Pierre Bensusan – Azwan (3DADGAD Vision/MVD Audio, 2020)
Azwan is the 15th album from French-Algerian guitarist, vocalist and composer Pierre Bensusan. The masterful fingerstyle guitarist has made a charming album highlighting the sound of the guitar. In this case he used the Old Lady model made by luthier George Lowden.
Stylistically, Azwan incorporates a wide range of musical influences such as Celtic, Balkan, bossa nova, Spanish, French, jazz, and classical. Although a lot of the album features solo guitar, Bensusan surprises and treats the listener to delightful overdubs, occasional vocals and whistled melodies on one track. The guitar is envisioned as an orchestra, providing melody, bass, chords and counterpoint in the same universe.
A handful of guests appear on the album: Stéphane Kerecki on uprights bass; Jean-Marie Ecay on nylon string guitar; and a stellar performance by Christophe Cravero on violin and viola.
The inspiration for Azwan came from nature as Bensusan explains: “The concept of ‘Azwan’ came from observing bees, those solar insects working in the darkness together as one, and by observing flocks of birds flying and dancing together as one. It has been an inspiring symbolic representation of the continuum of music. When seeing ‘Azwan’ written, it can evoke a place, a city or a mood, but when hearing it said out loud, it sounds like ‘as one.’ I’ve been contemplating all the music from ‘Azwan’ for years before actually recording it, taking time to allow all the notes to come together as one.”
The COVID-19 pandemic affected Bensusan’s plans for 2020. His wide-ranging 110-date US and Canadian concert tour was cancelled.
Azwan is an impeccable example of guitar craftsmanship by a world class musician.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.