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Arshak Sirunyan: Hoodman's Blind
ByIt's clear from the opening piece, "Preface," that Hoodman's Blind is something different. Dark and brooding, it creates an air of mystery only to be shattered by the primordial rock beat of "Valor & Triumph." As the piece progresses it's augmented by the lush strings of the Vardanyan Quartet and Chieli Minucci's searing guitar. The tribal chant of "Celebration" adroitly captures the spirit of the title while further leading down the labyrinth of imagined paths running through the suite-like collection. In this otherworldly swirl of musical styles there are themes that seem to circle back to their origins and then adventurously breakaway again.
Not content to settle into any one style for long, a bit of chamber-psychedelia emerges on "The Dawn is Promised" before "The Warrior Song" returns to a rock element, but this time with subtle touches of Armenia folkloric themes. There are more straight-ahead jazz pieces interwoven in the diverse mix of compositions as well, and among the standouts are "Messenger," a stellar fusion accomplishment and "Imperfect Pearl," a beautiful, soaring ballad. Amid the other stylistic variations that bring the global nature of Hoodman's Blind to life is "King's Fool," a funky kaleidoscope of shifting momentum and "Old Market," a piece that is both innocent and rollicking. Sirunyan's piano and Artur Yeghiazaryan's Armenian woodwinds create an organic hybrid with a life of its own.
Hoodman's Blind is a high-energy, totally engaging outing and these receptive musicians clearly share in Sirunyan's creative mission. The group retains the energy and individualism inherent in these uncompromising modern works. The CD is further enhanced by an elaborate insert that includes reproductions of original paintings from the UK, Turkey, Serbia, South Africa, China and US, all meant to embellish the experience. Hoodman's Blind is a strong and inventive collection that should win Sirunyan a loyal following.
Track Listing
Preface; Valor & Triumph; Celebration; Hoodman’s Blind; The Dawn is Promised; The Warrior Song; Uncharted; Messenger; The Dusk Settles; Prelude; Imperfect Pearl; Your Highness; King’s Fool; Old Market; Fallen; Epilogue.
Personnel
Arshak Sirunyan
pianoArshak Sirunyan: piano, sythns, rhodes, percussion, composer; Albert Ordinyan: doumbek; Artyom Manukyan: cello; Arto Tunchboyaclyan: artoms, percussion, vocals; Eric Marienthal: Saxophone; Artur Yeghiazaryan: tav shvi, duduk; Arshavir Isahakyan: French horn; Bob Franceschini: saxophone (13); Chieli Minucci: guitar; Cheikh NDoye: bass; John Lamkin III: drums (6, 11); Mike Stern: guitar (8); Omar Hakim: drums (14); Raul Pineda: drums; Vardanyan String Quartet: Astghik Vardanyan: violin; Ashot Dumanyan: violin; Mary Dolmazyan: viola; Artyom Naghdyan: cello.
Album information
Title: Hoodman's Blind | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced
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