Naim Amor - Dansons

by Lisa Torem

published: 21 / 4 / 2012

Label: Vacilando '68
Format: LP

Gorgeous third solo album sung in both English and his native language from Tucson-based, but French-born guitarist Naim Amor, which is being released by London-based label Vacilando '68 Recordings in a vinyl only edition

Review

Naim Amor, a major player in the Tucson music scene, has worked with Howe Gelb/Giant Sand, Devotchka and Calexico. Before going solo he was half of the Amor Belhom Duo, and with ABBC. Back in his native France, he was part of Witches Valley. Now undergoing his third solo album, he brings us 'Dansons'. After writing the songs, his mission began to “take them to Brazil.” Immediately Amor sweeps us away as he sings in his native French the opener, ‘Creole.’ Imagine Django strumming in a dimly lit café with Carlos Jobim whispering chord changes in his ear. That’s the vibe, as, Amor, from this very first composition, leads us to magical sonic places. ‘Le Revenant’ shows off Amor’s voice even more. It is so expressive and sensuous that it needs no translation, and would probably suffer from an English version. The melody hovers over us as a morning butterfly would on its way to devour sweet nectar. ‘Dansons’ is marked by a steady dance beat which then builds into a continued dream state. On ‘The Day After’, that voice echoes the strings until suddenly a whole universe of sounds erupt leading back to the roots. ‘Time is Real’ is sung in English and it has a more folk sensibility, more reflective of Amor’s earlier collaborations. ‘The Other Step’ is glorified by Marco Rosano’s crafty accordion. Matt Mitchell, on classical guitar and Giant Sand's Thoger Lund on upright bass seal the deal throughout. We’re also treated to a few other French-titled recordings that evoke romance, but the cover, ‘Our Day Will Come’ comes as a pleasant surprise. He is joined by singer, Emilie Marchand, and then again she sings on the simple, but stunning ‘Sparkling Guitar.’ Howe Gelb’s Wurlitzer rises above a myriad of gentle moods and rollicking tempos in ‘Waltzsamba’, then ‘Si Tot’, an extraordinary instrumental, featuring Christian Ravaglioli on oboe, brings us even closer to the Heavens. A gorgeous album that recalls Paris in the evening rain and first love, 'Dansons' is not to be missed.

Track Listing:-

1 Creole
2 Le Reveur
3 Dansons
4 The Day After
5 Time Is Real
6 On Se Tient
7 The Other Step
8 Son Grande Sourire
9 Our Day Will Come
10 Sparkling Guitar
11 Waltzsamba
12 Si Tot

Band Links:-

http://www.naimamor.com/
http://naimamor.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Naim%20Am
https://www.facebook.com/naim.amor
http://naimamor.bandcamp.com/album/hea