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Thursday, June 21, 2007
Gabor Szabo - "The Sorcerer"

Leeds, England, 1997.

I was wandering aimlessly in the city centre when I decided to pay a visit to Relics Records on New Briggate st. I hadn't decided what to buy; I was only going to browse for a while; yet, the moment I entered the shop, I heard that strange-sounding guitar along with bass a drums playing Sonny Bono's "The Beat Goes On" in a quirky, groovy and distinguishably "gypsy" manner. I asked the proprietor: "What's this?" "Gabor Szabo" he said reluctantly. "OK, I'll buy it" my reply was.

That was my acquaintance with Gabor Szabo, a hungarian-born guitarist who relocated to USA and became one of the major figures of "guitar fusion". Gabor Szabo left Budapest at the age of 20 to attend the famous Berklee School. His first notable recordings were those with the Chico Hamilton Group. He then recorded with the Gary MacFarland quintet and in 1966 he started his solo career which ended abruptly with his early death in 1982 at the age of 46.

Gabor Szabo's guitar style is so unique that once you've heard him, you can always distinguish his sound. His notes sound eloquently "out of tune" and he merges blues, jazz, gypsy, indian and asian music so successfully that often leaves you gawping in amazement.

The Sorcerer was recorded live at the Jazz Workshop, Boston, April 14-15, 1967 and it's a great example of his playing. It also contains 3 bonus tracks unavailable on the vinyl edition (which, however, I recommend buying).

Enjoy!

Download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?2s5qzdxvjuh
posted by Nada at 2:13 AM | Permalink |


2 Comments:


  • At June 22, 2007 at 8:22 AM, Blogger Unknown

    "reluctant" sounds about right, I go in Relics quite often and he can be a bit of a miserable git. Though he knows his stuff and the prices are reasonable.
    Love Szabo, does a great version of Stormy on one of his last albums Belsta River.

    Regards etc.  
  • At June 23, 2007 at 1:57 AM, Blogger Nada

    "He can be a bit of a miserable git. Though he knows his stuff and the prices are reasonable"

    You are so right my friend!!!