American Acoustic

• Artist: Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel
• Rating:
• Release Date: June 02, 1998
• Total Time: 94:42
• Type: Live
• Genre: New Age

Review

It's interesting that oboist Nancy Rumbel and guitarist Eric Tingstad elected to identify their latest melodic effort as "American." The roots of their individual as well as collaborative work has been characterized as variously Asian, South American, South African, and North American folk, as well as deemed "chamber jazz," "neo-classical," "progressive pastoral," and "Northwest impressionism." Such classification should defy classification, although American Acoustic begs to add some new genre dear to environmentalists, for this is exactly the sort of sound you'd expect to hear at popular outdoor concerts in the Pacific Northwest, during which the performers distribute little trees and planting pamphlets. Around their issues Tingstad and Rumbel deliver a slightly gutless, new-agey "Shenandoah," as well as a perkier, flutier "Give and Take." "Oaks" is the most balanced oboe and guitar collaboration, but the best cut is Tingstad's apparently solo "Appalachia Calling," which rocks, progressively (as did Tingstad himself, in a former musical life). So many influences, so few instruments -- but true to its nature, it's as gentle and utterly inoppressive as a frolic in the grass. ~ Becky Byrkit, Rovi

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