| Guitar |
And there we go! This year, Christmas albums are falling like snowflakes at the Bayou Blue Radio editorial office. Not all are equal; some are excellent, while others are so dismal that we won’t even mention them. Just arrived is one that not only bears the name “Christmas,” but is simply titled “Welcome Winter.” Thank you, Mister Lubeck. This makes you want to open the CD cover and give it a listen.
An editor from Billboard magazine declared, “…Bryan weaves a rich tapestry of Latin, urban, and pop music. The striking ballads and infectious flamenco styles from his release have proven to a new generation of music lovers that the contemporary elegance of the Spanish guitar is more powerful today than ever.” This sentiment is reinforced by millions of airplay and reads on terrestrial radio stations and online platforms.
From my perspective, this guitarist and composer is primarily a tremendous arranger—the kind of musician that any singer worth their salt would be delighted to have by their side. This is particularly evident in this album, especially on timeless tracks of this season like “The Christmas Song” and “Carol of the Bells.” The delicacy and clarity of the arrangements showcase the artist’s need to enhance the existing, a master of the guitar with incredible precision and a brilliant sound. Here, he offers a beautiful business card. I particularly appreciate two tracks, “Welcome Winter” and “Mary Did You Know,” the latter with a subtle Celtic atmosphere.
Knowing that he has shared the stage with artists such as Michael McDonald, Richard Elliot, Jim Peterik (Survivor), Rick Braun, Mindi Abair, Brian Culbertson, and Craig Chaquico, among others, is not surprising. After all, these names are often somewhere in the Bayou Blue Radio lineup.
This artist’s albums fall into the “easy listening” category—accessible, pleasant, but still far from the accompaniments he provides for the aforementioned artists. Bryan Lubeck can play practically every musical style with disconcerting ease, even frustrating for those starting out on the guitar. Achieving this level requires thousands of hours of work, a deep listening ear, and a dexterity not given to everyone. Investing in such an album makes sense, both for young guitarists and enthusiasts of soothing music. It has been classified as a “favorite” by the editorial teams at Bayou Blue Radio and Paris-Move.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 11th 2023
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