We Are All One, In the Sun represents a humble tribute to Robbie Basho, a truly original and passionate American guitarist, musician and composer.This labor of love curated and realized by musician, producer, and acoustic guitar maker Buck Curran (along with his wife Shanti performs as the duo Arborea) who after first hearing Basho, many moons ago, instantaneously felt Kindred Spirit to his music.
Arborea – Blue Crystal Fire (Robbie Basho cover)
This tribute (a collection of both original compositions and new interpretations of Basho songs) befittingly begins and ends with German guitarist and painter Steffen Basho Junghans, who has devoted almost 20 years to composing guitar music in the spirit of Robbie Basho, and who’s own compositions reflect a spiraling poetic universe like Basho’s, creations of majestic musical vistas. In addition to Junghans’there is a gorgeous composition by Glenn Jones, a friend of Basho’s, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jones is another musician who has dedicated his life to proliferated music composed on the Steel String guitar. There is also the young Irish guitarist Cian Nugent…who represents a new generation of guitarist-composers who are carrying on the torch. Meg Baird, Arborea and Fern Knight all represent beautiful female led vocal tributes to Robbie Basho compositions that feature his passionate and evocative singing.
Curran’s choice of female led vocal performances is a tribute honoring Basho’s own profound spiritual reverence and fantastical love for women. Basho’s own singing was said to have been first inspired by the beautiful and powerful voice of Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac. The choice of involving instrumentalists Rahim Alhaj and Helena Espvall in this project was simple, in that Curran feels Basho would have appreciated their roots, virtuosity, and passion and in their sound he also hears a kindred spirit linking all three musicians. Rahim AlHaj is a Grammy Nominated Iraqi born master of the Persian Oud. AlHaj, a student of the great Munir Bashir, exhibits great technique and a pure emotional style. Cellist Helena Espvall, a native of Sweden, represents a musician (who’s first instrument was guitar) with a deep connection to her instrument, a musician who conjures up mysterious and emotionally charged improvisational music from bow and cello, music that is an amalgamation of sounds and textures from her travels all over the world.Robbie Basho was a true American Original, a free thinking passionate intellectual and a musical pioneer whose body of works deserves the kind of recognition and glorious platform that will enable generations of young musicians from around the world to draw inspiration from. We are all One, In the Sun represents the first of hopefully many tributes and works inspired by the life and music of Robbie Basho. In Basho’s own words “Don’t be afraid to feel anything” and his credo “Soul first, technique later.” We arrive at simple Zen like mantras by which all of us can live.
The album will be available from all good record stores in April.
For more info on Robbie Basho visit the Robbie Basho Archives maintained by Steffen Basho Junghans: Basho Archives or go here http://www.bluemomentarts.de/bma/rbasho/en/
Curator, Buck and his wife, Shanti, of Arborea put together a mix for Folk Radio UK which can be heard below:
Arborea: Myspace