African Suite: Mbira/Djembe - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Kanengiser, William
A Furiosa - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Bellinati, Paulo
Gongan - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Kanengiser, William
Mysterious Habitats - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Bogdanovic
Klezmer Dances: Introduction/Terkish/Freilachs - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Traditional
Dreadlocked - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, York, Andrew
Fiesta: La Fiesta de la Tirana Tarantella - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Salinas
Kojo No Tsuki - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Taki
Passage - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, York, Andrew
Muir Woods - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, York, Andrew
Spain - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Corea, Chick
Farewell to Strommess - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Davies
Spain, for voice & ensemble - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet,
Farewell to Stromness, piano interlude from 'The Yellow Cake Revue', J. 166 - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet,
Terkis (Der Yid in Yerushalayim) - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet,
Freilachs (Medley) - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet,
The term crossover can mean many things, and, as Sony Classical has proved time and again, attempts to package classical artists as sophisticated dabblers in world music can be as embarrassing as it is, on rare occasions, ... more »stunning. On the cover of this, their Sony Classical debut recording, we have four essentially classically-trained guitarists slouching like members of a rock group. The 60-minute disc careers through music inspired by Africa, Brazil, the Balkans, Chile and Japan, with stops in reggae, jazz, and New Music along the way. Despite the obvious talent and technical skill of the L.A.G.Q.'s members, this listener found little to enjoy in this particularly watered-down and superficial-sounding repertoire. --Gwendolyn Freed« less
The term crossover can mean many things, and, as Sony Classical has proved time and again, attempts to package classical artists as sophisticated dabblers in world music can be as embarrassing as it is, on rare occasions, stunning. On the cover of this, their Sony Classical debut recording, we have four essentially classically-trained guitarists slouching like members of a rock group. The 60-minute disc careers through music inspired by Africa, Brazil, the Balkans, Chile and Japan, with stops in reggae, jazz, and New Music along the way. Despite the obvious talent and technical skill of the L.A.G.Q.'s members, this listener found little to enjoy in this particularly watered-down and superficial-sounding repertoire. --Gwendolyn Freed
Adam Shandler (shandler.dhrdc@att.n | Washington, DC | 11/17/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you're just looking for guitar music; perhaps a performer sitting in a folding chair in a dark theater strumming away, then don't buy this album. But if you're the kind of guitar advocate who wants to finish listening to a CD and say "I'm full," then give your ears (and soul) a treat with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's L.A.G.Q. The album jetsets the listener around the world beginning with two very clever African tunes and then hastens for Japanese, Brazilian, Italian and Eastern European shores. And there are no egos on this album. Each of the group's members rotate in showcasing their adept at the instrument. What makes the album even more enjoyable though, is its open-door policy with guest musicians: virtuosos at their respective crafts. With these guests, LAGQ achieves its goal, painting the musical landscape of each geographic destination."
An apparently underscored album
Spencer Stejskal | 12/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If one truly loves the versatility and beauty of the guitar than this album, and the entire repetior of the LAGQ, is an invaluable asset. They yet again astounded me with their fearless headfirst dive into uncharted territory with dazzling effects. I thoroughly enjoyed this CD and seriously question the reliability of any reviewer who considers this album "watered down.""
The Amazon reviewer is wrong
Andrew D. Miller | Atlanta, GA | 12/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunately, Amazon's reviewer is sadly uninformed about the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's history in doing exactly what they have mastered on this CD- dabbling. While not every track is a smash hit, when the quartet is on, they're really on. Their African Suite and Klezmer Dances are dazzling, and these guys have done this sort of thing before: everything from the Main Street Parade to the Nutcracker Suite to a hoedown on previous recordings. L.A.G.Q. is LAGQ at their best- don't let Amazon's review fool you."
Lyrical style that compels the soul
Crystal C. Loh | London, ON Canada | 01/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first album by LAGQ that I bought, and actually they are the reason that I got onto Amazon.com- I couldn't find their album anywhere here in Canada. They are truly an amazing group, and they bring out the passion and vibrancy, the energy and life, and the mystique that is possessed by the relatively simple-looking guitar. The African Suite and Farewell to Stromness are by far my most loved tracks on this album. They have crafted masterpieces that any fan of classical music will be able to appreciate. This is a listening experience you won't regret!!"
Do not let the snobby Amazon.com review fool you
Clayton W. Hibbert | Seattle, WA, USA | 08/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Integrating guitar with a subtle flourish of other accompaniment, the LAGQ have crafted an unique and very listenable album. The compositions are often surprising, alternately delicate and boisterous, and always masterfully played."