Teja Gerken
Postcards
© 2005 Teja Gerken (880095001539)
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Solo acoustic fingerstyle guitar.
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"Postcards is a very versatile album with varied skilled techniques, brilliant melody lines, appealing moods of a superb guitarist who knows to absorb a listener."
Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews (www.xs4all.nl/~guitars/)
San Francisco guitarist Teja Gerken is pleased to announce the release of his second CD, Postcards. A collection of solo compositions for acoustic fingerstyle guitar, the album continues the direction of Gerken's critically acclaimed debut, On My Way (1999, LifeRhythm Music). A tireless advocate of the genre-he hosts a monthly Acoustic Guitar Showcase at San Francisco's Bazaar Café, frequently introduces international talent to local audiences, and writes for Acoustic Guitar magazine-Gerken has chosen to use the opportunity of a new release to offer a glimpse into the current state of the Bay Area fingerstyle guitar scene. In this spirit, Postcards features originals, as well as tunes penned by five of Gerken's local colleagues: fingerpicking legends Duck Baker and Dale Miller, Celtic guitar sensation Steve Baughman, San Francisco Guitar Quartet member Patrick Francis, and bluesman Pete Madsen.
Recorded with steel-string, classical, and 12-string guitars, Postcards blends myriad influences into a musical style that hovers around the perimeters of folk, contemporary classical, and world music. As true solo instrumental pieces (captured without overdubs), the album's compositions highlight the polyphonic qualities of fingerstyle guitar in a beautifully intimate recording.
ABOUT TEJA GERKEN
Born in Germany in 1970, Teja Gerken began his journey on the guitar at the age of six and became a serious student of the instrument after his family moved to California in the mid-'80s.
Today, Teja is no stranger to those familiar with contemporary steel-string fingerstyle guitar. Weaving together influences of folk, jazz, classical, and world music into a style that is uniquely his own, Teja's playing reflects his diverse musical interests. While many of his compositions employ alternate tunings, two-handed tapping, percussive effects, and other extended guitar techniques, others simply rely on his keen sense of melody and movement.
Teja has shared the stage with such guitar visionaries as John Renbourn, Alex de Grassi, Peter Finger, and Henry Kaiser, as well as with his mentors, Duck Baker and Peppino D'Agostino.
reviews
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- author: Dr.Ernst Weeber
Thank you very much for this excellent guitar music. Id`s good for my brain and my mood. Please dont stop making music. Dr. Ernst Weeber/Germany
- author: Minor 7th Webzine
Travel reveals the textures of people, places, and culture. The music of Teja Gerken on his solo guitar release "Postcards" is a travelogue of textures, a satisfying mix of style and substance played on six and twelve-string steel string, and nylon string guitars. Readers of Acoustic Guitar magazine will recognize Teja as Gear Editor, and moderator of some of their on-line discussion forums. The 12 tunes on the CD (7 originals and 5 from other San Francisco bay area players) aren't an adrenaline rush of sound, but more a respectful exploration of the fusion of man and instrument. Teja's playing doesn't drip with the languid fluidity of Ed Gerhard or Martin Simpson, but carries a more dynamic immediacy. It's evident from the chord changes and picking patterns that he is consciously stretching his own musical limits, not playing it safe. "First Smile" has a bluesy feel without being too in-your-face. "Nine Bridges" reveals an eastern European side (the tune is titled after the Budapest bridges which span the Danube river) strangely brought to life on steel strings in Orkney tuning (used so effectively by Steve Baughmann for his Celtic guitar stylings). Gerken gives his own spin to Baughmann's "Plantxy Bongwater." The bends and single note runs of "City For Sale" juxtaposed against strings of chordal shifts brings to mind some early Alex DeGrassi in an elegant exit to a fine CD of good guitar music.
- author: Chuck C
This is the kind of music that works well as background music around the house... but it works equally well for intense listening. Guitarists like me can learn a lot from this record. There is a nice variety of stuff here. Teja's playing is marked by his strong fingerstyle technique and warm tone. Highly recommended!
Urban Edge with Sensitive Side
author: Brian Gore-- International Guitar NightThis recording offers a great set of compositions with a theme which is an authentic reflection of Teja's daily life and work. While featuring compositions from notable fingerstyle guitar friends in the Bay Area on the recording, his own compositions radiate sensitivity balanced with an urban edge. The production value on the recording is original and standard setting. The world would certainly be a better place if more guitarists could only sound like this!!
Brilliant fingerstyle playing
author: Dave KingMy two favorites on Postcards would be "Full Moon Waltz" and "Precision & Emergency". His choice of nylon string classical is really perfect for the waltz. There are moments when I would swear I heard elements of Laurindo Almeida and even the immortal André S. This is one of the most interesting guitar-songs that I've heard in a long time. The song was written by Patrick Francis and Teja refers us to his web site:(http://www.azulao.com). Anyone who can write songs this good is definitely worth checking out. Precision is virtually a clinic on pull-offs at high speed. The song is aptly named--the urgency in the rhythm is barely controlled. He generates a huge tone, even though he's capo'd at IV. I think this arrangement would challenge even the greatest masters. Postcards is definitely a fun ride for fingerstyle fans. Highly recommended. Dave King