FORASTIERE CIRCOLARE reviews

» This music is satisfying for senses, to be tasted as a delicious and refined course. Sometimes the sound of his Martin is so beautiful, wisely equalized and “effected” with moderation, that
almost distracts from the enchanting melodies, the amazing grace-notes and technical virtuoso darts where unforeseeable harmonics, spectacular tapping, evocative triplets and bass drum
inevitably remind of the (inevitable) lesson of Michael Hedges. (...) “Circolare” is a “must” for everyone keen of guitar music. Ezio Guaitamacchi, Jam

» One guitar. That’s all. Nothing else, because there’s no way to define in a credit list such stuff these tracks (songs?) are made of, crossed trajectories and balanced pauses and meditation in an
evening singsong, while Orient dresses Latin spirits... Furtive and solemn, but always so gentle to become almost embarrassing, Forastiere’s music never allows technical skill to overwhelm communicativeness. The result is a precious album, an “islandalbum”. Stefano Solventi, www.sentireascoltare.com

» Hits the clearness of the brilliant sound, resolute and sometimes freezing while related to the warmth of harmonizing, cultured but “felt”. It’s hard to find a Cd for solo instrument that could be completely appreciated also by non-instrumentists: here is one. Daniele Bergesio, World Music Magazine

» Contrary to the in-your-face approach taken by many of his peers, Forastiere opts to delay overt flexing of his guitar muscles until quite late in the disc, thus drawing the listener in with his gentle musical narrative rather than with garish technical displays. This disc is truly exceptional because its virtuosic qualities are secondary to its inception as a piece of fine art.
Timothy Smith, Minor7th.com

» Linear melodies turned up now and then Friday, but this composer-guitarist makes a living with rhythmic/harmonic patterns. Forastiere has the technique to interlock two or even three at once. The long sustain of an acoustic/electric guitar allows him to play one pattern by hammering the string down to the fingerboard and/or plucking it with the left hand alone. He
brings the right hand up the neck for the same sort of trick, and still has time to zip back to pluck the odd string in the conventional way. It's fun to watch, and it amuses Forastiere as
much as anyone. He grinned at his hands as if they were mischievous children at play.
Tom Strini, Journal Sentinel - from the review of the concert held at UM Peck School Recital Hall of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on November 18, 2005.