For their seventh Nonesuch album, Jardim Abandonado (Abandoned Garden), the guitar-playing duo of Sergio and Odair Assad offer a collection of tracks culled from the duo s performance repertoire of the last decade. The alb... more »um will released September 18, 2007. The duo will tour the U.S. this fall, and also play a series of dates with their sister Badi Assad, guitars /vocals; Romero Lubambo, acoustic jazz guitar; and Celso Machado, percussion /vocals as part of the Brazilian Guitar Festival
(complete itinerary below). The Assad brothers, who ve played together for more than 40 years, have been acclaimed by critics around the world for the extraordinary range of their repertoire, for Sergio s innovative arrangements and transcriptions, and for the unique nature of the brothers musical interplay. As the Los Angeles Times once put it, their work together is so precise,
so perfectly synchronized that it reaches far beyond musical partnership into a kind of creative symbiosis. The Washington Post
took that praise one step further, calling the Assads the best two-guitar team in existence, maybe even in history.« less
For their seventh Nonesuch album, Jardim Abandonado (Abandoned Garden), the guitar-playing duo of Sergio and Odair Assad offer a collection of tracks culled from the duo s performance repertoire of the last decade. The album will released September 18, 2007. The duo will tour the U.S. this fall, and also play a series of dates with their sister Badi Assad, guitars /vocals; Romero Lubambo, acoustic jazz guitar; and Celso Machado, percussion /vocals as part of the Brazilian Guitar Festival
(complete itinerary below). The Assad brothers, who ve played together for more than 40 years, have been acclaimed by critics around the world for the extraordinary range of their repertoire, for Sergio s innovative arrangements and transcriptions, and for the unique nature of the brothers musical interplay. As the Los Angeles Times once put it, their work together is so precise,
so perfectly synchronized that it reaches far beyond musical partnership into a kind of creative symbiosis. The Washington Post
took that praise one step further, calling the Assads the best two-guitar team in existence, maybe even in history.
"Program: Top class. Very well thought and entertaining.
Performances: There are many great guitar duos, but these two play as one.
Arrangements: I had some trepidation seeing almost 15 minutes of 'Rhapsody in Blue' for guitar duo, but it is quite spectacular and worthy.
Any dissapointments? Sadly yes. No liner notes!
"
Tasteful arrangements
W. Duchon | Milford, CT USA | 10/25/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a lovely CD, with the Assads in peak form. The selections are beautifully arranged, in particular "Chora Coracao", which is one of Jobim's most haunting songs. The only flaw in the recording is the strange addition of "Rhapsody In Blue", which just does not fit in with the evocative mood of the CD. Highly recommended!"
My Favorite
Bom Be | Lisbon, Portugal | 12/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Composers from very different cultures separated by centuries in time speak with a beautifully intertwined language through the voice of these phenomenal interpreters.
Of profound beauty, it pleases the heart and the mind.
My favorite CD. It is on constant replay and will not age."
GREAT RECORDING!!
B. Fogo | 01/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once again the Assad Duo display their mastery over a wide range of stylistic music from the rhythms of their homeland Brazil to the jazz influence of the US with visits to Europe's impressionism and the modality of the mid-east. The recording is full of pure beauty and exhilaration. This is a must own CD - not just for guitarists!"
Didn't make an impression
Rao | Santa Fe, NM United States | 05/22/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The music in this CD is pleasant and the guitar playing is good but the whole CD felt more like elevator music than serious music which brings out the individuality of these artists. Not much of the music stuck in my head or had me marveling at the beauty of a tune or the virtuosity of the artists."