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Art Turner
'Story Water'
(Passage Records PR-60030-2)
What's that old expression...."can't judge a book by looking
at it's cover" ? It definitely fits in this case scenario.
Forget the cover, this is an amazing album of virtuostic
guitar and violin. Art Turner has assembled a group that
excel with warmth and joy. The way they play together is as
if speaking to each other, with a combination affection and
aggression, contemporary style and romanticism they are
unique and original in their approach to arrangements of
Art's guitar music. I have been wondering what happened to
Art's #1 side man on this project, Hugh Marsh, for years.
His 87 release "Shaking the Pumkin" was way ahead of
it's time, and his contributions to Story Water are
the work of genius. The rest of the crew isn't too shabby
either. Joining Art and Hugh are Michael Manring on
frettless bass, Eugene Friesen on cello, Fergus Marsh on
Chapman stick, and Dave Gilbert and Rick Lazar on
percussion. This is the kind of album that Will Ackerman
would sell his soul to produce. It's easily one of the
finest acoustic ensembles of the past decade. To say that
this group of players is an egalitarian ensemble is an
understatement. They blend beautifully into one precision
unit and it is stunning to hear a group of such caliber. The
recording itself is highlighted by an extreme spectral
clarity and separation of instruments. It is very much as if
you were sitting with the ensemble around you. The recording
is as stunning as the playing. So, what are you waiting for!
Buy it!
information:
email: passage@passagerecords.com
website
http://www.passagerecords.com
Review by Ben Kettlewell
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