Reviews
Gunnar Madsen is best known as the founder of The Bobs...a band
that I admit I am unfamiliar with. This could be a plus, as I have
no preconceptions in reviewing Mr. Madsen’s newest release. Spinning
World is, in a word, magnificent. Instead of playing the pop music
(which is most likely expected of him because of his past), Gunnar
heads off into the world of instrumental music. The disc contains
mostly piano-based pieces, but the arrangements are filled with
a variety of other instruments...making this disc a pure delight.
This harkens back to a time when music was uplifting and spiritual.
With so many artists stumbling over their feet attempting to recreate
music from the past (and failing miserably), this disc stands out
from the crowd. Aesthetically and sonically delightful. (Rating: 5)
This delightful CD is not a new release but has gleaned new attention
due to being featured on both HBO’s Sex and the City and on NPR’s
All Things Considered. Berkeley, California-based Madsen has penned
13 little excursions into 3/4 time with witty, tuneful, and deceptively
simple sounds that seem to warrant hearing over and over again.
The arrangements never involve more than seven players total and
feature various winds and strings. Some of them reminded me of Alec
Wilder’s Octets with piano instead of harpsichord, though the titles
of the individual waltzes lack Wilder’s wit: Anna, Wedding Waltz,
Far and Away, Five Lakes, The Old Vienna, Hans Is Happy, Eye of
the Camel, Model A Waltz, Sentimental Rag, Greater Than the Earth,
Iota, Tipsy Arabella, St. Agnes. - John Sunier
If "The Power of a Hat" doesn’t convince you of Gunnar Madsen’s
eclectic taste in music, then take a look at "Spinning World: 13
Ways of Looking at a Waltz." Yup, that’s right, this is an instrumental
consisting of thirteen distinctly different waltzes. There’s no
rock band here, but there is a small orchestra backing up Madsen’s
keys. While I don’t usually go in for this type of thing, I have
to say that I really like "Spinning World."
I’m not much of a dancer, so I didn’t get up and swing around the
ballroom as the music beckoned me to do. Instead I kicked back and
lost myself in the intricate beauty of the arrangements. I found
this disc so damned relaxing that I didn’t get anything done the
first two nights I played it!
I especially enjoyed the very first track, entitled "Anna." I have
always loved the sound of a clarinet, and this arrangement features
such a gorgeous clarinet lead, I just became myself lost in the
rich woodwind and string arrangement.
The whole disc is easy to lose yourself in. "Spinning World" gives
you thirteen different, relaxing, romantic ways to look at a waltz.
It’s 100% wonderful! – Robert Lewis
It's wonderful! I've placed EIGHT cuts into rotation on our "contemporary
instrumental" programs. I expect Spinning World to be near the top
of our airplay report to New Age Voice magazine next month. Thanks
so much for sending the disc our way! - Marty Scarbrough
An amazingly gorgeous collection. This
is, to put it simply, one of the most beautiful records I have ever
listened to. Genuine beauty is a pretty rare quality in modern music,
and this has it by the barrel. It is also complex and original enough
to be highly engrossing, though "old fashioned" in tone. The different
waltzes are so evocative and so varied that you could practically
score a whole film with them.
This album stands outside of almost every recognized category of
style or taste... and rather than making it an obscure niche work,
instead this makes it universal. Just about anyone will find something
to like about it. - Paul Kienitz
Review from a happy customer in Minneapolis, MN
Just wanted to let you know how ecstatic, enthralled, amazed, and
downright happy I am with your "Spinning World" album, having recently
purchased it after hearing "Anna" on Minnesota Public Radio's "The
Morning Show" several weeks ago. Its uniqueness is astounding and
refreshing beyond words.
The fact is, I woke up to "Anna" one morning and the first thought
to enter my groggy mind--one frantically struggling to come to its
senses ASAP so as not to miss any more than I already had--was that
I'd never heard anything like this before. This was truly "new"--and
I have a deep appreciation of just how difficult it is to create
something--anything--that is new and fresh and good.
To say nothing of the emotional effect this music has on me--I
feel the sounds to the ends of my fingers and toes. It even has
me dancing and if my girlfriend's feet can stand it I will learn,
at last, to waltz acceptably, just to take full advantage of this
collection (well, don't quote me on that; I'm a pretty bad dancer
and music can only do so much...but I'm trying! And it's your fault!!)
(She thinks it's a great album too, by the way).
My one frustration is that such art struggles to gain wider-spread
airplay in our society. And that is why I wrote--to let you know
that, against all odds, your music has reached someone who treasures
it. Thanks again! - Robert P
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