Stringweave

Stringweave

ASIN: B00005BI1T

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Over the last two decades, acoustic six-stringers Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah have pushed the boundaries of Latin guitar fusion, from the subdued nocturnal improvisations of Misterio to the scorching fretboard displays of Primal Magic. The past few years have seen the group, and principal songwriter Strunz, mellow out a bit with age, but the results have still been gratifying. Fans of their up-tempo, early '90s efforts will be pleased to learn that Stringweave picks up in the energy department while further integrating their Middle Eastern influences into the music. Many of the new songs are reminiscent of their magnificent 1982 debut Mosaico, most notably on the animated "Gypsy in the Wood" and the hypnotic, pulsating "Shamsa." Both tracks spotlight awe-inspiring fingerwork and beguiling guitar/violin harmonies and tradeoffs.

As ever, the group's music combines the fire of flamenco with the free-flowing improvisation of jazz and striking Afro-Latin and Middle Eastern rhythms. This latest S&F disc also features renowned guest musicians including South Indian violinist L. Subramaniam, classical guitarist Liona Boyd, Puerto Rican cuatro player Edwin Colon Zayas, and Persian violinist Bijan Mortazavi. Rich with percussion and numerous fretted string instruments (hence the title), Stringweave is easily Strunz & Farah's best album since 1992's ground-breaking, Grammy-nominated Americas. --Bryan Reesman

Tracks:

Las Verduras
Rosa Blanca
Campera
Ecos
Tierra Mojada
Rimas De Cuerdas
Silueta
Gypsy In The Wood
Laleh
Shamsa

Amazon.com

Over the last two decades, acoustic six-stringers Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah have pushed the boundaries of Latin guitar fusion, from the subdued nocturnal improvisations of Misterio to the scorching fretboard displays of Primal Magic. The past few years have seen the group, and principal songwriter Strunz, mellow out a bit with age, but the results have still been gratifying. Fans of their up-tempo, early '90s efforts will be pleased to learn that Stringweave picks up in the energy department while further integrating their Middle Eastern influences into the music. Many of the new songs are reminiscent of their magnificent 1982 debut Mosaico, most notably on the animated "Gypsy in the Wood" and the hypnotic, pulsating "Shamsa." Both tracks spotlight awe-inspiring fingerwork and beguiling guitar/violin harmonies and tradeoffs.

As ever, the group's music combines the fire of flamenco with the free-flowing improvisation of jazz and striking Afro-Latin and Middle Eastern rhythms. This latest S&F disc also features renowned guest musicians including South Indian violinist L. Subramaniam, classical guitarist Liona Boyd, Puerto Rican cuatro player Edwin Colon Zayas, and Persian violinist Bijan Mortazavi. Rich with percussion and numerous fretted string instruments (hence the title), Stringweave is easily Strunz & Farah's best album since 1992's ground-breaking, Grammy-nominated Americas. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Bam! They Have Done It Again..........2006-02-15

These guitar virtuosos surely know the territory. They are truly expert guitarists and talented in the construction of songs as well. Their expertise shines forth in Stringweave, which ranks right up there with Heat of the Sun and Americas. I have six Strunz and Farah albums so far and this is one of the better ones in my opinion. But none that I have come across are bad. No, you can expect great things from these artists. I have Rio De Colores, Zona Torrida, Americas, Heat of the Sun, Wild Muse, and this title. If you are new to Strunz and Farah make sure you get Americas and Heat of the Sun. If you can get more than those two get Stringweave and any other title that I mentioned. They are all great, but Americas and Heat of the Sun stand out to me as being slightly better than the rest. Happy hunting!

Very Nice, But Playing It Too Safe.......2003-04-28

I'm going to be liberal and give this 5 stars, only because Jorge and Ardeshir are such talented guitarists, and anyone new to their music should be duly impressed. But I think it's time they started thinking outside the box they've built.

The other day, as I was strolling through our annual downtown street fair, my ears perked up to a familiar sound. "Could it be ?" I thought. "Could that be Strunz and Farah here on our grubby downtown streets, playing the carnival circuit?" Well, of course, it wasn't. Rather, some experienced musicians had made themselves in the image of S & F and were busy selling CDs like hotcakes to the rubes who gaped at an amazingly cool Flamenco/Latin sound being layed down by two groovy long-haired ex-rocker guitarists, two groovy Latin-looking percussionists and a computer-generated bass. I wanted to shout "haven't any of you turkeys ever heard of Strunz and Farah?" Fortunately, I didn't.

As I stood there listening with a mixture of admiration, jealousy and disdain, it ocurred to me how easy it is to reproduce the Flamenco/Latin/World Beat formula. Acoustic guitars with the right touch of echo/reverb, Flamenco style chord progressions, smooth solos, a computerized Latin-rhythm bass line, some congas and you're there. There was nothing impressive about the playing, but it was all very upbeat and nice and kind of "romantico." And I bet I could take four competent high-school musicians and create a similar effect. (Of course, they wouldn't have the seasoned look and stage presence.)

My point is, now that any Tom, Dick, and Harry can easily copy the style and sound that Strunz and Farah created, I think they might want to consider moving on. "Stringweave" is, as usual, a fine collection of easy-listening, pleasantly stimulating, technically impressive pieces, but there isn't a lot of innovation going on. If you own "The Best of Strunz and Farah" you have already heard what they can do.

Come on guys, show us what else you've got.

Their best ever.......2003-04-19

This CD is just stunning! Great variety of styles & moods, and even more intricate compositions than any previous albums of Strunz & Farah. Every cut is great but Campera, Ecos and Siluera are just exquisite compositions! Listen closely to what the other guitar is doing while the lead is playing - extra little intricate touches that enhance the incredible runs (often at unbelievable speed & complexity)of the lead. But the speed is not just showboating - it perfectly fits the mood and movement of the piece, a wonderful counterpoint to the recurring theme or a lightly stummed chord or a few slowly picked strings. These guys blow me away! I can listen over and over to the CD and never get tired of hearing the incredible skill & passion this music holds. Lots of variety - some pieces have a definite Euro flavor (maybe French almost), others more Spanish/Latin American and the last 2 cuts are very Middle Eastern w/ great accompaniments by musicians on instruments of the region. I have to say this CD is a Masterpiece! Different from earlier ones - the guitars are much more up front & the percussion more subdued - enhancing rather than molding the piece. My favorite for over a year now - I listen to it at least once a week!

Wise man say not exactly like the other albums.......2002-05-09

While I do agree that many Strunz and Farrah songs can be hard to distinguish due to their blistering arpeggios and chord progressions,this album has one distinct difference from most of their other albums. In particular,the last 3 songs definitely have more of a Persian/Middle Eastern sound. I often wondered why their songs never really leaned towards this sound since Farrah is from Iran. So, if one were to say more of the same, they simply haven't listened intently all the way through to find these last three songs. I guess you have to give Strunz and Farrah some slack for not coming up with something all that new. I mean, what haven't they done with 2 hands, 10 fingers, 6 strings, and a pile of cedar and rosewood? People still cheer for a home run, tuchdown, goal, or a hole in one, right? Haven't we seen it all before? A hamburger is a hamburger. A pizza is a pizza. The pleasure is to be alive and able to percieve it again. This album is just that--a pleasure--with a new twist mind you! So...say hello to your old friends Strunz and Farrah once more.

Guitar Work.......2002-04-07

The guitar work on this CD and all of their CDs is good. However, they all sound alike.
Nothing new.
I give it two stars for the technical guitar work.
It is full of clichés in percussions and over all guitar melodies.

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