GUILHERME VERGUEIRO
Though soothing, it is not background music but something"So delicate as to elude analysis" is how the Oxford English
Dictionary defines "subtle". The music on this CD is
wonderfully subtie but to begin any level of real enjoyment,
listening rather than just hearing is essential. Hearing is merely
passive, but listening means that you bring your own thoughts
and emotions which illuminate the beauty of the musician's
creation and enable real appreciation.
Everything about this music is tasteful. The rhythms are
there but mercifully implicit rather than noisily explicit.
It is as refreshing as a swim from a deserted palm fringed
Brazilian beach to find the puise of the playing by squads of
percussionists and drummers.
For those seeking the certainty of a percussion foundation,
be assured it is there in the beautifully played and recorded
piano. Every hammer biow can be heard as can every "click"
of the guitar strings as they are plucked into melodic life.
There is magic at work here. Initially I had reservations about
the viability of an acoustic marriage of these two stringed
instruments. I wondered how the 'forte' capability of the piano
couid possibly be sympathetically enhanced by the essentially
'piano' sound of an acoustic guitar. In fact it turns out to be
a match made in heaven. Like watching a great magician I do not
want to know how it is done, I just want to wonder and luxuriate
in the joy of the result.
I am sure the success of the project rests in the concept of
creatively listening. You can hear the musicians doing just that
as they enjoy each other's playg with neither wishing to dominate.
The melodies are strong enough to hold the attention on first play
>and reveal engrossing depth on repeated listening. The morsels
of melody are passed from hand to hand with respect and tender
joy. I am a particular enthusiast for all those rising chord
sequences and ascending runs. There is optimism in every note.
The sheer sound of this recording is so good it is almost visceral.
Never mind the notes, just bathe in the vibrations. From the deep
resonance of the cheeky seventh string on the guitar to the crystal
top of the piano it is all a delight.
Of course when one of the world's leading hi-fi companies
makes a record you expect it to be good, but this really is
superlative. I have tried enjoying this CD on run of the mill
equipment and it really does not work. To reach the heart of
this music and the musicians who made it, good equipment is
a necessity. So ciose your eyes, open your ears and savour this
unusual expressive music.
An advertising person couid describe this music as Latin 'lite'.
Maybe it is but that lack of heaviness means there is space to
float and enjoy all those subtie fiavours.
I am still cheering because there are no bongos or timbales at all!
David Freeman, 1999
Espiritu is a remarkable CD. It is full of beautiful Brazilian
The music has an effortless quality to it; relaxing yet full of
hidden depths on repeated listening. The combination of the
piano's percussive qualities and the crystal clear guitar with its
cheeky extra string make for a truly revelationary disc.
Espiritu was recorded in a studio in Los Angeles by Ken
Christianson using his renowned two microphone technique.
We chose to use a studio so that we would be able to take
advantage of its acoustic properties and lack of ambient sound.
The Naim Label
Mastering: Julian Vereker
Marketing: Paul Stephenson
Manager: Anna Tooth
I dedicate these recordings to Raphael Rabello
My very special thanks to Laurie Jay
Guilherme Vergueiro
Thanks to Jordan D'Alesio at Mad Hatter, Julia at Finesplice
Richard at Koch and Philippa at Grafix
