Program:
Beguine des reves brises - L. Asselbergs 3:17
L'indifference (J. Colombo / T. Murena) 3:11
Aurore (F. Lafertin) 4:03
La Vie en Rose (Louiguy) 1:35
Feliz Viage (J. (Shon Coco) Palm) 4:21
Ma Premiere Guitare (S. Distel) 3:49
La Mer (C. Trenere & A. Lasry) 2:09
La Nena (L. Kallaf) 2:30
Choro Do Adeus (L. Almeida) 3:26
El Choclo (A.G. Villoldo) 3:09
Passe compose (J.P. Guiran) 3:03
El Diabolo Suelto (trad.) 3:16
L'imparfait du coeur (J.P. Guiran) 3:11
Uno (E.S. Discepolo-M. Mores / arr. M. Salina) 2:13
Coeur Vagabond (J. Colombo) 2:28
Miserlou (trad. Greek) 2:52
total time: 49:05
release date: 1998
review date: January 2000
label: Sterkenburg Records - Holland (Stam001)
Order from:
J. P. Guiran
Langbroekerdijk 14, 3972 ND
Driebergen, the Netherlands
tel +31-343-533787
fax +31-343-533845
Review by Thomas Fabinski
Cherie was born in Jakarta of Indonesian and Dutch lineage. Jean-Pierre was
born in 1957 into a home where they spoke in Dutch and sang in French.
After a 15 year hiatus from the accordion, Cherie performed with a friend's
group in Utrecht. The group included Jean-Pierre. And as she said, "The
first time I heard him playing the accordion I recognized my own approach to
the music in his interpretation." The result was seventeen years together,
physically, spiritually and musically. And their music is equally easy to
live with!
Jean-Pierre gave up studying physics the first time he picked up an
accordion. (The meson's lost is the musette's gain!) And there can be no
disputing his claim that he's a natural accordionist. Or as he puts it, "I
squeeze for a living!" And in response to Cherie, he says "It is Cherie's
authenticity and the way she utilizes dynamics in melodies that appeals to
me."
Jean-Pierre and Cherie are based musically (and geographically) near
Driebergen in the Netherlands, an area brimming with castles. They use the
peace, tranquility and nature of their surroundings to create their music.
My sense is that they move forward musically by looking back across time.
And although they claim that their choice of instrument or repertoire is not
the essence of their art, it is clear that both are in love with their
instrument and their musical selections.
This CD mainly features South American and French tunes but also includes
Antillean waltzes (5 and 12), a Colombian composition (8), a Brazilian
arrangement of a semi-classic guitar duet (9) and a Greek traditional song
(16).
This is a charming, intimate portrait of two musicians in love with each
other and their music. I believe the title translates to "Imperfections of
the Heart." There is no vocal accompaniment. The tunes are airy with no
attempt made to fill up every musical space. The result is a very light,
atmospheric delicacy. The sounds are warm, delicate and graceful, like
fresh baked bread. Make that fresh, French-baked bread.
J-P and Cherie achieve their musical intimacy with less notes, less effort
and less technical flair. But sometimes less is more and this is so much
more. They let the melodies and their phrasing do the selling of the music.
The result is a sense of being drawin into this CD as the aromas waft into
your consciousness.
J-P and Cherie might not know this but in America we have a national
restaurant franchise which until a few years ago played accordion music
over their sound system. Coincidentally (or paradoxically), their food
quality and service seemed to decline around the same time that they
discontinued the accordion music. May I suggest that the restaurant
franchise play the music of Accordion Melancolique over their sound
systems to help revive their business!
There is no affectation or pretense in J-P's music whether he performs with
Cherie, Bubblin' Toorop or Polytour. Indeed, all that's left of the Hohner
nameplate on his accordion is the H and R. But it's all about the sound and
not facile good looks.
This CD was chosen the Best Accordion CD of 1999 by the Swedish Accordion
magazine, DRAGSPELS NYTT. Accordion Melancolique performed for Bill and
Hilary Clinton in 1997.
Click on http://www.acmel.nl to check out some audio samples.
By the way, the cover art is courtesy of Cherie!
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