Customer Reviews

L.A.G.Q. (Los Angeles Guitar Quartet)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unfortunately, Amazon's reviewer is sadly uninformed about the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's history in doing exactly what they have mastered on this CD- dabbling. While not every track is a smash hit, when the quartet is on, they're really on. Their African Suite and Klezmer Dances are dazzling, and these guys have done this sort of thing before: everything from the Main Street Parade to the Nutcracker Suite to a hoedown on previous recordings. L.A.G.Q. is LAGQ at their best- don't let Amazon's review fool you.

If one truly loves the versatility and beauty of the guitar than this album, and the entire repetior of the LAGQ, is an invaluable asset. They yet again astounded me with their fearless headfirst dive into uncharted territory with dazzling effects. I thoroughly enjoyed this CD and seriously question the reliability of any reviewer who considers this album "watered down."

If you're just looking for guitar music; perhaps a performer sitting in a folding chair in a dark theater strumming away, then don't buy this album. But if you're the kind of guitar advocate who wants to finish listening to a CD and say "I'm full," then give your ears (and soul) a treat with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's L.A.G.Q. The album jetsets the listener around the world beginning with two very clever African tunes and then hastens for Japanese, Brazilian, Italian and Eastern European shores. And there are no egos on this album. Each of the group's members rotate in showcasing their adept at the instrument. What makes the album even more enjoyable though, is its open-door policy with guest musicians: virtuosos at their respective crafts. With these guests, LAGQ achieves its goal, painting the musical landscape of each geographic destination.

This is the first album by LAGQ that I bought, and actually they are the reason that I got onto Amazon.com- I couldn't find their album anywhere here in Canada. They are truly an amazing group, and they bring out the passion and vibrancy, the energy and life, and the mystique that is possessed by the relatively simple-looking guitar. The African Suite and Farewell to Stromness are by far my most loved tracks on this album. They have crafted masterpieces that any fan of classical music will be able to appreciate. This is a listening experience you won't regret!!

Integrating guitar with a subtle flourish of other accompaniment, the LAGQ have crafted an unique and very listenable album. The compositions are often surprising, alternately delicate and boisterous, and always masterfully played.

LAGQ is doing for a guitar quartet what the Kronos did for strings. It takes music from all over the world; Africa, Europe,South America and the U.S. and makes it sound as if they were playing the instruments of those areas. Using guitars that produce bell tones or drums (together with a bongoist) or becoming a full klezmer band with a clarinetist. They create sounds never heard before from guitars and rhythyms that make one feel that you are in Africa, South America, Eastern Europe or jazzy U.S.A. The exquisite classical technique of the four players is apparent and their ability to tranform that into this musical travelogue of the world makes this album a treasure.

LAGQ has a wonderful sound and often collaborates with other musicians to achieve even better sound. But their skill in transcribing the greatest music to sound even better on 4 guitars is amazing. And then to take classical pieces -- and not so classical pieces, such as Klezmer, New Age, Jazz-- and make it incredibly richer in rhythms and sonic variations! The combination of classical with all sorts of other music make this album a sure pleaser to all sorts of audiences.

This is one of LAGQ's best CDs. My favorite tracks are the African, Klezmer, and South American pieces. There's plenty of variety, along with different accompanying instruments and sound devices.

Although this album demonstrates the versatility of the Guitar there are pieces that just do not work for me. This feeling is similar to the feeling I get from Elliot Fisk's album on Paganini Caprices...brilliant technique but the translations are forced and not appropriate for the guitar. There are pieces on this album I enjoy and others that irritate. Unfortunately for me, I did not review this album before I purchased it. But hey, one man's garbage...