Stripped Back Acoustic Blues Guitar Brilliance from Guerrero
fetish_2000 | U.K. | 05/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the lesser known titles by Tommy Guerrero, instead of the more indie Rock or Post/Experimental-Rock sounds that made "A little Bit of Something" or "Hoy Yen Ass'n", such accomplished albums have largely been abandoned, in favour of something a little more subtle, studied and more akin to his Puerto Rican roots.This is, by and large, a vastly stripped back affair compared to his later albums, with the acoustic guitar featuring prominently in virtually all the songs, with subtlety, and refinement, this feels like a improvised session between him and his group of musician friends that has been beautifully recorded and keep for prosperity. This is (apart from a couple of vocal tracks) a most instrumental album, with a super-laid back feel, that mixes simply devised melodies with hints of Blues/Funk, yet the prominence of a strong Cuban/Latin artistic approach run strong throughout the album. Its superbly performed, of which there can be no doubt, it's arrangements may be simple in construction & lack a diverse set of musicians contributing, but it's undeniable success is in its simplicity......resolutely lo-fi, sombrely downbeat, and a literal magpie's nest of Mediterranean/South American influences. There a little bit of Samba, groove laden Acoustic Guitar, laid back melodies, touches of subtle flamenco guitar, instrumental funk, and Blues Groove, that seem to be a combination of ethnic instrumentals and street music that has yet to be truly discovered by the mainstream market. Similar in the way that the "Buena Vista Social Club" albums, showed the world that a form of local / Ethnic music, had the potential to be as emotionally moving. The mood throughout is predictably slow & unhurried, but this is supremely constructed acoustic music that, although fixed to a steady tempo, tends not to deviate from the idea of bringing Puerto Rican/Latin street music Sensibilities to those that are looking for something for a little different or authentic in their music.Those expecting something with the crossover influences of Hip-Hop and Latin Lounge, that earmarked "Hoy Yen Ass'n" or the Experimental, Post-Rock of "A Little Bit of Something", won't find any of that here......this is far too subdued for that. Instead of entertaining his Rock tendencies, this feels more home-brew, more personal.....the trip-Hop beats of later albums, give way to Blues Guitar, minimal Funk and Latin percussion. It's low on production and gritty with it, so don't expect a polished studio album, but it has a casual roll that's remarkably charismatic & endearing. It pure raw grooves will alienate those weaned, on albums dominated by electric instruments. It's more a (musically skilled) group of friends laying down street level music that is deeply important to them.A Completely enchanting, beautifully performed, fascinating album for sure, and those (Like me) that can't seem to get enough of his work will revel in the back to basics Lo-Fi sound, but it needs to be emphasized, that his later albums (as equally brilliant as they are), introduced a sound that feels fundamentally different from this, so be warned. But those knowing what to expect, will find much to saviour in an album that works as well as a Lo-Fi Downtempo album, as well as it does expressive, emotional ethnic music. A fantastic album in its own right, although probably suited to the more discerning listener."
Fantastic sounds
Rudy V. Byron, Jr. | Racine, WI. USA | 10/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every time I play this C.D. among friends someone asks to borrow it because they like it so much. One can listen to this C.D. three-hundred times and never get tired of it. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes likes acid jazz type instrumental music, though it is very difficult to categorize this music into any one particular genre."
Hello california,how are ya?
ekul nodnoc | ireland | 04/10/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Thats right, each copy smells of lazy days out west.the sun
has done its thing and the langour of late evening has arrived.
have beer,couple of smokes all you need is the soundtrack.
this is where tommy guerrero comes in.mr guerrero has
devised a whole new genre ,a hybrid of bill whithers,tom jobim
and the mgs{all good}.unquestionably rougher around the edges
than the a 'little bit of something'featuring many of the same tracks but its unpolished nature only adds to the charm of the whole package.of the tracks thaat dont appear on 'a little bit..'
'keep on keepin on' and' in my mind' are immediate classics
and worthy of the cover charge alone.the rest if not reaching
such mesmeric heights will invariably bring a smile to the most
hardened scowls."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1