A small sampling of feedback for both Julia's writing and music:
| On Julia's Writing |
| "I find your interviews/articles
some of the most intellectually curious and articulate out there." - Evan Hirschelman, guitarist/composer, California |
| "You can count me among your
regular readers, through Classical Guitar Magazine." - Louis Trepanier, Canadian Guitar Quartet |
| "I just came across the interview
you did with Andrew York in Classical Guitar Magazine. Nice job
and most insightful. Andrew is probably one of my main influences...I
really love his music a lot." Bob Westcott, New York |
| "Your
Classical Guitar Magazine article turned out BEAUTIFULLY! So
glad you were able to talk with Howard Shore, too. Thanks for the great
work." - Sharon Isbin, Grammy-award winning guitarist, New York |
| "Just
read your Letter from New York column about Roland Dyens and
the Guitar Marathon, and really enjoyed your comments. Particularly loved
the part about 'curator' v. presenter... Your writing is brilliant, very
colorful and clear." - R.E. Brune, luthier, Illinois |
| "This is the best interview
I have had in a long time. Thank you again for a wonderful job." - Jorge Morel, guitarist, New York |
| "For those of you not on planet
earth, Julia Crowe is one of the most important voices in our Guitar World
both Classical and Non-Classical Guitar. Her Letter From New York
column in the great pages of Classical Guitar Magazine, published
by my dear friend MAURICE SUMMERFIELD, continues to spotlight the many
diverse Guitar Happenings in the Big Apple with dignity and class. Over
the last few issues of Classical Guitar Magazine, she gave us a very important
look at how our instruments are handled by the Airlines and also wrote
an all too brief look at the great Guitar Shop we have here in New York
run by amiable Tony Acosta – Luthier Music Corp, 341 West 44th Street
between 8th and 9th Avenue! Julia’s incredible talent is constantly
seen in so many Guitar Magazines almost every month and also online Magazines
like the Mel Bay’s Guitarsessions! I admire this young woman tremendously
for all she has done for our great instrument." -Don Witter, Jr., New York |
| "I was going through some old
Acoustic Guitar mags and I came across the issue from January
of 2006 with your cover story of John Hammond. As I re-read it I was reminded
of how much I enjoyed the piece the first time I went through it. Being
a fan of John's, it was nice to see him get the treatment he deserves.
IMHO, it seems when it comes to blues, he is often overlooked and underrated.
I was also pleased to re-read
the info about the 000 he plays. Your piece was the first I've read that
really went into that. Great piece. It was certainly one of the best and
most enjoyable articles I've read in quite some time. Thank you for writing
it!" -Robert Kimmel, California |
| On Julia's
Music |
"I like you a lot." |
"The perfect music for the modern-day opium den." |
"What you are about to hear, though it may not sound like it, is solo electric guitar in a piece from Julia Crowe called 'Black Feather,' essentially a bit of live electronica triggered and originating from her guitar on an album called Smoke & Steel. She just might have easily called it, 'Smoke & Mirrors' because in the liner notes, she says, 'One take, one track, one guitar. No overdubs.' I'm guessing she's got every possible pedal and effect for guitar going on this piece because this track is really an exercise in electronica driven by the guitar...it is unconventional and sounds nothing like guitar music. As an album, Smoke & Steel runs from gutbucket blues rock to tracks that are considerably more abstract--an interesting album from a talented guitarist in her own right. "Listening to Smoke & Steel is the best sort of haunting. Part memory, part dream, it's all raw passion. It's that boy you want to hunt down and skin like a rabbit, that open sky with roiling clouds, the weeping you haven't gotten around to yet. Her fingers are in perpetual, exquisite dialogue--teasing, arguing, falling in love. The music is the product of a brilliant mind and an expansive heart. An uncompromising original artist, not to be missed. --Sheri Holman, author of the novel Mammoth Cheese, short-listed for the Orange Prize
|
"Old friends who made the journey downtown for my show included classical guitarist and now electric guitar-slinger Julia Crowe, who has a beautiful new album out now entitled Smoke & Steel." |
"I think you brilliantly captured the solitary guitarist discovering the potential of the instrument while creating an eclectic set of original and emotion packed works. Bravo!" |
|
"You definitely need to check
out, Smoke & Steel. It’s amazing.
