Gilbert Isbin is a distinctive, energetic guitarist from Brugge, West-Flanders (Belgium) who describes his style as world music, as demonstrated on his latest release, "Gilbert Isbin Plays Nick Drake". His guitar of choice is a Cuenca (a Spanish classical guitar). Isbin has played guitar since 1975, and clearly states his career goal, "Continuing to release my music on CDs, publishing my composition on partition, composing music for film, documentary, dance, performing solo and in diverse settings in fact, continue doing what I do now."
When asked about his favorite effect for the guitar, Isbin replied, "A bit of reverb, most of my sound effects are done with both my hands," and mentioned his musicial goals, "I am trying to express what I am as a person -- what I think, what I feel -- but also I try to tell stories, impressions and moods." He would love to someday study the lute, and compose contemporary music for it, and is currently listening to Nick Drake, Brazillian music, Indian music and Middle Eastern music. His greatest satisfaction? "Writing a satisfying compositon, improvising on the chord progressions, then recording it," he states unequivocally.
Isbin lists ongoing and upcoming projects thusly, "Upcoming project is the release of the CD 'Gilbert Isbin Plays Nick Drake' on the German label TRTR (Traurige Traupen) with my solo arrangements of some of his compositions (to be released at the end of October this year). Next year is the release of "Twice", the follow up to "Twins", with Geert Verbeke, and a new solo album. Also, performing solo or with my group Gatham."
Isbin's discography (available here at Guitar Nine Records) includes several solo albums ("Gilbert Isbin Plays Nick Drake", "Red Wine") and participation on a number of other recordings (Gilbert Isbin Group "Water With A Smile", Isbin & Iep "Avoid A Void", Isbin & Verbeke "Twins").
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