AMIR BESO: Fatamorgana

Amir Beso

Fatamorgana

© 2005 AMIR BESO (825346952727)

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From Sarajevo via Seattle, an all-instrumental acoustic nylon-string guitar driven amalgam of Balkan, gypsy and flamenco music by a virtuoso guitarist Amir Beso, whom Seattle Times critic Misha Berson calls: "Bosnia's answer to Jimi Hendrix".

notes

The liner notes for this CD, written by film director Phil Robinson ("Field of Dreams", "Sneakers", "The Sum of All Fears") tell this story:

I met him in 1992, when he was lead guitarist for a war-time production of the American musical "Hair" in Sarajevo, but it was much later when I learned his name was Amir. Everyone in Sarajevo had a nickname, and his was Lazy. That's how I was introduced to him, and I quickly assumed it was sort of like how Clapton's chums nicknamed him "Slowhand", because this skinny kid with the scraggly beard and USA baseball cap seemed anything but lazy when he played the guitar. Blisteringly-fast leads, taste, tone, talent, he had it all. Heavy-metal, blues, straight-ahead rock, you name it, he played it, and brilliantly.

After the show, we sat in a smoke-filled bar and he told me of the months of rehearsals that had gone into the show; how important it was for the artists and the audience to keep this sort of thing alive; the hardships of putting on a show with an emergency generator, enough power for one spotlight, and mortars and snipers outside. "Look," he sighed, pulling back one side of his jacket, "I have to carry gun." Indeed, there was a holstered pistol on his hip. "What's that for," I asked?

"To make sure I get to theatre."

I made a mental note to remember this the next time someone on a movie complained to me about their motor home.

We met again a year later. The war was still raging, and he was thinner, but just as determined to make a difference. "I've learned a lot about life in the past 18 months," he mused. "Mostly what I've learned is that in times like this good people get better, and bad people get worse."

A few weeks later, he was walking down the wrong street at the wrong time, some mortars exploded, and he was badly injured. My assistant Laura worked the phones for weeks until she found the hospital in Denmark to which he'd been sent for treatment. Eventually, we were able to convince the U.S. Information Agency to fly a couple of "Hair" performers over to the U.S. to raise public awareness about the war. Lazy came over, met Laura, they fell in love, got married, and had a kid.

All of which is a long story about how I lost my assistant. But I'm pleased to report that Lazy has atoned for this theft by creating "Fatamorgana", a gorgeous CD of surprising, original and soulful music. It's music that could only have been created by a virtuoso musician whose life encompasses the Balkans, rock-and-roll, war, peace, love, a wife and a new son.

Enjoy.

Phil Robinson

Following is a review from the September 05 issue of Unsigned Magazine:
(http://www.unsignedmusicmag.com/HTML/Images/Issue%2014%20September%202005.pdf)

"If you love guitar driven instrumentals, you have to - let me repeat this - YOU HAVE TO buy this cd. The genre of the cd is world fusion, and indeed, the songs are very exotic, a mixture of flamenco, gypsy, and something “other” that I can’t place, but so exquisitely beautiful, you’re immediately transported away from the humdrum of everyday. The music is as fascinating as the story of the musician himself, a man who somehow learned to draw incredible sounds from the guitar while surrounded by the chaos of wartime Sarajevo. There is a depth to each of the songs on this cd that words can’t really explain and the best I can say is that Amir Beso is easily on the caliber of Santana or Jimi Hendrix in terms of raw talent. I don’t believe there’s one song on this cd that you won’t love."
© Unsigned Magazine

"Coming out of Seattle by way of Sarajevo, Amir Beso has put together a guitar player’s dream set with “Fatamorgana.” Taking hints of Flamenco and Classical styles and mixing them with bits of Jazz, Folk and even Rock, Beso proves to be one of the best players this side of the Atlantic.
This release was written, recorded, mixed, produced and mastered by Beso. This is an artist with many talents, and the best of them is his ability to write the magical melodies you hear on “Fatamorgana.” All of his talents come to life as he precisely picks strings that cry out with an urgency and a soul. Each song seems to have a beating heart and a personality.
Surviving in a war-torn Sarajevo for many years, Beso conveys the spirit of the time through his instrument in songs like “Balkan Nights” and “Sweet Solitude.” There are so many emotions flowing through these songs, it’s difficult to finger just one or two. The solemn grace and sensitivity that emanates from “Laura’s Lullaby” and “Mikey’s Song,” are offset by the playful bounce of tunes like “Gypsyland” and “Caravan.” This is instrumental guitar music of the highest caliber." - Scott Itter, DrMusic.org

