Customer Reviews

Quiet Now

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

 

 

Anyone familiar with the work of Gene Bertoncini knows that when they listen to one of his performances they are in presence of an artistic genius, just as they are when they gaze at Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" or Michelangelo Buonarroti's "David". While the media in which these two masterpieces are created differ from each other, and differ from the medium in which Bertoncini works, the resulting communication of essential "truth" is the same.
As these other great artists created work more beautiful when they continued to challenge themselves throughout their lives, so has Bertoncini continued to create recordings which have greater depth and more understanding of his chosen medium as he explores the possibilities of the unaccompanied acoustic guitar (with no electronic "help"). Whether he's working within the framework of a standard (Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life/Isfahan), a classical piece (Robert Schuman's Traumerei) or even an adaptation from the world of opera (Puccini's Nessu Dorma), Bertoncini's insightful melodic understanding, complimented by his creative harmonic knowledge, gives one the impression that whichever piece he plays was written specifically for him by that composer.
None of this would be possible without his exquisite technical ability. Truly gifted as an artist, he uses his talent on this CD to create music which is consummately beautiful. To use analogy again, his arrangements have meaningful, cohesive lines similar to exquisite works of architecture. So, even though we can't see what Gene Bertoncini creates with his guitar, it exists in aesthetic splendor as great as any masterpiece by any artist working in a visual medium. "Quiet Now" is a CD by a remarkable artist, in full stride, doing what he loves best, to the utmost of his extraordinary ability!

I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer above...on all counts. I would like to add a couple of points, though.

The sound of this album is impeccable! When I close my eyes to listen, it's almost as if Gene was in the room--except for the abscence of his bad jokes between songs.

Secondly, one of the most remarkable aspects of Gene's solo music is that it can be played at a low level as wonderful background music, but is also available for thoughtful listening and analysis merely by turning the volume up and telling everybody else in the room to stifle. Go Gene!

A beautiful and musically varied solo acoustic approach to jazz guitar. The style veers a bit more formal than swinging or bluesy, but the musicianship is impeccable--a very listenable and rewarding album, especially for those who love guitar virtuosity.

I had my eyes on this CD for some time, always playing the samples here on Amazon. I have a lot of Mr. Bertoncini's recordings. All are great. This may be his best. His choice of songs and his arrangements are perfect. An earlier review said the pieces tend to be more formal and not as swinging. However, listen to his arrangement of Ellington's "Isfahan." A nice tune that never "swung" in the original, but Mr. Bertoncini does so, making it more vibrant. It was always a beautiful melody, but the Ellington version did nothing for me. Other songs on the CD are standards (My One and Only Love, Waltz for Debby-the Bill Evans nugget, Cole Porter, Jobim, Harry Warren, even Coltrane),and some classical-Traumerei, Nessun Dorma. All of these are Gene's arrangments, and all are great. The sound quality is perfect.

I believe I saw on his website that he even thinks this is his best recording. It would be difficult to disagree. However, you cannot go wrong with any of his recordings. His live album with Bill Charlap and Sean Smith is incredible and very recommended. It's also worth pointing out that this is not music just for guitarists. That can be a knock on a lot of guitarists--NOT SO HERE. This is very listenable as music, not just "guitar" music. It is "quiet" as the title would suggest, great for relaxing, and for closer listening. Having said all that, if you love acoustic guitar in the jazz style, snatch up everything you can find by Mr. Bertoncini. You'll be glad you did.

I have had the privilege to study with Gene after playing guitar myself for 30 plus years. Gene Bertoncini is ALL HEART & SOUL!! A true master of the fret board who knows every chord interpretation for every chord change. He can make the music transcend the listeners conscious and take you places you haven't imagined yet. Anyone who appreciates fine music will resonate with Mr. Bertoncini's candor, sensitivity, and sense of humor.

The number of solo jazz guitarists is slowly increasing since Joe Pass's seminal 1973 disc "Virtuoso!" Gene Bertoncini is certainly on anyone's short list of masterful players, or should be. The material here is not as familiar as might be heard on some of his other CDs, but the quality of performance is magnificent.

Gene Bertoncini dwarfs other practitioners of guitar jazz by his combination of talent and dedication. You have trouble imagining this is just one guy playing. Magic modulation, delicate arpeggios. Even his pauses are dramatic.
I heard him in Asheville once and asked him how he did it. He pointed upward and shook his head.
"It comes from up there," he said.
As long as we can hear it down here, that's fine.