Amanda Cook Debut Reviews

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There are few classical artists who can play with as much freedom as Amanda Cook. Her lightness of playing lends itself perfectly to the interpretations of these, two early, one 19th Century and four 20th Century pieces. Whilst the older music calls for a drier treatment, the contemporary compositions require technical wizardry and emotional depth, and Cook serves up both with relish, and a soupcon of panache. The Keith Jarrett of guitar? Listen to Jarret's Paris Concert and hear the Baroque lines segueing smoothly into bluesy soul, and you have the same versatility with Amanda Cook.

These modern classical melodies tend toward the romantic. An abstract canvas painted from a multicoloured palette of diverse influences. Torroba's Torija is somewhere between Danny Boy and You Are My Sunshine, but in a good way, whilst Verdery's Keanae, HI makes us reconsider this art with Paris, Texas-serene bottleneck. The closing Milwaukee, WI has all the Chet Atkins of Steve Howe.

The obligatory echo "as if recorded live in a cathedral" is an ever-present evil on modern solo guitar classics, but the warmness of tone is acceptable recompense.

If you are tired of fast food and hungry for beautiful delicacies, then come along to this feast.