"Virtuoso is a word too often tossed about lightly. But, it would not be out of place in describing this album and the Balkan-born musician whose work it represents.
Amir Beso is, in the best sense of the word, a virtuoso. You don't even have to like the kind of music on his album, Fatamorgana, to admit his virtuosity. It's evident by the precise fingering and fretting that this is a skilled guitarist.
Fatamorgana offers a pleasant listening experience. It's an exotic mix -- flamenco, gypsy, Middle Eastern -- but with a modern twist perhaps owing to Beso's early immersion in metal and rock.
From the title track to "Balkan Nights" and the lovely lullaby written for his wife, there's a lot of passion and just plain good listening in those 10 tracks." - John R. Lindermuth, Rambles Magazine

Amir Beso is among five nominees/finalists up for 2006 Independent Music Awards in the World Fusion category. His debut solo album "Fatamorgana" is nominated for 2006 Album of the Year.(http://www.musiciansatlas.com/pages/ima_finalists.asp)

Indie Acoustic Project, which "celebrates the best in innovative, independent acoustic music" included Amir Beso's album "Fatamorgana" among three nominees for the "Best CD of 2005 Award" in category World Music - Latin.
(http://indieacoustic.com)

Individual tracks from this album are available for download at iTunes and all other major services.

reviews

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  • Music by a Master
    author: Sheila Whittaker

    I first heard Amir's music when responding to a friend request on My Space. I was totally captivated & immediately bought the CD. This is music of the soul - straight from the heart of the artist, who is a virtuoso guitar player & a master musician. The music is at once exciting & energising, but also relaxing & calming. I am a professional musician myself & have rarely heard talent like this. He is up among the greats. Fabulous..:-)

  • Fatamorgana
    author: Julie Myers

    I love this CD. Very unique musical styling. When I listen to it I just relax and melt into the sounds.

  • Fatamorgana
    author: LeAnn Rector

    Beautiful! Touches me to the soul! Thank you!

  • author: Alicia Rose

    Bought this CD on impulse when the artist requested me as a friend on MySpace.... The music is beautiful, calming, uplifting, joyous. The strings resonate throughout my house and me and my dogs and everything else feels better for it. Long may your music feel the airwaves! Good Luck.

  • Nothing short of brilliance!
    author: Douglas Morris

    I recieved a myspace friends request from Amir thinking "Gawd! not another T*rt touting for business" and it turned out to be this wonderful music. In seconds I bought the album, what a superb talent, I shall be bying more of his work.

  • Amazing
    author: Tommie Ealy

    This is an absolutely amazing CD! As soon as I got it, I listened to it about 3 times straight through.

  • Fantastic!!!
    author: Kymmee Cunningham

    Absolutely brilliant music and musician. My husband and I both love this album and play it all the time. Anytime we have guests, this gets played for them. I want to turn everyone I know onto his brilliance. Now to just see him perform live!!

  • fatamorgana
    author: CHRIS PHILLIPS

    AN EXCELLENT ALBUM VERY ORIGINAL WITH A SOULFUL TASTE THE GUITAR PLAYING FIRST CLASS LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT ALBUM.

  • Fatamorgana
    author: McCauley Baranov

    I love this album. I have been playing it for all of my friends and even took it to work to share with my coworkers.

  • REFLECTION
    author: SHELIA

    I LOVE IT.

  • Absolutely fabulous! What an artist!!
    author: Rev. Steve Barnett

    Truly a beautiful album of Balkan music. Track #5, Fatamorgana, reminds me of the Greek bouzouki music I've listened to for years. My absolute favorite is Caravan. I am still trying to figure out whether the lead instrument in the second half of the tune is a 12 stringed guitar or some other instrument....'a bouzouki, perhaps? Whatever it is, I am wearing out the CD playing it over and over in my car. 'Haven't gotten tired of it, yet...probably never will!

  • Beautiful and sweet!
    author: Margrit

    Amir's mix of Flamenco and sounds from the Balkan region is different from any other Flamenco guitar music I've eer heard. I love it and it brings back memeories of my travels to the former Yugoslavia, a beautiful place.

