Matthew McAllister / Merula @ Tokafi.com
It has almost become a general consensus that classical and contemporary repertoire need to be treated fundamentally different. “Merula”, however, works exactly because it defies the dogma. For his debut album, Matthew McAllister has taken the liberty of showing his abilties within the most diverse contexts, of organising a time-travel package through the ages and of recording his own interpretations of “a choice selection of classic guitar repertoire, alongside newer styles of contemporary guitar music.” Agnew & McAllister / Recital @ Classical Guitar
The Agnew/McAllister duo once again show their talents as arrangers in a superb presentation of the Fantasie from “Carmen” where Aisling Agnew displays her highly polished, fluid technique to its best advantage … Throughout this recording the duo handles all the technical and musical requirements with aplomb and have produced a most alluring disc. Agnew & McAllister / Recital @ Tokafi.com
If you can’t catch this duo live, then “Recital” is the next best thing … a work which lures you into loving it by its unintrusive nature … it is vivid and full of the pleasure of being alive Maelasta / Maelasta @ Tokafi.com... this, their first collaborative recording, is proof of an unusual but híghly imaginative creative co-operation at the border of the popular and the experimental. ... What distinguishes this album is the fresh timbral palette of the unusual instrumental combination on the one hand and the surprising, sometimes even willful, but always convincing repertoire, which the duo totally makes their own. Allan Neave / Guitarra Internacional @ Bridge Guitar ReviewsAllan Neave performs all compositions with an outstanding and intriguing showcase of guitar techniques on a soulful and moving musical journey. David Ward Maclean / Acts of Faith @ Talk MagazineThese tracks dont so much as grow on you as lodge in you and barbs of strong melody and meaningful lyric refuse to move. Stubborn maybe, but Ive enjoyed having them there. David Ward Maclean / Acts of Faith @ Sandman MagazineThis album was sent with the suggestion that it should be listened to at least three times before judging it. As it turns out that suggestion was spot on. On the surface you’ve got a simple, warm collection of acoustic songs. Burrow a little deeper and it’s full of sophistication masquerading as simplicity. In short this is a work of real class. Maelasta / Maelasta @ Minor7th.comThe instruments are well-recorded and balanced. Both McAllister and Hetherington have eclectic musical tastes, including gypsy jazz and Celtic, which should be evident in their future recordings and performances. Classical chamber music lovers and acoustic guitarists wanting to explore possibilities with duos and small ensembles will enjoy this disc. Matthew McAllister / Merula @ cdreview.comScottish classical guitarist Matthew McAllister has incredible talent as a composer and guitarist. A student from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he knows his stuff, and this instrumental album is sure to soothe any guitar-loving beast. Matthew McAllister / Merula @ Minor7th.comThere will soon come the time where I will once again be asked by some curious music lover what classical guitar CD I recommend they buy in order to introduce themselves to the instrument. When that time arrives, Matthew McAllister will be the name that will spring to mind.
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Latest reviews in brief:Matthew McAllister / Merula @ Tokafi.com
It has almost become a general consensus that classical and contemporary repertoire need to be treated fundamentally different. “Merula”, however, works exactly because it defies the dogma. For his debut album, Matthew McAllister has taken the liberty of showing his abilties within the most diverse contexts, of organising a time-travel package through the ages and of recording his own interpretations of “a choice selection of classic guitar repertoire, alongside newer styles of contemporary guitar music.” Agnew & McAllister / Recital @ Classical Guitar
The Agnew/McAllister duo once again show their talents as arrangers in a superb presentation of the Fantasie from “Carmen” where Aisling Agnew displays her highly polished, fluid technique to its best advantage … Throughout this recording the duo handles all the technical and musical requirements with aplomb and have produced a most alluring disc. Agnew & McAllister / Recital @ Tokafi.com
If you can’t catch this duo live, then “Recital” is the next best thing … a work which lures you into loving it by its unintrusive nature … it is vivid and full of the pleasure of being alive
Artists' itinerary:Aisling Agnew Agnew / McAllister Duo 05/04/08 - St Mary’s Church, Slough25/04/08 - Milngavie Music Club, Milngavie 08/05/08 - Dundee University 09/05/08 - St Brides, London 17/09/08 - The Town House, Inverness 01/12/08 - Cowdray hall, Aberdeen Allan Neave Blue Rose Code 15/05/08 - The Great Escape, Brighton16/05/08 - The Great Escape, Brighton 31/05/08 - The Cavendish Arms, Stockwell 23/09/08 - Union Chapel, Islington David Ward Maclean 08/04/08 - The Last Drop Inn, York29/04/08 - The Tap and Spile, Hull 23/05/08 - Cityscreen Basement, York 31/05/08 - Montrose Music Festival, Montrose 01/06/08 - Montrose Music Festival, Montrose Feargus Hetherington 01/04/08 - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen12/04/08 - St John's, Smith Square, London Frevo Quartet Kelvin Trio 19/04/08 - St. Paul's Cathedral, Dundee17/07/08 - St. Salvator's Chapel, St. Andrews Maelasta 22/04/08 - Edinburgh24/04/08 - Old Trafford, Manchester Matthew McAllister 17/05/08 - Geldrop, Eindhoven, Netherlands20/05/08 - Waalwijk, Netherlands 21/05/08 - Tilburg, Netherlands 23/05/08 - Groningen, Netherlands 24/05/08 - Enkhuizen, Netherlands Douglas Whates 24/05/08 - Brel, GlasgowSamantha Whates 09/04/08 - Canal 125, London23/05/08 - Cityscreen Basement, York 31/05/08 - Montrose Music Festival, Montrose 01/06/08 - Montrose Music Festival, Montrose |
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