LISTEN.COM
KFOG
RADIO San Francisco:
"Best New CD's of 2005 List" August 2005 (Acoustic Sunrise
show)
GUITAR9.COM, August 2005
"Releasing his second CD, Postcards, is San Francisco area fingerstyle guitarist Teja Gerken, who delivers solo instrumental compositions with enough surprises and innovative twists to delight aficionados of the world music and folk genres. His tunes employ physical techniques such as two-handed tapping, alternate tunings, and percussive effects, but his developed sense of melody is what will keep his CD playing in your mind long after the 'stop' button is pressed. Another impressive feature is that Gerken's playing is captured without overdubs; the intricate arrangements delivered as you might hear the artist in concert. Gerken is one of a rare breed - a guitarist's guitarist with equal appeal for the non-musicians out there. His Postcards album is highly recommended."
MINOR 7TH: ACOUSTIC GUITAR MUSIC REVIEWS, August 2005
"Travel reveals the textures of people, places, and culture. The music of Teja Gerken on his solo guitar release Postcards is a travelogue of textures, a satisfying mix of style and substance played on six and twelve-string steel string, and nylon string guitars. Readers of Acoustic Guitar magazine will recognize Teja as Gear Editor, and moderator of some of their on-line discussion forums. The 12 tunes on the CD (7 originals and 5 from other San Francisco bay area players) aren't an adrenaline rush of sound, but more a respectful exploration of the fusion of man and instrument. Teja's playing doesn't drip with the languid fluidity of Ed Gerhard or Martin Simpson, but carries a more dynamic immediacy. It's evident from the chord changes and picking patterns that he is consciously stretching his own musical limits, not playing it safe. First Smile has a bluesy feel without being too in-your-face. Nine Bridges reveals an eastern European side (the tune is titled after the Budapest bridges which span the Danube river) strangely brought to life on steel strings in Orkney tuning (used so effectively by Steve Baughmann for his Celtic guitar stylings). Gerken gives his own spin to Baughmann's Plantxy Bongwater. The bends and single note runs of City For Sale juxtaposed against strings of chordal shifts brings to mind some early Alex DeGrassi in an elegant exit to a fine CD of good guitar music."
© Kirk Albrecht
BRIDGE GUITAR REVIEWS, July 2005
"Born in Germany, Teja Gerken moved to California in the mid- 80's after finishing his study on guitar. Nowadays he is one of the leading persons for Acoustic Guitar magazine. After his debut CD On My Way released in1999 he now surprises us with his new album Postcards. The album has influences from folk, contemporary classical and world music. Postcards features as well originals and also tunes of his local colleagues Dale Miller, Steve Baughman, Duck Baker, Patrick Francis and bluesman Pete Madsen. Teja plays a normal steel-string, a classical and 12-string guitar. Many of the compositions are written in altered tunings and he uses techniques like two-hand tapping and percussive elements. The fantastic composing skills and strong melodies are reflecting as well intimacy as melancholic phrases and the music express always a positive energetic feeling as on the first track 5927 California Street. The soothing Planxty Bongwater is an arrangement of guitarist Steve Baughman which is played in DGDGCD tuning and has a very strong melody line. Other highlights are Sapphire Blue, Precision & Emergency, Day of the Dead and City for Sale. Postcards is a very versatile album with varied skilled techniques, brilliant melody lines, appealing moods of a superb guitarist who knows to absorb a listener."
CD BABY CUSTOMER, July 2005
"My two favorites on Postcards would be "Full Moon Waltz" and "Precision & Emergency". His choice of nylon string classical is really perfect for the waltz. There are moments when I would swear I heard elements of Laurindo Almeida and even the immortal André S. This is one of the most interesting guitar-songs that I've heard in a long time. The song was written by Patrick Francis and Teja refers us to his web site:(http://www.azulao.com). Anyone who can write songs this good is definitely worth checking out. Precision is virtually a clinic on pull-offs at high speed. The song is aptly named--the urgency in the rhythm is barely controlled. He generates a huge tone, even though he's capo'd at IV. I think this arrangement would challenge even the greatest masters. Postcards is definitely a fun ride for fingerstyle fans. Highly recommended."
BLUESTIME, Italy, 2001
"Guitars, guitars, guitars! Acoustic guitar music nowadays has a precise aesthetic with a confluence of styles. In the US, there are many new guitarists who are well aware of the lessons taught by the previous generation of players, and they are bringing us enviable new ideas and a technical mastery of the instrument. Such is the case with this young guitarist, who amazed us with his expertise and his knowledge of the instrument. Thanks to his capabilities to sustain melody and rhythm with precision and confidence, Teja Gerken has all the potential to become a guitar hero. His playing has a modern approach, and it's defined by the freedom of execution, the use of open tunings, and rhythmic techniques. Teja is comfortable with both traditional repertoire, such as 'Pretty Girl Milking a Cow,' as well as his fiery and passionate originals, which are the majority on this CD. On My Way is also very appealing to an audience of non-guitarists, but if you are a guitarist yourself, then this CD is definitely 'a must have.'"
