Just Guitars: Microtonal Music for Guitar

Lou Harrison (Composer), Carter Scholz (Composer), John Schneider (Composer), Harry Partch (Composer), Rebekah Raff (Performer), Gene Sterling (Performer), Terry Riley (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Rebekah Raff, Gene Sterling, Terry Riley
• Composer: Lou Harrison, Carter Scholz, John Schneider, Harry Partch
• Audio CD (May 5, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bridge
• ASIN: B000096JH4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,169 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This recording features the premiere recordings of works by the late Lou Harrison and the legendary Harry Partch. John Schneider, guitarist and Los Angeles radio personality performs on a wide variety of guitars using such instruments as Partch’s microtonal Adapated Guitars, Martin, Gibson and Fender guitars, a National Resophonic Guitar, and other instruments that feature tuneable fretboards for various types of Just Intonation. Lou Harrison (1917-2003) wrote his last guitar piece for National Steel guitar, custom fretted in Just Intonation. The Scenes from Nek Chand uses a six-note mode and is based on the sculpure and architecture of Nek Chand in northern India. Harry Partch worked on the adapatation of guitars in the 1930s, using one for his Barstow: 8 Hitchhikers’ Inscriptions (1941) (available on BRIDGE 9041). The opening of Partch’s long lost song cycle, December 1942, begins with a setting of the jester’s song "Come Away Death" from Shakespearre’s Twelfth Night. Three Intrusions (1949) are the first compositions to use Partch’s newly invented Diamond Marimba and the Adapted Guitar 2. Both of these works feature Schneider singing and intoning the vocal parts, as well as performing on copies of Partch’s Adapted Guitars.

Also available: Just West Coast, John Schneider guitars, BRIDGE 9041

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The only record of its kind, and well-done, January 9, 2006

By 

Aaron Wolf (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Guitars: Microtonal Music for Guitar (Audio CD)

While I too have some criticisms, I can't imagine anyone having the time to do all the unique things that had to be done to realize this album and still have time to get every little thing perfect. This stands beyond many albums in terms of performance and artistry. It is unique and varied. It is definitely a bit jolting in terms of consistency, from the electric-sounding track 1, to the Partch, whereas the rest is more normal guitar playing. But it is all worthwhile. Schneider's singing may not sound like Partch, but his inflection and interpretation are suberb in terms of following the composer's intent. His playing is technically brilliant. It is not fair but to view this as an early recording in a basically yet-to-be-explored field. I hope this album inspires many to build on the ground that Schneider and a few others are working to lay down.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars inconsistent, directionless, some great material, October 14, 2005

By 

Thomas O'connell (Northampton, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Just Guitars: Microtonal Music for Guitar (Audio CD)

The reason this recording is important is because it has several important pieces which are on record for the first time, a few by Lou Harrison, a few by Harry Partch. The performances are technically excellent but some truly lack soul. The album is for the most part consistent until we reach the Harry Partch material which seems out of place (this is when it takes a turn and makes the listener cringe), John Schneider sings on the Harry Partch tracks, the singing is very sub-par. He sings about being a hobo and riding a train but the voice sounds far too crisp and clean. But it's hard to complain because these are their first time on record and our only way to hear them. You need to close your eyes and Imagine a gruff, hairy, hobo singing them. Also, the piece written by John Scheider feels a little too melodic and peaceful for this record. This disk has some great material on it, but purchase with an informed mind.