Michael Fitzgerald Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 Surprised that I didn't find previous discussion of this one. As a longtime devotee of McLaughlin, I picked this one up without knowing anything about it. It turns out that it contains as its title selection the reworked version of his second guitar concerto, which I knew as "Europa". Absolutely beautiful. I loved his first one "The Mediterranean" and was disappointed when years and years passed without any recording of the second. I had only heard mention of it. As it happens, McLaughlin went through a few revisions and the one on the new album isn't really a guitar concerto, it features additional soloists, and to very good effect. This is a three-movement piece lasting a total of about 27 minutes. The remainder of the CD is devoted to four jazz tunes: My Foolish Heart (which McLaughlin had recorded before on the "Electric Guitarist" album); The Dolphin by Luiz Eca; Stella by Starlight; and My Romance. These are performed by the same guitar ensemble he used on the "Time Remembered" Bill Evans tribute album (which I have been listened to frequently in recent weeks, coincidentally). McLaughlin writes that each of the pieces is dedicated to a different pianist - Chick Corea, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Evans. The Dolphin has a touch of bossa nova, a new style that wasn't ever used on the earlier CD. I'd say there are more "jazz" elements too. Some really swinging passages. Strongly recommended for those who appreciate orchestral music and McLaughlin's beautiful acoustic work. Very understated and rewarding. Mike Quote
WD45 Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 I look forward to it. I miss hearing his crisp acoustic work. I only wish he would have picked it up for those Shakti reunion records... Quote
cho Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 I was informed that the long orchestrial track was very nice. Any way I picked up the 17 CD Montreux Box last week and I was not disappointed. Quote
Michael Fitzgerald Posted March 8, 2004 Author Report Posted March 8, 2004 Yes, but after picking up the box did you have to see a chiropractor? Quote
cho Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 I t is a COMPACT Box. I have to see a banker to restructure my financial postition though. Quote
skeith Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 I bought this cd some time ago and although I am a fan of McLaughlin's, I have to say that I was disappointed. I found the orchestral piece to be a bit on the bombastic side and the guitar quartets sound a bit on the "lite" side to me. My 2 cents. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 This one has yet to really excite me. Pleasant but not something I'm rushing to play again. Maybe with more listens something will take a grip. Quote
Dr. Rat Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 Got this for the station, and its far from an ideal disc for radio purposes, and it didn't wrestle me to the ground when I listened to it, but I'll give it another try. --eric Quote
Joe G Posted March 8, 2004 Report Posted March 8, 2004 I'm hoping it will show up at BMG. Still trying to track down a copy of the Mediterrainian Concerto. Quote
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