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Mario Grigorov: Paris to Cuba
ByWith Paris to Cuba , Grigorov suggests that music will ultimately reveal its own truth even in the midst of preconception, expectation or scrutiny. So how does the journey from Paris to Cuba sound? With Grigorov at the helm and serving as the album's tour guide, it sounds beautiful.
The recording's 10 original tracks feel like a musical score for a summer vacation. Grigorov uses his background in film scoring to breathe life into his music, turning it into something that stimulates the imagination. Not quite jazz or classical, but a little more than world music, this album takes a little from each.
Standout tracks include "Cuban Sun, Cuban Soil"which does, indeed, sound like a walk under the Cuban sunwith Grigorov performing on a Farfisa organ; "Before She Walked Away," a slow to mid-tempo tune which features Ben Butler and Jeff Hill's beautiful guitar work; and "I See," "Every Little Movement" and "Snake Eyes," a musical trifecta that spotlights Melissa Newman's sultry vocal accompaniment.
Although composed and written by Grigorov, every musician contributing on the recording adds something special to make the whole album work. It's a great opportunity to see into a composer's mind through his musicand the way Grigorov writes and performs on Paris to Cuba, it seems that he welcomes the company.
Track Listing
Cuban Sun, Cuban Soil; I See; Ice Hotel; Every Little Movement; Paris to Cuba; Magic Circus; Snake Eyes; Before She Walked Away; Ice Hotel (Piano Version); Three Dozen Roses.
Personnel
Mario Grigorov: Piano, Farfisa and Hammond B3 organs, Fender Rhodes piano, synths, accordion, vibes, drums and percussion; Peter Calo: guitar; Jeff Hill: bass and bass guitar; Jim Hynes: trumpet; Ben Butler: guitar; Francois Moutin: bass; Alfredo Hidrovo: percussion; Sam Newsome: soprano and tenor sax; Richard Boulger: trumpet; Jerry Krenach: drums and percussion; Jerome Harris: guitar and bass guitar; Marvin Sewell: guitar; Jonathan Dinklage: violin; Entcho Todorov: violin; Bill Chesley: lap steel guitar; Bill Dobrow: drums and percussion; Brother Robert: guitar; Melissa Newman: vocals.
Album information
Title: Paris to Cuba | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Self Produced
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