From: Pete Fyfe [petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 10 August 2012 09:02
Subject: Pete Fyfe: Karen Tweed CD Review & Sleeve
Attachments: Karen Tweed - Essentially.jpg

KAREN TWEED Essentially Invisible To The Eye (May Monday Adventures MMA 6327002)

I?ve always found it quite difficult to review solely ?instrumental? albums as I admit to not being as knowledgeable as I?d like about every instrument. Let?s just say that from a layman?s point of view I?d generally find an album devoted to say accordion rather one dimensional. But, when talking, in this instance of Karen Tweed we have a different beast altogether. Breathing life (rather clich?d I know) into what is essentially a ?squeeze- box? and creating images in the listeners mind is no mean task but Karen does so with consummate ease.
Slipping from standard traditional tunes to conjuring images of French caf? street musicians whilst encompassing the beauty inherent in the old soundtrack chestnuts ?Edelweiss? and ?Que Sera Sera? shows Tweed at her inventive best. In her sleeve notes she points out that this album is a musical journey of her ?life? thus far and I believe that in so doing this CD above all others she has performed on really is a mission statement achieved. Without wishing to wallow in a bath of nostalgia I feel we have the equivalent of adding Radox to make the whole experience far more pleasurable and if you thought that a squeeze box is just a squeeze box think again. www.karentweed.com
PETE FYFE