RECORDINGS
Steve Earle, El Corazon. Earle travels the stylistic map on El Corazon, proving the connections between quiet folk fingerpicking ("Christmas in Washington"), garage grunge ("Here I Am"), traditional bluegrass ("I Still Carry You Around"), and hook-laden roots rock ("If You Fall"). Earle's luckless characters and trenchant tales of broken promises and faded dreams are the glue that holds this vibrant disc together. His guests are top-notch--the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, the Fairfield Four--and his genre jumping recalls Clarence White-era Byrds. If only the Byrds had had a songwriter with Earle's gift for melody and characters. (E2/Warner Bros.)
--Scott Nygaard
Bobby E., Clint Hoover, Jim Chenoweth, Dream of the Serpent Dog. This exceedingly hip combo from the Twin Cities lays out ten original tunes expertly performed on acoustic guitar, upright bass, harmonica, and percussion. From the cool, swinging riffs of guitarist Bobby E.'s "Riptide" to Hoover's slow-burning "Tonguin Groove," the playing and writing is engaging and refreshing. While each musician contributes many fine moments, the blend they create is most exquisite. (Mr. Bipps, 3112 36th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406-2127)
--Jim Ohlschmidt
Various artists, Coal Mining Women. This album encompasses the best songs that came from the real-life experiences of working people. The music is raw, powerful, poignant, memorable, and true to its tradition. Among the performers are Hazel Dickens, singing both unaccompanied and with a hard-driving bluegrass band; Sarah Ogun Gunning, who rewrote the hymn "Precious Memories" into "Dreadful Memories"; Florence Reece, the composer of "Which Side Are You On," the anthem of the coal-mining community; and the Reel World String Band, which adds three excellent contemporary songs to the project. A great, moving recording for songwriters, storytellers, and listeners alike. This is music that can change your life. (Rounder)
--Cathy Fink
Gerardo Nunez, Calima. Nunez combines traditional flamenco forms and world-fusion sounds on this recording. Pieces such as "Salmedina" (granaina) and "Plazuela" (solea) are prime examples of the virtuosic level reached by modern solo flamenco guitarists. Nunez' astounding technique and sense of adventure allow him to chart new territory without ever loosing sight of the original compas. The album's more fusion-oriented songs convey a refreshing organic quality and include performances by John Patitucci (electric bass), Danielo Perez (piano), Carmen Cortes (palmas), and Arto Tuncboyaciyan (percussion). As a special treat, Strunz and Farah lend their signature sound to the burning rumba "Sancti Petri." (Alula, PO Box 15867, Durham, NC 27704-0867)
--Teja Gerken
Jonathan Pointer, Scarecrows Burn. This collection by guitarist Jonathan Pointer is one of the best CDs to come down the singer-songwriter pike in quite a while. Pointer creates scenarios and images that are at turns striking ("Scarecrows Burn"), deeply poetic ("The Sea Tonight"), and surreal ("The Baby Smokers"). Throughout, his guitar style is fluid and minimalist, calling to mind acoustic Bruce Springsteen or Lyle Lovett. Many of the songs move so slowly that you might almost be listening to him create the music before your very ears. (Songs for Cheap, 1133 Broadway, Suite 821, New York, NY 10010)
--Steve Givens
Martin Simpson, Cool and Unusual. This all-instrumental outing shows Simpson moving away from the smoldering pyrotechnics and calmly centered self-assurance of previous recordings to present a restless, searching side to his playing. With Simpson on fretless banjo and Turkish cumbus as well as guitar, the band (which includes David Lindley and Kelly Joe Phelps) percolates with a lush sound, finding new corners of emotion in the largely American traditional melodies. Simpson revisits some old repertoire here with fresh arrangements. "Plains of Waterloo" is transposed from G to C and given a more plaintive melodic slide treatment, while "Santa Cruz" becomes an exuberant splash of international fun with the help of three members of Madagascar's astonishing Tarika Sammy. How Simpson manages to stay so cool and so hot at the same time is a continuing source of mystery and delight. (Red House, PO Box 4044, Minneapolis, MN 55104)
--Danny Carnahan
The Nudes, Velvet Sofa. This alternative folk duo's sophomore effort is filled with sensual, spiritual, and delicious tunes that highlight the magic that can be created by a guitar, a cello, and a couple of voices. Songwriter-guitarist-vocalist Walter Parks wrote ten of the 12 songs; the other two are a cello solo written by second Nude Stephanie Winters and a luscious cover of "Norwegian Wood." Stripped down to their barest essentials (so to speak), the Nudes take up equal parts jazz, folk, classical, and pop and serve up a dish that inspires and heals. (Acoustic America, PO Box 8720, New York, NY 10116)
--Steve Givens
Luc Fortin and Richard Leveille, Soleil. The second album from this Canadian guitar duo distills Spanish and South American influences into a delightful listening experience. Fortin and Leveille play together seamlessly but write quite differently. "Bonne Fête" and "Soleil" by Leveille have a distinctly Brazilian flavor, and his lovely "Reveur" is one of the most beautiful guitar melodies on record. Fortin's compositions, such as "Equinox" and the Gypsy-inspired "Pinson Roumain," are more atmospheric; his solo "Poundrerie" is a poignant, melancholy waltz; and "Valse de Montreal" recalls French accordion music. A thoroughly enjoyable outing. (Mosaique, 875 Ave. McEachran, Outremont, QU H2V 3C9, Canada)
--Jim Ohlschmidt
VIDEOS
Paul Mehling, Learn to Play Django-Style Gypsy Jazz Guitar. Mehling, leader of the Hot Club of San Francisco, has produced a two-video instruction set that brilliantly analyzes and presents the musical foundations of the Gypsy-jazz guitar style pioneered by Django Reinhardt. The first video concentrates on rhythm guitar, examining right- and left-hand techniques fundamental to producing the style's hypnotic grooves. The second tape explores the mysteries of Reinhardt's soloing, focusing on arpeggios over various chord forms. Mehling, a thoughtful and articulate instructor, goes through scale patterns, bends, tremolo, and glissando techniques, then combines it all in a seamless solo over "I'll See You in My Dreams." These tapes are the next best thing to growing up in a Gypsy caravan playing "Dark Eyes" around the campfire. (Homespun)
--David McCarty
Frederic Hand, Classical Guitar Technique and Musicianship. On this video, Frederic Hand offers solid advice on the basics (proper left- and right-hand positions, slurring, trills) before covering more advanced topics. A segment on scalar speed bursts shows the tip of the iceberg for creating your own exercises. Musicality, solving technique problems, and making the most of practice time are also discussed. The accompanying booklet gives all musical examples in standard notation and tab. This 75-minute lesson with a master teacher could provide years of inspiration. (Homespun).
--Mark L. Small
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