"Just wanted to let you know how ecstatic,
enthralled, amazed, and downright happy I am with your 'Spinning World'
album, having recently purchased it after hearing 'Anna' on Minnesota
Public Radio's 'The Morning Show'. Its uniqueness is astounding and
refreshing beyond words. To say nothing of the emotional effect this
music has on me--I feel the sounds to the ends of my fingers and toes." Robert P - Minneapolis, MN
Gunnar Madsen is best known as the founder
of The Bobs...a band that I admit I am unfamiliar with. This could
be a plus, as I have no preconceptions in reviewing Mr. Madsen's
newest release. Spinning World is, in a word, magnificent. Instead
of playing the pop music (which is most likely expected of him
because of his past), Gunnar heads off into the world of instrumental
music. The disc contains mostly piano-based pieces, but the arrangements
are filled with a variety of other instruments...making this disc
a pure delight. This harkens back to a time when music was uplifting
and spiritual. With so many artists stumbling over their feet
attempting to recreate music from the past (and failing miserably),
this disc stands out from the crowd. Aesthetically and sonically
delightful. (Rating: 5)
This delightful CD is not a new release but
has gleaned new attention due to being featured on both HBO's
Sex and the City and on NPR's All Things Considered. Berkeley,
California-based Madsen has penned 13 little excursions into 3/4
time with witty, tuneful, and deceptively simple sounds that seem
to warrant hearing over and over again. The arrangements never
involve more than seven players total and feature various winds
and strings. Some of them reminded me of Alec Wilder's Octets
with piano instead of harpsichord, though the titles of the individual
waltzes lack Wilder's wit: Anna, Wedding Waltz, Far and Away,
Five Lakes, The Old Vienna, Hans Is Happy, Eye of the Camel, Model
A Waltz, Sentimental Rag, Greater Than the Earth, Iota, Tipsy
Arabella, St. Agnes. - John Sunier
AMZ Musiczine
If "The Power of a Hat" doesn't convince
you of Gunnar Madsen's eclectic taste in music, then take a look
at "Spinning World: 13 Ways of Looking at a Waltz." Yup, that's
right, this is an instrumental consisting of thirteen distinctly
different waltzes. There's no rock band here, but there is a small
orchestra backing up Madsen's keys. While I don't usually go in
for this type of thing, I have to say that I really like "Spinning
World."
I'm not much of a dancer, so I didn't get
up and swing around the ballroom as the music beckoned me to do.
Instead I kicked back and lost myself in the intricate beauty
of the arrangements. I found this disc so damned relaxing that
I didn't get anything done the first two nights I played it!
I especially enjoyed the very first track,
entitled "Anna." I have always loved the sound of a clarinet,
and this arrangement features such a gorgeous clarinet lead, I
just became myself lost in the rich woodwind and string arrangement.
The whole disc is easy to lose yourself
in.
"Spinning World" gives you thirteen different, relaxing, romantic
ways to look at a waltz. It's 100% wonderful! - Robert
Lewis
KASU
It's wonderful! I've placed EIGHT cuts into
rotation on our "contemporary
instrumental" programs. I expect Spinning World to be near the
top of our airplay report to New Age Voice magazine next month.
Thanks so much for sending the disc our way! - Marty
Scarbrough
KFJC
"We've been
playing it as of April first. The reviewer didn't want to give
it back, since it was so gorgeous. He did, tho'.. for the good
of all." Jason Biggs, Music Director KFJC
An amazingly gorgeous collection. This is,
to put it simply, one of the most beautiful records I have ever
listened to. Genuine beauty is a pretty rare quality in modern
music, and this has it by the barrel. It is also complex and original
enough to be highly engrossing, though "old fashioned" in tone.
The different waltzes are so evocative and so varied that you
could practically score a whole film with them.
This album stands outside of almost every
recognized category of style or taste... and rather than making
it an obscure niche work, instead this makes it universal. Just
about anyone will find something to like about it. - Paul
Kienitz
Listener
Reviews...
"Every track on this album is spectacular.
Its one of those rare CDs that you just can't get sick of, even
after weeks of listening. Just... Simply... Fantastic." Lim Jingshun - Singapore
"I listen to 13 Ways of Looking
at a Waltz almost daily. I first got it before the September 11th
attacks and played it throughout. I found I couldn't listen to
much else. Music helps you through awful times and with this CD
your versatility is wonderful. I do not think I have ever heard
lovelier music." LuAn K - Catawissa, PA
"This album, 'Spinning World', is simply
exquisite. Although 'Anna' was my first love (Isn't it that way
for many?), I am just as in love with 'Iota'. I cannot say enough
to tell you how beautiful this album is, and how much it has made
MY life more beautiful in listening to it. I have fallen asleep
to it nightly for months at a time, I have put songs on mix tapes,
I have listened to it in the car down long roads...there's nowhere
this CD can't go. To this day it is one of my top 5 albums EVER." Jenn S - New York, NY
"If music could be considered
stunning, this would be the CD! The music begins with the cut
from Sex and the City that brought it to light, and continues
with just beautiful cuts one after the other. Reminds me of a
beautiful spring day, and being in love - And of course Carrie
and Big!!" Rosemarie M - Manalapan, NJ
"I was surfing tonite and found
your site with the two minute samples from your albums. I have
to say that I am amazed. I never thought I would be rushing out
to buy a 'waltz' album." John M - Reno, NV
"We just bought your Waltzes
CD. I haven't heard such beautiful new music in quite a while.
