| Author |
Topic: My CDs just got some AMAZING reviews in England. |
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2009 10:31 am |
|
Needless to say, I'm very pleased.
http://www.rermegacorp.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RM&Category_Code=CU
PERLOWIN, MICHAEL: Firebird Suite
Code:PM0362-2
Price:£14.5
Every once in a while something comes along that mightily stirs my enthusiasm. This is one of those. Pedal Steel guitarist Mike Perlowin paid his dues in bars and clubs, dong what the instrument is famous for doing. But for his own project, released on his own label, he chose to attempt a set of transcriptions and arrangements of C20 compositions by Debussy, Stravinsky, Bartok, Copland, Satie, Shostakovich, Gershwin and Mingus. So far so interesting - the greatness is in the result. With Les Paulian savoir faire, Perlowon has multi-tracked and - on occasion - vari-speeded to get the job done - that is to say, to do the music justice. These are inspired arrangements and great performances and they work brilliantly in their own right as musical objects. They reinvent the music they embody. One expects the Firebird to be prodigious - because of the complexity involved in any half-way accurate realisation of it using only an orchestra of pedal steels (and some lap-steel, mandolin, autoharp, banjo and bass; plus minimal percussion) - but then the rest of the CD is pitched at the same level of perfection: swooningly microtonal and still perfectly articulated; contrapuntal, multilinear, transcendently exquisite. The Pedal Steel, always a glorious instrument, is here, at last, made to show that its greatness transcends the limits of its usual narrow application, that it can be an interpretive instrument of the highest subtlety and sensitivity in any context. The other pieces are: Fanfare for the Common Man, L'Apres Midi D'un Faun e(which is made to reveal its structure in a way even the original doesn't.), Prelude No.2 (which might have been written for pedal steel), Gymnopedies, Le Petit Negre, Polka, The Maid with the Flaxen Hair (stunning; I would say better than the original piano version) and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. I know the territory has been broached before, but not like this. This is a gem.
PERLOWIN, MIKE: Spanish Steel
Code:MPR0563-2
Price:£14.5
Follow up to Firebird, and 7 years in the making, this remarkable record applies Perlowin's multitracking, varispeeding, painstaking and minutely musical methods to Manuel de Falla's El Amor Brujo, Albeniz' Asturias, Rodrigo's Concierto Andaluz (for 4 guitars) Oyanguren's Fantasia Inca and Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol. This is not just a tour de force but a great record of some substantial compositions. To recast everything for pedal and lap steel (and electric and acoustic) guitars - and, now and then, mandolins, mandocello, sitar, bass, autoharp, banjo, autoharp and discreet but essential percussion) is prodigious in itself, to wind up with transparent, rich, engulfing music is the mark of a justified obsession. Another great CD - and, Mike says, tragically, his last.
PERLOWIN, MIKE: West Side Story
Code:MPR0279-2
Price:£14.5
Second CD of the trilogy, this is a full arrangement of the Bernstein musical, more easy listening than the other 2 CDs, beautifully done but less radical because more obviously suited to the instruments used.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
 |
Nic du Toit
From:
Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
|
Posted 9 Dec 2009 10:53 am
|
|
This is just great!........Congratulations, Mike.
Isn't it amazing that you had to go outside your own Country to get the recognition your efforts deserve!
You will most probably end up selling more of the 'Classical' CDs than the rest of us who are still trying to satisfy the local (USA) country market.
Again, well done my friend.
Regards,
Nic |
|
|
|
Al Collinsworth
|
Posted 9 Dec 2009 12:58 pm
|
|
Congratulations Mike!!!
I've always thought that your CDs are amazing.
I hope that the new trio does a CD. Maybe a live one? |
|
|
|
Andrew Roblin
From:
Various places
|
Posted 9 Dec 2009 10:53 pm
|
|
Congratulations, Mike!
Lots of respect. |
|
|
|
Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2009 10:56 pm
|
|
| Congrats Mike...not bad for a "colonial" chap! |
|
|
|
Guy Cundell
From:
More idle ramblings from South Australia
|
Posted 9 Dec 2009 11:31 pm
|
|
| Very well deserved! Love the Firebird. I got my copy from Bob as you suggested. I hope it does very well for you. I bet it will be a perennial success. |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2009 11:43 pm
|
|
Thanks Guys. At the moment the trio is concentrating on building up a full evening's worth of material. Eventually we will record a CD, possibly live in concert, but that's down the road. We are presently working on some new tunes, one of which is "Pavanne" which I stole (steeled?) from Jim Hoke, who was kind enough to send me the sheet music.
As of this moment we are planning to appear at the SWSGA show in Phoenix, but it's not 100% certain. Our cellist has 2 kids, ages 5 and 7, and might not be able to get away to make the trip. I really hope she can. The whole point of the trio is to introduce the steel to the classical music community, but I still want to show you guys and all my friends what we're doing.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
Bo Legg
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 12:48 am
|
|
| Mike, a well deserved credit for a lot of hard work. I always enjoyed your emailed audio clips. Congratulations. |
|
|
|
Jeff Hyman
From:
West Virginia, USA
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 1:50 am
|
|
Mike,
Any snipits of any of the songs. From what I read, it appears you've taken some Bach style material. Correct? |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 3:11 am
|
|
Jeff, there is about an hours worth of stuff from the 3 CDs, on my web site, (6 MP3s, 2 from each CD, and a tune widget with 10 additional pieces,) and a live recording by the trio on Charles Tilly's web site. (Note: Most of my part on tune on Charles' web site is played in the bass register of my U-12. Some people said they thought they heard a bass, but it was my steel.)
