Oren Ambarchi Grapes From The Estate CD

Proceeding from Suspension and informed by Oren Ambarchi's work in the song-based group Sun, Grapes from the Estate adds yet another beautiful installment to his growing discography. Definitely of the same lineage as the guitarist's previous albums for Touch, this one sees him perfect his art -- the four pieces sound purer and even more focused -- and expand his instrumental palette. The opening and closing pieces come closer than what you'd expect: multi-tracked guitar loops consisting of fragmented tonal melodies coupling abstraction with a sense of sweetness and peacefulness. The 20-minute "Stars Aligned, Webs Spun" is slightly slow to gather momentum, but its awkward rearrangement of cutout notes and chords eventually builds up to a delightful understated tune. "Corkscrew" is the perfect example of what Ambarchi has been aiming to do for the previous five years. In the other two pieces, the guitarist adds extra instruments to offer fully arranged music hinting at the melancholia of post-rock while retaining his highly idiosyncratic signature. "Girl With the Silver Eyes" simply adds sharply cut organ notes to the web of looped guitars, its tones actually very close to Ambarchi's guitar sound. There is also a little bit of drums, an instrument given a more prominent role in "Remedios the Beauty," along with acoustic guitar, piano, bells, and percussion. A gorgeous piece, this one opens doors to new ground for Ambarchi to explore. Highly recommended. ~ François Couture

Previously unreleased live album features many previously unreleased tracks. For fans of Fairport Convention, Albion Band, Chris While, Julie Matthews, Ashley Hutchings, & anyone who likes quality folk music. Talking Elephant. 2004.

Recording information: BigJesusBurger; Jerker House; Nomena Studios.

Personnel: Oren Ambarchi (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, drums, percussion, bells); Peter Hollo, Veren Grigorov (strings).

Audio Mixers: Oren Ambarchi; Scott Horscroft.

The Wire (p.47) - "There are plenty of strengths to this album: an open, improvisatory feel; a sound that's both dense and unfussy about hiss and loop-point clicks; a skillful layering of elements."