RadioIndy.com
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Congratulations on GrIndie Award
RadioIndy is proud to present Tomas Michaud a GrIndie Award for their CD "Beauty and Fire." A GrIndie Award is RadioIndy's stamp of approval that this CD is an excellent quality CD. Please join us in congratulating this artist on this accomplishment.
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Serge Kozlovsky / http://sergekozlovsky.com
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Writings by Serge Kozlovsky
The beauty of this world
Is evident in everything
This music is penetrated with world beats from various parts of the globe. And, certainly, it is a sparkling new flamenco which inflames the soul and makes it dance.
“Beauty and Fire” is the sixth release of stunning guitarist Tomas Michaud. The artist traveled a lot throughout Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and he imbibed the special aromas of these places. So, the music of Tomas Michaud has a width and it carries the listener into the existing journey along the unknown faraway lands. And they turn out so beautiful.
You listen to this very diverse music and you understand how our planet is perfect. And even your breath is stopped when you see it.
I’d like to note one very important and rare quality in the music of Tomas Michaud. His very passionate tunes have a silence inside of them. Full of energy “Beauty and Fire” is at the same time a true meditative music.
What can be said more about this wonderful release? Tomas Michaud is a guitar virtuoso. The artist easily plays every complicated tune and he with his friends – accompanying musicians create an uplifting and charming atmosphere.
I’d like to characterize “Beauty and Fire” as a bright example of music for positive thoughts and actions.
Serge Kozlovsky
http://sergekozlovsky.com
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REVIEWS NEW AGE
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Elevando el espíritu e inspirando el alma...
Rítmico, relajante, incluso diría que exótico; estos son algunos de los calificativos que podría añadir al séptimo lanzamiento del guitarrista y compositor Tomas Michaud, Beauty and Fire. Un CD que mezcla un suave y transformado flamenco con algunas incursiones por el smotth jazz y el World Music. En Beauty and Fire nos espera una música de fácil acceso, calmada, encerrada dentro de un cadencioso baile de melodías que integran al individuo en un escenario idealizado, elevando el espíritu e inspirando el alma. Para esta última publicación, en la que la guitarra del artista toma un importante protagonismo, Michaud cuenta con la colaboración de un amplio número de músicos invitados, alguno de ellos, de gran renombre: Don Turney (Piano y teclados), David Margen (Bajo), Kai Eckhardt (Bajo Fretless), Thomas Perry y Celso Alberti (Batería), Brian Rice (Percusión), Aharon Wheels Bolsta (Tabla), Lila Sklar (Violín) y Michael Knapp (Chelo).
"Beauty And Fire" es la pieza que da nombre al álbum y la que lo abre. Con algunos fragmentos muy flamencos, la guitarra de Tomas se mueve con suavidad dentro del ritmo marcado por las percusiones y algunos instrumentos étnicos que ayudan a que Michaud combine sus gráciles punteos con un género musical que parece provenir de los países arábicos.
Con una percusión muy convincente marcando un tempo rápido y con una de las guitarras más rítmicas de todo el CD, "Embrance In The Mist" repite una melodía de lo más interesante, manteniendo al oyente en un estado de atención plena, marcando el ritmo y esperando el siguiente acorde con ansias. Una composición fabulosa. Una de mis preferidas!.
Mi preferida de todo el CD es la serena "Beginnings - Prelude To Paradise", una pieza que une a Tomas con su guitarra, al chelo de Michael y el piano de Turney en una magnífica interpretación, quintaesencia de la calma y portadora de la inspiración en los momentos más deseados. Qué hermosura, qué quietud!. Wow!.
"Tango In Paradise", una de las grandes en Beauty and Fire. La pieza más aflamencada de todo el CD, con fuertes influjos andaluces. En esta magistral obra, Tomas desborda estilo con su guitarra, siguiendo el ritmo que le marcan las percusiones y en el que el maestro Turney le aporta una frescura sorprendente con su piano flamenco. Otra de mis preferidas!.
Con un ritmo juguetón y desenfadado "My Secret Cave" hace aparición. Una composición en la que el sonido de las tablas de Aharon Wheels son el principal y destacado encanto de esta pieza, atrapando al oyente y arrancando fuertemente sus preocupaciones.
Un relato narrado sólo con las notas de una guitarra es "Gipsy Heart". Esta obra de melodía sincera y notas llenas de coraje mantiene una música incansable a manos de Tomas, el cual se apoya en el violín y en la batería para narrar una historia gitana sin palabras. Otra belleza de este último lanzamiento!.
Llena de fuerza y emocionante es "Tribute", tema que logra levantar el ánimo y colmada de buenas vibraciones gracias a su radiante, enérgica y rítmica música. "Tribute" es el remedio perfecto para el desánimo, alentando al oyente a efectuar un movido baile y disfrutar del momento. Me gusta!.
