Toulouse Engelhardt "Segovia of Surf "

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TOULOUSE ENGELHARDT “Perpendicular Worlds”  (LG-1006)  WEBMUSICEXPRESS 2010′

In the right hands, the acoustic guitar is an instrument that can sound like a full band or even an orchestra. Near the top of the list of guitar legends still forging

new ground for the guitar is Toulouse Engelhardt. Back in 2006, the Lost Grove Arts and their label, Lost Grove Records, released a fantastic album from Toulouse entitled “Martian Lust”. With it’s astonishing CD cover art, the even cooler music inside featured Toulouse performing surf instrumentals accurately described as the sound of ‘Leo Kottke jamming with The Ventures.’ For a guitarist that grew up listening to The Ventures and Dick Dale, Engelhardt eventually wound up as one of the Takoma Seven, in the same echelon as both Kottke and the late John Fahey. For his 2009 CD, Perpendicular Worlds, Toulouse is back with a solo acoustic guitar that is truly amazing. One part Jimmy Page and one part John Fahey, Perpendicular Worlds may use the 6 & 12 string acoustic guitar as a focal point yet, like Page and Fahey, the music made transcends genres and is quite often dazzling with it’s prismatic range of complex fretboard moves and emotions. Toulouse is described as a guitarist with fifteen fingers, yet when woven together these thirteen guitar vignettes truly breath new life into the concept of acoustic guitar instrumental music. Not bad for a guitarist who took early lessons from Wes Montgomery and went on to be label mates with Kottke and Fahey during those heady Takoma daze. For the record, Perpendicular Worlds is structured into two parts—Inner Space and Outer Space—with all the tracks herein being Toulouse originals with the exception of new covers of “Anji” (written by Davy Graham), “Blue Star” (written by Victor Young) and a new Engelhardt cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic “Third Stone From The Sun”. A stellar merger of acoustic folk instrumentals, classical, jazz and even rock instrumental, Perpendicular Worlds is a fascinating journey into acoustic guitar land. Five Stars *****

5 Stars!…”Primitive Guitar meet Electron Microscope”, April 24, 2010
By: Dr Tathata (Omphalos, USA)

I am tired of hearing people say, it’s like “on acid”, but, uh, the playing on this album reminds me of Leo Kottke on acid, if he would ever admit such a thing. Actually, I always thought that Leo Kottke was John Fahey on acid and John Fahey was like Blind Blake on acid. That is to say, they take a tradition, and they extend it, they blow it up, they reconstruct it in unpredictable and strange and interesting ways. Sort of like what LSD does. It’s sort of like Frankenstein, when you think about it. He robs graves and sews the parts together then shoves his creation into a lightning storm and hopes it takes on a life of its own. I’m here to tell you it does. It gets down off the operating table, stops around scaring the BeJeezus out of everybody, and was last seen slouching towards Bethlehem. No, really, folks, if you take John Fahey’s basic proposition of using folk music as a starting point for some explorations into alternative rhythmic, harmonic and structural context, then you will find this recording intriguing. His playing may evoke both Kottke and Fahey, but he has as much in common with John Cage or George Crumb. There is definitely a quasi visionary quality about much of the work, as he adds layers of effects on top of his basic guitar playing, something that was pretty rare among Fahey’s approach. Turns out that he once recorded on John Fahey’s own recording label, Takoma, back in the day. Five Stars!

Dr. Tathata (Omphalos, USA)

