Search - Armik :: Gypsy Flame

This Music Epitomizes Happiness and The Good Life

Tome Raider | California, United States | 03/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me preface my comments with this background: I have shamefully purchased over 800 CD's in the last ten years, money that possibly could have been far better spent in most cases. Most of my collection is rock music, hard rock in particular. I also have a small classical section, and another section with "Ethnic/Exotic" music. Armik fits into this last category. My five Armik CD's would definitely be in my "Top Ten" list. That's right: Armik would compose half of my ten favorite CD's out of a universe of approximately 800. That's how good this music is.I suggest that you buy Gypsy Flame first. Keep your computer booted up until the mail comes. If you like Gypsy Flame--and I can't fathom otherwise--you will be pleased to know that Armik's other four CD's are all equally incredible. This is happy music, music that celebrates the best of life. Another reviewer of one of Armik's CD's made a comparison to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and I agree that that is a good basis for comparison because Herb Alpert and the TJ Brass also really has that classic upbeat ambience that immediately spices up any occasion. I listen to Armik when I commute into work in the morning, and it really puts me into a postive state of mind for the balance of the day. I roll into the office with the blood pressure of a guy who's been drinking wine and eating crab while gazing listfully over the Mediterranean. This music is instant vacation.Let me emphasize: In the five Armik CD's there is not a single weak song, and each CD is a must-have. Furthermore, you will want to start giving these things as gifts. I have been proselytizing this music left and right and people are so receptive to this sound and Armik's virtuosity that it is amazing that he is not one of the most famous musicians in the world. He truly deserves to be."

Gypsy Flame - Music At Its Best

farhan | Dubai | 12/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have all the five albums of Armik. I bought them in the same sequence they were released. I have written reviews for Rain Dancer and Rubia but now I want to share my thoughts about this album. It is quite different from Rain Dancer but the tunes have the same lilt and passion that has become the signature of Armik. It has the same dexterity and wizardry that makes our heads turn and we say, 'That is Armik.' The title track has all the zeal and enthusiasm of the gypsy life. The notes evoke the sense of adventure and reckless quests in us. The energy of the tune is marvellous and the whole tune is like a live wire humming with high voltage current. Then Armik quickly changes gears and in For Your Eyes, Meet You In Heaven and Alone With You, we hear the relatively mellow side of Armik.In particular, Alone With You is a wonderful guitar duet. It is soft, melodious and very passionate but with undercurrents of melancholy and the humility of a true lover. The melody paints the picture of a moonlit night in a vast and open landscape with a huge, beautiful lake. The melody takes you to that fantasyland. You find yourself right beside that lake looking at its water silver with moonlight and all that you have always had in your heart but never were able to express, all that you always felt but were never able to articulate and all that was intricately woven in your heart beats but was totally devoid of the audible wavelength, all of that takes the shape of Alone With You.Pure Paradise is one of Armik's trademark tunes. It is sweet and harmonious. It makes you croon under your breath. It is the kind of tune that refreshes you, that reminds you of a beautiful sunrise. It is very similar in its spirit and soul to most of the tunes in Rain Dancer. Tear Drops is also on the mellow side. The tune tells you that the tears are of someone who has been separated from a near and dear one. Someone who can't wait to be united with that person again. But his tears are not just pessimism but glow with the optimistic anticipation of his prayer to be answered. With this album Armik introduces a new trend in his music: the solo performance. Guitar Romance is well worthy of its name. Armik takes a bold step and presents a performance that is completely without any support and accompaniment. But the beauty of his craft lies in the fact that you never feel the lack of orchestral support. The romance in the tune is almost tangible.But the masterpiece in the album is no doubt Dancing Shadows. It has the foot tapping, head nodding and extremely catchy introduction and this tune makes you feel that you are with the one you love. Wonderful and rhythmic, soulful and fervent, Dancing Shadows is all a classic masterpiece should be. The whole album is painted with the vivid and diverse colours of Armik's music. We can recognize Armik's voice among millions. In the noise and cacophony of mindless instrumentals and meaningless lyrics that are all around us today, Armik stands tall and Armik stands alone. He has given us timeless classics and something that we should cherish for the rest of our life. Gypsy Flame is like all the other Armik albums. The tunes are different, diverse and individual but all of them share the distinguishing watermark of Armik's music: Beautiful tunes. You can label the tracks in Gypsy Flame with different names but they would remain beautiful and melodious tunes. Armik is the revival of music. A dying art that found its saviour in him."

Beautiful, passionate & more

Roxanne | SF Bay Area | 03/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was at an art & wine festival over the weekend looking through some incredible b&w photography when the music started from overhead. I lingered in the booth for quite awhile looking through all the work & making my purchasing choices, all the while this beautiful guitar music was flowing over me. I was so entranced by the beauty of the music by the time I was ready to make my purchase & leave that I had to know who it was. The photographer graciously gave me the name of both ther artist and the album. I couldn't wait so I bought it on the way home. I listen to it daily at work, have had many coworkers ask about it, and have recommended it to several friends (something I do not take lightly). In a world where Latin music is commercially hot, and the choices are many & mostly mediocre, this is a real find. I have been looking & listening for months, wading through the flood of choices looking for a Latin guitar CD that really made me want to have it, and here it is. Beautiful, clean, graceful guitar with wonderful passion. You won't be sorry if you try this one out."