Black Rock

Djivan Gasparyan, Michael Brook

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 20, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real World
• ASIN: B00000DCKN
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #205,110 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Armenia

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Djivan Gasparyan and Michael Brook have both made their mark in the musical world as artists that have deep devotion and skill, as well as innovative streaks that can get them in trouble sometimes. They seem to have found an outlet for all of these abilities on Black Rock. Their collaboration is an inspired idea, and through much of this recording the Canadian guitarist and the Armenian duduk (oboe) master and singer find some gorgeous common ground--counterpoints of darkness and light, and conflicts befitting the source and subject matter of their work together. The temptations to studio additions seems to have beguiled them and producer Richard Evans into some rather well-traveled aural clich&eacut;s, however, and a number of the tracks here are lightweight fusions designed for identifiable mood rather than substance. Each musician is a talented individual who has clearly found inspiration in the other, but the translation to disc is uneven, with high moments of beautiful pathos undercut but by just one more easy-to-approach rhythm track. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Platitudes, November 19, 2003

By	Rebecca Whiting (Beautiful Bell Gardens, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

To describe this music is to resort to cliches: ethereal, haunting, mystical, poignant, melancholy, moody. It is commonly acknowledged that the music of the duduk (an Armenian instrument rather like an abbreviated oboe made of -- how curious -- peach root) has a plaintive and slightly nasal sound. Thus the cliches.

Armenian prodigy Djivan Gasparyan is the indubitable master of the duduk. Canadian guitarist Michael Brook is an old hand at collaboration efforts, mingling his "infinite guitar" and ambient effects with traditional music. Bear in mind that Michael Brook productions are so-called "world fusion music". Such albums often offend purist fans of the folk music which they see being warped by electronica. If you can accept the genre, check out this album, which is one of the best representations.

Cliches apart, it is hard to describe the music. It is like the sense of striving and desperation when you remember your homeland in a far away place. It is like the clenching feeling in your chest when someone beloved passes by and you breathe in their afterscent. Or simply breathing an odor you remember, but cannot identify.

In short, it is good mood music. The editorial review was incorrect in saying this production sacrifices complexity to capturing a mood. While not supremely challenging, there are a few layers that teasingly reveal themselves on repeated listening. It is worthwhile music.

Ultimately, the melody of the duduk has the final word. You just have to listen. I cannot tell you -- I'm out of cliches.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Uneven album hits highs, lows., October 10, 1999

By	Daniel Staton (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At its best, this album is one of the most moving musical experiences you're likely to have. I've never bought an album based on one track before, but when I heard "Fallen Star" on the radio, I rushed out to get it. In fact, several tracks on the album approach an almost ethereal level. On the other hand, the album is far too short (44 min.), and some of Michael Brook's techno-noodlings detract from the goings-on. Plus, he seems to actually give Gasparyan's duduk short shrift. I wanted more Gasparyan, less Brook! However, all things considered, how many albums have tracks that you can literally listen to over and over again and still be moved?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music that Penetrates the Soul, May 12, 2003

By	Erika Borsos "pepper flower" (Gulf Coast of FL, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The musical connection of the steel guitar and the Armenian duduk provides rare glimpses into unexplored crevices and caverns of the soul. I was surprised at how the lonely sounds of the duduk could wrap and wind around my heart, creating feelings of exhilaration/exaltation, penetrating every cell and fiber of my being. The sounds of the duduk leave an indelible imprint on the heart and mind which remains with you long after the music stops playing. The voice of Djivan Gasparyan adds a rare ethereal dimension to one's awareness and being as it breaks the solitary musical interlude. When I listen to this CD, I am transported to another place in time and space. Djivan's voice resembles the haunting voices of Yiddish and klezmer singers, passionate emotions, love, anguish, memories ... the music evokes this & much, much more. This music is a fusion of the past and present, it is an unexpected tapestry woven from the bass guitar, keyboards, some programming, and of course, the essential ingredient, the master instrument, the duduk. "Black Rock" is named for volcanic landscapes, produced from firey lava, arising from deep within the earth ... so too does this music arise from the internal heat of the the musicians themselves. The sounds soothe us as the instruments, old and new blend together create enchanting, inspiring, timeless melodies.
Erika Borsos (erikab93)