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Yair Yona: World Behind Curtains
ByYona's eight short compositions tell an exquisite and rich story nuanced by his sympathetic musicians. The opening "Expatriates" seize the escapist zeitgeist of a young Israeli generation, and Yona cleverly distorts this yearning with gentle use of electric feedback. The lyrical "It's Not The Heat (It's The Humidity)" references one of Yona greatest inspirationsBert Jansch and the Scottish guitarist's Avocet (Charisma, 1979) in particularbut its arrangement for string quartet sounds equally informed by Ralph Towner's writing.
Yona's tribute to American guitarist Glenn Jones, "This One's For You, Glenn," possesses one of the labum's most beautiful melodies. The addition of Idit Mintzer's French horn and arranger Erez Kariel's glockenspieland, later, electric guitarintensifies this haunting poetic melody. "Kottke and the Orchids" refers to one of the seminal recordings of American guitarist Leo Kottke, Greenhouse (Capitol, 1972), and here Yona succeeds in recapturing Kottke's "choir of guitars" sound.
The passionate "Mad About You" is inspired by a true love story for someone who "can drive you crazy," and tells a detailed story with many surprising and energetic turns. The evocative and cinematic "Miss Fortune (Kaiser's Eyes)" follows, with electric guitar and string quartet enriching the story narrated by acoustic guitar. "Poetry Night In Valhalla" references American guitarist Robbie Basho's influential Falconer Arm (Takoma, 1967), with similar reliance on Eastern scales. "Bella," the closing duet with Yona's mother, pianist Tamar, is a touching lullaby, borrowing a tuning from blues guitarist Kelly Joe Phelps.
A mature and beautiful album.
Track Listing
Expatriates; It's Not The Heat (It's The Humidity); This One's For You, Glenn; Kottke And The Orchids; Mad About You; Miss Fortune (Kaiser's Eyes); Poetry Nights In Valhalla; Bella.
Personnel
Yair Yona: acoustic guitars, electric guitar, bass, bells, dobro, percussions; Erez Kariel: glockenspiel, rhodes, mandolin, bouzouki, organ, arrangements (2-7); Idit Mintzer: trumpet, french horn, tuba (3, 5-7); Ido Azaria: clarinet (5, 7); Hen Shenhar: violin (2, 5, 6); Yael Barolsky: violin (2, 5); Noam Haimovitz Weinschel: viola (2, 5, 6); Yael Shapira: cello (2, 5, 6); Shira Shaked: piano (2); Tamar Yona: piano (8).
Album information
Title: World Behind Curtains | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Anova Music