Susan McDonald
Tico-Tico
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Classical
Susan McDonald's CD Tico-Tico is a delightful collection, featuring a selection of Latin American music which has often inspired small children to dance. The Houston Press had this to say, "Guitar Goddess...hypnotic precision -- but the hypnosis induced by Tico-Tico leaves the subject entranced with a smile." McDonald's recording of the Carmen Miranda title track was chosen by the German newspaper Die Welt as one of the "Top Ten of the Week" according to radio listener response. Other highlights include Juan Serrano's "Tempestad", Jorge Morel's "Romance Criollo", Hector Ayala's "Gato Y Malambo" and Raul Borges "Vals Venezolano". You're sure to be entranced by these Susan McDonald interpretations.
Instrumental Guitar, total running time, 52:24
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In Review |
'Close To You'
Review Featured In Wind And Wire, April, 2005
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| New Age/Classical | |
By: Bill Binkelman
fter multiple playings of this CD from Aldo (real name Alfred Donato), I find it
hard to believe he`s slipped under everyone`s radar for so long (the CD was released
in 2002). This album is a first rate exploration of acoustic guitar instrumentals
(with occasional accompaniment on assorted keyboards and drum loops). The artist
himself, on the album`s cover, refers to his music as "Contemporary Classical
Guitar." However you categorize it, it`s tasty stuff, flavored with subtle hints of
the Mediterranean, but also similar in sound (at times) to someone like Craig
Chaquico. Better comparisons, however, would include Chris Spheeris or the duo
Shahin and Sepehr, since Aldo plays with less glitz and flash (and electronics) than
Chaquico is frequently known for, plus when he does spice things up with some world
music touches, I was reminded of Spheeris (circa Europa or Eros), in particular.
Sometimes, a song features just solo guitar, such as the plaintive ballad "Morning"
which breaks gently on one`s ears, just as the dawn would peak slowly over a gentle
hillside. He can also ramp things up considerably, as he does on "Endless Tide,"
which begins softly but is propelled toward a driving tempo by the addition of
pounding bass and snare beats alongside over-dubbed guitars. He can spin a
quasi-smooth jazz romantic ballad, such as the title cut (superb use of subtle
synthesizer shadings on this song!) or quiet things to a twilight whisper on the
enchanting "Silent Star" (yet more surgically precise application of synths and
piano - this man could give a clinic on how to integrate keyboards with guitar).
Throughout the ten tracks on Close To You (and by the way, no, he doesn`t cover the
famous Carpenters` song!), I was consistently impressed by both Aldo`s production
and his winning ways with melody, song structure, and, of course, his guitar
playing. Whether he was playing delicate and somber ("Crystal Rain") or mixing
pumped-up dance beats into some fiery Mediterranean-fusion guitar music ("The
Dance"), the guy didn`t take a single misstep. So, how in the hell have so many
people missed him?
Here`s hoping my review will catch the fancy of some of my guitar-loving readers,
because I gotta believe if more people knew about Aldo, he`d enjoy more recognition,
to say the least. Over the years, I`ve seen a lot of good-to-great talent go
unrecognized, but Aldo`s Close To You is simply too good to be ignored. If some big
label hotshot talent scout has any brains at all, he or she will be on the phone or
email to this man and sign him up. If he can do this well on his own, lord knows how
much better he might get with some muscle behind him. I highly recommend this CD,
especially for playing while driving since it has such a great sound and invites
turning up the volume, even on the ballads!
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| Titles To Watch |
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Susan McDonald
The Cathedral
Bach, Barrios & Paganini Works
Classical
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California Guitar Trio
CG3+2
Inventive Acoustic Instrumentals
New Age/Classical
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Manuel Barrueco
Cuba!
Music As Rich As It Is Varied
Classical
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Los Romeros
Guitar Festival
Bach & Vivaldi, Plus Flamenco
Classical/World
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PLAY ALL CLIPS -->  |
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| 'Sevilla' - Galina Vale |
From 'The Great Gates Of Kiev'  |
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| 'Sprit of the Moving Waters' - Liona Boyd |
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From 'Classically Yours' |
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