Album Notes

Dutch blues guitarist “Superguitar” Francis Kuipers has performed in venues all over the world, for a number of years in duo with Beat Generation poet Gregory Corso (Gregory Corso with the music of Francis Kuipers, Red Records, Italy). Film credits include composer for Mary directed by Abel Ferrara 1st prize of the jury, Venice Filmfestival) and Go Go Tales, with vocals by Grace Jones, directed by Abel Ferrara. Anima Mundi, directed by Godfrey Reggio with music by Philip Glass, produced by Bulgari for the World Wildlife Fund. Naqoyqatsi, directed by Godfrey Reggio with music by Philip Glass featuring Yo Yo Ma, produced by Lawrence Taub and Steven Soderbergh.

“Francis Kuipers has traveled the world for over thirty years, engaged in ethno-musical research, broadcasting, working as a composer and sound designer for film and, above all, performing. Although its roots are in blues and folk, Francis Kuipers' music is extraordinary, apart from his technique, in that it has evolved in a highly original manner, drawing inspiration from all of the music he has been immersed in. It is extraordinary too because, through his music, despite its being so unusual and its unfamiliarity, he is capable of communicating with, and generating great emotion, in a wide variety of audiences, irrespective of their culture and background. When he performs his improvisational pieces for solo guitar especially, his music defies any kind of label, an ever-evolving mixture of many different styles which form a oneness, harmonious and passionate, that is, at times, intensely moving. Contemporary music, Sardinian folk music, Flamenco or Oriental classical music, the music of Oceania, rock'n'roll, bluegrass, Indian melodies, all the music forms he has assimilated from various periods of time and geographical areas, mingle together to create a very personal, yet uniquely global language." From a presentation by Thomas Dahlberg.