Search - Andreas Trio Kapsalis :: Andreas Kapsalis Trio (Dig)

A true pioneer

greg DOBROV | chicago, IL USA | 05/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like guitar, but feel as though you've heard it all, let me recommend Andreas Kapsalis. Like Stanely Jordan or Emmet Chapman, Andreas Kapsalis plays with two hands on the neck, tapping. The sound is alternately delicate and powerful, always percussive. Unlike Jordan or Chapman, Kapsalis is an acoustic guitarist, and as such, invites comparison with Kaki King or the late Michael Hedges. His music has more form than that of King or much Hedges, in this reviewers opinion. He is always harmonically interesting and really knows how to establish a groove. One of my favorite tracks here is "El Mariachi": if you live in Chicago see him live at on or more of the venues (see his website). Ya sou Andreas!"

Extraordinary guitar stylings

TBo | Chicago | 09/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a Chicago musician, I have had the luxury of seeing Andreas perform in small club settings. There are very few guitarists who I will make the effort to go to hear, but he is one of them. The CD is very good, especially the "spy" track. I highly recommend getting it. His sense of composition is very interesting and the arrangements are good.

However, as is the case with artists in general, a lot of the excitement in his playing is more evident in a solo setting. Don't get me wrong, I like percussion, and the percussion on this recording is tastefully done, but after having seen him perform solo without percussion, I think that a lot of the subtleties of his playing are more dramatic in a solo acoustic setting. Of course this is a personal preference of mine.

Overall I think he is in a rare class of virtuosos. The only other guitarist that I enjoy listening to at this level is Tommy Emmanuel.

The artwork is pretty cool too.

If you are an acoustic guitarist, definitely get this recording."