Customer Reviews

Black Rock

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

 

 

To describe this music is to resort to cliches: ethereal, haunting, mystical, poignant, melancholy, moody. It is commonly acknowledged that the music of the duduk (an Armenian instrument rather like an abbreviated oboe made of -- how curious -- peach root) has a plaintive and slightly nasal sound. Thus the cliches.

Armenian prodigy Djivan Gasparyan is the indubitable master of the duduk. Canadian guitarist Michael Brook is an old hand at collaboration efforts, mingling his "infinite guitar" and ambient effects with traditional music. Bear in mind that Michael Brook productions are so-called "world fusion music". Such albums often offend purist fans of the folk music which they see being warped by electronica. If you can accept the genre, check out this album, which is one of the best representations.

Cliches apart, it is hard to describe the music. It is like the sense of striving and desperation when you remember your homeland in a far away place. It is like the clenching feeling in your chest when someone beloved passes by and you breathe in their afterscent. Or simply breathing an odor you remember, but cannot identify.

In short, it is good mood music. The editorial review was incorrect in saying this production sacrifices complexity to capturing a mood. While not supremely challenging, there are a few layers that teasingly reveal themselves on repeated listening. It is worthwhile music.

Ultimately, the melody of the duduk has the final word. You just have to listen. I cannot tell you -- I'm out of cliches.

At its best, this album is one of the most moving musical experiences you're likely to have. I've never bought an album based on one track before, but when I heard "Fallen Star" on the radio, I rushed out to get it. In fact, several tracks on the album approach an almost ethereal level. On the other hand, the album is far too short (44 min.), and some of Michael Brook's techno-noodlings detract from the goings-on. Plus, he seems to actually give Gasparyan's duduk short shrift. I wanted more Gasparyan, less Brook! However, all things considered, how many albums have tracks that you can literally listen to over and over again and still be moved?

The musical connection of the steel guitar and the Armenian duduk provides rare glimpses into unexplored crevices and caverns of the soul. I was surprised at how the lonely sounds of the duduk could wrap and wind around my heart, creating feelings of exhilaration/exaltation, penetrating every cell and fiber of my being. The sounds of the duduk leave an indelible imprint on the heart and mind which remains with you long after the music stops playing. The voice of Djivan Gasparyan adds a rare ethereal dimension to one's awareness and being as it breaks the solitary musical interlude. When I listen to this CD, I am transported to another place in time and space. Djivan's voice resembles the haunting voices of Yiddish and klezmer singers, passionate emotions, love, anguish, memories ... the music evokes this & much, much more. This music is a fusion of the past and present, it is an unexpected tapestry woven from the bass guitar, keyboards, some programming, and of course, the essential ingredient, the master instrument, the duduk. "Black Rock" is named for volcanic landscapes, produced from firey lava, arising from deep within the earth ... so too does this music arise from the internal heat of the the musicians themselves. The sounds soothe us as the instruments, old and new blend together create enchanting, inspiring, timeless melodies.
Erika Borsos (erikab93)

What happens when two prolific artists of completely different backgrounds are brought together to create new music? The answer is a great new age fusion album with universal appeal. "Black Rock", Djivan Gasparyan and Michael Brook's collaboration effort, can only be described as being outstanding and different.

Michael Brook, the Canadian born electric guitar virtuoso, and Djivan Gasparyan, Armenia' s foremost master of the duduk, meld each-other's personal styles well and take the listener on a unique musical journey that explores Armenian melodies, Afro-Indian rhythms, and pop sounds. The listener is embarked on an emotional journey that spans both light and dark moods; the soars of Brook's "infinite guitar" and the mellow vibes of Gasparyan's duduk are the perfect remedy. "Falling Star" and "Take My Heart" can almost be described as being therapeutic to the soul.

As an added point of interest, fans of Gasparyan will also be happy to know that aside from his work on the duduk, Gasparyan's voice is also showcased on this album. This is sometimes positive but mostly negative addition to the album. Gasparyan's singing sounds be soothing in some tracks, but it's mostly distracting in others. In addition to the sometimes-distracting vocals, another one of the few downsides to "Black Rock" is its short length. Even though each track does have something to offer, the album as a whole only contains roughly 44 minutes of music. Regardless of these few minor negatives, "Black Rock" remains a great album whose music is appealing to both Armenian and non-Armenian listeners.

Tigran Sinanyan

This is a great album. Mystical, ethereal and moving. The recording is of outstanding quality and both Brook's and Gasparyan's playing is first class. The album blends two very distinct musical styles - the simple sound of Gasparyan's duduk with the sweeping, otherworldly sound of Brook's "infinite" guitar. Gasparyan also sings on a few tracks and his vocals are mesmerising. All in all, a wonderful album. My only disappointment is that it is too short at just over 44 minutes. At the completion of the album, I was left hungry for more.

Michael Brook, established Real World master of fusion collaborations, hits the mark once again. Djivan Gasparyan, the esteemed duduk (Armenian oboe) virtuoso, lends not only his instrument but also his voice to this otherworldly album. Defying classification, each track evokes the depth of Armenian culture and language, from whimsy to darker, more moody meditations, yet remains open and accessible to the discerning first-time listener. An excellent album.

Can a record be sensual, spiritual, sad happy, tender, dark and sweet at the same time? Yes, it can. And there is no best proof released in 1998 than "Black Rock" by dodouk master Djivan Gasparyan, and Canadian multiinstrumentist and experimentalist Michael Brook. For all those who are not familiarized with the Dodouk, this is an oboe-like instrument that comes fron Armenia, where Djivan Gasparyan comes from too. This instrument is rarely used for happy songs; the Dodouk cries, so it is for sad songs. Considered one of the best albums of 1998 by the british magazine "The Wire" (and by the writer of this review, too), this is an album which melodies enchant and disturbs at the same time. Gasparyan not only plays his dodouk here, but also sings. His voice has sad vibrations that contribute to make this record really attractive, along with Brook's undeniable talent, which one more time, mixes successfully the urbanism of "pop" with the primitivism of ancient cultures. A must have for any fan of world music.

This CD has some lovely songs which to me touches what I imagine the Armenian soul to be like. That is without doubt the effect of the duduk ( Armenian style oboe) that really sets an emotional atmosphere. It has a distinct world music feel to it and can be recommended as pleasant easy listening to soothe the mind with.

I confess I am a sucker for anything put out by the maestro Djivan Gasparyan. How does one explain the sound - the emotions - conveyed by the duduk in words? Impossible! It's like trying to describe the glory of spring blossoms to the blind. Okay, enough poetic license. What makes this album worthy of repeat plays (besides Gasparyan) is the extremely rare musical sensibility of Michael Brook. His past collaborations with musical greats like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Night Song) and U Srinivas (Dream) have been outstanding. He does not disappoint us this time either, although the use of some hackneyed guitar riffs on a few tracks precludes a 5-star rating. In found the songs "Freedom", "Dark Souls" and "Take My Heart" in particular, positively haunting. Overall, a welcome addition to any discerning collection.

If you are dealing with duduk and/or similar instruments, you should buy this. On the other hand, I can say, I think it might be better when I think about the quality of Gasparyan and Brook.