CD ECM Records Ralph Towner, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Slava Grigoryan: Travel Guide

2012

Ralph Towner - chitara clasica si cu 12 corzi
Wolfgang Muthspiel - chitara electrica, voce
Slava Grigoryan - chitara clasica si chitara bariton

ecmreviews: "Travel Guide brings together Ralph Towner on classical and 12-string guitars, Wolfgang Muthspiel on electric guitar, and Slava Grigoryan on classical and baritone guitars. Representing the US, Austria, and Kazakhstan, respectively, the three came together in a 2005 tour that first brought their sound as a unit into undeniable perspective. The resulting trio builds on the integrity of every tune—in this case an even ten from Towner and Muthspiel. The two write with such kindred spirit that one needn’t even parse them, though characteristics familiar to Towner fans do give his music a distinctive arc. Ultimately, the lyrical improvising on all fronts turns every track into a matter of group belonging.

“The Henrysons” introduces a tone-setting spiral of ostinatos and leading lines in a mesh so organic that one might think these musicians had been playing together for as long as they have alone. The resonance of Muthspiel’s electric imbues the trio with a pianistic touch of magical realism throughout, especially in the title track, of which the uplifting prosody and luminescent harmonies make it a highlight. Muthspiel even lends his voice for a spell on “Amarone Trio,” evoking the instrumental singing of Nana Vasconcelos in the context of the Pat Metheny Group. But Muthspiel’s deepest achievement is his stellar writing, which spans the subdued wit of “Die Blaue Stunde” and the virtuosic “Nico und Mithra,” at moments sounding more like Towner than Towner. The latter’s unmistakable 12-string carves oars for “Windsong,” guiding a compact yet fully featured vessel down a moonlit river. Grigoryan has a standout solo here, his lyricism attuned to every negative space.

The brilliance of execution on each side of this equilateral triangle resides in timekeeping precision. Without it, so much of what is unwritten in Towner would be impossible to articulate. The fragile coloratura of “Father Time,” for instance, shows just how well the musicians understand the spirit of his texts. For indeed, Towner builds his lodgings on bedrock of language—a diary, if you will, of life’s unpredictable passage. His substantial “Duende” is the highest peak in this regard. Its impulses are every bit as linked as Towner’s solo “Tarry,” which turns toward the concluding “Museum of Light” with a cloudy but self-understanding heart.

Whether or not you’re a Towner aficionado, Travel Guide is a no-brainer for the ECM enthusiast. It requires no suitcase or ticket, only an open ear and an open road."

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Three guitarists from three different continents with three very different disciplines unite for this breathtakingly beautiful trio outing, which is Towner’s 24th for the ECM label since 1972 and both Muthspiel’s and Grigoryan’s first on ECM. American Towner (now residing in Italy) brings his personalized fingerstyle approach to the table, while Austrian Muthspiel adds his deft touch on electric guitar and Kazakhstan-born Grigoryan (who was raised in Melbourne) provides a classical sensibility on pieces like Muthspiels delicate and lyrical ‘The Henrysons’ and Towner’s sparse and dramatic ‘Museum Of Light’. [...] Sparks fly on Muthspiel’s kinetic ‘Nico and Mithra’. He and Grigoryan engage in some bristling unison lines on the challenging head before breaking off individually for some stunning solos. The two also combine for some tight, cascading harmony lines on Towner’s invigorating title track, which is one of the high-water marks of this brilliant six-string summit meeting.
Bill Mikowski, Downbeat

What brings it all together is a tremendous amound of lyricism, sensitive listening, inherent melody and kindred souls to create one of the most sublime sessions in recent memory. Start with ‘The Henrysons’ and just dig into the beautiful interplay and gracious support that each artists submits to the other. The melding of classical strings and electric jazz on ‘Duende’ and ‘Father Time’ is like two generations playing backgammon together, examining each other’s moves. Delicate without being fragile, this is music for a lifetime of listening pleasures.
George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

Since they first made festival appearances together in 2005 and recorded ‘From a Dream’ in 2009, the guitar trio of American Ralph Towner, Austrian Wolfgang Muthspiel, and Kazhak Slava Grigoryan, has shown a remarkable sense of discipline, subtlety, and balance. ‘Travel Guide’ is the occasional group's debut for ECM. Its ten tunes were written by either Muthspiel or Towner. The tonal qualities on all of these tracks are beautifully nuanced: Muthspiel plays electric guitar, Towner classical and 12-string, and Grigoryan classical and baritone guitars. These compositions weren't written for these players to showcase their solo chops, but rather as songs with limited but impeccable improvisation. [...]. ‘Travel Guide’ is an understated, uncluttered gem of virtuosity and composition. The unselfish sense of deference between these players reveals not only their comfort with one another, but the collective confidence of a uniquely voiced, developing group.
Thom Jurek, All Music.Com