Paolo
Angeli
Bucato
(ReR)
Trying
to simplify a very complex issue, I’d say that in the current landscape
of "improvised music for guitar" Paolo Angeli nowadays occupies
a position of "pleasant classicism", whereas his music can
be easily defined as being "beautiful" in an accessible way
– though never "pretty". So, for once I’ll start with the
conclusion of the review by suggesting to the reader to have a listen
to Bucato, an album of many merits whose discreet charming aura will
reward attentive listeners.
With
a long career and a personal maturation already behind him, Paolo Angeli’s
influences are definitely not apparent anymore; some names having been
mentioned – say, Fred Frith – more from laziness/ease of communication,
I think, Angeli definitely being his own man. Or maybe it’s because
of the instrument he uses – according to the CD cover, it’s a "sardinian
prepared guitar" of considerable dimensions. The fruit of a long
and careful refining process, this instrument makes it possible to have
original timbres and original playing techniques, which enable the player
to produce bizarre polyphonies. (The CD booklet has a nice picture of
it, but I would have liked to read more about the way it works; and
I believe the same to be true for the potential buyer, whom I imagine
to be of the "attentive, non casual" type.)
The
album assembles live recordings from various venues in a way that’s
stylistically compatible but not at all monotonous – no overdubs, of
course. Some arias I’d say to have more than a superficial link to the
Sardinian tradition, but they are never "folkish" in a facile
way. It’s definitely not a record one could call "dramatically
abrasive".
A
couple of observations that one hopes will be useful. First, the CD
is miles too long (while introducing a track Angeli tells the audience
that his playing time at the venue had to be "about forty, fifty"
minutes and really I think he should have followed his own suggestion
– the times when people complained that CDs were "too short"
are over, right?), since an excessive length greatly reduces the appeal
of the CD’s atmospheres. Maybe ’cause it’s too long, I noticed the "pedal"
is being used a bit too often: what about a bit more movement, next
time?
Beppe
Colli
©
Beppe Colli 2003
CloudsandClocks.net
| Aug. 26, 2003