The piece on Charles' web site is very Bach like. The stuff on my site is much more modern. Most of is is from the 20th century.
Here is some links, this is the Ritual Fire Dance from the ballet Suite "El Amor Brujo" on my Spanish Steel CD. The percussionist is Dave Beyer. I am playing all the other instruments.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com/Track6.mp3
This one, Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon Of A Faun" is 12 minutes long, and is just steel, bass, and guitar, no percussion. I used an E-bow a lot on this one. This is from the Firebird Suite CD.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com/DebussyAfternoonofaFaun.mp3
And this one, one of my personal favorites, is the Dance at the Gym Medley from West Side Story. Once again, Dave Beyer played the drums and percussion and I played everything else.
http://www.songvault.fm/ondemand/23-6671.htm
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 4:59 am
|
|
Well done Mike!
Just goes to show that our music critics have exceedingly good taste. 
Ken B
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
|
|
|
Pete Conklin
From:
Austin, TX
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 10:47 am
|
|
That's Fantastic, Mike.
Congratulations!! |
|
|
|
Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 2:06 pm
|
|
Well deserved kudos, Mike.  |
|
|
|
Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 4:46 pm
|
|
| Well deserved Mike. I'm real proud of you and your music. Jody. |
|
|
|
Barry Blackwood
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 5:00 pm
|
|
| Congrats, Mike. It's been a long time coming. |
|
|
|
Dean Parks
From:
Sherman Oaks, California, USA
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 5:13 pm
|
|
Mike-
Well deserved... the meticulous work you do to realize this music with new instrumentation is a great tribute to the composers you serve. Their music becomes purer in a way, when presented with a totally different pallete.
And personally, thanks for your encouragement as I learn pedal steel!
-dean- |
|
|
|
Joe Savage
From:
St. Paul, MN
|
Posted 10 Dec 2009 10:02 pm
|
|
That's very cool, Mike. I'm glad to know you are getting justly recognized for all your work.
_________________
Joe Savage
www.savagejoe.com |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
|
|
|
Jan Jonsson
From:
Gothenburg, Sweden
|
Posted 11 Dec 2009 12:40 pm
|
|
Hi Mike,
I so happy to hear that your CDs get the great reviews that they deserve.
-- Jan
_________________
CDs: Waltz for Elma (2015), Steel Reflections (2009)
Gear: 10-string Desert Rose "Delta Blues", Fender Deluxe 8, Fender CS Nocaster
Transcriptions of Lloyd Green's music: www.lloydgreentribute.com (Tablature menu) |
|
|
|
David Hartley
|
Posted 11 Dec 2009 5:51 pm Hi
|
|
Nice one Mr. Pearly King !
Regards
David |
|
|
|
Pat Carlson
From:
Sutton, Nebraska, R.I.P.
|
Posted 14 Dec 2009 8:07 am
|
|
Atta Boy Mike  Dashing Good Show!
_________________
The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat |
|
|
|
James Mayer
From:
back in Portland Oregon, USA (via Arkansas and London, UK)
|
Posted 14 Dec 2009 9:35 am
|
|
| Who is "Oyanguren" and why is he/she credited with "Fantasia Inca"? I thought Sabicas penned that piece. Sabicas was not known to cover other's material. The recording I have is in the Zambra or Danza Mora style. |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 14 Dec 2009 10:16 am
|
|
| James Mayer wrote: |
| Who is "Oyanguren" and why is he/she credited with "Fantasia Inca"? I thought Sabicas penned that piece. Sabicas was not known to cover other's material. The recording I have is in the Zambra or Danza Mora style. |
Jose Matinnez Oyanguran was a popular Peruvian guitarist during the 1930s. At some point, his publisher went out of business, and none of his music was never reprinted, and most of it seems to have completely disappeared. Sabicas may not have frequently covered material by others, but he did do it occasionally.
I learned this piece from a Sabicas record my parents bought during the 1950's which I still have, on which Oyanguran is credited with writing the piece in the liner notes. The record is of course out of print, but apparently Sabicas recorded the piece more than once.
As I said, all of Oyanguran's music seems to have disappeared, and I was unable to find the sheet music for this, or any of his other compositions. This is the only thing I've recorded that was learned entirely by ear..
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
James Mayer
From:
back in Portland Oregon, USA (via Arkansas and London, UK)
|
Posted 14 Dec 2009 10:24 am
|
|
| Interesting. I'd like to know how the pieces differ. The Sabicas recording is very similar to his other arabic danzas. That's why I mentioned the Danza Mora and Zambra styles. Those styles are from North Africa, not the Andes. The original piece was likely quite different. |
|
|
|
Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
|
Posted 14 Dec 2009 10:58 am
|
|
Congratulations Mike. Well deserved!
The bible says something about a prophet will not be accepted in his own country. So, I guess you're in good company.
|
|
|
|
