Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Asgeir & Mo: Danza de Andalucia
Asgeir & Mo: Danza de Andalucia
ByAll of Danza de Andalucia's thirteen compositions were composed and arranged by Aarøen, who has his own distinctive styleexquisite, lyrical, nuanced and richand his guitar solos flow with images and ideas that manage to avoid overpowering the writing. Mo is an ideal partner, with his fiery playing, organically completing Aarøen's gestures. Bassist Magnus Rød Haugland adds a light, swinging touch, and percussionist Gabriel Cicaiza contributes Latin rhythms.
The most beautiful compositions are those which transform the flamenco sensibility into new terrains, such as the lyrical, chamber-like ballad "Dine hender i mine (Your Hands In Mine)," delivered with subtlety and refinement, or the gently cinematic "Natt i Netanya (Night in Netanya)." The title piece unfolds patiently through a series of detailed solos by Aarøen and Mo, augmented with dramatic flamenco dancing by Noelia Sabarea, but still has a cool Nordic flavor. Aarøen's emotional remembrance for his father ("Minner frå Enerhaug (Memories of Enerhaug)") features subtle and masterful performances by both the guitarist and Mo. "Tur langs elva (Stroll along the River)" is a more modern, lyrical piece, with Aarøen switching to classical guitar. The breezy and playful closer, "Sommarsong (Summer Song)," finds common threads with Norwegian folk tradition.
Aarøen and Mo offer an original, optimistic and inspiring musical vision.
Track Listing
Sommarflørt (Summer Flirt); Arabisk samba (Arabian Samba); Dine hender i mine (Your Hands In Mine); Natt i Netanya (Night in Netanya); På eventyr (Walkabout); En la Playa (On the Beach); Danza de Andalucia (Andalucian Dance); Tango; Minner frå Enerhaug (Memories of Enerhaug); Grito de los Andes (Cry from the Andes); Mot Midnatt (Towards Midnight); Tur langs elva (Stroll along the River); Sommarsong (Summer Song).
Personnel
Asgeir Aarøen: flamenco guitar, classical guitar, ukelele; Bjarte mo: violin; Magnus Rød Haugland: double bass; Gabriel Chicaiza: percussion, palms; Eddie Andresen: pot, shakers (3, 13); Stavanger String Session: Bjarte Mo: first violin, Eirik Stangenes: second violin; Wouter Raubenheimer: viola; Ilmari Hopkins: cello (3,9, 13); Saska Cvijanovic: flute picollo flute (2,4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12); Noelia Sabarea: dance, castanets (6, 7, 11); Aina Schøld: vocals (13) .
Album information
Title: Danza de Andalucia | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Self Produced