Southern Exposure (Solo Guitar)

Alex De Grassi

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B000000NFS
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,349 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > South & Central America > Bolivia

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A superb fingerstyle guitarist with a mix of harmonic adventure and metaphysical trappings similar to that of steel-string legend John Fahey, California native de Grassi moves ably from dense chordal work to vibrantly ornamented lines. Ethnic touches abound: The urgent motion of "36" is undercut with sunny flamenco gestures, while Brazilian bossa inform the taut rhythms and key changes of "Cumulus," foreshadowing de Grassi's later Bolivian influences. While it's hard to separate acoustic guitar's early-'80s reinvention from the hands of the late innovator Michael Hedges, Southern Exposure reveals de Grassi as an integral part of that creative cauldron, and his work has dated little--still proof that meditative moods can coexist with accomplished instrumental skill. --James Rotondi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A slice of perfection, February 7, 2001

By	A. D. Lewis "adlew_uk" (Blackwood, S. Wales) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This record is a delight from start to finish. Needless to say, the performances are exemplary; Alex De Grassi has a wonderful technique. But what makes this record particularly valuable is its overall compositional strength. The music presented here is purposeful, intriguingly structured and absolutely entrancing. There is a stillness and purity at its core. The listener is drawn in almost hypnotically. Each piece seems to follow on naturally from the one before , and the overall impact is strangely cleansing and therapeutic. I hesitate to highlight particular tracks, but I find EMPTY ROOM a shatteringly beautiful experience. Just listen! This is a special record, a lovely work of art, a slice of perfection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its GREAT!, September 19, 2000

By	Robert Lunte "Author of The Four Pillars of S... (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

a. de grassi is such an amazing player, that when you hear his

solo recordings,...you stop hearing and start listening!

you cant lose with this CD, its a classic and recognized in the industry.

Play this CD at about 7:00 am with a fresh cup of coffee...you know what im talking about.

modern guitar impressionist,,,,

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the BEST sounds of "early" Alex De Grassi, February 29, 2000

By	Robert Lunte "Author of The Four Pillars of S... (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The earliest albums recorded by De Grassi are impressionistic in their compositional structure. This not only makes for some the worlds greatest finger-style guitar playing ever, but its a time in De Grassi's career that was fresh and inspired.

This album is absolutely beautiful and, its the best choice to own his earlier compositional approach....Its in my top 5. Prior to this recording was "Slow Circle" considered a masterpiece and in the same spirit. Either recording will NOT disapoint.

I also highly reccomend the WindHam Hill "Retropective" that does a great job of capturing this period of his career. His more recent effort, "The Water Garden" captures the "writing process" he used on his earlier recordings, such as "Southern Exposure".

Anyone of these albums will make you VERY happy and are all the most beautiful guitar music I have ever heard....