If you are a fan of classical guitar, or even if you are not, there is a wonderful recording by David Russell you should listen too. Not just listen, but buy and keep and listen over and over again for it has all the elements of a great solo guitar recording.
The performer, David Russell has many recordings available, including a Bach album which has also met with great critical acclaim. In “Aire Latino” Mr. Russell has a delicacy of touch when needed, and a smoothness and flow that makes one unable to stop the music in mid song; it mesmerizes the listener to cherish each song from first note to the last. The delicate and precise touch blends with an uncanny rubato in some pieces to entice the listener to wonder if this is truly only one guitar.
Mr. Russell has selected a number of Latin American pieces from a variety of composers. Favorites like Jorge Cardoso and Hector Villa-Lobos as well as less recorded composers like Guido Santorsola and Dilermando Reis. Unlike many compilations, this album has a continuity of purpose and one could even imagine a story being told. The works combine to offer a picture of the best of 20th century South American guitar compositions. Each of which stand as great pieces on their own, but when combined together, they elicit the listener to contrast and compare the brilliant ideas of these solos. There are largo and moving pieces like “Se ela Perguntar”, by Reis and “Milonga” by Cardoso as well as quick paced pieces like “Xodo da Baiana” by Reis and even the Jazzy “Rebolico” by Pernambuco. The combination keeps the entire album fresh and never boring.
A word about the engineering; this is part of what makes this recording great, one is able to hear all the nuances of the guitar from plucks to overtones and harmonics, from the deepest bass E to the highest A sharp with an evenness of tone seldom found only in the best recording. No wonder this album won the Grammy for best instrumental soloist for 2005.
1 comment:
Have you ever listened to Jessie Cook?
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