This fabulous CD showcases the extraordinary fingerstyle talent of the Belgian guitar maestro, Gilbert Isbin both as a solo performer and in an ensemble. The solo work on "The Fingerstyle Of Gilbert Isbin" encompasses four highly polished and imaginative arrangements of classic
Nick Drake songs: "Riverman", "Freeride", "Three Hours", "Place To Be", plus Gilbert's own composition, "Boyman Blues", a nod to the style of the tragic hero of English Fingerstyle.
These arrangements were originally released on an album called "Gilbert Isbin Plays Nick Drake" from the Traurige Tropen label. Gilbert Isbin weaves subtle magic here. While complementing the originals, at same time he invests them with a fresh and original feel. These masterful interpretations were something of a labour of love. The arrangements took him nine months to complete, while they were recorded in the studio in just one day. Talk about taking ten hours to sharpen the axe and ten minutes to chop the tree down!
The other five tracks on "The Fingerstyle Of Gilbert Isbin" were originally released on an album entitled, "Spring Cleaning" (Label: VKH Tonesetters). These tracks feature among other great jazz musicians, Cameron Brown, one of the great exponents of acoustic bass. While the
tunes verge, in places, on the avant garde (extraordinary percussive snaps, slaps and fabulously angular and erratic lines from Gilbert's guitar), they remain rooted in a melodic framework where considerable musicianship shines through in truly creative and innovative jazz soundscapes.
At the end of the day, whether solo or in a group, you want to keep listening to Gilbert Isbin. He has a finger style that is completely his own. And each new hearings reveals something fresh. Listening to Gilbert is like being on a musical treasure hunt. Just when you thought you'd
gathered in all the gems, another one pops up, glittering like a crazy diamond.
"The Fingerstyle Of Gilbert Isbin" is available at Gilbert's page http://www.mp3.com/isbin.
Compositions by Gilbert Isbin
- Released : 01/01/2001
- Support : CD
- Label : DMA
