A much more richly accomplished album compared to Merlin´s first CD for Shamrock. First, this applies to the repertoire: the pieces on the new CD extend far beyond the borders of Argentina. Secondly it also applies to the musical composition of the pieces: for the true dreamers among us, flute and cello interact with Merlin´s guitar. The solo pieces have their own unique power, A Ricardo Bertin, Merlin´s tribute to a boyhood friends who died much too young. When hearing Tango music on the solo guitar, I usually have the feeling that it´s a cover version. While originally Tango was not meant to be music for concert guitar, there are Tango guitar solos on Merlin´s CD. Merlin takes what some may see as a disadvantage and turns it into a unique way of playing the Tango ... more abstract than sorrowful, more reflective than extroverted.
