Recent Review:
SING OUT - Spring 2007 – Volume 51 #1
TIM ALEXANDER and SANDY SHALK
"Giving Voice"
Piney Ridge 1001
You might guess that good guitar music, beautifully played, would be hard to come by but, you’d be surprised. Too many good guitar players decide that a vocal or two (or three or four) will liven up an album, which is just fine if they sing as well as they play. A rare breed of guitarist, however, is smart enough to remember Frank Zappa’s words of wisdom: “Shut up and play your guitar.” This is exactly what Tim Alexander and Sandy Shalk do on Giving Voice, creating one of those rare albums of good guitar music, beautifully played.
A glance at both names on the cover might convince you that Giving Voice is a duo album, but it isn’t. Instead, Alexander and Shalk (simply referred to as Tim and Sandy in the liner notes), take turns on a mellow set of solo acoustic guitar. On Gilles Chabenat’s “Crested Hens,” Shalk’s acoustic guitar captures the delicate nature of the melody, evoking subtle moods and quiet spaces. On “Deep River Blues” Alexander turns in an easy-flowing, happy blues that would’ve made Merle Travis proud. Both players reveal an ability to marry classical proficiency to folk music, creating a down-to-earth hybrid. The closer, Shalk’s take on “Moon River” might even convince you that Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer wrote Celtic jigs for a living. ---- RL
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Acoustic guitarists Tim Alexander, of Monroe Township, Pennsylvania, and Sandy Shalk of Smyrna, Delaware, are featured on this inaugural release of the "Guitarist Presentation Series" on the Piney Ridge Music label.
In announcing this honor, El McMeen, of Piney Ridge Music, said "we are delighted to take the historic step of expanding the offering of acoustic instrumental music through our label to include these fine gentlemen. Their music ranges from evocative original compositions to traditional tunes; from standards like 'Moon River’ to up-tempo jigs and bluegrass tunes. It was a privilege for me to produce this CD."
The Guitarist Presentation Series was established to "showcase talented guitarists with the gift of making evocative and compelling music."
About Tim Alexander:
Alexander was born in 1959 and reared in upstate New York. He is the oldest of six children--four brothers and a sister. He now resides in Monroe Township, PA. In describing his music on the CD, Alexander explains, "the songs in this CD are my wordless and voiceless interpretations of some very gorgeous melodies, as well as renditions of original pieces I have created. I hope these renderings are pleasing and stimulating to the listener."
About Sandy Shalk:
Shalk was born in Philadelphia, and now resides in Smyrna, Delaware. As a solo performer, Sandy performs fingerstyle arrangements of Scottish, Irish, and American tunes, both traditional and modern. Sandy enjoys rediscovering his Scottish roots and exploring the musical diversity possible on acoustic guitar. He performs in a variety of folk venues.
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Here's what the Minor 7th Webzine had to say about this CD (Sept-Oct 2006; Kirk Albrecht): "a lovely disc of mostly gentle, traditional sounding tunes ... terrific guitar music."
Complete Review:
"Giving Voice" 2006 -- This is the first in what will most likely be a series of recordings which fingerstyle player El McMeen is now beginning to produce for his Piney Ridge Music label. The aim is apparently to showcase talented players he's had connections with, and if this first effort is any indication, he's on the right track. Tim Alexander and Sandy Shalk have put together a lovely disc of mostly gentle, traditional sounding tunes. While it's a duo recording, the pair take their turns on the songs, highlighting their individual talents. Scottish and Irish melodies fill most of the CD, whether jigs like "The Bonnie Jig" (Alexander), ballads like "Jock O'Hazeldean” (Alexander), or the obligatory Turlough O'Carolan song like "Planxty John Irwin" (Shalk). These guys have obviously been playing and listening to these tunes for some time, most clearly evidenced on "Crested Hens" played by Shalk, where he gives the song just the right pace, allowing the music to breath. We even get "Deep River Blues" by Alexander, and "Moon River" by Shalk for a turn on traditional American songs. The imprint of McMeen is all over "Giving Voice," from the sensitivity of arrangements and clean playing, to the clear fidelity of the recording itself. McMeen's mentoring of these players has given us more terrific guitar music by which to light our days. We're the fortunate ones for hearing their voice. © Kirk Albrecht
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