  • great music
    author: Sundance Drive-BY
  • Thanks to Elliott Randall for turning me on to Amir
    author: Patricia

    If you love Sabicas & Segovia, or even if you're not into flamenco guitar in general, there's something here for everyone to love. Adding your own personalisation to a classical style is no small accomplishment, but Mr. Beso's done so brilliantly. It probably would have taken me lots longer to discover him without a myspace friend, so kudos go to 'space for discovering new great music each week.

  • What a great find!
    author: Jay S

    Thanks to Myspace for bringing this great disc to my attention and now to my collection. I look forward to further releases.

  • Great very relaxing
    author: Gillian

    I really like this music. Very relaxing and great guitar work.

  • Beautiful, delightful, sparkle making......
    author: Kate technodolly

    Thank you so much for your wonderful music ;) I have been listen to your cd none stop since it arrived, in perfect condition and very quickly. Your a very talented artist. I look forward to more of your musical delights in the future. xXx

  • Sounds of Heaven
    author: Julie O.

    The album lifted me to another state of being with each and every chord that was played. Never in my life have I encounted music that had such a profound effect on me. I can not come up with the right words to describe how utterly beautiful every song is on Fatamorgana. It is a blessing to have been introduced to this album. It is one that I shall cherish and listen to always. There should be no hesitation (and I promise you, no regrets), when buying this CD.

  • Exceptional jazzy guitar with a gypsy flavor
    author: David Chamberlain

    Listening to this CD gave me the same thrill that I got when I first heard Nouveau Flamenco by Ottmar Liebert many years ago. It's rare that an album engages me this quickly and is so satisfying through its full length. The guitar work is exceptional, but it's the compositions that really make this album - they range from lyrical ballads through flamenco to almost Middle Eastern complexities. Very highly recommended - you won't be disappointed!

  • One of the Finest Guitar CDs I've ever purchased
    author: julian

    It is so rare to hear such beauty and depth, such precise fingering and fretting, and exquisite original composition all in once place. Each selection is an aural painting, captivating the senses and creating a desire to listen again and again. It is tempting to compare the styling to that of Pavlo, or Jesse Cook; yet Amir Beso puts his own unique elements of passion, balanced by control, into every song. A complete delight. I eagerly await his next release.

  • Sweet memories
    author: Irhan

    I can’t be surprised like Omer! I know that Lazy can play any kind and music style you wish! About this record: It’s wery difficult to be objective for me. How I can be, when everything good I learned, was from this great artist…And I still use it… Maybe, Samantha has described best this album. Amire, I wish you all best You’re truly, Irhan, Copenhagen - Denmark

  • Iznenadjenje (Suprise)
    author: Omer Verem- Padre

    Bravo Amire! Malo iznenadjenje sa tvoje strane, bar sto se tice ovog novog stila, al odlicno.

  • I love this beautiful music
    author: Samantha

    This CD evokes happy, carefree memories. It has a romantic and sexy tone, bringing me down to earth to simply enjoy life and live every moment to the fullest. I want to make passionate love on a desolate beach or in a green meadow to the lilting rhythm of this sweet music.

  • An inspiring collection of guitar driven music........Look out Eric!
    author: Michael Ricci

    I have been intoxicated by a good guitar riff since I first heard Santana, Hendrix, Clapton and Jimi Page. Amir creates the same feeling with his soulful interpretations. This CD is a must have for anyone who enjoys listening to guitar the way it should be played.

  • Fantastic background music for conversation with good friends and wine!
    author: Nancy Peardon

    FATAMORGANA is the most beautiful, mellow, and deeply evocative music CD I've heard in years. Each composition creates an atmosphere of peacefullness and ultimate relaxation while exhibiting the phenomenal talent of Beso's master guitar playing. The best background music for conversation with good friends and a bottle of wine!

  • Amazing album!
    author: Chris

    Beautiful melodies over odd time signatures. Very unique. Every song tells a story. One can tell that this guy has been through a lot, there's a depth to his compositions that I never hear in other recordings of the often-cheesy "Nuevo Flamenco" style. This CD takes you on quite a journey. Highly recommended!

  • Amazing album!
    author: Chris

    Beautiful melodies over odd time signatures. Very unique. Every song tells a story. One can tell that this guy has been through a lot, there's a depth to his compositions that I never hear in other recordings of the often-cheesy "Nuevo Flamenco" style. This CD takes you on quite a journey. Highly recommended!

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