Customer Reviews

Gavin Bryars: A Man in a Room, Gambling

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

 

 

it's not the best music or spoken voice ever, but the combination in this instance creates something unlike any other music i've heard. it's entrancing more than anything i suppose. sometimes i like to try to focus solely on either the music or the words, and, inevitably, i get lost.

Voice and strings always make a fascinating combination; spoken voice no less than singing. I first heard track #9 on CBC Radio and was blown away by how well the voice, speaking in an Argentine accent on a completely unfamiliar subject, blends with the strings. Bryars selected the actor very well; this voice is seductive, very masculine, cultured, and the accent is charming.

Listening to the whole album is not for the faint-hearted. It is hard to hold attention throughout all the lectures, and although I never found the voice intrusive (like the other reviewer reports) it gets to be a bit soporific and repetitive. Perhaps this is the intended effect. But it can be an effort to keep one's attention sharp.

Because of the spoken component it doesn't work as car music (can't make out words) or background music. It really does demand one's full attention. I do recommend it for those who like to make the effort.

I read a professional review of this disk which gave it a 5 star (out of 5)rating. I just can't agree. It simply tries too hard to be oh, so clever and exotic. The voicings are simply annoying and distract from some beautiful, and truely exotic and clever string compositions featuring terrific musicianship. Provided your concentration is able to pierce through the voicing and focus upon the dominate string line(s) of any given segment, you will greatly enhance your listening enjoyment. Just because Juan Munoz is doing the speaking does not automatically entitle this disk to a top rating. Only track nine, featuring some crowd rumblings and such, comes close to working within the concept. Five stars for the string compositions, three for the concept and none for the card slinging b.s. oratory.