Customer Reviews

Concert at St. Olaf College

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a surprise - I had no idea this CD was in the works! I own all of Michael Gulezian's other CDs. They're all excellent - he's a fantastic guitarist, as well as a great composer of music for acoustic guitar.

But having seen Gulezian in concert twice now, I'm thrilled with this new live CD. The concert video is priceless. When I listen to these songs as a guitarist I am intimidated - there's no question Gulezian ranks among giants like Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges. But when I listen as a "non-guitarist," I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of the music. These pieces are showcases of spectacular artistry.

If you haven't heard of Michael Gulezian before, this CD is a great place to start; if you have any of the other discs, this should be your next; and if you've seen him in concert, then you simply MUST OWN THIS DISC. "Concert At Saint Olaf College" is one more in a series of stunning acoustic guitar releases from Michael Gulezian.

I have listened to this CD at least ten times, and with every listen it just gets better. Every once in a while a recording comes out that is so beautiful, so profound, and so emotionally satisfying, it gives hope in these seemingly hopeless times that the world is not going to hell.

I went to a Michael Gulezian concert earlier this summer. In terms of pure musicianship, it was the most incredible experience I've ever had. I myself have been playing guitar for a good fifteen years. I've never seen anyone play music so technically demanding, and do it with so much grace. Gulezian never flaunted the obvious fact that he's a total virtuoso.

All those qualities come shining through on this disc. Songs like "Trampoline Heart" are tough as nails, but then Gulezian will turn around and dazzle with a piece like "Little Meggie." And then there's the opening opus, "Mile High Country," which sounds like a solo guitar soundtrack for a Rocky Mountain thunderstorm - a dramatic, driving, twisting six-string symphony of complex melodies, key changes, swirling rhythms, and percussive harmonics. It's a tour-de-force of grandeur, power, and beauty.

There were moments when I saw Michael Gulezian do things on his guitar that seemed impossible. You won't see any of that by listening to this CD - and of course it doesn't matter. All that does matter is the music. This CD stands firmly as one of the all-time best live concert recordings of instrumental solo acoustic guitar.

Performance: A Recording Quality: A Compositions: A+ Intangibles: A+

Yet another great CD from Michael Gulezian.

The sound of the guitars is majestic. The compositions are strong. The playing is spectacular - Gulezian's technique is dazzling, but it never overshadows the music.

Gulezian says in the liner notes this was an imperfect concert, but that he'd rather reach for the stars and suffer a few mistakes than give a technically flawless but emotionally sterile performance. This performance is anything but sterile - it's a passionate, inspired, emotionally charged solo acoustic guitar concert. Mistakes? I hear no mistakes. All I hear is incredible music. If this is Gulezian having an "off night," it's scary to imagine what he sounds like when he's "on."

I love how Gulezian takes chances. He really goes for it, especially on "Mile High Country" and "Trampoline Heart." His arrangement of the J.S. Bach piece is like nothing I've ever heard before - it's "out there" (it's WAY out there), but somehow it works beautifully.

Not a weak track on this CD.

Strong recommendation.

I was at this show, and running the house sound for this concert. I can't tell you what a magical, transfixing evening it was. I CAN tell you that this CD captures all of the intimacy and emotional intensity of that night.

Rich Adler has done some magic--Michael and his guitars sound just as huge and amazing on this disk as they do live. Turn up the subwoofer and let Tumbledweeb wash over you.

You will not regret buying this CD.

Just superb! Similar to Michael Hedges, though--in fairness to Gulezian--I believe he recorded first! He has a similar style to Hedges with his hammering and harmonics. But I didn't care for a lot of Hedges earlier stuff and every one of Michael's albums is just GREAT! You'll hear echoes of Leo Kottke and John Fahey too. And he's just extraordinary with the 12 string.

St. Olaf's live concert is a great intro to Gulezian's work. If you like it the first time through, you will eventually play it over and over. With each playing, there is a new discovery.....a new flourish in the background that you missed, another nuance you'll discover. I'm only sorry he didn't record some of his conversations with the audience. His playing is only rivaled by his stories and banter!

His songwriting is hypnotic, mesmerizing. Sometimes soft, sometimes fast paced, always uplifting. And, of course, you'll often think two (or three!) guitarists are playing when it's only Michael. He's got a great voice too! Though Oh Susannah might be the only vocal on all of his albums....I can't remember.

You must see him live as well. Incredible virtuousity, but not to impress you with his skill, but to envelope you in the music he loves. Wonderful, funny, he brings you into the concert like it's only for you. Kottke's the same way.....

As someone who designs and builds loudspeakers for a living, I have to tell you that the recording quality is also of the first rank. His recordings just sound ethereal on a great audio system.

Buy every one of his albums. You won't be disappointed.

This CD is a superb introducion to a musician who deserves more recognition. People say Michael's music reminds them of Kotke - I can see the comparison - but I find Michael to be more adventuresome, playful, meditative and downright beautiful. I don't usually like concert CDs (all that annoying clapping) but this live CD captures his concert performance wonderfully. I have all his CDs and like each one - from the first to the last and I can't say that about many artists. But if you buy just one - make it the St Olaf CD. Like so many other folks I also find his composistion "Little Meggie" to be particularly joyful - it just makes a person smile. You can see him perform it live on Youtube by the way. Michael played in Freeport, IL recently on the night of a freak late-spring snowstorm - the people who made it out that night were lucky... he was warm, funny and incredibly talented. My 81 year old mother went with me and afterwards she said, "I didn't even know there were so many sounds you can get out of a guitar!" If you get a chance to see him perform live - do it. And if not, you can always play this CD. You can check his touring dates at his website.

Michael Gulezian was recently playing in Sedona, Arizona. Unfortunately I couldn't attend the concert, so I ordered the St Olaf CD. I was in the midst of writing a novel under my pen name, Barclay Franklin, about a concert guitarist ("The Chording of T. O. Malone" which will be out in September or October of 2006) and the CD was a soothing inspiration while I was finishing up the book. Especially love Watermelon and Little Meggie. Well, the whole album is great.