THE BARBARY COAST GUITAR DUO: Suites for 2 Guitars

The Barbary Coast Guitar Duo

Suites for 2 Guitars

© 2005 The Barbary Coast Guitar Duo (825346872124)

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Heartstopping guitar duo re-interpretation of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and the Police, as if they lived as the great masters hundreds of years ago.

tracks

1 Eleanor Rigby (a la Baroque)
2 With a Little Help From my Friends (a la Scarlatti)
3 She's Leaving Home (Waltz)
4 I Want You (She's So Heavy) (Prelude and Fugue)
5 If I Fell (Danza Espanola)
6 Doctor Robert (Flamenco)
7 Achilles Last Stand (Nuovo Flamenco)
8 The Battle of Evermore (Ostinato)
9 Nobody's Fault But Mine (Toccata)
10 Roxanne (Tango)
11 Tea in the Sahara (Barcarolle)
12 King of Pain (Bagatelle)
13 Purple Haze (a la Bartok)
14 Little Wing (Orientale)
15 Crosstown Traffic (Funk)

notes

"Lovely...Excellent Prowess... The duo both amuses and delights, achieving a style which goes far beyond simple lighthearted diversion.... Listeners will appreciate the humor of arrangements ...An original artistic work full of interesting ideas which could be defined as a new artistic genre by using a musical demonstration of humor (something very difficult to accomplish), and by creating a uniquely enjoyable atmosphere."

- Guitare Classique Magazine (France)

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Suites for Two Guitars is a fascinating album by an American duo, which arranges pop songs in various classical styles. The duo reveals different facets of the original works by using various classical forms and techniques. The arrangement of "Roxanne" artfully transforms the original into a tango (with a nod to Astor Piazzolla), while Led Zeppelin's "Achilles Last Stand" is delightful in its dramatic Nuovo Flamenco setting.

The success of this album can be attributed to the duo's excellent musical technique and balance, and the way they skillfully blend characteristics of the original song with a new style.

- Gendai Guitar Magazine (Japan)

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"What a great concept for a record. Kudos to you for such an imaginative & original approach to a guitar duo. The playing here is superb. I'm also quite impressed by the splendid arrangement of the classic Police song 'Tea in the Sahara'. This version has its own unique character and identity and could appeal even to listeners who aren't familiar with the original song.
Keep up the good work & all the best to you."

-TAXI New Artist Review


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In their previous lives, Sir Paul was Scarlatti, Lennon J.S. Bach, Sting Schubert and Hendrix Bartok. So we postulate.

Contrary to popular notion, the cleverness of today's rock & roll composers is not the result of some substance-induced state but rather the reincarnation of the greatest composers in music history. It was their inner Stravinksy pounding away.

The Liverpool lads' strict observance of 17th century counterpoint? Uncanny. Their effective use of voice leading and text painting? Master-like. Sting's gift for naturally flowing melodies are straight out of a Schubert lieder. And what to make of Hendrix's liberal use of ancient scales like pentatonic and mixolydian? You can't convince us that was independently arrived at by a man from the 20th century.

After intense musicological research, we conclude that they are one and the same. Still don't believe us? We dare you to listen and prove us wrong!

--from liner notes

reviews

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  • Excellent concept, well played
    author: John O'Connor

    It is amazing how some rock music can be easily performed classically. The Beatles have had many albums of orchestras performing their music, as has Pink Floyd. So, it was just a logical extension to perform some of this popular music on two classical guitars. Frankly, when I heard this CD, I immediately felt bad that they thought of this before I did. I will admit that they have probably done it better than my duo would have. Both of these fellows are excellent and very technically proficient guitarists. I still think the Beatles Suite would have worked well with my ukulele and my partner's classical guitar, though. This is a good CD. If you like good music, buy it.

  • Refreshing!
    author: Fred Tempas

    This is a lovely album. I've listened to it several times and there is always something new to discover. It's hard to classify - definitely more classical than rock, but anyone who loves the originals should listen to this reinterpretation!

  • Excellent CD
    author: Nathalie

    Un excellent CD avec de bons guitaristes et d'excellents arrangements. Bravo! Mon coup de coeur est la piece Roxane arrangee en tango.

  • Bravo!!!
    author: Geremy Schulick (threefifty duo)

    What an unbelievably creative concept for an album. As a fellow rocker turned classical guitarist (and duettist as well!), the statement made by this album is one that I've always believed myself, and you guys proved it so eloquently and thoroughly. Your skills as arrangers (and composers, really!) are truly top-notch and you seem totally at home with the many styles of playing represented here. The choice of song to go with each style is really dead on, too -- being a Scarlatti fan my personal favorite is "With a Little Help from my Friends" -- what an incredible match! And doing "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" as a fugue subject -- genius!

  • You must get this CD!
    author: Josh Friedman

    Simply said, this album is awesome.

  • author: Thomas Camarda

    What on the surface looks like a tongue in cheek joke is so well done that it certainly deserves a Grammy nomination at the very least. Clearly the players both love the source material and reveal it for what it should be regarded as, by both pop and classical afficianados, good music, and that good music IS good music regardless of genre. Bravo fellows!

  • Always a joy to listen to
    author: Ryan Manzer

    This CD has some of the most interesting and wonderful arrangements of popular and classic rock songs for duo guitars. The more I listen to it the more there is to hear. The arrangements are fresh and very intelligent, the playing if supurb and the sound is simply wonderful. If you are reading this then you need to buy the CD

  • author: Ron Casey

    Great job guys! Love the CD. It actually gets better with each listen. The arrangements are top-notch, and the interaction between the both of you is a joy to listen to. It sounds like you had fun doing this project. Can't wait for volume 2!!!

  • The only word that comes to mind, Powerful.
    author: Don Hendrickson

    Great arrangements of songs I listened to as a young man, but with a classical twist. They are a wonderful duo.

  • The best thing I've heard in a long time!
    author: Lori Silvey

    I am so impressed with this CD, the playing is superb and puts a fresh spin on old favorites. We are confronted by so much technology these days, it's wonderful to hear something so creative and artful. I love that it's rooted in rock yet it still gives you that elegant classical sound that is timeless and so touching. These arrangements are a true joy to hear....

  • Excellent arrangements and playing of classic songs.
    author: Tom Nagy

    A well arranged and performed CD. A fresh look at some classic songs. A must have for anyone who enjoys guitar music.

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