FAME Review: Toulouse Engelhardt – Perpendicular Worlds

Perpendicular Worlds
Toulouse Engelhardt
Lost Grove Records – LG1006
Available from Amazon.com.
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Mark S. Tucker
(progdawg@hotmail.com).
Before Michael Hedges, before the CandyRat label, there was Toulouse Engelhardt, still one of the best-kept secrets of the guitar pickers’ world, a wunderkind respected by players everywhere on planet Earth though little known to the general public beyond a fiercely loyal small cult.
The promo lit accompanying this release is just a tad off, crediting the 1975 Takoma release of Toullusions as Engelhardt’s debut. Actually, as far as can be determined, the independent Sierra Briar Records first issued it that same year, from which Takoma was enlightened, reprinting the gem. I yet have my Sierra copy and clearly remember running into the Takoma slab only after picking the other up. Nonetheless, Engelhardt was the last member of the original legendary Takoma Seven and hasn’t lost a centimeter of his edge since, through the years touring with the Byrds, Jack Bruce, Ry Cooder, Dick Dale, Kenny Rankin, Adrian Blelew, Todd Rundgren, and John Stewart among many others, even sharing stages twice with Zubin Mehta & the L.A. Philharmonic.
The fingerpicker’s style and modes are as eclectic as ever they’ve been, soaked variously in lush slow themes, complex interlocking lines, abstract conjugations, and sometimes absolutely insane angular asides sounding as though crafted by a berserk computer with an alien aesthetic otherwise unknown to the denizens of the green planet. The Mondrian-ish cover to Perpendicular Worlds is not sufficient warning as to how strange this guy can get. For that, you’d need to collide Mondrian, Ernst, Giger, Griffin, and Dali to approximate the ambiance. Listen to his version of Hendrix’s Third Stone from the Sun and tell me I’m wrong. But that’s only the beginning, adeptly counterpoised by stunningly hypnotic trad playing is a welter of seemingly impossible outbursts peppered pell mell throughout this unique release…only the third he’s emitted in over 30 years…and one never knows what to expect next: florid classicality or extreme post-modern pulsars. Leo Kottke has only very rarely had true competition, but Toulouse Engelhardt has ever been at the top of that list.
Track List:
INNER SPACE
• Xel-ha (Where the Waters are Born)
• Let the River Answer
• Deep River
• Toullusions of Anji (Davey Graham)
• Convergence: The Blindwatchmaker / In Christ There is no East or West
DEUX ARBES – TWO TREES
• Threnody for Sequoia Sempervirens
• Shui-hsa-pa (Place of the Water Pine) OUTER SPACE
• Blue Star (Victor Young)
• Albert’s Gyroscope
• Third Stone from the Sun (Jimi Hendrix)
• Lost in the Luminiferous Ether
• Exceder la Velocite de la Luminiere (Exceeding the Velocity of Light)
• Epilogue: Melting Stars, Breathing Heavens
All songs written by Toulouse Engelhardt except as noted.
Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)

The Charleston Gazette – Charleston, WV

July 28, 2010

New music: Engelhardt puts out masterful CD
By Michael Lipton
“Perpendicular Worlds”
Toulouse Engelhardt
www.toulousemusic.com
Lost Grove
———-
Guitarist Toulouse Engelhardt has been quietly infiltrating the guitar scene for four decades. One of the original guitarists to record for Takoma Records in the ’60s, his acoustic style is similar to compatriots like Leo Kottke and the late John Fahey. And, indeed, for the first part of this disc, subtitled “Inner Space,” that’s exactly what you’ll hear.
The mostly acoustic 12-string pieces range from Fahey-like melodic tunes to Kottke’s quick-picking style. (The medley “Convergence: The Blindwatchmaker/In Christ There is No East or West” combines both styles.) There’s also a nod to British guitarist Davey Graham (“Toullusions of ‘Anji’”).
For the second half of the disc — “Outer Space” — Engelhardt turns up the reverb and shows off his decidedly spacier side, which includes a frenetic acoustic take on Hendrix’s “Third Stone From the Sun” and the aptly named “Exceeding the Velocity of Light.”

Blog Critics
Music Review: Toulouse Engelhardt – Perpendicular Worlds
Author: David Bowling — Published: Jul 20, 2010

