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LJ Plays Harold Arlen!!!!
A selection of arrangements of the some of the greatest tunes ever written by the guitarist that brought you "LJ Plays The Beatles" , "One Wing" and "the Pink Panther Theme" from the GRAMMY winning Henry Mancini : Pink Guitar CD!!!
I've Got The World On A String
Get Happy
If I Only Had a Brain
Stormy Weather
Ac-cen-tu-ate The Positive
Over The Rainbow
That Old Black Magic
Paper Moon
Anyplace I Hang My Hat is Home
Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea
The Man That Got Away
Come Rain Or Come Shine
"I
attended a centennial concert of the music of Harold Arlen (1905-1986)
and was astonished at the wealth of great songs he composed.
Some, like "Over The Rainbow" are musical icons; many others are true
standards of the golden era of American theatre and movie songs.
Yet, Arlen's name is hardly as well-known as his peers. It
inspired me to further explore the art of this deserving, yet
under-recognized composer. This collection is the result of that
musically rewarding journey: a dozen of my favorite Arlen songs
interpreted as steel-string acoustic guitar solos"....
Laurence Juber
From Minor 7th.Com
Laurence Juber, "I've Got the World on Six Strings," Solid Air Records SACD 2060, 2006
Although an accomplished composer in his own right, Laurence
Juber has recently gained much attention for his fine interpretations
of Beatles and Paul McCartney's music. Here he focuses on the music of
an earlier era, arranging and playing some of Harold Arlen's most
well-known tunes. This music is structured quite differently than pop
music from the 60s and 70s, yet that poses no problem for Juber.
Although he included jazzy voicings in "Rules of the Road" and in a
number of other originals and covers, here he digs in and offers a
bluesier, more soulful listening experience than just about anything
he's done previously. He typically plays at least two variations on
each verse and bridge, changing tempos, reharmonizing, adding walking
bass lines, tenths and tasty single string runs. "I've Got the World on
a String," "If I Only Had a Brain," and "It's only a Paper Moon" are
mid-and uptempo showcases for the octave runs, bass lines and other
stylistic devices that Juber often employs. "The Man That Got Away" is
played with a bossa nova feel that propels the torch song in a
completely new way. Some slower tunes, such as "Stormy Weather," "Any
Place I Hang My Hat is Home" and "Come Rain or Come Shine," display his
bluesy side to best advantage. Harold Arlen's chord progressions,
strong melodies, and even the history of this material combine to
inspire and unleash Juber as nothing else has previously; while the
performances certainly retain his identifiable stamp, Laurence Juber
has clearly achieved a new level of expression in this collection.
"I've Got the World on Six Strings" should please his existing
audience, attract new listeners and challenge steel-string fingerstyle
guitarists to explore the music of Harold Arlen and his cohorts,
including Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael and George Gershwin, whose work
comprise the Great American Songbook.
© Patrick Ragains
For a great interview with Laurence Juber by Patrick Ragains....
put this address into your browser and enjoy!
http://minor7th.com/LJ_interview.html
OC Register Nov 17, 2006
A just released wonderful
album that will appeal to fans of virtuoso fingerstyle guitar
Laurence Juber's "I've Got The World On Six Strings" finds the one-time
lead guitarist of Paul McCartney's Wings revisiting a number of
classics penned by composer Harold Arlen with a distinctive touch
showcased on selections such as "Over The Rainbow" and "Between The
Devil And the Deep Blue Sea"...Robert Kinsler
ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE may 2007
By Doug Young
Laurence Juber’s latest solo fingerstyle release is an ambitious
tribute to composer Harold Arlen. Even if you don’t recognize the name,
you’ll certainly recognize the Arlen tunes Juber has chosen, from
Wizard of Oz favorites like “Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a
Brain,” to classics like “Stormy Weather” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon.”
Juber updates these tunes with his distinctive touch and signature
sound while at the same time respecting and maintaining the integrity
of the original melodies. Some tunes are upbeat and snappy—“Between the
Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” features a funky tapped-octaves bass line
in the same vein as Juber’s own “Rules of the Road”—while others, like
“Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home” and “Stormy Weather,” are slow and
bluesy. Juber again demonstrates his mastery of D A D G A D tuning,
which he uses for more than half the tracks, as he navigates through
complex harmonies with sophisticated jazz-chord voicings. A book of
transcriptions is reportedly in the works, but for now, guitarists can
learn a lot simply by listening to how a master arranger interprets
this collection of classic tunes.
CD REVIEWS
Sunday, May 6, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
LAURENCE JUBER
Although best known as lead guitarist of late-era Wings with Paul McCartney, Laurence Juber has quietly become one of the outstanding finger-picking acoustic guitarists on the planet with a series of recordings he has made over the past 10 years or so. His latest brilliant outing is a study of the works of composer Harold Arlen -- everything from "Over the Rainbow" to "Come Rain or Come Shine" -- who, for some reason, Juber considers underappreciated. He gloriously articulates the melodies and never succumbs to show-off playing. But the notes spin out of the songs with such finesse and musical agility, it's hard to believe he has only 10 fingers and six strings. Juber has made a rare acoustic guitar record with bark and bite. His playing is just short of sleight of hand and, like all magicians, he makes it seem effortless.
-- Joel Selvin
Laurence Juber I've Got The World on Six Strings?
Solid Air Records 2007
On his newest CD he focuses on Harold Arlen's most well known compositions.
All works got re-arranged by Laurence Juber and he gives his own
interpretation on a showcase of The Great American Songbook.
Most of these tunes are arrangements in DADGAD, CGDFGAD,
or standard tunings. Ac-cen-tu-ate The positive is an excellent
performance, in a flowing setup. He includes as well bluesy as
jazzy moods to these arrangements, which give these songs a
new and fresh dimension towards an audience who surely
likes to re-explore the tunes of Harold Arlen and his cohorts in
songs like If I Only Had A Brain, ?Stormy Weather and Over
The Rainbow". Laurence Juber has a brilliant gift to transform all
these historic songs into a new level which is full of creativity
and wonderful passion with a soulful and tasty approach to
finger-style guitar music.
Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
| Artist: |
Laurence Juber |
| Product Type: |
AMR CDs |
| Item #: |
SACD2060 |
| Price: |
$15.99 $13.59 |
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