Secret Places [Single]

Neil Jacobs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: November 11, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Adena
• ASIN: B000CNDKBG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,765 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange Review by Mike Jurkovic On the Friday that Secret Places came in the mail for review, I had spent the week listening to a collection of Vivaldi's concertos and Sam Cooke. Now that's a wide spectrum no matter what demographic you poll, but Neil Jacobs took up his own place within it. When most of us first encountered the 12-string, it was the clang-jangly shimmer of The Byrds. But, for over twenty-five years, this award winning performer and composer has toured the world, bringing a whole new emotional and spiritual virtuosity to the instrument. And, while on his travels, the musical languages he has encountered inspire his new disc. Be it Ravel's Bolero or Tchaikovsky's Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy Jacobs covers the world vibe on his extraordinary 12-string, fusing flamenco, Celt, Balkan, Greek, jazz and gypsy. Performances of Song of Vojvodina, Morning At Ragged Point, My Norman Rockwell, and Singing Dunes are crystalline moments where mind, heart, spirit and finger-picking ability meld, creating their own quiet space. With an ensemble of musicians playing exotic and familiar instruments, i.e.: stand-up bass, udu, violin, brac, and bugarja, this is perfect music for those snowy mornings and sunsets, those Sundays where it's just you and the music. --Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange Review

Product Description

Hauntingly melodic solo contemporary acoustic 12-string guitar. Touches of classical, world and fingerstyle with some eclectic surprises - Absolutely delightful to the ears and heart - Few guitarists utilize the 12 string guitar as their main instrument. Even two of the greatest virtuosos to ply the beast, Leo Kottke and Ralph Towner, do not use it exclusively. Given this, I was taken aback when I happened upon the recordings of Neil Jacobs and learned that he plays the 12er as his main squeeze. I was skeptical at first, thinking the music would be new agey. I was happy to find this was far from the case. Secret Places is a marvelous recording. It is filled with wonderful performances and arrangements. Many of the pieces are just as thought provoking as they are great to listen to. Two of my favorites are Kiss of the Gypsy and Song of Vojvodina . I closed my eyes on listening to these two and was instantly transported to Eastern Europe. The playing is lively and life affirming. Truly, here is music for the soul. Other compositions, like Morning at Ragged Point , Train to Zanzibar , and Singing Dunes , are diverse in approach and execution. Jacobs and company have the chops but do not flash for effect, but play with conviction and duende. This month makes a year that I have been playing the 12 string as my main instrument. Listening to Jacobs tells me how far I've got to go. I hope I live long enough to reach such heights as this modern virtuoso of one of the most amazing instruments on the planet. Five out of Five Stars! Review by Eric Paul

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