Toulouse Engelhardt is now over forty years into his career. He may not be as celebrated as some of his former colleagues, but he is the last original member of the so-called Takoma Seven. The Tacoma label featured such guitarists as John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Bukka White, Max Ochs, and others who developed a unique finger picking style during the mid-sixties to mid-seventies. His studio output has been scarce, but his talent and style deserves a place among this elite group of legendary guitarists.
His origins may have been in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but his earliest influence was the California surf sound. While he quickly moved beyond just this style, such songs as “The Wedge” by Dick Dale and “Walk Don’t Run” by The Ventures set him on the path to guitar virtuosity.
His first classic release was 1975’s Toullusions, which established his unique finger picking style. Martian Lust, released during 2005, re-established him as a guitarist of note. He has now returned with a new studio album titled Perpendicular Worlds.
His music is difficult to classify. He composes his own material, which can best be described as impressionistic. The melodies range from traditional to off beat. The constant unifier is the dexterity of his finger picking style.
He divides the album into three suites. “Inner Space: River Electium,” “Deus Arbes: Two Trees,” and “Outer Space” all paint pictures as the separate songs intertwine and build upon each other. It takes the listener away on a journey of sound.
A number of different guitars are used to create his unique sound. A custom made Art Davis 12-string, a Taylor 855 Jumbo 12-string, a Martin D-28-12, and a Mosrite Ventures Model surf guitar all have a distinct sound and personality.
Toulouse Engelhardt is an acoustic guitarist extraordinaire. Musically he may walk the road less traveled, but it is a journey worth sharing.

May 18, 2010

What do you get when you cross the wonderful guitar stylings of legendary cult fingerstyle guitarist Toulouse Engelhardt with bossa nouvea French Afro-Pop masters TEA? And then add two scoops of ET lifeforms on a holiday readtrip in Texas? Before you answer “a headache man, its too early for this crap Mac” do yourself a favor and pop in “Lubbock Lightz.” Its 7:15am here in Santa Monica, and I’ve already spun this disc three times this morning, so nut up aliens and board the saucer. You’ll love this one, trust me.

A highly interesting experiment in crossing the Takoma 7/Surf/Ragtime sounds of the legendary Engelhardt with the outer space thematics of Brian Asher & TEA, Lubbock Lightz is a highly listenable and profound spin; and one that needs a few listens to fully appreciate. My only wish is that there would be more tracks, I could easily see a full LP of this material.

The first track Lubbock Lightz (5:41) immediately comes out of the gate in fully proto-Floyd alien lushness, extra points for the groovey drum sounds that keep the saucer motifs moving forward and in-line. The production of the track is quite brilliant, Engelhardt’s slide over the space effects paints a gorgeous alien landscape that is highly unique.

The second track is an instant classic in my opinion; aptly titled “Flying Saucerama” -Alternative Version- (3:52). Now THIS is why Toulouse Engelhardt is a Jedi master of the Mosrite. He’s quite successfully taken a signature riff from Close Encounters of the Third Kind and turned it on its head, producing a wonderfully satirical jazz/rockabilly jam with several classic Engelhardtisms. You can’t help but love this, regardless of how badly you want to believe. Very very strong material from a legend of the fretboard. UFORadar approved, absolutely.

To purchase Lubbock Lightz, please visithttp://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7823602

MUSIC MATTERS PLANET WEEKLY-TUSCALOOSA, AL

SHINDIG MAGAZINE

Issue #19

Nov-Dec 2010

TOULOUSE ENGELHARDT

Perpendicular Worlds

Lost Grove Arts CD

www.toulousemusic.com
Cinematically impressionistic guitarist, and brilliant composer and humorist Toulouse Engelhardt was born in Madison, Wisconsin but has been steeped in Southern California beach culture for the past four decades. He was an original member of the Takoma Seven, who were celebrated pioneers of avant-garde finger-style guitar that recorded for the Takoma label from 1965 to 76’ and included John Fahey, Robie Basho and Leo Kottke. This 13-track project is divided into two sections – inner space and outer space – and features three covers selections ( including an effervescent version of Davy Graham’s “Angie” and a “wet” surf/worldbeat – accented take of Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone from the Sun” alongside his own poly-melodic, visionary tonally sophisticated compositions – a transfixing medley called “Convergence: The Blind Watchmaker/ In Christ There Is No East Or West”, the category-defying finger-buster titled “Exceeding the Velocity of Light” and the intricately patterned “Albert’s Gyroscope” are especially timeless and kaleidoscopic.

Gary von Tersch

Toulouse Engelhardt

Perpendicular World

Lost Grove Records

Jazz Reviewed 6/29/10

Toulouse Engelhardt

Perpendicular World

The glow of pure jazz gold is being mined at Lost Grove Records, and “Perpendicular World”(LG-1006) is a modern masterpiece from Toulouse Engelhardt. A sure fire winner for any music student, it leaves the listener ready to take to their instruments and create their own magic.

