Rewards your replays with more beauty each time
H. Quinn | New York, NY United States | 07/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dominic Miller's "Shapes" album is one of the most beautiful but hard-to-catergorize albums I've listened to. Most of the cuts are based on classical works that Miller rearranges and flavors with a surprising range of influences and experience to produce something new and unique: You've never heard classical this easy fall in love with before. (There's also a new rendition of "Shape of My Heart", with Sting.)Miller is a pop music session guitarist with classical roots and a unique melodic / harmonic sensibility. On this album, he uses his exquisite guitar work to reshape the classical pieces, sometimes just a little, sometimes to an unexpected degree. He's a master of small gestures -- riffs, short counterpoints, quiet passages, rhythmic shifts that last only a few bars -- that, linked together, transform and give surprising life to the music he plays (and help you hear the original pieces with more understanding and richness, if you already know them). Basically, this is one of the most pleasant, beautiful, moving, peaceful, uplifting albums I've ever had the pleasure to hear, and I don't have to feel uncool about loving this sweet album, given Miller's chops and history in the popular music field, and the fantastic singers who contribute to 3 tracks (Sting, Marie Brenner of Clannad, and Placido Domingo -- I get chills each time I hear Domingo sing the Kyrie from "Missa Criolla" over Dominick's outstanding, delicate guitar work). After 30 or so plays, I'm more eager to play it again, not less. I definitely recommend this album."
Ear-Pleasing
rkenter | Madras, Tamil Nadu, India | 11/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was shopping in London recently & saw this album quite pre-dominantly displayed at a store. Being a fan of Dominic's music, I bought the CD despite the hefty price tag. I am not disappointed. This CD by the artist is one of his best.The compositions are well chosen & played to perfection. As another reviewer wrote, the only track that I found less appealing was the one with Placido.....I am not a great fan of opera. Dominic's compositions cover Bach, Albinoni, Beethoven, Erik Satie & even Ennio Morricone ! There's a beautiful rendition of Shape of My Heart with Sting. Another thing about this CD...is the excellent cover photography & art work, simple & meaningful liner notes. In short, well done. Pick this one up !"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1