Customer Reviews

Spellbinder

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you buy albums and Jazz Guitar is one of your preferences, this CD is an absolute must for your collection. Gabor Szabo was born a Hungary. Chico Hamilton heard him while on tour and offered him the guitar spot in his orchestra. He came to the United States and played with Hamilton for over six years. While Chico led an inspired percussion group, it was Gabor Szabo's spellbinding guitar which was the driving force to a new and mesmerizing sound. This album, Spellbinder, is his first effort on his own. To wish him well, Chico Hamilton came over and played percussion. I have over 700 jazz albums, 300 of which are guitarists. This album would be in my top five. Gabor Szabo was a gifted and indeed a great guitar player. Carlos Santana would have been just another player if he hadn't been influenced by Szabo's unique style. So my advice to you is buy this album, put on your head phones, and kick back. It shouldn't take you long to see why they called it "SPELLBINDER'.

A true artist, that is his art work from the original Lp cover, in every sense of the word, the late Gabor Zsabo was probably never recognized for the musical talents he possessed and contributed to the field of jazz. The Hungarian born Zsabo plays a Gibson guitar on this disc that resonates magic from his skillful fingers. His style of guitar playing is so different from any of his then(or even now) contemporaries that it is almost hard to explain the unique qualities. Possibly because he was European, playing an American art form, that at first he tried to emulate until he realized his own voice was valid, that you can hear the Gypsy influences, even soft echoes of Spanish guitar, but make no doubt about it there is a distinctive "spellbinding" effect to Gabor Zsabo's lyrical music. He was quoted as saying that he loved to listen to Gypsies play and dance around the campfires in the cornfields as a child. It must have made a big impression on him because it comes out in his music. It is a soft style that has a certain rhapsody, at times sensuous, always elgant and definitely hipnotic.The title track , "Spellbinder" sets the stage with an upbeat percussion introduction by none other than Willie Bobo and Victor Pantoja for a Latin jam kickoff to some of the most incredible guitar licks ever heard. The Zsabo number and playing sounds a bit like Carlos Santana or vice versa since Santana broke through a bit later, but it is just a fine piece of music. The whole disc has a bit of a Latin feel to it because of Gzabo's style of playing and the heavy pecussion throughout.There really are no weak songs on this disc although some are a little different in style. "Witchcraft" has a soft Brazilian feel to it that is soothing. There are a few standards like "It was a Very Good Year" and "Autumn Leaves" but they both get theZsabo treatment for some original sounding renovations. Of particular interest are the vocals offered up on "Bang Bang. " At the time of this recording in 1966 many jazz artists felt compelled, often pushed by the production people , to record some of the pop music of the day."Bang Bang" was a very forgetable hit by Sony and Cher that sounds so cool by Gzago that it blows the original out of the water. He has a rather spooky voice, or maybe it is just the song, that is melancholy but the guitar playing livens it up as his fingers dance merrily up and down the frets. There are several original Gzabo compositions including the title track, "Cheetah, "inspired by a New York discotheque, "Yearning" a beautiful lyrical song and "Gypsy Queen" later made famous by Carlos Santana on his spectacular and groundbreaking Lp "Abraxsas." On "Gypsy Queen " the similarities in styles between Santana and Gzabo are most evident and easily compared but throughout the disc you can hear the twangy, lingering notes that sound so similar. The other band members are whooping it up in the background as they encourage each other to increase the intensity. If you have never heard the late great Gabor Gzabo and are interested in guitar than pick this disc up. The personnel featured on this recording are all top notch having led their own groups. The Amazon editorial lists the contributors. The disc was originally produced by super Impulse engineer Rudy Van Gelder and Bob Theile in production. Incidently, Theile had the tape running while Gzabo and band were "warming" up as Gzabo led them through his rhytmic structure. The music sounded so good he gave it a name, "Gypsy Queen"(for his childhood memories of Gypsies) and included the results. The rest is history as the song was later made popular by Santana and one of his most popular an recognizable songs. Anyway, both of these individuals have been part of some of the best jazz recording ever made and anything with their name on it is usually outstanding. A great addition to any jazz collection and highly recommended.

I found an LP of this in my dad's record collection, it is awesome! This album is in the period before Szabo got into pop and psycadelia. Carlos Santana was greatly influenced by this record, and he covered "Gypsy Queen" (It's the second part of Black Magic Woman).

His guitar ideas and the rythms are great and very original. Chico Hamilton was part of album. This may be a but pricey because it's an import, but it represents some of his finer work, before he became a pop musician.

I still have an 8-track tape of this wonderful recording and it was one of the few I bothered to burn onto a CD, track changes and all. It's so unique and addictive. I only wish Gabor had more albums left behind for those of us who are fortunate enough to pick up on his simplistic, rythmic creativity. Many folks might not take this seriously because Gabor played to his own mind with little regard for anything but that sound he heard. If you can appreciate it you won't forget it. Spellbinder is probably his best but if you ever find Jazz Raga, get it too! If you are a real fan of guitar, this will really be a significant, enjoyable piece of your music collection. Unfortunately, Gabor's work got a little wishy-washy in later years. But even much of that work is not without beauty once you come to embrace the work from these earlier recordings that are unmistakably great Gabor!

I don't know what possessed me, but I bought this album without knowing a thing about Gabor Szabo. I'm glad I did, because I have it on all the time. I find it incredibly moving. I especially like "Witchcraft" which I had never heard without the vocal before, and it's charming. Szabo's vocal on "Bang Bang" is quirky and engaging. All in all, I find the album both adventurous and mellow, and I recommend it.