"This sounds as if Michael Hedges, Paco De Lucia, and Bill Monroe are all fighting over a guitar. This exceptional musician combines elements of folk, jazz, bluegrass and just about any style you can think of, into his seamless, lightning speed guitar workouts. Gerken plays World Fusion without losing his own identity or watering down styles."
"Bay Area guitarist Teja Gerken's first solo recording shows him
to be a fine technical player. Most of his compositions include various
tapping and percussive tricks, jerky rhythms, quick thematic changes, and
improvisations. It's the sort of thing that works well live (and impresses
fellow guitarists) but is less successful on repeated listening on disc.
His quiet melodic pieces, played mostly straight, are his most effective
and enjoyable numbers. The two live tracks show that he isn't just a studio
whiz. probably would be most enjoyable to fans of the technical side of
guitar playing and also as a good gig souvenir.
"The predominantly original collection incorporates alternate tunings, harmonics, two-handed tapping, and other percussive techniques, and is shaped further by Gerken's formidable musical vocabulary and improvisational prowess. His musical vocabulary stretches around the world, embracing jazz, classical, and flamenco elements."
"Teja Gerken's first CD is a collection of mostly original compositions for solo fingerstyle guitar. Gerken, a fixture on the San Francisco acoustic scene, has studied jazz with Duck Baker and contemporary guitar with Peppino D'Agostino. He has also studied and performed as a flamenco guitarist. So it's not surprising that his music shows a variety of influences. His compositions are solid, imaginative, and well played."
"Very impressive technique and tuneful"
By Joe Livoti
"On My Way is the impressive debut of acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Teja Gerken. On his first outing, Gerken displays solid command of technique, and his compositions show a poignant gift for harmony and structure."
"Teja is an admitted stylistic descendant of veteran fingerpickers Peppino D'Agostino and Duck Baker. His writing reflects those influences along with a deft original touch."
"Mostly working on open tunings, Gerken has created a work of varied moods and textures. "Nairobi," for instance incorporates sophisticated and ethereal chord work with sweet melodic movement. "Berlin at 2:00 A.M." is nicely arranged for 12-string guitar, and "Freight & Salvage Improv" makes nice use of an electronic echo unit. Gerken also makes skillful use of odd time passages, without the forced and jagged effect that sometimes results from this. His time changes complement the music, and he maintains flow and direction."
"Overall, this is a notable debut effort. I look forward to seeing his talent and skill develop. Meanwhile, there is plenty here to absorb and enjoy for quite a while. Acoustic fans will appreciate this addition to their collection it is full of surprises, fresh ideas, and strong, creative energy."
"Highly recommended! Its all fingerstyle instrumental and I believe all but one are originals. Very creative and listenable compositions, imho some of the best I've heard, in a smorgasbord of tunings. Some of the tunes are not as strong as others, but there's enough really great stuff here to make it definitely worth owning. My favorites are Her Red Hair, The Westside and Darjeeling."
"I bought Teja Gerken's CD after hearing him at a concert. Sometimes
when you listen to a CD after a live performance you can be disappointed
- however, that is not the case with this CD. This is great acoustic guitar
music, but unlike a lot of acoustic guitar CDs that have almost the same
rhythm in every song, the tempos are mixed in these songs. Teja plays styles
from Celtic to African. I think Nairobi is the most interesting song on
the CD. Whenever this CD is playing, people always ask who is the artist.
I plan to buy more as gifts."
"During this evening of guitar music, [Claus] Boesser-Ferrari and his American colleague Teja Gerken showed what extremes are possible if two able adventurers are given free reign: The pieces of wood and wire that make up a guitar suddenly become strange entities, while simultaneously possessing familiar forms of communication. A fascinating exchange results, in which it isn't always clear who is controlling who; the musician his instrument, or vice versa."
"...in Gerken's pieces, you find typical American elements, enriched with the colors of the blues ("The Westside"), as well as impressions of a Celtic nature ("The Southwind/The Magic Potion"). His engaging playing is full of form and moves through moods and emotions, and he even manages to communicate topics such as San Franciso's loss of cultural diversity ("City For Sale") in a purely instrumental fashion...."
MANNHEIMER MORGEN, Germany, October 2001
"Gerken's compositions seemlessly connect different styles, and result in pearls of dexterity and expression."
"Gerken's original compositions are complex, personal instrumentals ornately convoluted with uncharted passages intended for on-the-spot improvisations, reflecting the guitarist's manifold tastes and influences."
