RECITAL FOR GUITAR: Bruce Paine

Bruce Paine is a musician of substantial pedigree and this hour-long recording certainly attests to his skill. Solo classic guitar pieces by Llobet, Barrios and Brouwer (among others) culminate in the 10-minute variations on a theme by Django Reinhardt which takes the listener through a range of wonderful stylisations from bouree to toccata. This album is a good hard listen and the recording (digitally recorded and mastered) seems to 'warm up' as it progresses. The highlight for me is the superb arrangement and performance of Verano Porteno by that master of the tango, Astor Piazzolla, which shows Paine's passion for the instrument and the music. Plenty of good reading in the liner notes as well, from the history of the music to the builder of the instrument; Bruce is obviously a perfectionist and the whole production reflects this. 'Recital For Guitar' is a delight.

Mike Moroney

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