The Welsh band known as Amser have
released their definitive LP record, “Amserau.” The record is
composed of 10 original tracks for an approximate total listening
time of 45 minutes. It has been released on the Bricsan independent
record label. An album bespeaking the spirit of Wales, herself while
also giving nods to such genres as folk, jazz, classical,
contemporary adult and even rock music, “Amserau” by Amser is
top-shelf instrumental guitar music for fans of any of the above, and
much more.
“Amserau” by Amser (Welsh for
“Times” and Time, respectively) comes on the heels of the popular
band's previous LP release, “Crochan,” which continues to turn
heads in the UK, and which has been garnering appreciation worldwide
in the mere four-plus weeks for which it has been available online.
The sheer quality of the guitar work on
“Amserau” clearly evidences Amser to be one of the most masterful
group of composers and performers of original guitar music recording
today. Their knack for writing songs intuitively guided by the
traditional Celtic sound is polished all the more brilliantly by
their inclusion of outside influences. Said influences are widely
varied and emerge in remarkable ways which are sometimes subtle and
occasionally overt. They include the baroque, folk, blues, jazz,
Latin, and classical categories of music, as well as a good many
others.
Amser are currently a trio comprising
guitar virtuosos Dave Stephen and frequent co-writer Gareth Moriarty,
backed by the steady and solid percussion of Gareth Hughes. Amser
founder Stephen has been playing guitar for more than four decades.
He has worked as the the musical director of a theatre company,
toured and run various musical line-ups, taught music, and worked as
a session musician. He has composed and over a hundred published
music titles.
“Amser plays for the joy of playing,”
says Stephen.
“Amserau” by Amser is available
online worldwide. Fans of folk, classical, and Celtic music should
get in early.
[Additional notes provided by Dave
Stephen himself regarding the material on “Amserau” are provided
below]
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
www.MondoTunes.com
“Amserau” by Amser –
ADDITIONAL NOTES –
1)Guatemala
Central American rhythms
and a relaxed mood to this piece written by Dave and Gareth.
Recorded live.
2) Dance of the Stout
Yeoman
Written by Dave, this
semi-baroque piece speaks for itself. The dainty- footed,
overweight yeoman pants his way through this delicate dance, handling
the time signature changes with ease.
Recorded live.
3) Reggie Rhino
A
co-operative piece by Gareth, Moriarty Dave and Gareth Hughes this
tongue in cheek piece lopes along with a loose jazz/ reggae feel.
4) Slap n Dash
A tinge of the blues in
this jazzy track.
5) Saddle Sore
This musical joke was
written by Dave and celebrates the long-distance horse rider and the
piles of pain at the bottom of such a journey.
6) Rage and Sorrow
This was spontaneously
composed by the band based on an original theme of Dave’s, filled
with rage and sorrow. The explosion and the aftermath.
7) and when I fall
This gentle Latin inspired
tune was written by Dave. It has a slightly melancholy and
introspective feel.
8) Derby Ram
This English folk tune
gets a thorough working over in the distinctive cross-play of Dave
and Gareth’s guitar playing.
9) Cawodau
This beautiful gentle and
relaxed piece started as a Gareth Moriarty idea. Cawodau, Welsh for
'showers’ evokes the billowy summer showers in the valleys of
Eryri.
10) Luck of the Irish
The fantastic main tune
was written by Del Puckett. Dave and Gareth gave it the Amser
treatment and wrote a tail-piece.
Del contacted them to say
that what they has done was perfect. Enough said!
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