05/12/2000
Jean-Charles Guichen/Jean-Charles Guichen/Cire Jaune/1999
Jean-Charles Guichen’s self-titled first solo recording places him at the forefront of acoustic guitar in Brittany. Guichen, who was a mainstay of the group “Ar Re Yaouank”, delivers a mix of mostly instrumental material that is mostly original but nonetheless distinctly Breton in character. Just as distinctive is the drive and aggressive playing that fills this recording with exhilarating melodic passages.
A wide array of accompaniment gives the disc a rich tonal pallette. Violin, biniou, and electric guitar have prominent duet roles in a number of the pieces. The two songs feature the lyrics and powerfully gravelly voice of Laurent Jouin singing in Breton. This is a marvelous recording, full of energy and diverse musical ideas executed with skill, verve and audacity.
-Fañch
