Customer Reviews

Andrew York: Perfect Sky

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Andrew York's "Perfect Sky" has the entire package for anyone with an appreciation for excellence in composition, arrangement, and stunning execution on the guitar. The opening track, "Sunburst", which has been recorded by both Christopher Parkening (under the title "Jubilation") and John Williams, showcases York's talent both as a gifted composer and as a master of navigating the fretboard, as especially evidenced by the "burst" of notes that conclude the song. Vince Guaraldi's "Linus & Lucy" is covered here, and is another highlight. On this tune, York simultaneously -- and seemingly effortlessly -- carries both the bass line and melody to produce a version that surpasses the original in quality. And once again, York finishes beautifully, this time with an array of harmonics reminiscent of Weather Report bass player Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987), whose own "Word of Mouth" album (Warner Brothers, 1981) York has praised. Other highlights of "Perfect Sky" include "Green Galliard", "Rock Skippin' Creekside", "Mysterious Barricades", and "Muir Woods". The CD represents, for the most part, York's emerging potential as a classical guitarist and composer in the period immediately following the completion of his studies at the University of Southern California in 1986. Perhaps the only weakness of the CD is that while York proves his versatility on steel string, nylon string, and electric guitar on this album, the electric guitar recordings do not match the acoustic guitar tracks in quality. But this is really just a further testament to York's extreme ability to combine playing and composing for the acoustic guitar at a level that may not be matched currently or in the near future. Note: the 1996 re-release of "Perfect Sky" includes "Andecy", a track from the Windham Hill Guitar Sampler.

I am a classical guitarists too. Though I may be a young man, I tend to like modern guitar sounds than old guitar sounds like F.Sol or Tarrega etc. I like special tecniques that have not been made ever. But I always like all the modern guitarists. The most favorite guitarist is R.dyens. I like his unique rythm and melodies and high tempo sounds. A. York is my favorite guitarists too.

In a CD, I chanced to listen to Sunburrst, I was tempted with the high tempo sounds and blight melody and unique bass topping.
But in addition to such songs, he can write slow ballade songs too. The ballade is good too.

But in Japan, his guitar score peace is a little high price. If it have possible, I wish that the publishers make song books.

Anyway, A.York is a new age revolutional gutarist that blow new fresh wind to classical guitar genle.

Thank you for reading poor English.

There are two modern guitarist who share the honors for being the best of today's masters of the classical guitar - Andrew York and Scott Tennant. Tennant is a bit better technically, but I consider York the more 'musicianly' of the two. In a large part that is because York has proven himself the more willing to try new approaches and create is own compositions. And when he feels it necessary he is equally at home in the world of steel strings and electric pickups. Perfect Sky is an album designed to demonstrate exactly those facets of York, and by any measurement, is completely successful.

Nine of the thirteen compositions on this CD are original to York. While they have a New Age sound to them, carefull listening shows that the technical work behind his clean melodies sets him well apart from standard fare. Spend some time listening to the neck work on Andecy or the counterpoint in Green Galliard and you will see what I mean. Each piece has special moments of brilliance, but what stands out for me is Yorks strong sense of melody, which never seems to desert him. Two of my favorites are Perfect Sky and Muir Woods, two experiments in the use of jazzy chord progessions.

York's arrangement of Guaraldi's Linus and Lucy is a pure whirlwind of technical work. Every time I hear the harmonic arpeggio's I get exceedingly jealous - these require a level of precision that is totally out of my fumble fingered league. But this entire piece is pure showing off, a perfect demonstration of a master guitarist for who style is a choice, not a constraint. Then there is the complete believability of the Nutcracker ballet piece and the hysterical complexity of Couperin's Les Barricades Misterieuses.

And the list goes on and on. There is literally no mischosen or misplayed work on this album. Something to marvel at in an age which has become sadly accepting of shoddy corners. York has other albums that demonstrate his classical side (and let's not forget his and Tennant's membership in the Los Angeles Guitar Quartett) but Perfect Sky is the album if you are looking for a deeper look into Andrew York as a musican. Highly recommended.

Since its original release, Andrew York's "Perfect Sky" has been re-released on GSP, the same label which released his next CD, "Denouement". But not only the label has changed; York has added the piece "Andecy" (which appears on the Windham Hill label guitar sampler CD) to "Perfect Sky" and eliminated a song, as well as changing the CD artwork to more appropriately reflect the title. (The new CD cover, for example, features the guitarist beneath a clear and sunny blue sky.) Though "Andecy" is a solid piece, its addition does not make or break the CD, which remains an incredibly diverse and beautiful collection of songs by a guitarist (then-fresh from his studies at USC in the mid-1980s) who can both amaze and inspire listeners.

A beautiful collection of pieces arranged for the guitar, "Perfect Sky" stands out as proof that Andrew York is the master of the six-string domain. He combines incredible technical skill with both compositional and arranging talent. The opening track, "Sunburst" (covered by both John Williams and Christopher Parkening, and re-titled "Jubilation" on a recent Christmas album), played on a steel string guitar, demonstrates his compositional skill as well as his well-maintained chops, evidenced by the "burst" of speed at the song's conclusion. The album's most catchy tune, Vince Guaraldi's "Linus & Lucy", displays the playful, familiar bass line simultaneously with the melody, showcasing York's fretboard facility (that's right, it's ONE guitar). The song ends magnificently with a dazzling array of Jaco Pastorius-inspired harmonics. The album is an eclectic one, but York manages to keep a sort of identity throughout, never alienating the listener. Almost a decade after its release, "Perfect Sky" sounds as timeless as ever -- as all great music should. (Other highlights include "Green Galliard" and Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy".)

Simply stated... for anyone interested in what the acoustic guitar can do, might do, could do, should do, I wish it would do... and everything else in-between. If you think standard repertoire is where the guitar must always stay pick up this cd. Andrew York gives us MODERN ideas that are completely accesible, well developed, tasteful, and above all else (dare I say it) FUN.

This original edition - on Artifex Records - has a different track listing than the two pressings which followed. Aside from an altered running order, "Andecy" and "Reflections" are not on this edition, although a fine rendition of Bach's "Allegro" is. This version of "Linus & Lucy" - entirely on solo guitar - is one of the finest ever performed. As the liner notes attest, all tracks are single takes with no overdubs.

I first heard Andrew York play guitar at a recent concert with 4 guitarists who had gone on tour together. I believe the tour was called International Guitarist Night or something to that effect. I was very impressed with Andrew's playing. He has a very unique style of playing. Some of his compositions might fit into the new age genre, but he also performs classical pieces wonderfully. This is solo guitar, very beautiful. I highly recommend this cd.

I learnt to play Sunday Morning Overcast as a recommendation by my guitar teacher, about 8 years ago, around his visit to Bristol, England. Now I have had the chance of listening the real sound. Never could I match Andrew York's experise with the guitar. He has managed to mix the old with the new with some of his arrangements. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is a unique sound, which only adds to the original beauty of this classic piece. But he not only uses his knowledge of the guitar in interpreting other people's work, but by creating masterpieces himself. I you gain any hint of classical joy, then this album is a must. Enjoy