Without borders or boundaries, Engelhardt unwraps his musical gift with ease and style. The songs are tailor made for the best meeting places in town, sure to strike up great conversations and open thoughts.

The cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone From the Sun” is nothing shy of a master class. Choosing a little known and underappreciated piece of the Hendrix vault gave Engelhardt a chance to really showcase his skills, and he did an incredible job.

Make a smart decision, and bring your loved one a copy of “Perpendicular Worlds” just because. You know they deserve it.

Christopher Llewellyn Adams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/11/10

GUITARIST EXTRAORDINAIRE MAESTRO TOULOUSE ENGELHARDT HITS THE ROAD FOR A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES WITH DAVID LINDLEY

After his recent two-year exercise composing, arranging, perfecting and recording his latest work, Perpendicular Worlds, (LG-1006) guitar virtuoso Toulouse Engelhardt will head out once again on a “mini-tour” as direct support for headliner, “Mr. Strings” himself David Lindley. Toulouse will make his debut appearance at the South Bay Brixton on Friday, January 7th 2011 and will return once more to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, January 8th, 2011 for another of his always-exciting live performances. (More dates to be announced soon). Doors will open at 6:00 PM, with show-time at 8:00. For discount tickets go to www.toulousemusic.com<http://www.toulousemusic.com> and click “Concert Tix”. For directions,dinner reservations and all other information go to www.brixtonsouthbay.com<http://www.brixtonsouthbay.com> and www.thecoachhouse.com<http://www.thecoachhouse.com>.

Engelhardt will support headliner David Lindley,well known for his many years as the featured accompanist with Jackson Browne, and leader of his own band, El Rayo-X. Multi-instrumentalist Lindley performs music that redefines the word “eclectic,” having long championed the concept of world music. His electro-acoustic performance effortlessly combines American folk, blues, and bluegrass traditions with elements from African, Arabic, Asian, Celtic, Malagasy, and Turkish musical sources, and incorporates an incredible array of stringed instruments. Throughout his long and distinguished career, Lindley has been one of Hollywood’s most in-demand session musicians, lending his skills to the recorded works of Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, Crosby and Nash, Warren Zevon, and many others. In addition, his uncanny vocal mimicry and demented sense of humor make his onstage banter a highlight of the show.

One of the world’s finest finger-style guitarists, who has toured nationally with The Byrds,Kenny Loggins and scores of others, Engelhardt was the last member of the “Takoma Seven,” an elite club of guitar innovators that recorded for Takoma Records from 1964 to 1975 and included Leo Kottke and the late John Fahey. Toulouse was recently featured on the cover of Vintage Guitar Magazine with Carlos Santana (10/10) and in Guitar Player Magazine (12/10) and was honoured to be chosen “Artist of the Month” by his endorser A Davis Guitars Inc. San Diego <http://www.adavisguitars.com>. Los Angeles music journalist and author Harvey Kubernik sums it up: “When you see and experience the guitar artistry of Toulouse Engelhardt, you immediately become aware that he is going into sonic places with his fingers on the fretboard where few in the universe have ever visited.”

If you are a fan of acoustic guitar, you simply must experience the fantastic finger-work of this guitar virtuoso!

“Guitar genius Toulouse Engelhardt is on the loose again!” – <http://www.latimes.com>

“The New Guitar God!” – L.A. Weekly

“A cinematically impressionistic guitarist, and brilliant composer and humorist” – Shindig Magazine #19 Nov-Dec 2010

“One of my all-time favorite guitarists!” – David Lindley “Live Performance”

“The Segovia of Surf” – Longboard Magazine

“Jimi Hendrix would have admired his incredible finger work !” – Voodoo Child Magazine

“One of the World’s greatest finger-style guitarists.” – Music Matters – Planet Weekly

“Toulouse Engelhardt plays the guitar with such dexterity that it sounds like he has at least 15 fingers! He is a showcase of technical brillance and a master in both composition and performance!” – Richard Foss, All Music Guide

