Search - Derek Bailey :: Aida

The essence of guitar innovation

Panagiotis Mpoukalis | 07/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you've never heard Derek and you buy AIDA you will be changed forever by what you hear. Most guitarists can have an entire electric effects-rack and still not come up with the multitude of new and inventive sounds that Derek gets just by sitting on a stool and holding an acoustic guitar. I don't know how he does it. Derek is one of the founding father's of Free-Improvisation, and AIDA is one of his very best works. If you are a fan of music that display's pure and unadulterated creativity then you are a Derek Bailey fan in-the-making. I can't say enough about this cd. It WILL make you rethink everything you thought the acoustic guitar was capable of."

Five stars...on condition.

Panagiotis Mpoukalis | Athens, Greece, EU | 08/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I am giving Mr.Bailey full marks for this one, as I would have done for much of his recorded work. Nevertheless, I must admit that my favou

rable opinion for Derek Bailey's guitar exploits, derives mainly from the fact that I myself am a guitarist and very much interested in free improvisation. As such, I find DB's playing in this CD inspired and exciting, as well as, a source of inspiration for me as an improvising musician. Indeed, I think that his solo efforts help the listener to appreciate what he does, more than some of his work with other musicians, and this is certainly one of his best. However, the imagination and creativity displayed here, is not everyone's cup of tea. Let us be honest about it: to most casual listeners, this would sound like someone fooling around with an instrument he doesn't know how to play. A guitarist of course should know very well, that it would be impossible for someone who can't handle the guitar, to do what Derek does. It takes years of effort, not to mention disregard for negative criticism, to be able to play and sound like this.

Anyway, the clarity of the two long, imaginative pieces (plus a shorter one) will be a real treat for DB's fans. As for those who are simply curious, as well as open minded, maybe this will help them to expand their ideas about what music can be.



Akis Boukalis, Athens, Greece, EU."

Maybe a good place to start to check out mr. bailey...

Panagiotis Mpoukalis | 05/31/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...at least that's what i assume the ex-gastr guys who chose this as their representation of the man would say...if you wanna hear guitar touch-harmonics and rootsy plucking, scraping, etc. made into its own language, then this is the place, methinks...oh, and when derek's watch beeps at the end of one of the pieces, hopefully you'll chuckle along with everyone who got to witness that classic moment..."