About five years ago, the duo of Tingstad & Rumbel dropped the ersatz jazz rhythm section they'd been using and went back to what they did best, evocative and pastoral duets for guitar and oboe. It brought a new freshn... more »ess to their compositions and playing. With Acoustic Garden, the rhythm section returns, and it conspires again to make their music stiff and metronomic. They bring in several pianists, including David Lanz, to flesh out the harmonic landscape. But they only help on a few tracks, notably Tom Kellock enlivening the Celtic-tinged "Shamrock." Some lovely songs, including Rumbel's arrangement of a Chinese lullaby, "Clear Moon, Quiet Winds," and their co-composed "Prairie Schooner," emerge, but they push through a haze of kudzu, pretty on the surface, but choking the life out of every place it invades. --John Diliberto« less
About five years ago, the duo of Tingstad & Rumbel dropped the ersatz jazz rhythm section they'd been using and went back to what they did best, evocative and pastoral duets for guitar and oboe. It brought a new freshness to their compositions and playing. With Acoustic Garden, the rhythm section returns, and it conspires again to make their music stiff and metronomic. They bring in several pianists, including David Lanz, to flesh out the harmonic landscape. But they only help on a few tracks, notably Tom Kellock enlivening the Celtic-tinged "Shamrock." Some lovely songs, including Rumbel's arrangement of a Chinese lullaby, "Clear Moon, Quiet Winds," and their co-composed "Prairie Schooner," emerge, but they push through a haze of kudzu, pretty on the surface, but choking the life out of every place it invades. --John Diliberto
"Not sure what to make of John Diliberto's review, but I find nothing "choking the life out of" anything on this latest CD from Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel. Keyboards have complimented their compositions beautifully over the years, and listeners are treated to the strongly supportive sounds of three fine northwest pianists on several tracks. In a nutshell, fans of prior T&R CD's won't be dissappointed with Acoustic Garden as it bundles a generous harvest of highly addictive new melodies that are at once deeply rooted in Eric and Nancy's unique and graceful style and vibrant with newly explored themes. It's a veritable feast fit for any fan's appetite."
Grammy Winners, It's About Time
Lorie Ann and David Grover | 02/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tingstad and Rumbel have left a legacy over the past 18 years that is unrivaled in their field of music. This year, Acoustic Garden won Best New Age album at the Grammy Awards--an acknowledgment long overdue. Acoustic Garden is one of their best albums, intertwining soft melodies with the mastery of Guitar, Oboe, and Ocarina. Some songs hint at sadness (Windows on the World), while others fantasy (Clear Moon, Quiet Winds), but all give the impression of two musicians who create their high standard of work as easily as breathing air."
Beautiful Music
Lorie Ann and David Grover | 09/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My family and I thoroughly enjoy this latest work from Tingstad and Rumbel. Yes, the music differs from their more recent albums, but within their new expression it is easy to identify these talented musicians. The group is not stagnant, and this should be applauded. We can enjoy their body of work, especially Acoustic Garden, while looking forward to what they may offer up next. And we can know it will be beautiful music."
One For The Grammy
Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 07/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Acoustic Garden is one of Tingstad and Rumbel's most polished albums. In combination with their own intimate styling, they have joined up with four pianists from the Puget Sound area: David Lanz, Jovino Neto, Nick Moore, and Tom Kelleck as well as usung the services of Garey Shelton on bass as well as the percussion talents of of Mark Ivester and Ben Smith. This mix and match approach produces one remarkable cut after another, making it no surprise that they walked away with the 2003 Grammy for new age music.
As usual, Nancy Rumbel is predominant. Sometimes I wish Tingstad would take a more active roll in performance, since he is an extremely skilled guitarist. But, as always, he is the most generous of musicians. Of course, Rumbel, an exceptionally fine English horn and oboe player fills the lead roll with great aplomb.
For all that this album is entitled Acoustic Garden, there really isn't a particular theme. Instead the collection is eclectic - a dash of Chopin (Les Jardins de Nohant), some Celtic work (Shamrock), some pure fun (Blue Martini), and a tender memoriam to those lost on 9/11 (Windows on the World). All this variety can't help but please the listener. Take the time to listen to it a bit and you will see what I mean."