August 2005 CDs
Romantic Evening
Guitarist Lawrence Spector's elegant CD Romantic Evening delights the soul with classical 19th and 20th century tunes from Paraguay, Brazil, Spain and Hungary. If you're looking for music to enhance the mood of a romantic evening—well, let me just say that my love and I enjoyed it so much we played it all night!
I adore Segovia, but this music is altogether another thing. The feeling is light, sweet… well, romantic . Lawrence's style owes much to his training in San Diego and in Europe with the famed Romero family, from whom he learned a new approach to the technical challenges of the guitar as he developed a deep sense of the history of the music he plays.
The CD opens with “Romance,” an anonymous evocative theme that sets the stage for a memorable romantic adventure. From there we move through an upbeat Brazilian Maxixe dance to “Gondoliera,” a Hungarian tune that picks you up and takes you floating in a Venetian gondola. There's a slow Tango that retains the feel of a more traditional interpretation. I enjoyed the variety of gorgeous sensual melodies and rhythms and the hints of Flamenco, all tempered to a classical setting perfect for a fine dining experience. Each selection stands on its own and enriches the whole. The CD is tender, uplifting, inviting to the imagination.
Lawrence graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance from SDSU. A San Diego resident, he plays recitals and concertos and teaches classical guitar.
—Chiwah
Journey to Eden
Journey To Eden is Dov's debut mystical smooth jazz album, featuring his velvety 5-string electric violin along with the warm, luxuriant tones of acoustic violin & sultry viola playing.
Included are a unique cover version of John Lennon's “Imagine” (with wah-electric violin) and two of Dov's original songs, “Forever in Time” and “Breathe The Love.” The rest of the songs are instrumental, combining world rhythms, catchy pop/rock hooks and heart-opening classical music, all fused together into an innovative new mix of smooth jazz.
The project is a collaboration between Dov and the producer, German-born guitar player, Nils, whose own album, Pacific Coast Highway , is currently climbing the smooth jazz charts.
Rooted in the soil of Dov's original compositions, Journey to Eden is now being played on some 200 radio stations around the world. The album features stellar performances by renowned smooth jazz artists who interweave their magic through a variety of lush exotic, rhythmic landscapes.
Dov switches to piano for the final track “Sea Of Tranquility” while his own string section, The Smooth Strings, soothes the listener like a gentle mist to complete the journey.
Proceeds from sales of this CD go to the Earth Harmony Foundation to restore Earth's Pristine Beauty, Earthharmonyfoundation.org
—Chiwah
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