Customer Reviews

AArt

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

With the passing of founder Nick Webb, long time fans wondered how the group would evolve around Greg Carmichael, the other half of the guitar duo Acoustic Alchemy. 'The Beautiful Game' was the beginning of a new direction for Acoustic Alchemy with expanded musical horizons. 'AArt' continues the metamorphosis to a brilliant climax. Devotees will appreciate the classic AA sound in tunes like "Cactus Blue", "The Wind of Change" and "Tuff Puzzle", melodic pieces driven by Carmichael's nylon strings and his guitar partner Miles Gilderdale's steels.

But perhaps some of the most dazzling music on 'Aart' is in the more jazzy pieces, most notably "Wish You Were Near", "Aart Attack", and "Robbie's Revenge". A new sound for AA emerges in these tracks, a sonorous interplay between the twin guitars and a full-frontal horn section, with the likes of Jeff Kashiwa on sax. The new sound is full and fresh, while staying true to Acoustic Alchemy's roots. "Flamoco Loco" is a tongue-in-cheek look at the Latin sound which was so much a part of the band's early days, while "The Velvet Swing" shows a new maturity and passion in the group's songwriting.

Long time fans will find something familiar to hold on to with 'Aart'; the spirit of Nick Webb lives on in the group. New fans, however, will find that Acoustic Alchemy definitely has something to offer with a more rounded sound and melodies that keep you spinning the disc. Whichever catagory you fall into, you won't be disappointed.

God Rest Nick Webb.

The Acoutic Alchemy is probably the best kept secret around, unless you're into New Age, Jazz, Easy Listening or just GOOD MUSIC!...more radio stations today are playing their music or somewhere between the cracks...but there is no substitute for the real thing, and this group since the late '80s has the ear of the public, big time.

Remember many of their previous albums...but "Arcanum", from 1996 stands outs with "Jamaica Heartbeat", great song...but since joining the Higher Octave label they've come of age, for instance ~ "The Beautiful Game", last year was outstanding...believe they will surpass expectations on this one ~ "AArt", fourteen original tunes, with terrific arrangements..."FLAMOCO LOCO", jumps up and grabs you with energy and a non-stop beat, great flamingo guitar solo..."VIVA CHE'", samba anyone, can't sit still as everyone gets into the swing of things..."ROBBIE'S REVENGE", opening bridge could be a "James Bond" film theme, as 007 enters the room..."LOVE AT A DISTANCE", beautiful ballad counterpoints each measure with inner feeling..."CACTUS BLUE", a little bit of each genre, a touch of blues takes the moment..."THE WIND OF CHANGE", adds culture with classical emblishments...but the highlight is "AART ATTACK", the repeating theme will be ringing in your head days, weeks and even months from now, gospel hints surface...very contagious.

Total Time: 62:18 on 14 Tracks ~ Higher Octave Music HOMCD-11103 - (2001)

Since I liked Peter White's music so much, Amazon.com recommended me this album. Well, it turned out they were right! (duh!) There's not even one bad song on this CD. Here's my favorite tracks:

1. Wish You Were Near: OK, the best song I've ever heard in my life. The chords are right, the tempo's great, the guitar's wonderful, and the sax/trumpet's complement it all. It's so uplifting, you'll find yourself moving your head/feet.
2. AArt Attack: As one reviewer said before, this is very hummable.
3. Passion Play: Beautiful melodies, beautiful chords.
4. Viva Che: Fast tempo and uplifting. Makes you wanna dance!
5. The Velvet Swing: Can't help but sings along.
6. Robbie's Revenge: Very unique! It's like you're in India!
7. Love at a Distance: So sweet and romantic.
8. Code Name Pandora: Another great song, with the mute trumpet this time.
9. Nathan Road: Got a unique oriental feel at the intro. A great track. Can't stop playing it in my head!
10. Cactus Blue: Such a soothing and relaxing track.

Personally, I like the old and the new alchemy; they're just different, and it depends with our own taste. Amazon, thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of AA!

