Customer Reviews

Exploring New Sounds in Stero / Strings Aflame

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

 

 

Once again Bar-None gives us a two-fer, which I really do appreciate, especially since Strings Aflame is not available as an import (to my knowledge). Strings sounds quite nice. Exploring pales in comparison to the import. Literally the import sounds like a first generation tape and the Bar-None version like a third generation. Plus Bar-None does not like to let the sound taper off at the end of the music, being worried that the consumer will be put off by the tape hiss from a 1961 recording. So the unnatural, chopped fading and generally poorer sound of the domestic CD is why I gave it three stars.

As with other releases by Bar-None, this is a compilation of 2 LPs, that are performed by 2 different orchestras with different sounds. The first contains a series of melodic sounds made with unknown instruments- I've been listening for this record since I was 11 (I'm 45 now)- and haven't been able to identify. There's a Harpsichord in some, and tunes played by percussion. A saw can be heard in one of the tunes. If you think this is not remarkable think again: The Moog synthesizer didn't exist for another 10 years! All of the tunes are very easy to listen to, and sound lively and modern. The second LP shows Juan's experiments with strings... Wow! He uses string instruments skillfully and the results is music that you get hooked too. The transfer to CD is quite good and contains the original release LP jackets. This is my very favorite of all of Esquivel's recordings.

I discovered Esquivel by accident by walking into a large SF record store that was playing it, and it was in my book, a miracle. Right? What a series of classic recordings. This album delivers 100% as a whole, which is rare these days especially.
Since the day at the record store, where I purchased this album, I have acquired quite an Esquivel collection. The thing is, I don't know if it is because it was my first, but I think, without a doubt in my mind it is, THE best of all the albums and my personal favorite.
Anyone can truly enjoy listening to this record. I have played this album at parties and for friends that were around, and they all loved it. Originality, flavor, character, classics, and generally extremely enjoyable music to listen to from Esquivel.

I discovered Esquivel by accident by walking into a large SF record store that was playing it, and it was in my book, a miracle. Right? What a series of classic recordings. This album delivers 100% as a whole, which is rare these days especially.
Since the day at the record store, where I purchased this album, I have acquired quite an Esquivel collection. The thing is, I don't know if it is because it was my first, but I think, without a doubt in my mind it is, THE best of all the albums and my personal favorite.
Anyone can truly enjoy listening to this record. I have played this album at parties and for friends that were around, and they all loved it. Originality, flavor, character, classics, and generally extremely enjoyable music to listen to from Esquivel.

I discovered Esquivel by accident by walking into a large SF record store that was playing it, and it was in my book, a miracle. Right? What a series of classic recordings. This album delivers 100% as a whole, which is rare these days especially.
Since the day at the record store, where I purchased this album, I have acquired quite an Esquivel collection. The thing is, I don't know if it is because it was my first, but I think, without a doubt in my mind it is, THE best of all the albums and my personal favorite.
Anyone can truly enjoy listening to this record. I have played this album at parties and for friends that were around, and they all loved it. Originality, flavor, character, classics, and generally extremely enjoyable music to listen to from Esquivel.