Rhythmic vitality and technical brilliance.
steamy blues | 10/07/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Cannes-born Richard Galliano is an accordionist who has been responsible for significantly raising the profile of his instrument.
He has played with the likes of Chet Baker, Ron Carter, Jan Garbarek and Gilberto Gil.
After the death of Astor Piazzolla, Richard Galliano has not only become undisputed king of the jazz accordion - he has also taken on the tango tradition, a bold venture only someone with total confidence in his own sound would risk.
It's an excellent live recording at the jazz festival in Marciac (the Pyrénées -France) in 2006, Richard Galliano made the first appearance of this new group made up of Alexis Cardenas, Rafaël Mejitas and Philippe Aerts.
Galliano seizes on Piazzolla's great "Libertango" and makes it seem fantastical and dream-like, soaring impetuously up to the highest reaches of the instrument.
"Escualo", another track by Astor Piazzolla, is a jovial piece with the violin prominent.
But this CD is filled mostly with Richard's own compositions, which have a wonderful variety of mood and tone and a descending chromatic structure which tug at the heart.
"Chat Pître" is a lonely nocturnal cityscape and has more the feel of the French musette.
"Laurita" has a similar poignant fall, with jaunty solos from bassist Philippe Aerts and violinist Alexis Cardenas (shades of Stephane Grappelli!).
Mandolin-player Hamilton de Holanda joins the quartet from tracks six to eight, adding to the already high level of impressive musicianship
"Fou Rire" ("Mad Laughter") is a whirling dance which gets amusingly wrong-footed by its own rhythms.
The earthy sound of Galliano's accordion is perfectly complemented by Alexis Cardenas's violin and Hamilton de Holanda's mandolin.
The violin is also featured in "Traditionnel Vénézuélien" (which is actually a gigue from a Bach suite), with a pyrotechnic display which raises the audience to new heights of excitement.
de Holanda gets his own solo on "Disparada", another virtuosic feature which threatens to steal the show. But Galliano is an equally remarkable musician, and his duet with Hamilton on "Chorinho pra Elé "has notes springing from their fingers at top speed, like two fountains going berserk together.
Hamilton de Hollanda rejoins the quartet for the last two numbers, both Galliano's compositions: the Gallic-sounding "Sanfona" and the catchy "New York Tango", making a fittingly dazzling finale from a superb ensemble.
Los Tangueros
Astor Piazzolla - The Soul Of Tango: Greatest Hits
If You Love Me
Tango & All That Jazz
"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1