Guigues: Merilly Kissed the Quaker/Cunla - Pierre Bensusan, Traditional
Falafel
4 A.M.
There are a handful of guitar players who have taken the sound of Leo Kottke and Bert Jansch to another level. The late Michael Hedges was one. Pierre Bensusan is another. But despite praise from the likes of George Winsto... more »n, Bensusan has remained an underground sensation. This anthology, compiled from his first six albums, is a chance to hear what aficionados have been raving about since his 1975 debut. Bensusan synthesizes techniques ranging from classical finger picking to blues-edged thumping, from Celtic ornaments to that distinctly French sense of romantic lyricism. Each of his compositions is like a story without words, a journey through the Taoist calm of "Wu Wei," the jazzy phrasing of "Suite Flammande aux Pommes," and the Celtic aura of "Le Voyage pour L'Irelande." Bensusan manages to be hauntingly melodic while taking some unusual twists and turns--you can almost hear him formulating the music as he goes. --John Diliberto« less
There are a handful of guitar players who have taken the sound of Leo Kottke and Bert Jansch to another level. The late Michael Hedges was one. Pierre Bensusan is another. But despite praise from the likes of George Winston, Bensusan has remained an underground sensation. This anthology, compiled from his first six albums, is a chance to hear what aficionados have been raving about since his 1975 debut. Bensusan synthesizes techniques ranging from classical finger picking to blues-edged thumping, from Celtic ornaments to that distinctly French sense of romantic lyricism. Each of his compositions is like a story without words, a journey through the Taoist calm of "Wu Wei," the jazzy phrasing of "Suite Flammande aux Pommes," and the Celtic aura of "Le Voyage pour L'Irelande." Bensusan manages to be hauntingly melodic while taking some unusual twists and turns--you can almost hear him formulating the music as he goes. --John Diliberto
Marshall Henrie | Albuquerque, NM United States | 09/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pierre Bensusan is among a handful of musicians filled with so much life that trying to compress 6 CDs of music into this retrospective is like distilling a barrel of French wine into a single glass. This collection captures Pierre at his prime over a 20-year period. (How can he be only 43 years old with such a long period of high quality work?) If you want a journey into a fusion of European jazz, high-energy folk, soul-felt romantic airs, and some of the most enticing fingerstyle guitar on the planet, I can think of no better collection than this. "Nice Feeling" is the kind of CD you can listen to nonstop for days on end and still cry for more."
One of the greatest!
Merrill Hess | Albany, LA USA | 11/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to these tunes for many years in their original releases. Bensusan was amazing audiences when he was a teenager. You can hear John Renbourn's influence in his fluid and lyrical style. He was a great influence on Michael Hedges. I read an interview with Hedges where he said that if he were able to perform like any other musician, it would be Bensusan. I highly recommend Bensusan's first solo recording, Pres de Paris, which many, myself included, regard as a masterpiece. Very inventive and engaging. Masterful guitar work, good voice!"
Enjoy With Ears Wide Open
Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 10/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"French guitarist Pierre Bensusan began his recording career 25 years ago. This generous 72-minute anthology samples each of his six albums released on Rounder beginning with 1976's "Pre de Paris" through 1994's "Wu Wei." While not the most prolific recording artist--he just released his seventh studio album, "Intuite," last month--he is an artist of great sensitivity, grace and beauty. Each of the CD's 18 tracks are mostly solo acoustic guitar instrumentals, although a few feature Bensusan's wordless vocals and a handful include additional instruments: sax (tracks 5 and 12) and percussion (track 17). You'll most likely find Bensusan in the new age section of the record store, but that's not necessarily an accurate classification. His guitar playing blends folk, Celtic and even jazz influences into a wonderful potpourri of sounds. If you enjoy Leo Kottke or any of the Windham Hill label artists like William Ackerman, you'll enjoy Pierre Bensusan. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
Excellent composition
Robert Lunte | 04/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I really like this CD. It has a wonderful Celtic flair with a touch of jazz. This will easily become one of my favorite Sunday Morning CD's, and also works for listening at work, where vocals tend to distract me too much. This is the kind of music that will filter out the other distractions around me while I work, but not become a distraction itself. Great Music!"
Bensusan is a genius.
Robert Lunte | Seattle, WA USA | 02/25/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am recently new to Bensusan's music, but I can tell you as an owner of a large, finger-style CD collection, this compilation of Bensusan's music is one the the top 3!It is very beautiful and some of the greatest acoustic guitar music of all time! Buy it, its first class."