ANDREW CLEGG – Tiger And The Lily (Flying Tiger Records)

ANDREW CLEGG Tiger And The LilyTiger And The Lily is somewhat outwith our usual scope but our borders are flexible and if we like something that’s good enough. Andrew Clegg is a classical guitarist who has played everything from tapas bars to European festivals. All the material here is original and Andrew is expanding the repertoire of might be considered the “classical” Spanish guitar.

Andrew plays all the instruments and aside from multiple guitar parts that mostly means percussion although there is also what might be a wind instrument, strings or a synthesiser – Andrew provides no information – making atmospheric sounds in the background. Whatever it is brings ‘Skeleton’ to a dramatic conclusion. As to the percussion, there are shakers but what dominate are the hand-claps and heel-taps associated with flamenco. ‘La Luna Y El Sol’, for example, culminates in a percussive explosion. ‘Bossa Rumba’ begins gently with what feels like a warm-up for the fingers before diving into the rhythms of Latin America.

Melody is central to all these compositions, all original by the way. There is little point in virtuosity if you have nothing interesting to play. ‘Sister Sister’, pretty much a solo guitar piece has a sweet, melancholy tune and the tune of ‘Saffron’ is played out initially on the lower strings. All of these variations make Tiger And The Lily a great album to listen even if, like me, you’re not a connoisseur of the style.

Dai Jeffries

Artist’s website: http://andrewcleggguitar.moonfruit.com/


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