"One thing: Julia states in the liner notes, 'one guitar, one take, no overdubs' -- but it’s clear that there are at least 3 or 4 guitars playing simultaneously on each track. And some of them have an entire guitar army. No way does one person hit all those notes, countermelodies and rhythms. It’s not possible. It must be heard to be believed (or disbelieved). "Julia looks too good and plays too well. I’ve played guitar decades longer than she has—and when I play—it only sounds like HALF a guitar player is playing. Julia is obviously a Guitar Sorceress. Hence, the reference to 'smoke and steel' -- obviously two ingredients of the potion she’s concocted in her bubbling, bluesy, rock 'n roll cauldron. "The whole CD has an otherworldly feel. Each track transports you to a different place. And, c’mon—how can that be done unless by some kind of audio spell? That’s it. Julia has used her guitar as a talisman to cast a series of fabulous spells on her listeners. "I played it straight through on the way to work
last Thursday and I wound up driving to Katmandu. Still don’t
know how I got over all that water. Seriously,
Julia. Amazing stuff." |
|
|
Classical Guitar's Eccentric Sibling... Drawing from her mastery of classical guitar technique, Julia Crowe takes her Les Paul to heights hitherto unknown in the electric guitar world. Julia has adeptly applied the richness and complexity of classical technique and composition whereby opening up a floodgate of musical possibilities that I suspect she has only begun to exploit. Yet along with extraordinary playing, you will also hear an accomplished composer of refreshing originality. The music is all at once exciting, relaxing and introspective. In any given piece you are treated to a wonderful merging of diverse musical styles, modalities, and rhythmic energy. Do yourself a favor and buy it now, there is nothing quite like it, her - a must have recording for any aficionado of both guitar virtuosity and substantive composition. |
| "I only subscribe to such things
when I like what 'I hear' sufficiently to pass it on to friends. A handful
of years ago an artist many called 'Mr. Guitar' by the Windham Hill artists,
'Michael Hedges' reposed. I loved his eclectic but always clever and precise
technique as a guitarist. One thing that I respect from you, as well,
is the ability to play technically correct classical and other genres,
and to do so with respect for their traditions. This is what, in my never
humble opinion, gives you the honest freedom to create out from there.
I'm sure that you've heard the artist, music or otherwise, that says,
'Well, I'm not into that traditional stuff,' when in fact they're not
just able to play or paint or write it and just lack the honesty to say
so. If they do have this honesty, then they too have a place in the relative
creativity pool, again, in my never humble opinion. Again, I love your
diverse and more than merely sameness creativity and look forward to taking
the time to pay attention to your work more. I'll pass it on." - Timothy Gates, Ohio |
| "I had visions of phantasmagoria
black mountain side while listening to your track Tennessee Turk...
and I will do all I must to get a hold of the CD with that on it!!" - Susan Fitoussi, France |
| "A friend of mine told me about
you. She said you were one of the very best guitar players in the world.
I usually don't put a lot of stock into such high praise. I mean I once
thought that Dirty Looks was going to be the next big Metal Band, and
that Jessica Simpson would have to do nude photos to get anyone to pay
attention to her. Ok I was at least semi close on the second one, but
seriously, you are quite good. You aren't just a
good guitar player, the complete package, writer, and composer as well." - B.C. Beneke, Minnesota |
| "Your playing puts in mind the
spirit of Michael Hedges, a legendary innovator with a deep sense of melody
& harmony." - Guy Pople, U.K. |
| "I heard Rene Izquierdo perform
your piece Sid's Swagger and also a few times before the performance.
I thought it was great, with its impeccable rockabilly-type motif." - Matthew Miller, Wisconsin |
| "It's been a pleasure to discover
your world, original and beautiful playing and music, Pewter Sky
is very nice iced-bluesy, kind of blue..." - Lucio Damascelli, Rome |
| "What PLANET are you from?!
Incredible mix of unexpected rhythm, pace, and tone. Where do you get
that 'edge of breakup' sound from? Amazing. Captivating. I love it." - George Pepper, Texas |