Un inesperado giro nos introduce en "Morning Grace", un tema lento, de lo más romántico, donde un juego melódico entre varias guitarras y unas dulces percusiones, muy suaves, se unen para dar vida a una conmovedora música, con un ligero toque de pasión que realmente cautiva.
"Living On The Wind" podría ser la continuación del tema anterior. Nuevamente, Michaud nos presenta una música romántica, donde el ritmo está presente pero nos lo ofrece en porciones pequeñas, dejando protagonismo a una melodía ardiente, de lo más pegadiza e interesante. El toque de guitarra de este artista es impresionante!. Otra de mis preferidas!.
"Lotus In The Moonlight" es el primer sólo fingerstyle de Tomas en todo el CD, aunque se ve acompañado por algunos sonidos e instrumentos, el protagonismo es sólo para Tomas y su guitarra. Una manera extraordinaria que tiene este excepcional guitarrista de revelar su gran calidad y una diversidad musical portentosa.
Bajo el calmante sonido de la tormenta surge "Night Into Day (After The Storm)". Una batería y un bajo suenan sin romper el estado de tranquilidad para acompañar a la guitarra de Michaud, que interpreta una melancólica melodía; una música que invita a la reflexión.
Para terminar, Michaud apuesta por un tema romántico, "Two Hearts Into One". Una pieza que mezcla el chelo y varias guitarras. Aunque la pieza mantiene una música inalterable, pero algo seductora, la atención es reclamada gracias al fabuloso piano de Don Turney, que surge en el momento oportuno, ofreciendo un sentimiento único a esta última composición. Gran Turney!!.
El séptimo lanzamiento al mercado del guitarrista Tomas Michaud es un trabajo donde el ritmo es la estrella en todo momento y aunque el toque flamenco está muy presente, el artista nos va sorprendiendo con algunas composiciones de lo más hermosas, dejando patente la maestría que Michaud tiene con la guitarra, ya sea flamenca o fingerstyle y donde las composiciones están muy elaboradas y con un único fin, dejar boquiabierto al oyente. Sinceramente, este es un trabajo de gran calidad y donde el disfrute está más que garantizado. Beauty and Fire es un álbum muy recomendable!.
reviewsnewage.com
14/02/11
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John P. Olsen / NewAgeMusicWorld.Com / NewAgeMusic.nu
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Tomas Michaud's New World Flamenco Jazz
New World Flamengo Jazz is a music category some may not be familiar with, so if you can imagine a sunny tropical atmosphere with an oceanfront setting and gentle tides splashing against the shoreline you begin get the picture. When you combine this imagery with exotic melodies and glowing rhythms you are set for a beautiful day of fun in the sun. Tomas Michaud from Alameda Californiahas accurately termed the phrase New World Flamenco Jazz and this precise terminology tells a lot, but more importantly it is about the sensations you feel and the affirmative imagery acquired from his world blend of contemporary instrumentals and Latin acoustic guitar designs in new World Fusion music. These elements are also the fine attributes that create a new category of music from his various contemporaries like Ottmar Liebert, Govi, or Johannes Linstead. Tomas Michaud defines his unique singular style in World Fusionhaving the fundamentals of Nouveau Flamenco, New Age and Smooth Jazz, but with Latin and South American rhythms that embrace Middle Eastern and Spanish music, along with Caribbean and Mediterranean harmonies. This may sound way too complex, and I am sure it is for the guitarist, but for any music aficionado it translates into charismatic melodies that turn an empty white canvass into a masterful portrait complete with colorful designs that are pleasing to the heart and mind of a broad audience. Drawing his harmonious inspiration from Central and South American travels, the lengthy list of beautiful travel destinations recited on this album include Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, France, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Singapore. Knowing his lengthy list of travel destinations across many continents and categorical guitar inspirations, then New World Flamenco Jazz is definitely an accurate description. Beauty and Fire has 12 original compositions by Tomas Michaud and it becomes clear his precision Flamenco styled performance on nylon – string guitar is a leading component of professional beauty, but the distinguished musicians in accompaniment is another attractive element that makes this album flourish. Beauty and Fire ( Title Song ) is an adventurous retreat into paradise by a peaceful East meets West cultural blend and this first song truly does make a meticulous statement about his singular New World Flamenco style with marvelous certainty. Two Hearts Into One & Night Into Day are pleasingly balanced by their relaxing melodies, along with another elaborate reflection carried into the moderate timed but equally rhythmic Embrace In The Mist & Morning Grace. Tango In Paradise has deep melodic strides with tantalizing refrains while Gipsy Heart is quite breezy by the casual atmosphere an of accentuated guitar strides shared with violin. Living On The Wind retains a wonderful fascination by the amicable melody that can also be identified by an air of lively sophistication set in motion by magnificent guitar and piano rhythms backed by light instrumentals with plenty of quality percussion accents. Thomas Michaud has a singular music style is a point I wanted to make today, so when selecting your album purchase at music outlets and you don’t find a New World Flamenco Jazz category try searching under New Age, World, Flamenco, Jazz, or Contemporary Instrumental sections. That is until the day retail outlets introduce a fun in the sun music category. The musicians joining Tomas Michaud on Beauty and Fire are Don Turney on Grand Piano and keyboards, David Margen on Bass and Kai Eckhardt on Fretless Bass. Strings include Lila Sklar on violin and Michael Knapp on cello with Aharon Wheels Bolsta on Tabla and Thomas Perry, Celso Alberti, and Brian Rice on percussion.
