El McMeen Breaks Out!
11/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No, not in a rash, unless it's a rash of creativity, exuberance, and virtuosity. El McMeen's new CD, "Breakout," is aptly named for the new musical directions and experimentation that enrich this recording. Fans, however, need not worry that El has abandoned his roots. Widely known as the foremost guitarist-interpreter of Celtic music and exponent of solo-guitar lyricism, El is not likely to abandon these strengths any time soon, if ever. And both are prominently represented here. What he has done, however, is go beyond those boundaries-to break out, so to speak-by including in this CD a more generous sampling of original tunes and pop music arrangements than ever before and by exhibiting a greater urgency in his playing than we've come to expect from El and his typically lyrical style. Those coming to this CD expecting to hear El's trademark Celtic and hymn tune arrangements will not be disappointed. And even here, El "breaks out" by revisiting some previously recorded tunes and updating them to reflect his current musical sensibilities. The beautiful Star of the County Down, for example, appears here as a waltz, hornpipe, and jig (compare to El's version on Solo Guitar Serenade). And the normally sprightly Carolan's No. 179 is recast here as a slow and reflective love song (compare to El's version on Irish Guitar Encores). Other "traditional" music highlights include MacDonnell on the Heights/Hector the Hero, a powerful tribute to the victims and heroes of September 11; a haunting and lyrical rendition of Greensleeves; an arrangement of Shenandoah, a tour de force in which El uses just the chordal framework of this well-known tune to showcase his considerable improvisational skills; and Give Me Jesus, a beautiful gospel song that reinforces El's affinity for and extraordinary ability to render hymn tunes into classic solo-guitar arrangements. While each of these pieces represents El at his best, a standout in this category is the extraordinarily difficult Turf Lodge, a Scottish pipe jig, the performance of which would strike terror into the heart of any guitarist. El, however, carries this piece off flawlessly, demonstrating the virtuosity that lies behind all of his playing, but that really shines through in this showcase piece. (I've seen El perform this piece live, and believe me, there is no studio "trickery" going on here!) El claims to have been ruminating on this piece for 17 years, and after listening to this astonishing performance, one can easily see why. The remainder of the CD most clearly presents El in "breakout" mode as composer and arranger. El's original tunes are surprisingly and refreshingly different from anything previously heard from him. The driving Le Mans suggests the urgent and breathless quality of a high-stakes race. Song for Sheila, dedicated to El's wife of more than 30 years, is a tender and lushly romantic piece worthy of comparison to the best romantic themes. And Breakout, which gives the CD it's title, has an immediately likable melody that increases in appeal as El takes it through a characteristically virtuoso development. Arranging pop tunes is not a new endeavor for El, but the quality of the arrangements here-and the choice of songs-raises these pieces to the breakout level. A big fan of "Motown," El seamlessly combines three classics-My Girl, Stand by Me, and It's the Same Old Song-into a medley that not only does full justice to the originals, but also, as in the best of arrangements, transforms them into something new and uniquely original. And, with the delightfully unexpected Over the Rainbow, El has instinctively recognized a lyrical quality perfectly suited to the solo guitar and treats this well-worn film score tune with a sensitivity and delicacy that makes it seem as if we are hearing it for the first time. Perhaps the highest compliment that I can pay to this CD is that I immediately liked every track, and that with each listening, the depth of El's accomplishment continues to unfold and yield more and more pleasure and more and more to explore and appreciate. El considers this CD a watershed event for him; I completely agree. You'll want to get this one, and listen to it many, many times. I can assure you that even in the largest CD collection, this disk will never gather dust. It's a classic sure to be listened to again and again for many years to come."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1