Gabor Szabo had a unique and distinctive sound, love it or hate it , he influenced many successive jazz guitarists among them George Benson and Lee Ritenour. George adopted the 'clangy' metallic sound on many of his very early records and in 1976 covered a tune originally done by Gabor. (i.e."Breezin" which was incidentally written by Bobby Womack. Thanks for the reminder "theta"!)
Gabors Eastern mystical side caused him to try and emulate the sitar and to combine that sound with gypsy angular scales.I think he succeeded very well and although today he may sound dated to me he sounds unique.
It's true that his choice of tunes was a little bubblegumish but then back in 1968 even Leonard Nimoy was making records and even Joe Pass did a tribute to The Rolling Stones!
"Gypsy Queen" sums up Gabors style. Carlos Santana regards 'Spellbinder' as one of the greatest guitar albums ever and almost worships Szabo.
Back in 1970 i purchased some Gabor Szabo albums but didn't understand this mans direction until many years afterwards.
It's a cause for stumbling among many listeners today. Unless we can be transported back to 1968 we will find it difficult to appreciate the music contained here.
If you find the tunes here on this CD a little too light and wish to really hear Gabor Szabo cut loose and blow your mind try purchasing Chico Hamiltons "Man From Both Worlds" CD ...OR Gabors "In Contrast" CD where he teams up with the legendary Bobby Womack himself.

Take a Latin rhythm section and add a Hungarian immigrant with formal musical training and a love of Jazz and Gypsies. Then place in a recording studio in 1966 with a producer with the courage and deep pockets to let the music happen largely unplanned. Now add a touch of genius and a sprinkling of bad taste and you have Spellbinder. I have to say that I can easily forgive the vocal because it is so charming. It really is disarmingly silly. And the overdubs are out of place. BUT Spellbinder and Gypsies Queen are well worth the price of admission, and most of the other tunes are very moving as well. This is one of the most enjoyable, spontaneous and heartfelt guitar albums of the 60s. No, Gabor Szabo is not Jimi Hendrix or Johnny Smith. Let's say he is to Hendrix or Smith as Scriabin is to Brahms. It is a wild and magical trip complete with an occasional Hungarian guttural. Relax. Close your eyes. Let it happen. Take the trip.

This CD does not in any way convey the excitement and dynamics of the original vinyl recording. This made the listening experience somewhat frustrating, like trying to catch the rainbow. But Gabor is, after all, Gabor. For those who dont know, he is a lyrical guitarist, with a unique style. Four stars for the content.

I bought this CD primarily for its title song, which I like very much. There were a few other tunes that were quite good and others just so so. The worst thing about this CD was that the jewel case refused to release the CD. I was afraid I would crack it before getting it out but I finally managed to do so. It will not be returned to the case.

Gabor Szabo 1936-1982 was one of those artists who never received much recognition for the influence his music had.
Many guitarists who became disillusioned with angry rock styles & who wanted to beautify their guitar playing may well have been inspired by this master musician.
When I first heard Santana Abraxas [and that was a long time ago] the song "Black Magic Woman" was a radio hit. It was,of course, a Peter Green song, but appended to the tail end of the Santana version was a piece titled "Gypsy Queen" with the name G.Szabo as it's composer. A couple of years later I discovered "Spellbinder" by Gabor Szabo in a record store, took a chance & bought it. I have treasured the album ever since.

Hungarian born Szabo was categorized as a jazz guitarist but his styles include Gypsy, Spanish, Latin American, & even some of the better quality Pop tunes from the sixties which he transforms into guitar delights. Gabor played a Gibson acoustic guitar with an electric pick up & most of the tracks are instrumental. The music is cool, lay back, & definately on the quiet side. It's the sort of thing you might play late at night with the lights dimmed & many pieces sound vaguely familiar, as if you've heard them before somewhere but your not sure where or when. It must be said also there is a kind of humbleness in his guitar playing. Gabor would have had the ability to make a show of his skills, but chose instead a mellow, controlled style.
Backed by Jazz notables: Ron Carter on bass, Chico Hamilton on drums, & Victor Pantoja & Willie Bobo on conga & percussion, it's easy to see, & hear, how Gabor came to inspire Latin Rock bands including Santana. In fact, Victor even played congas for Santana on some later ocassions.

My favourite tracks: "Witchcraft" a familiar sounding number, light & lively, with clever guitar leads. Then the slightly Spanish sounding "It was a Very Good Year". Gabor's original version of "Gypsy Queen" was, according to the sleeve notes, often used as a warm up exercise before being seriously considered for this album.
I delight in Gabor's rendition of "Bang Bang- my baby shot me down" the popular hit song by Sonny Bono. Szabo sings this number & plays guitar duets with himself, thanks to multi-tracking in the studio. These duets with Gypsy-like overtones add an almost haunting air to this sixties era song. Another familiar sounding piece "My Foolish Heart" has a soft, sentimental feel about it, & Gabor's own composition "Yearning" includes the artist's own wordless vocals.
Considering the year of the recording was 1966, this album is quite remarkable. The British pop invasion had virtually saturated the music scene at the time & guitar playing like this was almost unheard of.
It can do you good to experience something a little different once in a while, & for most listeners this will be an album to play ocassionally, when the mood is right.
The digitally remastered CD version on Impulse label & the high definition [180 gram] vinyl release on Euphoria label are both excellent reproductions of this classic album & very collectable.