Bridge Guitar Reviews

Milica Ilic "Stir The Sky" 2007

"Stir the Sky", contains Milica's Ilic's own compositions, on
a wonderful CD with wonderful painted sound escapades
with a brilliant own touch and moving pieces played on the classical guitar with skilled techniques.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Amanda Monaca " Amanda Monaca 4"

Amanda Monaca is a skilled jazz guitarist who together with
her ensemble reaches beyond the traditional jazz repertoire.
The captivating saxophone is also one of the reasons of the
laid back sound which captures a listener. Amanda Monaco improvises great on her guitar and has a fantastic chemistry with her band. Highly recommended!

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Amanda Cook "Strictly Latin " 2007

Amanda Cook is a classical guitarist who plays the repertoire
of Agustin Bardi, Leo Brouwer, Baden Powell, Hector Angulo, Natalicio Lima and Vicente Emilio Sojo, on her newest CD "Strictly Latin ". Amanda Cook is an acclaimed classical guitarist who excels with fantastic guitar techniques in wonderful created atmospheres of many great guitar composers, with a very own signature.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Morgan Szymanski / Machaca -" "Mano A Mano 2007

'Machaca’ is an international ensemble formed by classical guitarist Morgan Szymanski in 2006. Their first recording, ‘Mano a Mano’ will be launched at the Purcell Room in London’s South Bank on Thursday the 26th of April during La Linea ‘07, London’s famous Latin American Music Festival. Highlights include the world premiere recording of Alec Roth’s ‘Quintet for Guitar and Strings’, written especially for the Sacconi Quartet and Morgan Szymanski as well as the first recording of Simone Iannarelli’s ‘Valzer Brillante’ for guitar and strings. The repertoire on the CD
contains material of Manuel M. Ponce, Astor Piazzolla, Antonio Lauro and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Check it out!

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Martin Taylor "Freternity" 2007

Martin Taylor's latest album is a joyful collaboration with his long time friends and esteemed colleagues - Guy Barker (trumpet) and David Newton (drums). This is the first jazz group Martin has put together since the highly successful 'Spirit of Django'. The Freternity Band also introduces the fast rising British jazz vocalist Alison Burns. His inimitable style has gained him a well deserved reputation as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing; his approach is unique, his style dazzling,
his technique formidable.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Clarelynn Rose "Meadow Run" 2007

In 1999, Claralynn "Clare" Nunamaker established Heartwood Music and began to perform under the name Clarelynn Rose. At that time she was working full time as a Registered Professional Forester in Mendocino County, California. Clarelynn Rose earlier
released "Elegant Tern" and "The Redwood Sidthe", which got
critical acclaim by the press and her fans. Now in 2007 "Meadow Run"is her newest CD which has intimate ballads and a soothing
and touching setup, with rich melodies which come straight from
the heart. Also she created fine Irish painted songs as she is now living in Ireland and that will be the source of her inspiration for
this new CD. Truly a gifted finger-style guitarist.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Lawrence Blatt "Out of The Woodwork" 2007

This solo artist has been playing acoustic guitar for over 30 years. He is currently performing his original compositions for finger-style-guitar in the San Francisco Bay area. His music has been called heartwarming, soothing, and relaxing. His music consists of layers of guitar work decorated with luscious melodies and percussive moods. He often plays in open tunings with a single guitar used to create the rhythm, bass and lead melody all at once. His latest project "Out of the Woodwork" is
a compilation of thirteen original pieces. In each song, he explores a meld of Spanish, folk, light jazz, and classical modes blent with discerning attention. Influences from Alex de Grassi and John Fahey can be heard. Lawrence Blatt plays mainly in open tunings to get the desired sound and also his inspiration.
There are as well faster pieces as soothing songs on this CD,
so a varied setup, which might attract a listener.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Jacques Stotzem “Simple Pleasure” 2007 Acoustic Music Records

This first class Belgian acoustic guitar player released about 10 fantastic
CD's, mostly solo CD's, but also a few CD's with fellow musicians like
Thierry Crommen and his last CD from 2005 where he was assisted by
double bass player André Klenes. Jacques Stotzem's guitar style is unique,
his compositions have as well brilliant melody line building skills, as top-
notch abilities in creating structure, balance and rests in his songs.
Stotzem is a creator of atmosphere with a romantic, melancholic moving
touch. On his newest CD “Simple Pleasure” all these skills are presented
on 8 intriguing songs in a soulful ambiance. Most of the songs express a
gentle, intense and a passionate setup like songs “Like A Rainy Day in
Hokkaido, the mysterious “Frissons” and the heart-rending “Together”.
“Oasis” which has an easy-going oriental moody feeling. On “Simple
Pleasure” Jacques Stotzem takes one on adventurous musical journey
with his own noteworthy captivating approach to music. Truly a genius
in his genre.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

COLE PORTER “DELOVELY GUITAR” 2007 Solid Air Records

Just as their earlier Grammy-winning Henry Mancini “Pink Guitar”
CD, Solid Air Records proceeds releasing a top-notch CD of the
legendary Cole Porter. All pieces are written for acoustic guitar,
with 15 of Solid Air Records best acoustic guitarists. All guitarists
made their own creative touch to Cole Porter's compositions.
Eltjo Haselhoff's interpretation of “You'd Be So Nice To Come Home
To” impresses a lot, just like David Cullen does on “Night and Day”.
Laurence Juber excels on “I've Got You Under My Skin” and Jim
Tozier on “Begin The Beguile”. Wayne Johnson's approach to “Love
For Sale” is brilliant. Just as Tim Pacheco's contribution on “True Love”.
Check out your own favourite guitarists on another interesting release
of Solid Air Records.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007

Erdem Helvacioglu “Altered Realities” New Albion Records 2007

The Turkish composer and electro acoustic guitarist Erdem Helvacioglu
released his first full debut album “Altered Realities.( A Walk Through
The Bazaar) was released earlier in 2003 on the commercial market,
which was a half hour lasting recording. “Altered Realities” is a CD full
of electro acoustic sound escapades. The 7 tracks are imaginary stories
of the unconscious mind. The electro acoustic compositions consist of
guitar and live electronics. The acoustic guitar is not overdubbed and
together with the electronically equipment conveys feelings of despair,
loneliness and other imaginary sounds. For instance on “Dreaming On
A Blind Saddle” it could be a story about a deserted shore. The guitar
is interrelated with the electronics and has never a leading role in all tales.Only on “Pearl Border” the guitar gets a lot more space. “Sliding On a Glacier” has a more clinical setup without touching ones deepest
emotions, while weaving on subtle Eastern elements. On “Frozen
Resophonic” one gets a short impression on perhaps a piece that
could be written by a composer as Astor Piazzolla. Erdem Helvacioglu
is a creative guitarist and composer who dares to experiment into
new dimensions. As well as a composer as a guitarist he impresses
by his knowledge about music and electronics. His skills are beyond
any doubt, so check him out.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
© 2007