 Steffen
Basho-Junghans
"Rivers and Bridges" CD
Strange
Attractors Audio House
Genres: ambient, experimental folk, meditation
Strange Attractors
PO Box 13007
Portland, OR 97213 USA
Mar 17 - 23 2003 |
After
his tremendous success with Inside, Waters in Azure, and Landscapes
in Exile, Basho-Junghans (who took part of his name from
guitar virtuoso Robbie Basho) was faced with the ever-important
new album. Over his past records, he's explored the magical
world of acoustic instrumental folk, taking numerous influences and
styles to heart and mixing them into experimental guitar
tapestries. Rivers and Bridges continues in this
tradition, incorporating many new sounds into Steffen's
flawless playing.
The resulting album is an excellent choice for those who loved his
previous work. Dense, meditative layers of complex steel-string
guitar are draped over the listener; every piece evokes feelings of
relaxation and self-reflection. The twenty minute opener,
"The River Suite," played on an acoustic six-string, is a
fascinating voyage into Steffen's world. Influences from
both the Western world and the Middle East are present; the melodies
derive themselves from exotic East Indian music structures as much as they
do from folky Americana. Basho-Junghans can switch from
key to key, note to note, without the listener batting an eye.
His style is magnificent. By the time you've reached "The
Takoma Bridge Incident," played on a twelve-string guitar, you're
already deep in a musical trance. His wonderful, dedicated
playing never ceases to affect the listener. And though the
pieces may be long, and the music purely instrumental, it never
becomes an exercise in arrogant experimental tedium.
Don't miss out on Rivers and Bridges. Pick this up as
soon as you can find it. And if you haven't already, go track
down the rest of Steffen's discography. This is music
that will never lose its beauty.
90%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
6 songs, distributed by the
label, released 2002] |
