ALBUM REVIEW By SAM SCARPELLI
2014 JULY 2
This album represents an evolution of the acoustic guitar as an instrument. It is incredibly beautiful and amazingly complex, and in my opinion Daniel Hecht is a songwriter with no parallel; a truly unique talent whose compositions have familiar elements of classical guitar and folk fingerpicking that everyone can enjoy, but with a depth that is hard to match. The songs leave you marveling at such complex chord structures and time changes, wondering how he came about them.
Hecht performs on a custom built guitar utitlizing a device which allows you to control two capos using foot switches. This allows for a wide range of playing variations and key changes which are likely impossible to achieve otherwise. The layers of melodies and harmonies he can create using this invention will probably be like nothing you have ever heard before. The mood and imagery that this album evokes is one which makes it easy listening for many occasions.
Right from the beginning it is apparent that this music is a work of art. There are certainly pop sensibilities throughout, but most of the journey is a whimsical one with quick changes and impressionable melodies. He very much is able to speak through his instrument, and is a master of a wide range of playing techniques. The album as a whole flows very well with each song leading into the next quite naturally. In most cases I would mention a few individual songs but this entire album stands out and without fail I enjoy it from beginning to end. If you haven't heard it yet, now is the perfect opportunity!
Acoustic Guitar
Lead Guitar Audio Engineer |
DANIEL HECHT
ALEX de GRASSI * RUSSEL BOND |
A1 Willow
A2 Autumn A3 Water Mantra A4 Jimmy Blue Eyes * A5 Love's Reply B1 Confluence of the Rivers B2 Shell Game B3 Tanglefoot's Tale B4 March of the Trolls B5 Afternoon Postlude Soliloquy |