Customer Reviews

Arvore

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Gismonti has been amazingly prolific in making many great albums from early 70's up to mid 90's.

Typically, his music is somewhat "rough" but very powerfull, emotive, rich, risky and bold during all the 70's. It is mostly acoustic work with many Gismonti's vocals too. It is a little difficult to access because of the complexity; but once you are in, it will stay with you forever. Most of this earlier work is under EMI or lately reissued under Gimsonti's CARMO labels.

The 80's are a transition period from pure acoustic to a mix between acoustic and electric instruments; Gismonti's vocals tend to disapear. Typically, the music becomes less provocative and more polite than earlier Gismonti's work. It is somewhat more civilized and more easy to access. Yet, the music remains highly sophisticated and creative; but with little less (good or bad?) surprise. Lots of these albums are under ECM label.

The 90's are a period where Gismonti's Group was founded. The music move towards more classical style: very polite, distinctive, fluid and elegant. Yet, there is still this amazing creativity, complexity and freshness of all Gismonti's works.
A few movie music albums are part of this period too (Kuarup, Amazonia). They tend to have more electronic effects but they stay into the elegant distinctive spirit of Gismonti's group latest compositions. Most of these albums are under ECM or CARMO labels.

About the GISMONTI 1973 album, it is probably one of the best (although they are nearly all excellent). This album his probably the best to enter into Gismonti's 70's work. It is a perfect introduction. As always with Gismonti, it is highly sophisticated, creative, inspired and emotional. It has this somewhat "rough" sounding of most early 70's Gismonti's works, but paradoxaly, it remains very elegant too. Last but not least, it has Gismonti's vocals that are so emotive and beautiful (and that we may finally miss in later Gismonti's works...). Therefore, this album is probably the best choice to become a fan of Gismonti's early work (rather than hating it!). It would be a pity to hate it as, at the end, Gismonti's early work is certainly the most fantastic and spirited he ever made...