Wolfgang Muthspiel, Slava Grigoryan, Ralph Towner: The Travel Guide Tour – Review

Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Thu Oct 30 A dream group made up of three of the world’s greatest guitarists graced the Playhouse stage last night and the audience was completely satisfied. Wolfgang Muthspiel, Slava Grigoryan and Ralph Towner came together as an ensemble to celebrate their second album Travel Guide. The evening started with no fuss or fanfare – just straight into the music. Each musician played alone starting with Slava Grigoryan who played music, which he later referred to as ‘doodling’ before moving into Incantation 6 by Lovelady. He then introduced Wolfgang who played a recent composition (as yet unnamed) even asking the audience to suggest a suitable name. Muthspiel introduced Towner as a childhood hero. Each musician showed us his style and formed a connection with the audience, three unassuming musicians who were there to play and share their love of music and friendship. Then we had the joys of hearing the three interacting and playing with each other. The first piece was called The Henrysons inspired by a Swedish family Wolfgang met in Italy. This piece appears as the first track on Travel Guide. This was followed by Tammuriata from the first album From A Dream a wonderfully light extended piece. It was joyous to watch the effortless interaction and connection between the three and to hear the harmonies of their guitars with classical and jazz influences. Towner and Grigoryan then played as a duo echoing and talking through their guitars. It was perfect and well received by the audience. This was followed by Museum Of Light from Travel Guide composed by Towner and played by Muthspiel and Towner. Slava joined them for the title track Travel Guide an extended piece and once again composed by Towner. Jokes about tuning to perfection and the presence of moths flying around the stage added humour and a greater sense of intimacy. We were grateful for the tuning and attention to perfection as that is what they gave us – perfect music. The musicians obviously were having fun and their enjoyment transferred to the audience. The final pieces Beneath An Evening Sky, Birds Eye View and From A Dream rounded off their set. Loud and sustained clapping and cheers encouraged and encore – In Stride dedicated to the moth that had stayed for the whole evening. A wonderful night of stunning guitar music by three masters of the instrument. by Taissa Ceric