Mario Parga - Entranced (2007)MidnightCafe Music

What could I expect after listening to such outstanding album like "The Magician" was? Even though the second release was published under the title referring to one track from the debut, I didn't want to get its copy, but something fresh and showing Mario's other face of musical mastery. It doesn't matter that Mario recorded all guitars, keys, bass, sequencing and drum programming single-handed. Most important is the fact I wasn't disappointed with Mr. Parga's music and new ideas!

For instance, the first and the title track - "Entranced" is very nostalgic, romantic, reflective, yet neoclassical! This one proves that Mario hasn't forgotten how to play the guitar, haha. "The Journey" is a kind of instrumental miniature and sounds like an epic caprice. It's a great example how dazzlingly skilled musician's showcase should sound like. "Haunted" and "Farewell" are distinguished by a calmness typical of Marty Friedman's "Scenes" and "Introduction". "Ritual" includes a classical guitar mastery hidden between romantic notes and electric proficiency in further part of the composition. As far as "Mirage" is concerned, it reminds me of violin works by Polish archgenius - Henryk Wieniawski.

Mr. Parga got older and his music got a new shape. Here are more emotions, and less shredding shows. I treat this album as an intellectual challenge for a listener. Mario's music AD 2007 is quiet, yet atmospheric and, fortunately, still guitar, virtuosic and accessible to every sensitive person. Here are also audible flamenco influences and orchestrations in the style of Jason Becker's "Perspective". Since the album is more subdued, the listener has enough time to contemplate the music. I think that a heaviness included in Parga's riffs and melodies surrounded them are characteristics of this CD. Yeah, the stuff is as melodic as solo works by Spanish guitarists - Toni Lloret and Roberto Rodrigo. If you want to win woman's heart, don't do it with a sword, just play "Entranced"! The second Mario's act is a real neoclassical guitar soundtrack! Briefly put, I am enchanted with his "Entranced", haha