Tanz is the second recording by American guitarist Tim Sparks on the Tzadik Records label, released in 2000. The word טאַנץ ( tanz ) is Yiddish for dance, cognate to the German word Tanz with the same meaning.
8-505: After the recording of traditional Jewish music arranged for solo guitar on Neshamah , producer John Zorn combined Sparks with Masada alumnus Greg Cohen and Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista . Music critic Ben Kettlewell called the combination of Sparks, Cohen and Baptisto "a wonderful adventure into the myriad of styles of music of the Jewish Diaspora." Cohen and Baptista would reunite with Sparks for two more releases on
16-520: A spontaneity, depth and improvisational aspect that will appeal to anyone willing to step outside their everyday listening experience." Down Beat critic John Hadley echoed the blending of styles, writing "With impeccable control, he imparts quiet depth to his close study of the melodies, harmonies and unusual rhythms... No small achievement, Sparks conveys the pathos of the Diaspora in his music." as did Dirty Linen critic Paul Emile Comeau: "Not only
24-418: Is the idea of playing such music on acoustic guitar a novel idea but, in the nimble hands of Sparks, it succeeds admirably... The mix of a traditional approach with the jazz nuances that the trio brings to the arrangements makes for compelling and original music which should impress both guitar aficionados and those with a keen interest in the diversity of Jewish music." Neshamah Neshamah (Songs from
32-605: The Bartok "Rumanian Dances" arrangements on that CD. Sparks had previously played a lot of Jewish music with various Jewish musicians and became adept in the Klezmer style. Zorn suggested the solo guitar adaptations of traditional Jewish songs. Sparks blended the songs with his background in jazz, Latin American, Balkan and American roots music. In his Allmusic review, music critic Steven Lowey praised Neshamah writing "Sometimes
40-601: The Jewish Diaspora) is the first solo recording by American guitarist Tim Sparks on the Tzadik Records label. "Neshamah" means "soul" in Hebrew. The arrangements adapt Ashkenazic klezmer , Sephardic and Middle Eastern Jewish music for the solo guitar. Sparks had sent a copy of his earlier CD Guitar Bazaar to avant-garde composer , record producer , and multi-instrumentalist John Zorn who liked
48-469: The Tzadik label. Tanz includes four arrangements of songs by Klezmer clarinetist Naftule Brandwein . Sparks would later record Little Princess , an entire album of Brandwein arrangements. Writing for Allmusic , critic Sean Westergaard wrote, "Sparks comes from a classical guitar background more than a fingerpicking folky background, and his virtuosic technique is incredible, but always in service to
56-497: The guitar transforms a piece into something different than it was originally... [Sparks] squeezes every ounce of melodic sophistication from a song's essence, resulting in a delightful and authentic display that while impressive is never overdone." In his review for Dirty Linen magazine, Jim Lee wrote "A truly groundbreaking project and one that also makes for refreshing listening. I'd recommend both to any fan of good music, be it guitar or otherwise." Critic Aaron Howard also praised
64-566: The music, not merely technique... Anyone with a passing interest in either Jewish music or fingerpicked guitar should seek out this recording; it's beautiful." Critic Gary Joyner of Acoustic Guitar commented on the music's influences from Brazil, Mexico, Yemen, the Balkans, Africa, and Spain and Sparks' "mastery of these difficult musical forms." Commenting on the blend of styles used by Sparks, JazzTimes critic Jim Ferguson wrote, "... this beautiful recording isn't jazz per se, but it does have
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