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Acoustic Alchemy - AArt Audio CD

A fair review of the Acoustic Alchemy "AArt" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Acoustic Alchemy reviews here, or go back to the Acoustic Alchemy tabs.

Acoustic Alchemy Band: Acoustic Alchemy
Title: AArt
Rating:
Release Date: 2001-09-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Wish You Were Near 2: AArt Attack 3: Flamoco Loco 4: Tuff Puzzle 5: Passion Play 6: Senjo Wine 7: Viva Che 8: The Velvet Swing 9: Robbie's Revenge 10: Love At A Distance 11: Code Name Pandora 12: Nathan Road 13: Cactus Blue 14: The Wind Of Change

The Stewart Coxhead cover blurb is just self-serving spin .........
And then the album closes with a typical Acoustic Alchemy gem. The first 13 tracks are unfocused, uninspired, smooth jazz dreck. It looks like Greg Carmichael saying farewell to the old sound, which apparently came more from the heart of Nick Webb.

So I won't be listening to this band anymore, but I'll always be thankful for the great music made when Nick was alive. And I'll never forget how blown away I was on first hearing "Red Dust and Spanish Lace", an absolute classic and one of the greatest guitar albums ever recorded.


Smooth jazz on a relaxing afternoon
Cannot fault the CD, I like pianos, the excellent roll of the natural smooth jazz from AA's guitar was great, nice sax. "AArt" CD was my first ever CD, bought this, as for some time, had heard "The Velvet Swing" on tape, and on a Jazz FM + compilation CD. The AA's are real talented musicians, like playing the CD more and more. Thoughts on tracks, might buy more AA CD's:

Track 1: "Wish You Were Hear". A track that I had always wanted
Track 2: "AArt AATACK". Topical throughout, great sax
Track 3: "Flamood Logo". Some real fast Latin guitar, nice band
Track 4: "Tuff Puzzle". Excellent band, nice strings
Track 5: "Passion Play". Nice slow relaxing movements
Track 6: "Senjo Wine". Melodic beat, uplifting
Track 7: "Viva Che". Wonderful delivery, nice guitar and piano beat
Track 8: "The Velvet Swing". Sensual, wonderful Julie Dennis's backing, well done Julie!
Track 9: "Robbie's Revenge". Liked the Peter White style backing of guitar
Track 10: "Love At A Distance". Lovely and snow, real Latin style
Track 11: "Code Name Pandora". Passionate, melodic, nice sax & piano
Track 12: "Nathan Road". Nice rhythm motion, warm, uplifting, refreshing
Track 13: "Cactus Blue". Great guitar and piano harmony
Track 14: "The Wind Of Change". Sentimentally warm peice

Based up this CD, I now plan to research and buy more Acoustic Alchemy CD's.


One of the Best CDs I've ever heard
Since then I've bought three straight AA albums and I'm hoping to broaden my collection. Listening to AA for the first time this year (2003), I couldn't help but fall in love with the group's authentic style. AART definitely stands out as some of their best work; there isn't a single bad song on this album - it becomes an issue of judging which is the best of the best. By far the most astounding tune is "Passion play" - I have practically played it every day and it's still a wonderful experience listening to its melodies.

This album will not disappoint.


Not the same, but still Great
I have been an avide listner of Acoustic Alchemy for as long as I can remember, and I liked their sound with the nylon and string guitar. After reading the reviews here, I decided that it is time for me to throw my 2 cents in. And I'll also admit this is a far stray from previous albums, but it is still an awesome CD that is sure to get you grooving.

Other reviewers have put this CD down on the base reason that it is not "Acoustic Alchemy. " If that is the only reason you have, that does not make it a bad CD. In fact, this CD is great with many hummable tunes that you will have stuck in your head for days.

So don't blow this CD off because it isn't that same old AA, but pick it up because it is a great CD.


Painting (playing) for numbers

I have several AA CD's in my collection, I particularly liked the recent 'Beautiful Game', this album is however a great disappointment. It's Albums like this that gives Smooth Jazz a bad name. Instead of the carefully crafted arrangements that characterise much of the earlier AA catalogue, what we have here is Smooth Jazz by Numbers.

The solos lack inspiration, and the catchy tunes I associate with AA just aren't here. I'm sure this album will sell well but its bland to the point I wonder if the record company was insisting they put something out no matter what.

Spend your money on some of the earlier Albums and steer clear of this one.


You can see a complete list of all Acoustic Alchemy discography, or go back to the Acoustic Alchemy tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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