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Ryan Young
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EXOTIC WORLD GROOVES AND ROMANTIC MELODIES
TOMAS MICHAUD’S MUSIC FEATURES EXOTIC WORLD GROOVES AND ROMANTIC MELODIES
The music of Tomas Michaud is a true pleasure to sit down and listen to, but it also works well as the backdrop for many lifestyle activities including relaxation, massage, dinner parties, intimate moments, and exercise (yoga, walking, running, light aerobics). He has performed at numerous California wineries where his music and their wine blend well together.
So consider popping a cork, sitting back and listening to his seventh CD (BEAUTY AND FIRE), and you will probably be pleasantly surprised at both the deep feelings inherent in this music and how good it makes you feel.
Tomas plays absolutely exquisite Latin-styled acoustic-guitar with beautifully-composed melodies and a tight band behind him whose members have played with Santana, John McLaughlin, Grateful Dead, Gypsy Caravan and Paul McCandless. The gentle, but rhythmic percussion and dynamic bass-lines are the perfect backdrop. Michaud composes after being inspired by his many trips around the world. Join his journey.
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Karen
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Great listening from the start
This, my second CD from Tomas Michaud, fully met my expectations for a rather blissful listening experience. I even got two copies to send one to my sister-in-law who is always finding great music for me! This album evokes that calm, insightful feeling you get by breathing deeply. Thank you.
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Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Let this CD take you away into a peaceful bliss.
Picture yourself in a serene, tropical paradise with a warm gentle breeze lightly blowing through an open and airy room that has a soft and atmospheric quality, as you hear the velvety and melodious songs of “Beauty and Fire” by Tomas Michaud drifting all around. Michaud takes his talented flair of playing acoustic Flamenco guitar and melds it ever so gracefully to silky and delicate melodies. His abilities to lure you into his music starts with the very first song and title track, “Beauty and Fire,” with an elegant guitar that stirs a vision of peace and serenity. Not only will the soothing guitar melt your heart, but the simple yet effective percussion sounds of “Embrace in the Mist” and “My Secret Cave” seem to intermingle with charming style. A beautiful piano and violin embellish the tender and heartwarming song “Beginnings-Prelude to Paradise,” while the guitar plays with affectionate appeal. If you need to take the edge off from having a bad day, then serve up your favorite refreshment, sit back and enjoy the wonderful contemporary instrumental guitar music of “Beauty and Fire,” and let it take you away to peaceful bliss.
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Raj Manoharan (www.rajmanreviews.blogspot.com)
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The RajMan Review
This has been a great year for independent instrumental guitar releases, and the latest album by Tomas Michaud is no exception. Just like its title, Michaud’s CD is full of beauty and fire, but also passion, vigor, romance, and verve.
Michaud plays flamenco guitars, but this is by no means strictly flamenco guitar music. Even I sometimes forget that flamenco doesn’t just refer to a style of music, but a kind of guitar as well – namely, a Spanish, or nylon-string, guitar. And Michaud pushes the boundaries and exceeds the expectations of what a nylon-string guitar can be used for.
Sure, there are some latent flamenco rhythms deep in the background of some of the songs, but the compositions are much more than that. The tunes comprise a variety of musical genres and cultures, from New Age, jazz, and fusion to Latin, Asian, and Middle Eastern. The common thread that holds these wide-ranging sounds together is the beautiful, thoughtful, and intelligent lead- and rhythm-guitar playing of Michaud, who is backed by a solid band of musicians on bass, keyboards, percussion, and other instruments.
Two tunes in particular exemplify the cosmopolitan scope of Michaud’s writing. “Beauty and Fire” opens the album with an eclectic mix of East and West as a familiar Arabian melody ventures into Indian musical territory complete with tablas and sitars, all filtered through romantic jazz balladry. The smoldering, tempo-shifting “Night into Day (After the Storm)” starts off as a playful, jazzy exercise that shifts gears into a slow, hook-laden groove and back again, simulating the transition of the title and accompanied by the low rumblings of gentle thunder.
With its combination of nylon-string guitar, world music, and other exotic sounds, Beauty and Fire is a globetrotting feast for the ears.
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