Charentsavan
Pomegranate, 2016
8/10
A duduk player from Charentsavan, Armenia, though Arsen Petrosyan is a youngster, he’s got an impressive resume that includes playing all over the world. Here, he brings his immense talent to a debut album, where World Music, folk and jazz ideas mesh under his very unique vision.
“Eshkhemet” starts the listen with a soft and soothing approach as much grace and emotion is present as his duduk resembles a clarinet in tone, and “Hazar Ernek” follows with a louder approach, where firm percussion flows alongside a dreamy climate of Middle Eastern influences.
Deeper into the listen, “Lullaby For The Sun” brings a twinkling guitar and indeed lullaby spirit with much beauty in its precise delivery, while “Javakhki Shoror” moves with a playful, busier quality that’s dance friendly.
Closer to the end, “Kessabi Oror” glides with a bare and very pretty landscape that nods to Mediterranean styles, and “Hairenik” exits the listen with a poetic and stirring display and timeless song craft.
An album that varies from just the duduk to harp and guitar and occasionally with even fuller settings, Petrosyan was barely in his 20’s when he recorded this album, and he brings both traditional and very modern ideas to this very intimate and interesting effort.
Travels well with: Jah9- New Name; Allan Moon- Children Of The Call