PRESS REVIEWS ROLF STURM -SHAWANGUNK All About Jazz-New York CD Review
Crystal-clear guitar is center stage on this release that feature experienced craftsmen artfully exposing the country and classical feel inherent in nylon strings. Rolf Sturm’s Shawangunk is a deft chordal/melodic encounter that reveals its spirit like a brilliant Hudson Valley morn. Whether it is the Dead’s “Ripple,” played at a relaxed leisurely pace, an intriguingly swinging version of Herbie Hancock’s classic “Watermelon Man,” or personal compositions that speak of people, places and events, Rolf Sturm strums and picks with just the right touch. Comfortable in multiple milieus, in addition to fronting his own modern country group, Sturm has played with the Knitting Factory/Tzadik crew and been part of klezmer, tango and bluegrass projects. For Shawangunk, he hopped on the thruway and headed north to the Catskills for some “country” re-inspiration to present a varied hour of new takes on well-known tunes and sweet, fresh material, all featuring the pure-as-mountain-snow sound of his nylon strings. “Egberto” pays tribute to Brazilian instrumentalist Egberto Gismonti with a pretty melody and the Latin-tinged “O Galo” does the same for pianist Michel Camilo, while guitarist Jim Hall’s “Down From Antigua” is recast as “Down From the Hallway,” with a breezy picked melody. Sturm’s personal reflections like the haltingly beautiful “Kant Strasse,” innocently lovely “Green Arches” and touchingly composed “Oh Father,” “Margie,” “Alexander” and “Earl Jean” are standouts where his crystalline chord voicings intermesh with enchanting melodies. Tracks: Ripple; Days Of Wine And Roses; Green Arches; P.S. Prudence; Watermelon Man; Margie; Alexander; Winter Solstice; O Galo; Egberto; Earl Jean; Oh Father; Nauset Bay; D's Dance; Sing Song; Down From The Hallway; Kant Strasse; Royal Sushi. Personnel: Rolf Sturm: guitar. JazzReview.com The Shawangunk is a lovely mountain in New York, where the crystal clear streams sparkle in the sunlight and cobalt skies are endless. You can stand at the edge of smooth gleaming white cliffs and watch as water falls into the ravine below. Rolf Sturm’s new acoustic solo recording of the same name also has the same ambiance. Rolf Sturm has had numerous recordings, and has performed and/or toured with banjo pioneer Tony Trischka, drummer Billy Martin, country singer Eddy Arnold, the Argentinean tango group New York-Buenos Aires Connection, the Grateful Dead big band Illuminati, klezmer clarinetist Giora Feidman, and the Walter Thompson Orchestra. He also leads his own New York City area bands Feed The Meter and Just Cause. Rolf Sturm’s chords dance as if suspended; his improvisation is reminiscent of Lenny Breau’s 1975 CD Cabin Fever . Rolf is subtle and deft on the guitar, and like the mountain, his range is wide, with a sudden burst of rock edge. He kicks into gear for track 5, the chords are lively and folksy with an eclectic quality. On this CD, he smoothly moves through eighteen original compositions, proving his talent as both composer and a musician. He has a way to touch your senses with his music. It is the unique combination of improvising and moody arrangements, which are masterful. It is beyond smooth, which is the thing that gives it the perfect edge. Record Label Website: http://www.waterstreetmusic.org Reviewed by: Viki Ackland
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