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ALBUM REVIEWS January 30, 2016

Didier Verna @-quartet: Roots And Leaves

Read "Roots And Leaves" reviewed by Edward Blanco

French guitarist and composer Didier Verna delivers his second album as leader with the very audacious Roots and Leaves containing eleven original compositions ranging from contemporary traditional to funky, bluesy and even folky at times. A classically-trained pianist who at age eleven moved to the guitar as his preferred instrument, employs the fretless and three other different guitars including a synthesizer to produce a variety of sounds that makes this album a pleasure to hear. Inspired by the ...

ALBUM REVIEWS November 29, 2015

Didier Verna: Roots and Leaves

By Roger Farbey

Don't judge a book a book by its cover or a recording by its first track. “Old Times" is certainly that, a paean to the swinging age of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France and guitarist Didier Verna displays his considerable talent with a nimble solo, as do each of the other members of the quartet. In the true tradition of Mony Python, “Circulocentrique" is something completely different. This is a tasteful funky blues workout, again ...

ALBUM REVIEWS November 25, 2015

Didier Verna @-quartet: Roots And Leaves

By Chris Mosey

Parisian guitarist Didier Verna plays very much in the Pat Metheny tradition but with a sunny, melodic touch. His music is well thought out but never overly serious, with humor playing an important part in his compositions and improvisations. Roots And Leaves, the title of this, his second album, was chosen with care. Verna says: “Roots are our foundation, our basis, our legacy and our culture... leaves are the multiple, blooming facets of our personality, our character ...