While this is a fine album, if you preferred the old Acoustic Alchemy with the fine blend of nylon and steel guitars, you may be in for a bit of a disappointment. Most of the songs from this album could easily have come from a smooth jazz station like CD 101.9 in NYC. Personally I prefer to be able to distinguish Acoustic Alchemy from the other mainstream artists. Don't get me wrong, this is a very good CD, but I will hesitate to buy another Acoustic Alchemy CD without sampling it first. I miss the synthesis of the acoustic guitars of Nick and Greg or even Greg and John Parsons. I think this CD will find many new fans of Acoustic Alchemy while leaving some of the old fans (but not all) somewhat disappointed.

Having been a huge fan of AA since I first heard "Mr. Chow" in 1987, having seen them in concert with and without Nick Webb, and owning everything that the band has ever produced (including a rare video of the making of "Arcanum"), it saddens me to report that I'm somewhat dissapointed in AA's new sound. Although Gregg is a great guitarist and the current AA is quite enjoyable in concert, Nick Webb's influence, especially his writing, is what made AA's sound so distinctive and is sorely missed on AArt. AArt's emphasis on horns makes this CD sound pretty average and with the exception of a couple of tunes, doesn't sound very much like the Acoustic Alchemy that I've loved for 15 years. I hope Gregg will get back with John Parsons and return to the acoustic sound of two guitars that was truly Acoustic Alchemy.

I'm so unhappy with this new direction that really began with Beautiful Game, and now is developing further with Aart. I have every single CD that AA has put out, every one of them, and Aart is really bad! Why try to sound like someone else? Get rid of the horns, and get back to what you made you guys great, and get back to that wonderful acoustic guitar sound that we have all loved for so many years. Please!

After reading the reviews here, I decided that it is time for me to throw my 2 cents in. I have been an avide listner of Acoustic Alchemy for as long as I can remember, and I liked their sound with the nylon and string guitar. And I'll also admit this is a far stray from previous albums, but it is still an awesome CD that is sure to get you grooving.

Other reviewers have put this CD down on the base reason that it is not "Acoustic Alchemy." If that is the only reason you have, that does not make it a bad CD. In fact, this CD is great with many hummable tunes that you will have stuck in your head for days.

So don't blow this CD off because it isn't that same old AA, but pick it up because it is a great CD.

When I first played Aart, I realized it was much different than anything A.A. has ever done. The band branches out into all sorts of directions; the CD is more jazzier than previous ones. You'll hear saxophone on several tracks. Also, I was at first disappointed that there were no songs like "Trail Blazer" or "Jubilation" (from The Beautiful Game CD) and that after the 7th song, the CD got considerably slower. But after a few more listens, I realized that there's not one bad song on the CD. The first seven are all excellent, with "Aart Attack" being my favorite. It's one of those tunes that you can't stop humming. "Flamoco Loco" is another great song, blending the Flamenco sound with funk, and "Viva Che" is another great upbeat song. And coming from someone who never liked too many slow songs, "Passion Play" and "Wind of Change" are beautiful tunes. I like to play this CD using the shuffle button to get a few of the faster tunes later on. Get an Aart attack today, if you haven't already done so. It's a CD that I've been listening to ever since I got it, and may the band continue to grow and offer many more fine recordings.

AA continues to evolve in their post-Nick Webb era. This is their first release that I feel could unequivocably be called "jazz." The production is top-notch, the songs are interesting (though not memorable), the musicianship is outstanding (especially - of course - the guitar playing). These positive attributes help balance out the over-polished studio sheen. A pleasant listening experience, although you may find yourself picking up something to read while it plays. Great background for an outdoor patio party.

Liked this from beginning, not knowing the group's history, but knowing I gravitate these days more to the smooth side of jazz. This is great, with nice balance between highlighted strings and percussion, spiced with keyboards and horns.

Lean towards the likes of Tuff Puzzle, Passion Play (with great keyboard contrib), Senjo Wine, Robbie's Revenge.

Blending different musical sounds, they provide a nice eclectic mix for listening, although must pass on their metaphysics.