Customer Reviews

Labyrinth

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

 

 

This was and is such a remarkable disk, nothing has yet come close to match it's mix of styles and songs. It definitively marked the quartet's goal to step beyond the traditional classical into an adventurous realm of jazz, rock, african, americana, and even tossing in a little humor, without becoming "crossover" or "world music" as they now have. York's compositions "Quiccan" and "Bantu" move convincingly/decisively, unlike his drifting, overly subtle style of late. "Labyrinth" is such a great piece, I wish Ian Krouse would compose an entire cd for the group (his "Folia Variations" on their Evening in Granada" cd is also great). The Copland arrangement is full of energy and the Basie and Sousa pieces are just plain fun. This was the reason everyone started talking about this group, which makes it all the more sad they're going the direction they are now. Come back! Come back!

The L.A.G.Q.'s wide ranging abilities are well represented in this eclectic collection of twentieth century music. Ian Krouse's Labyrinth is a striking, intense homage to Led Zeppelin. His characteristic use of hammering dissonances resolve masterfully into fun, driving, bluesy rock passages. Andrew York's Bantu is a perfect platform for the quartet's ability to utilize the guitars extended techniques. The piece opens with all four members playing different rhythms and timbres on the body of the guitar. Each member then drops out of his rhythmic pattern and into a harmonic framework, one at a time, until all four members are doing so. The piece is concluded in a retrograde of the same pattern. One may question a guitar quartet's ability to do justice to the dynamic nature of Aaron Copland's Simple Gifts, but this outstanding performance should put such concerns to rest. Each piece on this disc is executed with the kind of exuberance and taste for which the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet has become known.

Muddy Waters meets Led Zeppelin, Aaron Copeland, John Phillip Sousa, and Baroque masters for sometimes soothing and sometimes exciting variations on familiar themes. An incredibly talented group, the LAGQ brings new life and understanding to these favorites. A solid offering from these talented guitarists.

the first thing that you must understand is that i am a metalhead to begin with. One of the bands that I like is a metal band by the name of Opeth, they are very heavy and dark, but they have accoustic classical guitar all throughout their music, with metal. I decided that it might be cool to check out some classical guitar because I love how they do it in their music. So I bought this CD and loved it! I love their mideival sound that they produce, wonderful!
(Pacific Coast Highway is the coolest track(8)!!)

Loved this disk since its' release in 93. Just never got around to buying it. Would've been nice if the shipping had taken the time it was supposed to. Took 3 extra days. I'd ordered this for a business trip and came within a day of not having it.

The first song in this album has a strong, repetitive driving arpegio that is thrilling to a classical guitar lover.