DAVE NACHMANOFF: Wordless Rhymes

Dave Nachmanoff

Wordless Rhymes

© 2005 Dave Nachmanoff (837101086639)

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Instrumental interpretations of Al Stewart's songs.

tracks

1 Sand In Your Shoes
2 Flying Sorcery
3 Merlin's Time
4 Soho, Needless To Say
5 In Brooklyn
6 Red Toupee
7 Timeless Skies
8 Antarctica
9 Carol
10 Girl On A Bicycle
11 Year Of The Cat

notes

As a teenager, I was a big fan of Al Stewart, the king of historical folk-rock. After learning many of his songs, I met his long-time collaborator and guitarist, Peter White, in 1984. In 1994, after a show in San Francisco, I got the nerve up to ask Peter if he'd jam with me. That fateful night led to an audition at Al's home. Ten years later, I found myself touring the US and the UK as Al's sideman - truly a dream come true.

People have been requesting that I do an instrumental CD for years, and I wanted to pay tribute to a man who has greatly influenced my songwriting and guitar style. This led to a recording of instrumental versions of Al Stewart's songs. Al was supportive of the idea; his only request being that I rearrange the songs as much as possible, which I've done on most tracks. If you've never heard the original versions of these songs with lyrics, you must try to do so!

reviews

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  • Wordless Rhymes
    author: Ernest Sears

    We saw Dave with Al Stewart at the Mucky Duck in Houston...and he was outstanding...not just his playing but his spirit was a great combination with Al...I bought the CD online and it's one of my favorites. I wish he'd do more instrumentals.

  • Outstanding!
    author: Bryan Boyne

    I've been a fan of Al Stewart's music since he first came to Houston in the 1970's. I first heard Dave a few weeks back as he accompanied Al at a small intimate venue here- a very nice show. This cd is excellent in it's own right, and my familiarity and fondness of the original songs makes it ring a special chord with me. Dave's musicianship is excellent and his inventive adaptations are interesting and joyful. I'll eagerly await the next one- there are too many great Al Stewart tunes for this not to be just the first in a series!!!

  • very good interpretations
    author: Dieter Merten

    I know the songs of Al Stewart for about 30 years. So I was very surprised to listen to the new interpretations from Dave. They are excellent and this cd is one of my favorites.

  • Very good live performer
    author: Thomas W

    I haven't actually heard the album of these remixed songs, but I'm sure it's a worthwhile purchase. Having seen Dave and Al together in Germany recently (Nov. 2006) I can say that Dave brings energy and expertise to the reproduction of Al's songs. They put on a fine show which was well-received by the hundred or so people in the small venue.

  • Fine Album
    author: Nigel Charman

    I bought this after hearing Dave play in Bristol with Al Stewart. I really like it, as an interesting way of re-hearing the Al Stewart songs. I am no musician, but the playing seems to me to be of the highest order, with interesting re-arrangements. Perhaps not the sort of album I will play for four weeks continuously, (but I am 44 now - I don't have time to play ANY album for four weeks continuously!), but the sort of album I might keep in the car, and really appreciate it when I play it. Jolly well done, chap!

  • Talented musician
    author: judypear

    I saw David perform recently and he is a stellar talent with a charasmatic personality. His unique arrangements of Stewart's music on Wordless Rhymes is a pleasure to listen to--especially as an accompaniment to solitary pursuits, or for intimate conversations. The music really creates an easy, carefree mood.

  • Sincerity, creative interpretation and virtuosity blended
    author: Bob Baker

    Fans and even casual listeners of Al Stewart -as well as anyone who appreciates top-notch musicianship, creative arrangements and fine production- will enjoy this one again and again. Because it's so dynamic (from Dave's Django-flavored take on "Soho [Needless to Say]" of the mid-seventies (ironically and delightfully reminiscent of Al's mid-nineties' swing endeavor with this arrangement) to the reggae and psuedo-psychedelic teasers of "Red Toupee" and "Antarctica"), "Wordless Rhymes" draws from a vast landscape of textures, voicings and moods. Even if “Year of the Cat” were the only Al Stewart song with which I was familiar, Dave’s instrumental take on it alone would find me clamoring to hear the other originals for comparison to Dave’s arrangements. Dave is among the more recent of the significant legacy of noteworthy Al Stewart sidekicks spanning nearly four decades (Jimmy Page, Rick Wakeman, Peter White, Laurence Juber, Paul Robinson and many more). His many talents, including that of first-rate soloist, shine each time he accompanies Al on stage. With "Wordless Rhymes," Dave Nachmanoff pays a first-class and most audible tribute to one of the finer, if under-recognized, songwriters and storytellers recorded. With it, Dave stokes his own growing catalog with another gem. Personal favorite: “In Brooklyn”.

  • An excellent listen!
    author: Graham Rhodes

    Dave has put together a wonderful CD with innovative, often unexpected interpretations of Al Stewart songs. You can tell Dave loves these songs. The emotion is here, in his versions, though different from the originals. My faves are "Merlin's Time," which has a strong drum beat and a nice blend of guitars and flute, and "Year of the Cat," which begins with one fragment that sounds like a Peter White solo-career bit (Peeto Bandito?) and another fragment of something else familiar but not on the tip of my tongue, and ends up being as interesting and unique as Merlin's Time. To summarize, I agree with reviewer Jeff H.'s review summary, "Acoustic Sourcery"!

  • Excellent!
    author: Miguel C.

    Great new versions of Al Stewart classics! I look forward to seeing Dave perform along with Al, live this week in Melbourne, FL!

  • Well done. Still recognizable, very unique arrangements.
    author: ben holliday

    Great playing. Worth listening to over & over again. If you're a fan of reading , this the great background soundtrack. He shows great respect to Al Stewart.

  • What a gem!
    author: Dave Schofield

    Superb adaptation of (mostly) Al's songs. By working with Al, Dave seems to deeply understand Al's music and presents a new and fresh perspective to each one performed on the album. More of these please Dave!

  • Fabulous new arrangements of great classics.
    author: Jim Maguire

    Awesome guitar work on very refreshing arrangements of some of Al Stewarts best. It's like having eleven new favorite Al Stewart songs to listen to.

  • Acoustic Sorcery - Nice Tribute To Al!
    author: Jeff H.

    A must for all Al Stewart fans. Dave's arrangements of Al's songs are fresh and innovative. A Brazilian feel on Flying Sorcery, a snipet of Jazz on Soho Needless to Say, and a touch of Klezmmer on Carol. Al asked Dave to rearrange the songs as much as possible and I believe he has done a great job! It is worth it for the Girl on a Bicyle composed by Al and Dave.

  • Some interesting new takes on classic songs
    author: Ken Swope

    This was a fun listen the first time through and I continue to hear new things every time I listen to the CD. As a long time (25+ years) fan of Al Stewart, I was surprised that some of the songs were scarcely recognizable at first. This made it all the more fun to listen to. I think fans of both Dave & Al will enjoy this offering.

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