Claudio Nunez – Love Hurts [AT019]
Well this is refreshing, browsing through Sonic Squirrel I came across this release by Claudio Nunez on the Italian netlabel Acustronica. To be completely honest, I am not a fan of the artwork, but as soon as I began streaming the first track I was sucked into this wonderful record of solo classical guitar playing.
This release (the ‘b-side’ album to an earlier release on Acustronica netlabel) is all improvised and runs a gamut of styles ranging from jazz, classical, calypso, middle eastern, Mexican and everything you can conceive of doing with twelve acoustic strings. Nunez runs through a number of techniques, all of which I cannot distinguish with words but can pick up by ear as he demonstrates complete skill and mastery of his instrument. Mood is driven by both forceful and gentle playing, traversing the rather lengthy tracks that are comprised of numerous suites – some of which meditate on repetitive passages and others that progress eloquently before your ears. At times you can hear Nunez humming along with his notes, much like the vocalisations of Keith Jarrett during a live performance – and this only helps in connecting the human aspect with the music here.
The one drawback to Love Hurts (and this is the only one I can identify right now) is that it runs for just over an hour and ten minutes. That is over an hour straight of a man and his instrument. To be honest, it isn’t even that much of a problem given the variation Nunez plays with using the guitar, but for some it may grow tiresome towards the end. But overall, this is one hell of a solid release in a style you don’t often hear being released on a netlabel. [AS]
Claudio Nunez – Death
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Deep Link To: The Release Page
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