Customer Reviews

Persona

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

 

 

I used to own a few Liona Boyd records back in the 70's and 80's, but they were limited to the classical guitar literature. I have always loved her playing...smooth and sensual. This disc originally came out in 1986, and Ms. Boyd presents herself accompanied by percussion, keyboards, strings and other guitarists. Eric Clapton joins her on one number, and Yo-Yo Ma on another. A little bit of rain and a few bird calls pop up here and there as well. The final result is closer to an Andreas Vollenweider production than to the exotica of Martin Denny or Arthur Lyman, but the core is still Liona's guitar work. If you only know her, as I did, from her classical albums, you may have to listen to this two or three times to really like it (as I did.) For hard-core fans, the disc is a must-own, and for "New Age" adherents it will be a gem. I like Liona more casually, and find "New Age" music is best in small doses. I found this at a bargain price, which makes me happier with it than I might be if I spent the usual amount a new CD costs. Still, it seems a four-star CD to me.

In this album, Ms. Boyd demonstrates the unique ability to take another person's work and present it in an entirely different light. The best example is the piece, "L'Enfant": Vangelis (the original composer and performer) created a light airy melody that was a tribute to the New Age concept, using only a few simulated instrumental sounds. In Ms. Boyd's interpretation, however, the piece takes on a more dynamic, even primal, feel by adding in a very strong percussion background and acoustic guitar for the main melody, evoking strong imagery of the primal forces of nature at work. Regarding the few original pieces in the album, "Sun Child" is an absolute delight, bringing to mind images of parents and children playing at Ye Olde English Faire (or your local Renaissance Festival ;) ). The only major disappointments were the two "Phoenix" pieces written by Michael Kamen for Ms. Boyd, and I must also admit that the title composition, "Persona," was not as strong as I would have thought given Ms. Boyd's beautiful interpretations of other composers' works. Still, this is a good album and I highly recommend it.

I think this CD is an incredible example of how different types of guitarists can get together and create something that is very special to listen to. Liona Boyd is a fantastic classical guitarist, and Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Yo Yo Ma aren't bad on their instruments either! Put them altogether with some great arrangements of songs, and you have a very interesting, highly enjoyable, and remarkable CD. I highly recommend it.

I remember buying this as a cassette in 1986. At the time I thought it was a great album, but frankly my appreciation of music was largely undeveloped back then. As I remember this album was largely panned by critics, probably for both political reasons and that is was way ahead of it's time. It is still as fresh today as it was on release day.

It is a series of great pieces superbly played, especially those composed by Liona herself. Several tracks successfully mix in rock motifs, which is much more difficult to do effectively than it seems.

I was really glad to see this re-released as a CD ....... it certainly deserved it.