| Review by zomax December 12, 2004 (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
When I heard that the 4.0 surround mix of this sacd had a guitarist in each speaker, I envisioned some missing scene from a Robert Rodriguez film where 4 mariachis meet at the cross-roads and the listener is caught in the cross-fire. Thankfully, this sacd is not like that, and there is very little "dueling" -- just outstanding collaboration. That said, the 1 guitarist for each speaker makes more sense to me if the speakers are set-up for a wide frontal soundstage -- if the rear speakers are behind you, it can be a bit unnerving, because all four players have significant and sustained parts on nearly every song. Sometimes though, the guitarists who are not strumming, plucking, picking or whatever will use their guitars for percussion -- a very identifiable and nice sound to hear. Overall this is one of the most natural sounding / least fatiguing records I own.
As for the music, though each song is a cover/tribute to a famous guitarist/composer, no song sounds out of place. Mostly that's a complement, but I do wish the tributes to Hendrix and Zappa were a bit more radical -- maybe it's as radical as you can get on acoustic guitar. Favorite songs are "Icarus (Ralph Tower)," "We Know You" (John McLaughlin), "Gypsy Flower" (Django), "Blue Echo" (Chet Atkins).
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| Review by Tube Man April 12, 2005 (1 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics:  |
Due to my equipment, I was only able to review this album in the stereo mode. I have had this album for a month now.
Regarding the music, I agree with Zomax for the most part- The music is well composed and excellently played. However, I also agree that the Hendrix part could have been spiced up a bit. I find myself reaching for this album often. However, Although I enjoy this album very much, I am not as impressed with the sonics. I personally feel that the soundstage is somewhat compressed, and that each guiatarst is too isolated from the others. It also seems that some of the low-level guitar harmonics are lacking. It also lacks some air. However, inspite of this, I still find it to be a good recording, but not excellent in terms of sonic qualities.
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| Review by DeSelby May 15, 2005 (2 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Sonics:   |
| stereo sonics: very good sound
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| Review by OM October 23, 2005 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
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The sonics on this recording are beyond reproach. The placement of a guitarist in each of the four primary channels is a fantastic usage of the surround format. Now I want all of my quartet recordings mixed like this!
The music itself is a pleasure to listen to. It’s a little... soft. I’d like to hear a little more aggression in some of their performances, but I suppose that’s what makes this classical guitar and not rock music. For what it is, I rather enjoy it. I expect I'll be putting this disc on from time to time.
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| Review by Barb January 20, 2008 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
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J. Dearman g, B. Kanengiser g, S. Tenant g, A. York g, T. Timmermans per, B. Levine b, Telarc 2003.
The quartet plus guests play thirteen tracks that their heroes played before, from Django Reinhardt to Jimi Hendrix. The musical spectrum reaches from sophisticated to lyrical or rhythmic. And thus, it`s a rather diversified guitar recording interpreting music from rock to flamenco. But it is still a record for lovers of the acoustic guitar.
The sound is very good, full of colour, very good soundstage.
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| Review by Yodasmusicrules85 October 16, 2014 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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As a guitarist myself, I had to buy a used copy of this guitar quartet, as it is hard to get, but it was totally worth it, and even exceeded my expectations. The sound is perfect, as is the surround presentation.
You get all possible variations, such as left front-right surround, or right front to right surround to left surround to left front, etc.. It's beautifully executed.
The performances are terrific, and there are only a handful of less than perfectly clean notes.
There was one time where clicking/distortion was noticed in the left surround guitar part, the third chord interlude during track 3, but that's also in the CD layer.
Very nicely balanced playing. My favourite would be William Kanengiser, if I had to choose one, but they are all fantastic.
I thought the Frank Zappa inspired tune could have been "uglier" as well, which doesn't mean that FZ didn't also write incredibly beautiful melodies-->Inca Roads, but it was asking for something much more innovative IMO. Anyways, it's still nice, but doesn't really do him justice.
Great guitar music, and a sonic feast for the ears. Highly recommended for lovers of guitar, and nylon string guitar music in particular.
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