The 3/4 time is, well, comforting in today's world of high speed
everything. My children (6 yrs old and 8 yrs old) just start dancing
to it. Thanks so much!" Stuart W - Rockville, MD
"This is an AMAZING CD! I bought
it for the song Anna which is featured on a Sex and The City episode.
When I listened to the rest of the CD, I couldn't believe what
I heard. It's wonderful, soothing and hypnotizing! Everyone in
my office LOVES it and let me play it loud so that everyone can
hear. Where has Gunnar Madsen been all this time? Have I been
under a rock all my life? Thanks again! It's a fantastic CD!!" Paula Engle - Pueblo, CO
"I cannot express in words just
how much I love and enjoy your music! Everyone I know that has
heard it playing in my car or home wants to know where I got it.
Even my 10, 8 and 5 year old grandchildren beg to go to sleep
by it every night." Mary Shannon V - Texas City, TX
I love your music very much. When especially
"Anna" was heard, the tear did'nt stop. It was the feeling
by which the heart was purified. I want to see the concert. Please
come to Japan by all means. I'm sorry to be poor at English. Tea Spoon - Japan
"I enter an entire CD on my iPod
and after a few listens, cull out the chaff. Your Waltz CD is
still on there in its entirety. It is brilliant." Harold S - Sacramento, CA
"Anna is one of my favorite songs
of all time. Something about it calls out to me. It's so sad yet
so beautiful. Thank you for writing such a piece of work." Sarah W - Tampa, FL
"I just heard Spinning World
playing at a Barnes and Noble and promptly purchased it. It is
excellent." Joe R.
"I have followed Gunnar Madsen
since his days with The Bobs, but I was not really sure if I would
enjoy an album filled with nothing but waltzes. After my first
listen I was hooked! This is really amazing. Upon hearing this
CD for the first time my 6-year old said 'Wow, how does someone
learn to make music this pretty!' I don't know, but I hope he
continues!" Marc Z - Los Angeles, CA
"This is really an excellent
collection of work. I will be recommending
it to everyone, even my head bangin' punk ass teenage sons." Perry R - Houston, TX
"Just wanted to let you know
how ecstatic, enthralled, amazed, and downright happy I am with
your 'Spinning World' album, having recently purchased it after
hearing 'Anna' on Minnesota Public Radio's 'The Morning Show'.
Its uniqueness is astounding and refreshing beyond words. To say
nothing of the emotional effect this music has on me--I feel the
sounds to the ends of my fingers and toes." Robert P - Minneapolis, MN
"I, too, bought this cd simply
for the song 'Anna'. I was surprised how quickly I fell in love
with every track. I have loved waltzes since dancing to Lawrence
Welk with my grandparents and now I can dance in 3/4 or 6/8 in
any mood! The melodies are haunting, endearing, energizing. I
love the orchestrations. I'm so glad I found this cd!" Kara T - Seven Hills, OH
"This, among the 500+ recordings
I own, is by far my all-time favorite.
'Spinning World, 13 Ways of Looking at a Waltz', is a beautiful,
delightfully captivating journey through the waltz. The thirteen
distinctly separate pieces, all composed by Gunnar Madsen, illustrate
that the waltz can be much more than Strauss. Each transitions
seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive whole from its very
different components. Its simple yet rich orchestration contributes
to a feeling of being led into unexpected places as the journey
progresses. Every time I listen to 'Spinning World' I hear something
new. Every track is delicious, and even the liner notes are great
fun!" Chelle F - Reston, VA
"Anna on your CD is by far my most favorite
piece. It is romantic, with a little antique feeling to it like
old love, and a tremendous rush of emotions behind each note.
It is very bitter sweet, like dark chocolate, and yet, we keep
going back for it. I can almost imagine myself on the streets
of Paris, on a rainy day, walking about and picking up remnants
of past love. Agnes is also very nice, but nothing like Anna to
stir the blood in my veins, even the heart strings that have been
long forgotten with time.......... Keep up the great work. I wait
for the next miracle." Lisa C - Forest Hills, NY
"This music is exquisite and stunningly
beautiful. Grab a cup of coffee, sit in a comfortable chair, look
out a window, listen to this music and greet tranquility." Ross P - Chicago, IL
"I heard Anna but didn't know the name
or composer--it took me months to track it down, but it's been
worth it. It's breathtaking, exquisitely tragic; it's music that
makes meaning out of pain." Tara R - Washington, PA
Spinning
World > Reviews
