RALPH TOWNER/WOLFGANG
MUTHSPIEL/SLAVA GRIGORYAN – Travel Guide
ECM 372 9508
Ralph Towner (classical & 12-string guitars); Wofgang Muthspiel (electric guitar); Slava Grigoryan (classical & baritone guitars)
Recorded August 2012
On first appearance this album from Towner, Muthspiel and Grigoryan would be for one for guitar buffs everywhere, and that assumption would be right on the money. However, I am not a guitar buff. I do like, enjoy and appreciate good guitar playing, whether as part of an ensemble or as a solo voice, but I do not go out of my way to seek out guitar led albums. And then this arrives for review!
Having said that, even the briefest acquaintance with this beautiful recording will, if not make guitar buffs of us all, will allow many to sit back and savour the music produced by this imaginative trio.
Coming together whilst Towner and Muthspiel were touring Australia as solo performers when their paths crossed with preeminent Autralian (although Austrian born) classical guitarist Slava Grigoryan who recognising a common link between all three in their classical playing, suggested a collaboration. The resulting tour in 2005 which presented the three guitarists in a series of solos of duo, and culminating in a trio a musical relationship was developed that saw them playing more and more as a collective. An earlier release in 2009 From A Dream was released on Muthspiel’s own imprint, Material Records, and now Towner has brought the trio to ECM.
If you think when listening to Travel Guide that you are going to be bombarded by virtuoso guitar playing at intense speed with fingers flying across fretboards, then think again. What we have here is music of a delicate beauty and deep lyricism. The music has plenty of space, and is often played at a low volume, and it is often forgotten that tree guitarists are playing simultaneously such is the restraint exhibited.
With five compositions apiece by Towner and Muthspiel the music is often reflective. On first hearing the melodies are what capture the attention. On subsequent hearings the depth and sophistication of the arrangements come to draw the listener deeper into the trios sound, and it this subtle group interplay that lies at the heart of the music.
This is truly music to be listened to intently to fully appreciate the non-virtuosic approach that these virtuosos bring to their playing. On a different level, just sit back and bathe your ears in the luxurious melodies cast by the sound of three guitars.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 372 9508
Ralph Towner (classical & 12-string guitars); Wofgang Muthspiel (electric guitar); Slava Grigoryan (classical & baritone guitars)
Recorded August 2012
On first appearance this album from Towner, Muthspiel and Grigoryan would be for one for guitar buffs everywhere, and that assumption would be right on the money. However, I am not a guitar buff. I do like, enjoy and appreciate good guitar playing, whether as part of an ensemble or as a solo voice, but I do not go out of my way to seek out guitar led albums. And then this arrives for review!
Having said that, even the briefest acquaintance with this beautiful recording will, if not make guitar buffs of us all, will allow many to sit back and savour the music produced by this imaginative trio.
Coming together whilst Towner and Muthspiel were touring Australia as solo performers when their paths crossed with preeminent Autralian (although Austrian born) classical guitarist Slava Grigoryan who recognising a common link between all three in their classical playing, suggested a collaboration. The resulting tour in 2005 which presented the three guitarists in a series of solos of duo, and culminating in a trio a musical relationship was developed that saw them playing more and more as a collective. An earlier release in 2009 From A Dream was released on Muthspiel’s own imprint, Material Records, and now Towner has brought the trio to ECM.
If you think when listening to Travel Guide that you are going to be bombarded by virtuoso guitar playing at intense speed with fingers flying across fretboards, then think again. What we have here is music of a delicate beauty and deep lyricism. The music has plenty of space, and is often played at a low volume, and it is often forgotten that tree guitarists are playing simultaneously such is the restraint exhibited.
With five compositions apiece by Towner and Muthspiel the music is often reflective. On first hearing the melodies are what capture the attention. On subsequent hearings the depth and sophistication of the arrangements come to draw the listener deeper into the trios sound, and it this subtle group interplay that lies at the heart of the music.
This is truly music to be listened to intently to fully appreciate the non-virtuosic approach that these virtuosos bring to their playing. On a different level, just sit back and bathe your ears in the luxurious melodies cast by the sound of three guitars.
Reviewed by Nick Lea