Guitarist and composer Andrew York is celebrating his 60th birthday with a new album titled, Home. The title track is a composition for guitar that York has been asked to record many times, as well as his twenty-six-minute suite, “Equations of Beauty.” York has been reluctant to spend the time, energy and finances necessary to release a new album, but he decided to listen to his fans and turned to crowd sourcing for funding and support. York has a high standard for the sound quality on his albums, and only audiophile quality is what he will present to his fans. Thankfully, the album did materialize, and the result is absolute beauty. York’s compositions on Home are a perfect mix of pop, folk, traditional and jazz conveyed in York’s impeccable classical technique on a nylon-stung guitar. As a composer York draws inspiration from a deep well of emotions for each work, putting fingers to strings brings them to life in a way that is easily accessible by all. The styles on the album are diverse with: ostinatos, subtle interior voice leading and harmony, beautifully ringing and flowing melodies that travel through clear song structures. Home is a stunning collection of classical-style guitar music written by York, wonderfully performed and beautifully recorded, but the real joy comes in the listening. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
York’s technique is very clean, and his tone is big, round and warm. The compositions are first-rate, and the recording is certainly audiophile quality.
Bottom Line:
Andrew York’s Home is an enjoyable listen through all eight tracks. His compositions are rhythmically inventive with unusual harmonic shifts and singing melodies that evolve into rich textures of sounds conveying emotions. York’s timbral palette is wide on the guitar and his technique brings colors out of the acoustic instrument that highlight the energy of each work. Home is a wonderfully conceived album and one that again shows why York is celebrated for his clean technique, warm tone and accessible compositional style. This is simply a top-shelf album! Bravo!