

The San Diego Troubadour

Israel Bissell: Disillusioned Hero
Written by Frank Kocher

This band has adopted a sound, choice of material, and general approach very similar to 1970s progressive rock giants Jethro Tull, especially such heavily acoustic discs as "Songs from the Wood" and "Heavy Horses." Singer/songwriter Chuck Preble plays flute, guitar and mandolin, and the four other members all belong to veteran jazz-fusion band Speed of Sound, and their ace expertise shows. Preble has a mannered voice that fits the band's Renaissance accents perfectly. Guitarist Mark Bacilla produced the CD and his work on the board enables the listener to hear the metaphors in the lyrics and to feel the changes of atmosphere and scene in the songs.

"Undercover" is the opener, with quiet verses leading into an accelerated exchange between Bacilla's excellent electric guitar lines and Preble's flute, then back into the softer resolution. "Angel Wings" is fully acoustic, bringing to mind a street minstrel in the middle ages playing a lute, strings behind a flute solo midway, beautifully produced. The band pushes the beat with the rocker "Monkey Wrench." Here they again show good dynamics, slowing down just before a fluid solo by Bacilla. The song recalls Tull's best rockers and is a highlight on the disc. On "Gallery" it is back to the Renaissance, as the acoustic tune features deftly picked mandolin and flute. "City by the Bay" could be about any shoreline town anywhere, with striking images, and a few hints of a San Diego connection, like "the gritty sightseers looking for a bargain before boarding for a cruise."

Preble's writing uses imagery effectively throughout. Though all of the musicians are clearly superb, the point here is a match of lyric and music, and only two of the 11 songs last over five minutes.

Israel Bissell has crafted an album that enables the listener to travel with the music to other times and places, while enjoying the ride, which is a superb accomplishment for any musical effort. 

CD Review Excerpt:
Pacific Music Box

Israel Bissell:                       Music with Meaning           by Conrad Worthington

Israel Bissell's latest CD Disillusioned Hero, brings back a style and musicianship that has not be heard since the classic albums of Cat Stevens and Jethro Tull.

This five member band are all seasoned musicians and utilize a variety of electric and acoustic instruments, sitar, mandolin, percussion, orchestra and a wild Tull-like flute to provoke emotions in their original songs.

Meaningful lyrics flow throughout the pieces which are all carefully crafted with a unique Renaissance/Rock sound that gets the point across without the need for over-the-top effects.

This is a group that knows how to compose and play music with feeling and purpose. An excellently produced CD from a band that has something to say.  

Lively Arts: Bissell's Disillusioned Hero is a Grower!
by Kenzo 

I admit Disillusioned Hero  is a “grower” for me. With each listen I’m hearing a few more interesting lyrics and layered musical accompaniment that makes it more than a homage to Jethro Tull (which was my initial reaction). Favorites are the obvious “Monkey Wrench” along with "Disillusioned Hero," "Three Seasons," "Lamentable Poe," "Shield," and "Hardwood Floor."

The quality of the CD shows that the band put a lot of effort on the music, lyrics and production. Mark Bacilla’s electric guitar playing is a great accent to the overall feel of the music.