Wander This World

The Guarneri Underground | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2002)
• Original Release Date: May 15, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Twisted Fiddle Music
• ASIN: B000068IF7
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,612 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Liquid Silver

2. Monsters

3. Crazy

4. Life is Full of Suprises

5. Tarot (True Story)

6. Garagajiya (indigenous)

7. Pami Music

8. Om Asatoma

9. Wander This World

10. Galapagos

11. Kashmir

Editorial Reviews

No one can accuse Guarneri Underground of a lack of adventure. Not many groups would be able to comfortably swing from the plain bizarre "Life Is Full of Surprises" to the African-inflected "Garagajiya" and then the East India-meets-Celtic mélange of "Om Asatoma Sad Gamaya," while also managing to be happily straight Celtic on "Liquid Silver." That they can do this is all to their credit, since it's apparent from the word go that they're all excellent musicians (violinist Jeffrey Sick is a standout, but full credit to the solid rhythm section, too), but there are times when it seems like they're trying to be a bit too eclectic, when "Pami Music" doesn't quite have the authentic West African swing in the rhythm, for example. But when they give a good instrumental workout, as on the title cut, everything can be forgiven. Beth Quist is a very mannered singer, but she's used sparingly, since the overall focus here is on the instruments (that said, Sick's spoken vocal on "Tarot (True Story)" is unusual too, but effective). It's daring to close with a rock classic, but they tackle an almost ten-minute, very credible version of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" that captures the song's essence without any slavish imitation. -All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is No Ordinary Guarneri, June 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Wander This World (Audio CD)

Vivacious and virtuosic, Guarneri Underground combines unique world rhythms and a variety of musical styles in unprecedented performances in their new release, "Wander This World." Pronounced GWAR-NAY'-REE, the Underground is an exotic mix of violins, congas, drums, electric and flamenco guitars, bass and vocals.

From the title cut--a Celtic flamenco tinged jig, to "Liquid Silver," "Monsters," "Pami Music," and "Life is Full of Surprises" there is no end to the musical tastes this album satisfies. Led Zeppelin's mysterious classic, "Kashmir" puts a nostolgic twist on an otherwise original collection of awe-inspiring pieces.

Taking their name from the brilliant eccentric Giuseppe Guarneri,a manic 18th-century violinmaker rivaled only by the more conservative Stradivarius, the violin lies at the heart and soul of Guarneri Underground. Determined to illustrate the violin's diversity beyond its classical persona, Jeffrey Sick has the ability to lead the Guarneri Underground into the musical roots of African High Life,Raga, Celtic, R&B, old school funk, and classic rock.

The six member ensemble also includes the dynamic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Beth Quist; guitarist Eric Jaeger; Mohammad Shaibu on talking drum, djembe, guitar and vocals; TJ Morris on world drum kit and multi-instrumentalist, Mikel Rollins on bass.

Each cut on this dynamic release takes the listener on a musical journey around the world. From beginning to end "Wander This World" is a remarkable journey...the only thing better is to see it live!-J. Hansen