Album Details

• Artist: Pierre Bensusan
• Album: Altiplanos
• Label: Favored Nations
• Year of Release: 2005
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2007-06-13

There's millions of guitars out there in the world.  There's perhaps just as many guitar players.  Different styles and moods to suit the motion in your soul.  Pierre Bensusan is one without fame and dinstinction, but not so deservingly, and Altiplanos is his living proof masterpiece to prove such a theory.

 Not masked in vocal malice, most songs are somber strokes of believing guitar. Sur un Fil has soft but persistent rhythm, and fondles along with African tribe sounds.  Though thats not the only song you'll hear an inspiration of Africa's heartland, and wind instruments, Sylva, has a stunning mix of instrumentation satisfactory to anyone who respects music for creativity, and not product ability. 

Though its far and in between that you'll hear his voice, its songs like Demain, Dés I'aube that are so goregeously done, it truly does not matter what the man is saying to enjoy his sound.  Another one where his soulful pipes are featured is Nuit des Météores which has a great softening feel, and terrific vocal ranges.  Once again, good luck to anyone trying to understand the lyrics if you do not know French.  Though if it's really a problem, this song may be the time its worthy of picking up a word or two.

 Hymn 11 is definitely one of the hightlights here, being cut up into chapters, the song reaches highs and lows, allowing your mind to follow along to rhythm like a story. Scarabée is also wonderful, beaming in progressive chording and funky finger picking. Ah, finger picking, if thats what you seek, head straight to track 12 Falafel À Montségur, where not only can you hear some focused guitar work, but some impressive vocals, and even some very fitting whistling. 

 Bottom line, be ready to sit back and chill to a soothing record with the striving sound for an atmospheric blend of acoustic guitaroso, and a hypnotizing singer songwriter style.

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