Sign Language

Montreux | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B000000NGT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,877 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Skywriting

2. Sign Language

3. Sweet Intentions

4. Jacob Do Bandolim

5. In The Shadow Of The Blimp

6. To Be

7. Grant Wood

8. Circular Birds

9. Just Walking

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trans-Genre Musicianship, February 12, 2004

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sign Language (Audio CD)

Montreux is a remakable, if somewhat eclectic group of musicians that were one of the highpoints of the 80's musical scene. Composed of Barbara Higbee, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Andy Narell, and Michael Manring, there was no lack of talent. Treading lightly on the boundaries between new age, jazz, country, and sheer inventiveness they drew many fans and accolades over the years, many of them are still actively recording.

It isn't easy to pin down their style to any one genre or sound. The presence of Darol Anger on violin provides unexpected blue grass effects in the middle what would otherwise be mainstream new age. Infectious and ingenious rhythmic approaches abound. In the midst of upbeat acoustic stylings, electronic choruses will put in opportune appearances. As with all good albums, repeated listening reveals fine details of musicianship and texture.

Whether you like upbeat works like Skywriting or To Be, the melodic style of Sweet Intentions, or more experimantal pieces like Sign Language and Jacob Do Bandalim there is a lot to listen to. None of which is 'typical' fare. If you like pleasant surprised, stop here a while.