Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Arshak Sirunyan: Hoodman's Blind

84

Arshak Sirunyan: Hoodman's Blind

By

Sign in to view read count
Arshak Sirunyan: Hoodman's Blind
Pianist/composer Arshak Sirunyan's Hoodman's Blind is likely to be one of the most unique and compelling releases of the year. The Armenian born musician was a finalist in that country's prestigious National J. S. Bach Concerto Competition in 1994. Now a Washington DC resident, he has assembled a top-tier ensemble of award-winning artists from around the globe in creating this collection of genre-defying compositions. Inspired by the medieval predecessor of the game "Blindman's Bluff," Sirunyan has woven a tale that innovatively captures the strategy and visceral emotions of the earlier— and far more raucous— version of the game. Sirunyan efficiently captures the rollercoaster of emotions as he musically reimagines the game on a grander and more dangerous level.

It's clear from the opening piece, "Preface," that Hoodman's Blind is something different. Dark and brooding, it creates an air of mystery only to be shattered by the primordial rock beat of "Valor & Triumph." As the piece progresses it's augmented by the lush strings of the Vardanyan Quartet and Chieli Minucci's searing guitar. The tribal chant of "Celebration" adroitly captures the spirit of the title while further leading down the labyrinth of imagined paths running through the suite-like collection. In this otherworldly swirl of musical styles there are themes that seem to circle back to their origins and then adventurously breakaway again.

Not content to settle into any one style for long, a bit of chamber-psychedelia emerges on "The Dawn is Promised" before "The Warrior Song" returns to a rock element, but this time with subtle touches of Armenia folkloric themes. There are more straight-ahead jazz pieces interwoven in the diverse mix of compositions as well, and among the standouts are "Messenger," a stellar fusion accomplishment and "Imperfect Pearl," a beautiful, soaring ballad. Amid the other stylistic variations that bring the global nature of Hoodman's Blind to life is "King's Fool," a funky kaleidoscope of shifting momentum and "Old Market," a piece that is both innocent and rollicking. Sirunyan's piano and Artur Yeghiazaryan's Armenian woodwinds create an organic hybrid with a life of its own.

Hoodman's Blind is a high-energy, totally engaging outing and these receptive musicians clearly share in Sirunyan's creative mission. The group retains the energy and individualism inherent in these uncompromising modern works. The CD is further enhanced by an elaborate insert that includes reproductions of original paintings from the UK, Turkey, Serbia, South Africa, China and US, all meant to embellish the experience. Hoodman's Blind is a strong and inventive collection that should win Sirunyan a loyal following.

Track Listing

Preface; Valor & Triumph; Celebration; Hoodman’s Blind; The Dawn is Promised; The Warrior Song; Uncharted; Messenger; The Dusk Settles; Prelude; Imperfect Pearl; Your Highness; King’s Fool; Old Market; Fallen; Epilogue.

Personnel

Arshak Sirunyan: piano, sythns, rhodes, percussion, composer; Albert Ordinyan: doumbek; Artyom Manukyan: cello; Arto Tunchboyaclyan: artoms, percussion, vocals; Eric Marienthal: Saxophone; Artur Yeghiazaryan: tav shvi, duduk; Arshavir Isahakyan: French horn; Bob Franceschini: saxophone (13); Chieli Minucci: guitar; Cheikh NDoye: bass; John Lamkin III: drums (6, 11); Mike Stern: guitar (8); Omar Hakim: drums (14); Raul Pineda: drums; Vardanyan String Quartet: Astghik Vardanyan: violin; Ashot Dumanyan: violin; Mary Dolmazyan: viola; Artyom Naghdyan: cello.

Album information

Title: Hoodman's Blind | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.