Customer Reviews

The Art of Modern Primitive Guitar

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

 

 

Personally I think this is a superb guitar album. There are no vocals, which Shawn did include in his previous albums. The Art of Modern Primitive Guitar comprises a variety of short- and medium-length original compositions that are intricate, listenable, and interesting. As I said to Shawn, it's both music you can "leave" in the background while you do something else, but also music that bares up to repeated, careful listening sessions. This is not just stuff that you get bored with and learn the simple melodies right away. It's music that draws you in and makes you examine what he's doing on the fretboard. And I'm not even a musician! Buy this album. I'm sure there will be something there you will enjoy.

After hearing other Prester John CDs, I have to say this is one of his best. It's not possible for me to put my finger on it, but this music is dynamic and complex, yet easy on the ear and relaxing. I will be picking up their new CD, Desire For a Straight Line after this.

Bottom line, this is incredible music with emotion and a backbone.

Personally I think this is a superb guitar album. There are no vocals, which Shawn did include in his previous albums. The Art of Modern Primitive Guitar comprises a variety of short- and medium-length original compositions that are intricate, listenable, and interesting. As I said to Shawn, it's both music you can "leave" in the background while you do something else, but also music that bares up to repeated, careful listening sessions. This is not just stuff that you get bored with and learn the simple melodies right away. It's music that draws you in and makes you examine what he's doing on the fretboard. And I'm not even a musician! Buy this album. I'm sure there will be something there you will enjoy.

This is the third Shawn Persinger CD that I have bought and his talent continues to amaze me. The Art of Modern Primitive Guitar is my favorite work that Shawn has produced so far. I have to admit that Shawn's musical style is not what I gravitate to when I go CD shopping. But I'm so glad that I purchased my first CD of his 4 years ago. All are amazing and I can't wait for more of his music to hit the CD stores.

Shawn's music buzzs with life, angst, complexity, pride, gritty honesty, and that's just in the first 45 seconds. It's all uphill from there. I have seen him live on several occasions and strongly recommend that experience as well. It's a thrill to sit in the audience and watch someone exult in his craft in a thoroughly unique way. As noted by other reviewers, Shawn doesn't do Beatles tunes (which I love, too) -- things that are learnable in one listen and you can hum forever, but...there *are* songs of his I hum, and his lyrics (where they exist ) are quite thought provoking.

As a neophyte level zero guitar player, it's a treat to watch someone who respects and really knows his way around the instrument and the theory. It's also kind of neat to watch him retune his guitar into a new special purpose tuning after each song. This is not stage antics, and he doesn't distract with video, gadgets, but rather keeps you riveted with his seamless control of the process.

Ok -- as for the disks...."The Art...." is dandy and a natural evolution, but I haven't listened to it as much as "Peerless", the current version of which I cannot recommend strongly enough. The musicality, production values, and emotions contained therein are well worth the nickel. Buy it.