Wild Muse

Strunz & Farah

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 20, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Selva Records
• ASIN: B00000DBT2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #182,871 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah perennially straddle the lines between flamenco, jazz, Middle Eastern, and Afro-Latin music, deftly assimilating their influences and backed by superb four-piece bands. Wild Muse, their eighth studio album, is no exception, offering yet another splendid brew of Strunz & Farah-style Latin guitar music. The difference here is that while some recent albums were filled with fast tempos and dramatic winds, Muse focuses on simmering works that are as intense in a quieter fashion, like the beautifully romantic "Natural Flow." "Zagros" and "El Faraon," however, are more rambunctious, propelled by fiery guitar licks, dancing percussion, and the agile bouzouki playing of Danny Papakalos. As always, the nimble fingers of Strunz & Farah fly across their acoustic guitar frets as if it were oh so easy. Another bonus on Wild Muse is the bass work contributed by Carlitos Del Puerto; his sinuous licks deftly wind through the musical maze and add another layer to the complex compositions. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Less than 5 Stars - What's Up With That?, October 30, 1999

By A Customer

I was so moved by someone giving S&F less than 5 stars that I had to get my two cents in. We caught these guys in Texas earlier this year -- they were nothing less than FANTASTIC! I swear S&F are the hardest working duo in the business. I encourage everyone to see them live - their CDs pale by comparison. "Wild Muse" was on sale at the concert and we bought it. Haven't been dissapointed yet - it's great after a long day at work. I must admit it takes several plays to get used to as these guys are all over the place, especially on "Zagros". It hits you like a bolt of lightning and you're thinking "Wait a minute - I didn't buy a CD of Middle Eastern music!" (not that there's anything wrong with that). Then you hear it several times and it just lingers on you like a good, long shower. This is great stuff - don't pass it up.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superficially Repetitive But Never Boring, April 11, 2004

By	Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Strunz and Farah have been on my radar screen since I heard a cut from Primal Magic on Austin radio station KGSR so many years ago. I liked what I heard so much, I pulled off the freeway to call the station in order to find out who was playing that music! Though I was on my way out of state, I made a quick detour over to a favorite locally-owned music emporium and picked it up on cassette. Since then, Strunz and Farah have remained high on my list of favorites.
I have had Wild Muse for a few years now and decided to throw it on today since I hadn't listened to it or the band in a while. What an excellent recording! I played it in my office all day to the delight of everyone who heard it.
I like the entire CD. No song stands out as the "best" as on some previous albums. To the untrained ear, some of the music seems superficially repetitive, but it is never boring. Any "sameness" is unfailingly on a high plane that copy-cat groups fail to match.
Strunz and Farah seemingly have a lock on the world music genre with their formulaic blend of Latin, Gypsy, and Middle Eastern sounds with a dash of African inspired percussion for spice. Wild Muse steps away from the group's usual heavy bias toward the Latin sound to include a few tunes that might just have easily come from Athens or Istanbul. Danny Papakalos' bouzouki wizardry on Zagros and Faraon had me reaching for a glass of retsina. The CD closes with a pleasant vocal selection, the inclusion of which has become part of the Strunz and Farah recording tradition since the success of Americas.
If you like acoustic guitar duos, you are sure to like this CD. There are a lot of copycat "world music" duos around, some of them quite good and there are also some excellent jazz guitar duos. But few of any genre come close to the virtuosity, compatibility and musical vigor that Strunz and Farah have shown over the years.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, March 17, 2000

By	Josh M. Bishop (Cupertino, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had the privilege to be introduced to Strunz & Farah by some very wise and wonderful friends of mine, and I am beyond impressed! The smooth and light guitar licks take me away and release all of my stress. Wild Muse continues the tradition of melodic Latin jazz that we have com to expect from this group. I purchased this for my department, and word has quickly spread like wildfire among the rest of the company. Struz & Farah is now a big, big hit with everyone here at Andale! Thank you very much gentlemen.