<http://www.toulousemusic.com>

For press inquiries contact: Mark Pucci Media; Atlanta

(770)-804-9555/mpmedia@bellsouth.net

© 2011 Lost Grove Arts Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

MIDWEST RECORD – CHICAGO, IL – MAY 24, 2010

LOST GROVE RECORDS
TOULOUSE ENGELHARDT/Perpendicular Worlds: Ah, what a nice throwback to the days when you thought Suni McGrath was a star, John Fahey was a superstar and Takoma was a real label. A guitar player’s guitar player, the acoustic master is back in top form taking you on the kind of musical journey that will find him elbowing your current faves from their spot on your play lists. This will simply make acoustic music fans come to life. A winner throughout. – Chris Spector

Still picking after all these years

Reviewed October 2010

Perpendicular Worlds By Toulouse Engelhardt Lost Grove Records: 2010 To hear sound clips or learn more about this release, Turbula recommends viewing itsAmazon.com entry.

Toulouse Engelhardt’s music is complex acoustic fingerpicking, mostly on 12-string guitars, recorded in layers; an ethereal, floating cloud of notes that are meant to transcend and uplift. He has been playing for a long time, as he broke onto the scene as a latter-day acoustic sensation in the footsteps of Leo Kottke in 1975 when recording for Takoma Records. He released a disc in 2005, “Martian Lust,” that re-ignited his career, and he is back with “Perpendicular Worlds.”

The new album is divided into two suites, “Inner Space” and “Outer Space.” The former contains seven parts that feature torrents of picked and speed-strummed 12-string coming from both speakers. The sound is interesting and has form. The first piece, “Xel-Ha,” has a nicely lyrical 6-string melody played over the background, and “Toullusions of ‘Anji’” launches from the familiar Davey Graham picker tune into some furious harmonics and free-form high-fret strum jamming. There are spots on the disc when Engelhardt mixes in the metronome he uses to check his rhythm, unusual since he sounds good enough to not need one; he has a real good right hand in evidence throughout.

The second suite here doesn’t contain a big musical shift, but contains a cover of “Third Stone from the Sun” by Jimi Hendrix that catches the ear. This song makes use of the original’s Spanish-vibe bass line and rhythm guitar riff to good effect, as Engelhardt manages to capture the essence of it in a short, finger-picked version. “Albert’s Gyroscope” and “Exceder la Velocite de la Lumiere” are other memorable moments from the disc’s second half. The former mixes chiming 12 string melody lines with speed strums very well; the latter has a percussionist (which would have been a good idea elsewhere) and Engelhardt flies all over the neck, sounding like an Indian raga.

Acoustic guitar enthusiasts will enjoy “Perpendicular Worlds,” as Toulouse Engelhardt is making music here that is not sonic wallpaper, but manages to be musically intriguing without being a dissonant experiment or an ego-filled jam session.

Review by Frank Kocher, a longtime San Diego resident, musician, music collector and frequent contributor to The San Diego Troubadour.

MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP TO RE-RELEASE “TOULLUSIONS’ BY
THE “SEGOVIA OF SURF” GUITAR VIRTUOSO TOULOUSE ENGELHARDT

In wake of the tremendous critical acclaim over “Perpendicular Worlds”(LG-1006) the latest sonic masterpiece from guitar great Toulouse Engelhardt, MVD Entertainment Group; Oaks, PA is proud to announce that they will be re-releasing a new version of the timeless classic, “Toullusions” in June of 2011. Remastered from the original master recordings, this international release will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the first release of “Toullusions” on June 30, 1976 through legendary John Fahey’s Takoma Records.

This album has long been considered by music critics and fans alike to be one of the “Top Ten” greatest solo, fingerstyle, acoustic guitar albums of all time. Produced by the multi-talented, former Kaleidoscope front man Chris Darrow, this album sounds as fresh today as it did when it shocked the acoustic music scene 35 years ago! The album has been sonically restored to its original analog glory, and showcases the complete original art design by the fabulous “Picasso of Psychedelica” himself the late Rick Griffin. “Toullusions” (LG-1004) another sonic masterpiece from Toulouse Engelhardt, available once again in June, 2011!
For more info go to:

www.mvdb2b.com

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