Thomas Brendgens-Mönkemeyer
CD Reviews
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Thomas Brendgens-Mönkemeyer |
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“LIGHTNESS” , Thomas Brendgens-Mönkemeyer Thomas Brendgens-Monkemeyer’s new solo CD Lightness is a refreshing excursion into the realm of nylon jazz guitar. Following in the footsteps of the great nylon string players like Ralph Towner, Lenny Breau and Charlie Byrd, Monkemeyer allows his influences to flow through the music while at the same time making a fresh and creative contribution to the genre. As we all know jazz guitar is not all heavy swing or fast bebop, there is a gentler side, and this new CD from our member in Germany, Thomas Brendgens-Monkemeyer, is a fine example of this. Thomas displays a virtuosity and tenderness which only a fine solo guitarist can achieve. Most of the tracks were written by him and some have an almost classical feel. I enjoyed the two standards “Alone Together” and “What Is This Thing Called Love”, those two and in fact all the tunes are very clearly recorded. “Deep Blues” is a fine example of Thomas’ musical flexibility. The track “Special Days” is my favourite track, recorded on his archtop, it displays all the talents needed to be a fine solo jazz guitarist. Thomas has just finished recording with our member from Seattle, John Stowell and that will be out soon. In the meantime check this fine solo album out Jazz guitar Society of Western Australia Feb.2007 Thomas, Just sitting here listening to your CD- thanks for sending it. Man, nice sound, tunes and performance. It has a real nice feel throughout and I dig the originals - very personal and original. The standards are beautiful , relaxed and the nylon and archtop sounds, bottleneck - all compliment each other with the variety. The only thing is - it makes me want to improvise with you....There are a few tunes I can hear us already playing on, especially the ballads. Nice job, my friend. Woody Mann, New York/USA via e-mail Hello Thomas, Thank you so much for sending me your new CD. I am enjoying it immensely. Your playing is beautiful as are your compositions and the sound of both guitars is just wonderful. Thanks again and good luck with the CD! Fred Fried, Cape Cod/USA via e-mail “BEAUTY”, solo guitar Dear Thomas, I just wanted to say that I really am enjoying your CD. I was surprised to hear such authentic sounding blues coming from somewhere outside mississippi. Your jazz playing is very impressive and exciting, and your composing and arranging are too. I would love to hear you live sometime. Do you ever come to the USA? Karl Mueller, Reunion Blues, San Francisco, CA April 2003 ...What struck me most about this CD was not only the fine playing but the variety of both the sounds and the tunes. From the swinging laid back "I Thought About You" to a "Muddy Waters Blues" to Wayne Shorter´s "Footprints". Combine all this with the usual Jardis high quality sound and you feel Thomas is in the room playing for you. Recommended. The Jazz Guitar Society of Western Australia 6/2002 ...You hear a subtle display of the skilful combination of melody and its own accompaniment that disguises the great facility it requires. Although he overdubs a second part on three tracks, many of the others sound as though more than one instrument is playing. In a program that deserves its title, the offerings range from a lovely, rubato reading of the melody only of ''Blame It On My Youth'' to an authentic- sounding, Mississippi Delta-derived ''Slippin' and Slidin' Blues''. It is indeed the beauty of his sounds and of his solo conception that receives the emphasis here. Cadence Magazine, USA, August 2002 ...The title tune and original composition ''Beauty'', has a classically based and haunting melody line over a pedal bass, and the more contemporary Wayne Shorter jazz waltz, ''Footprints'' showcases his ability to switch stylistic gears.(…) It is especially noteworthy that Brendgens-Monkemeyer can effectively change genre at will. Creating a solo guitar album offers challenges not only in presentation but also in selection of material, and this one hits the mark squarely in both areas. Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, Atlanta/USA 2002 Dear Thomas, thanks for your CD. I´m listening to "Footprints" right now - it sounds great. Your arrangement is quite original, using the natural features of the instrument, plus you get a great "sound". Your soloing is very melodic - I like that. Keep up the good work! Larry Coryell , 2001 “Textures”, duo with alto saxophone ...Línterno album è un esempio di come sia possibile, anche oggi, rinnovare la tradizione degli standards dall`interno, immetendo all`interno di strutture la propria voce personale. Anche gli originals sono di buona fattura, un album che merita un ascolto attendo.Tra mainstream e atmosfere più moderne,una "fusione" riuscita. All about Jazz! La vostra guida internet al jazz. Vittorio Lo Conte 7/2001 Der Charme dieses Albums ist eine eigenwillige Rauheit und Ungeschliffenheit, die viel von Thelonius Monk, Art Pepper und Attila Zoller geerbt hat. Gitarre & Bass 2/2000 Both music teachers in Germany, Brendgens-Monkemeyer and Voss have worked together since 1988, and the spare sound of Textures benefits from their long association. Using a variety of strategies, including simultaneous soloing, Voss comping behind the guitarist and unison lines, the resultant music becomes very involving. Brendgens-Monkemeyer wrote six of the tunes, while the altoist contributed one and their modernist lyricism mixes well with the standards. The guitarist´s warm hollow-body tone gets its solo moment on "How My Heart Sings", and his rubato ballad "Noch Einmal" is a highlight, as is his long, dramatic vamp on "Unerwunscht". Nice cover art too. Cadence Magazine, USA 2/2000 ...an album such as this calls for great accompaniment skills as well as solo guitar, which Thomas has. A refreshingly different CD. The Jazz Guitar Society of Western Australia 10/1999 Dear Thomas, here I send you my congratulations on your interpretation and quality of this excellent CD. B.Maillot/SAVAREZ-Strings S.A., Lyon-France 7/1999 |
